Today started the first time that we opened up State Street to the neighborhood kids for lunch.  Now that summer break is here, it has left the kids around State Street with a ton of time on their hands and a place to spend that time.  Julie Secor, our kid’s team leader, and Tyler Secor, our food pantry leader, came up with the idea of giving a hot meal once a week to our kid friends.  The agenda is simple; feed the kids and have fun doing it.

On top of the once-per-week hot meal (with menu’s and all), anytime the church is open, the kids can come into the building for a snack bag.  In the bag is different snack items (applesauce, crackers, etc.) that the kids can take with them or eat at the church.

I really love the people and the passion behind this ministry.  They understand the importance of taking care of the “least of these”.  As one of my favorite authors once said, “Our faithfulness will depend on our willingness to go where there is brokenness, loneliness, and human need. If the church has a future it is a future with the poor in whatever form.” (Henri Nouwen).  This team gets it.  They know why the church exists and what is our purpose.

Today as all the volunteers left, one young boy stayed behind to talk with me (he stayed the rest of the day, actually).  As Julie left, he said, “I’m really going to miss her. She might be the nicest girl I’ve ever met.”  Julie is going on vacation next week and this boy knew it.  But, what I heard wasn’t what he was saying.  What I heard was a deeper connection formed through someone that simply cares.  Through a couple of pizza slices, some ice cream, and a few intense games on the Nintendo Wii, this group of people just showed a boy that he mattered.

He matters to Julie.
He matters to the rest of the volunteers.
He matters to the church.
He matters to God.

And THAT’S what it’s all about.

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:13-16