This past week, I attended the annual meeting for God’s Storehouse, the local non-denominational Christian ministry that provides groceries for the needy. It was a time for reviewing the past year and celebrating all that God had done in 2007 through this important helping agency. Our church, like many churches in the Danville area, provides regular ongoing support to God’s Storehouse. So this was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the ministry.
One thing I learned is that 2007 was the busiest year in the 20-year history of the ministry. There were more requests for help and more assistance provided than ever before. The needs
definitely have been up. But, according to Executive Director Becky Wales, it also was one of the “most blessed years” in the history of the organization. Statistically speaking, 20,284 bags or boxes of food were distributed in 2007. Those allotments of groceries were dispersed among some 16,018 family units (or approximately 1335 families per month). Each bag or box of food stuffs is approximately 20 pounds in weight, which is a pretty nice amount of provisions. And the total bottom line cost to God’s Storehouse in providing this gift is only about $7.50 per box—a figure that includes all of the organization's operating costs exclusive of capital improvements! (That’s a whole lot better than you and I could do shopping at our local grocery stores!)
Of course, one thing that makes all of this possible is the support provided by churches like ours, as well as that provided by other community groups and agencies. But one of the greatest sources of support comes from corporate sponsors, such as Food Lion.
Four Food Lion supermarkets in the Danville area were recognized at the annual meeting for their Herculean efforts on behalf of God’s Storehouse. In 2007, these local Food Lion stores graciously
provided some 172,000 pounds of food to the ministry at absolutely no cost! These are food stuffs at or near their official expiration date that—while still good—would normally have been discarded by their distributors. Thus, products that at one time would have tragically wound up in the dumpster—(what a waste!)—now are being redirected to feed hungry people throughout Danville and Pittsylvania County. Praise the Lord!
As I sat there listening to these encouraging reports, I couldn’t help to think back some 20 years ago to when this ministry was being birthed. When I was pastor at Melville Avenue Baptist Church, I remember going to Pittsylvania Baptist Association pastors meetings and hearing Kirk Lashley—then pastor at West Main Baptist Church—talking about the need for this new ministry as well as providing frequent updates on its development. Finally, due to the vigorous efforts of Kirk and other like-minded visionaries, God’s Storehouse came into being in the fall of 1987. And from its very humble beginnings, it has grown into the important ministry that it is today. I don’t think any of us in Danville and Pittsylvania County could imagine life without it. For two decades, God’s Storehouse has met a vital need in our community.
One other thing. What really prompted me to attend the God’s Storehouse meeting was the ministry’s announcement of the winner of their annual “Volunteer of the Year” award. As I knew in advance, that person for 2007 was none other than our own Jolanda Clayton. For nearly 15 years, Jolanda has been a warm ray of sunshine at God’s Storehouse, unselfishly giving of herself in service to others. Jolanda had no idea that she
was going to be so honored that night. In fact, her daughter Whitney had to concoct quite an elaborate scheme just to get her mother there. It seems that Jolanda was tired after a hard day of volunteer work and she just didn’t feel up to attending the meeting that night. But at Whitney’s dogged insistence, she finally relented. Even with her husband Buddy in attendance—as well as son Wickham and daughter-in-law Georgina (visiting from England), and granddaughter Catie—it amazingly didn’t dawn on Jolanda that she might possibly be receiving an award. Somehow—thanks to a little bird named Whitney—Jolanda was under the impression that Mount Hermon Baptist Church was being recognized because of our children’s ministry’s efforts in collecting canned goods. So, Jolanda thought she was there for Whitney, our church’s children’s minister. But was she ever surprised when Becky Wales called her name and handed her the plaque!
One of the great joys I have as pastor of Mount Hermon is seeing so many of our members on mission with God throughout this community. We have a great number of members serving in a variety of ministry settings, often flying “under
the radar” in unsung roles. None of them do it for personal gain or for individual recognition. They do it simply because they love Jesus and they love people. Although I know that the soft-spoken and gentle-spirited Jolanda is quite embarrassed by all of this recent attention, she certainly is a wonderful example of someone quietly and unselfishly serving others. She has found a special niche and God is definitely using her. May God greatly increase her tribe by calling out more like her!
