Volunteer finds healing in helping others

SAN ANTONIO—After suffering a neck injury, Marion Thomas thought she had nothing left to give. She couldn’t sit in one place for extended periods, nor could she stand on her feet for long. She took 12 pills a day to handle the pain.

But Thomas decided what she could give, she’d offer to God by volunteering at Redeeming Grace Christian Church, a predominantly African-American congregation affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

There, she discovered she had much more left than she ever imagined.

What began as short periods of helping around the church evolved into days filled with activity. Then it became several days a week of ministry as she started the congregation’s food distribution effort. She took small steps of faith, and she insists God rewarded her for being obedient.

The first year of the outreach, the congregation provided food for about 2,000 people. As Thomas worked, she felt herself growing stronger, able to work harder and longer without pain. Two years later and pain-free as the congregation’s administrator, Thomas coordinates one of the largest hunger ministries in South Central Texas, providing food for more than 35,000 people this year.

“I’m just a living witness when you give yourself to Christ and you help other people, he will help you,” she said of the healing she has experienced as she has served others.

For thousands across South Central Texas, Thomas’ commitment to serve was a Godsend.

Diann Kee (right) gives away a sack of food during one of Redeeming Grace Christian Church’s food distribution days. This year, the church will provide food for more than 35,000 people. (PHOTOS/John Hall/Texas Baptist Communications)

When the economy crashed and more people found themselves in need, Redeem-ing Grace Christian Church’s volunteer base and financial resources already had grown to the point that the congregation was there for them.

Some people drive more than 50 miles to get food from the church. Individuals who line up an hour before food is distributed tell stories of losing their jobs, of working but not being able to support their families or of being homeless. One person came to church after not eating for three days, begging volunteers for anything to eat. Many are elderly. Many others are single parents who arrive with young children in tow.

The congregation’s desire to feed the hungry embodies the spirit of Texas Hope 2010, an initiative to pray for others, care for people in need and share the gospel with every Texan by Easter 2010. Redeeming Grace Christian Church recently was selected to receive a $10,000 grant through the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger.

“It’s a very difficult time for people,” Pastor Brent Bryant Sr. said. “I’m hearing all kinds of stories, all kinds of issues that are happening. I understand that because of our economy. People are hungry, so we’re doing the very best we can by offering them food.”

Diann Kee, who has been taking off from work for more than a year to help the church, said word is spreading about the congregation’s desire to help families in need.

“You see more and more people, and they’re coming out and they’re telling about Redeeming Grace. And they’re coming out here because they do need the help,” she said. “In this time and day, everyone is in need, so as much as we can help, we try to help.”

As people move through the line to pick up food, church members visit with them as they hand out bags, sacks and baskets of items. Church members also help them carry items through the line and assist them in loading the food into their cars.

Church members have the opportunity to build relationships with the people they are serving, Kee said. Those interactions enable Christians to invite people—90 percent of whom are not part of the congregation—to Bible studies and worship services.

“They call us by name,” she said. “We call them by name. We’re like family.”

Thomas connects with people facing overwhelming issues by sharing her story and lifting them up.

“I can relate to them. I encourage them—tell them, ‘It’s not the end of the world, and you do have something to give to society.’”