> Service Project and Reception

Connections Conference – Service Project

“Food, Friendship and Faith”

While it may be surprising to many of us, there are parts of any major metropolitan area that are considered “food deserts” where there is little or no access to fresh food or produce. Fort Wayne, Indiana is no different. But one man, together with the help of many volunteers and supporting churches in the area, is making a difference – one meal and one family at a time.

Rev. Lewis A. King serves the inner city of Fort Wayne. Feeding low-income families is a part of his ministry as Urban Outreach Pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Rev. King believes this is a way to show the love of Christ to our community. As a Kingdom builder, Rev. King’s work impacts many organizations and churches in our community (Northeast Indiana Neighborhood Engagement, Fort Wayne UNITED Ten Point Coalition, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church). His work started over 20 years ago in the barber shop he owned and operated. Today, it has grown to be a much broader community outreach. He organizes several food distributions a year that feed many families in need.

At the Connections Conference this November, we will be assembling food boxes and care bags as our service project. You are invited to participate in this project prior to attending the conference.

Designate one month of your school’s chapel offerings this fall for this project. $30 will provide a family a box of food that includes: green beans, corn, rice, noodles, cereal bars, oatmeal, and etc. $15 will provide essentials and snacks for an individual. Each teacher may wish to share with their class this video from a few years ago when Rev. King and community volunteers were preparing Thanksgiving food baskets: https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/kings-community-outreach-baskets-are-positively-fort-wayne/. At the end of the month, your school’s chapel offering may be sent to your District Office designated for “Connections Conference – Service Project.

Then, at the Conference, we invite you to join us Sunday, November 21 at 6:00 pm here in Fort Wayne to kick off our conference with a reception and a service project of packing these food boxes. This service project will take place at Parkview Field (located across the street from the convention center) followed by a welcome reception of food and drinks. As a part of your registration for the conference, please respond:

____ Yes, I would like to participate in the Sunday Evening service project to pack food boxes.

____ No, I will not be able to be there Sunday evening to participate in the service project.

____ Yes, I plan to attend the welcome reception.

____ No, I do not plan to attend the welcome reception.

Sunday evening, Rev. King will be on hand to share more of this ministry and his outreach to the urban community by sharing food, friendship and faith.