Pastor Danny
One thing I learned is that 2007 was the busiest year in the 20-year history of the ministry. There were more requests for help and more assistance provided than ever before. The needs
definitely have been up. But, according to Executive Director Becky Wales, it also was one of the “most blessed years” in the history of the organization. Statistically speaking, 20,284 bags or boxes of food were distributed in 2007. Those allotments of groceries were dispersed among some 16,018 family units (or approximately 1335 families per month). Each bag or box of food stuffs is approximately 20 pounds in weight, which is a pretty nice amount of provisions. And the total bottom line cost to God’s Storehouse in providing this gift is only about $7.50 per box—a figure that includes all of the organization's operating costs exclusive of capital improvements! (That’s a whole lot better than you and I could do shopping at our local grocery stores!)Of course, one thing that makes all of this possible is the support provided by churches like ours, as well as that provided by other community groups and agencies. But one of the greatest sources of support comes from corporate sponsors, such as Food Lion.
Four Food Lion supermarkets in the Danville area were recognized at the annual meeting for their Herculean efforts on behalf of God’s Storehouse. In 2007, these local Food Lion stores graciously
provided some 172,000 pounds of food to the ministry at absolutely no cost! These are food stuffs at or near their official expiration date that—while still good—would normally have been discarded by their distributors. Thus, products that at one time would have tragically wound up in the dumpster—(what a waste!)—now are being redirected to feed hungry people throughout Danville and Pittsylvania County. Praise the Lord!As I sat there listening to these encouraging reports, I couldn’t help to think back some 20 years ago to when this ministry was being birthed. When I was pastor at Melville Avenue Baptist Church, I remember going to Pittsylvania Baptist Association pastors meetings and hearing Kirk Lashley—then pastor at West Main Baptist Church—talking about the need for this new ministry as well as providing frequent updates on its development. Finally, due to the vigorous efforts of Kirk and other like-minded visionaries, God’s Storehouse came into being in the fall of 1987. And from its very humble beginnings, it has grown into the important ministry that it is today. I don’t think any of us in Danville and Pittsylvania County could imagine life without it. For two decades, God’s Storehouse has met a vital need in our community.
One other thing. What really prompted me to attend the God’s Storehouse meeting was the ministry’s announcement of the winner of their annual “Volunteer of the Year” award. As I knew in advance, that person for 2007 was none other than our own Jolanda Clayton. For nearly 15 years, Jolanda has been a warm ray of sunshine at God’s Storehouse, unselfishly giving of herself in service to others. Jolanda had no idea that she
was going to be so honored that night. In fact, her daughter Whitney had to concoct quite an elaborate scheme just to get her mother there. It seems that Jolanda was tired after a hard day of volunteer work and she just didn’t feel up to attending the meeting that night. But at Whitney’s dogged insistence, she finally relented. Even with her husband Buddy in attendance—as well as son Wickham and daughter-in-law Georgina (visiting from England), and granddaughter Catie—it amazingly didn’t dawn on Jolanda that she might possibly be receiving an award. Somehow—thanks to a little bird named Whitney—Jolanda was under the impression that Mount Hermon Baptist Church was being recognized because of our children’s ministry’s efforts in collecting canned goods. So, Jolanda thought she was there for Whitney, our church’s children’s minister. But was she ever surprised when Becky Wales called her name and handed her the plaque!One of the great joys I have as pastor of Mount Hermon is seeing so many of our members on mission with God throughout this community. We have a great number of members serving in a variety of ministry settings, often flying “under
the radar” in unsung roles. None of them do it for personal gain or for individual recognition. They do it simply because they love Jesus and they love people. Although I know that the soft-spoken and gentle-spirited Jolanda is quite embarrassed by all of this recent attention, she certainly is a wonderful example of someone quietly and unselfishly serving others. She has found a special niche and God is definitely using her. May God greatly increase her tribe by calling out more like her!Pastor Danny
