Love by the Basketful
Love by the basketful is how the front page story in the Marietta Journalin Marietta, Georgia, described the recent ministry work of Turner Chapel AME Church, located in Marietta, Georgia. Turner Chapel is a large congregation of more than 4,500 worshipers and its growth is evident that God has been and is truly in the midst.
Turner’s vision is to make a difference in people’s lives by extending the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ. On August 18, the Turner family took care packages to a new level by delivering 82 baskets, over two tons of food, filled to the brim with staple food and necessities of canned meats, pasta, vegetables, crackers, snacks, and laundry supplies. It was as if Christmas was coming in August for the selected families. Turner undoubtedly succeeded in making a difference by donating tangible food products and sharing Jesus’s ministry of love to their neighbors. One minister said, “That’s what we’re trying to do, to love our neighbors with what we can give them, to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, and also to provide them with a physical need.”
That Saturday marked the second annual basket delivery from Turner, as part of its annual Women’s Day program. The Women’s Day coordinator, Linda Pitts, wanted to give back to the community in some fashion, settling on the idea of food baskets. To add a bit of fun, she also decided to judge the donated basket based on a set of criteria and to select the top three for small recognition. That sense of competition among the women of Turner added a special flavor of fellowship and fun within the church.
Giving far surpassed anyone’s expectations. The level of creativity displayed went even higher. The Golden Agers Ministry (first place winners) created four baskets for a senior citizen and placed their items in a walker draped with hand knitted blankets. The Ambassador Ministry (second place) utilized a wheelbarrow for their haul of food items. Another creative basket donated by The Sistahs included a kid-sized dollhouse filled to the brim with goodies inside (third place). These were but a few examples of the 82 baskets completed, up from 60 during the inaugural year.
The men of the church came out in full fashion to support the event. First, the Men’s Ministry created their own basket for delivery and then the men of Turner also willingly lifted and hauled the largest baskets into vans and cars for distribution. All and all, the entire effort became a church-wide love expression.
Most people focus on the end result, those families receiving food that will likely eliminate the need to make purchases for three-six months, as the most important outcome of the event. However, we also need to focus on those church members who donated items or who gave of their time making the deliveries possible and what they gained.
Purchasing the food became a labor of love, supplying the families with the “right” food also became important. The Turner Family selected only things they would want to eat. They wanted the recipient families to like what they received. As the baskets came together, those making final preparations gathered together in smaller units to ensure the recipient families loved their baskets. The makers took time to wrap the baskets in beautiful wrapping paper, add large bows, and even hot air balloons. Just looking at the baskets it would be impossible not to feel how much love went into the assembly. One might say that the makers and deliverers of the baskets gained just as much as the families that received them. Turner felt and received God’s love during this Women’s Day activity around delivering the baskets to the community. God’s love abounded around and through us.
