Ohio Church’s Effort to Feed Schoolchildren Exceeds Expectations

By Chris Moon

This past weekend, Christ’s Church in Mason, Ohio, gathered enough food to pack 6,400 meals for students in the local school district who are on free and reduced-price lunches. Schools are closed in the community for three weeks because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Starting Monday, families were welcomed at the church to pick up bags containing a five-day supply of food.

The church collected much more food than anticipated, so it was able to pack several thousand more meals for others in need.

“I think people are inherently good people,” said Trevor DeVage, the church’s lead pastor.

He said community members, regardless of their religious or economic background, seem intent on helping one another, “which is probably the most biblical thing that is going on right now.” DeVage said the church received food donations from Hindu and Muslim groups in the community.

The church will be accepting more student meal kit donations this Saturday.

Christ’s Church also is putting together “shopping teams” for the elderly so that those most vulnerable to the coronavirus can avoid risking exposure.

DeVage said the church now is looking forward to an extended period of not having onsite worship services. He doesn’t anticipate the church gathering in-person again until Mother’s Day.

But DeVage said he is looking for good things from the “digital church,” which he said could spark a revival.

DeVage said he held a prayer time on Facebook Live that has been viewed by 650 people. Online ministry can bring people together, he said, and it can revolutionize the way the church operates.

“On Sunday, the global church was gathered together in one place. It was called the Internet,” he said.

Chris Moon is a pastor and writer living in Redstone, Colorado.