The Christian Response to Hunger in America

By Barbara Muse M.Div.

In this country alone, there are over 22 million children receiving free or reduced meals during the school year. During the summer months those same children can scarcely find a free nutritious meal. Using Lamentations 2:19 as a guide, Christians are to respond to the hunger that they see on the streets of America and eventually throughout the world. The assignment begins at home, by making sure that no child goes hungry in America. I present this book to stir, to move, and, to compel Christians to action in regards to ending hunger in the name of Jesus Christ. I lay out compelling reasons biblically, historically, and, theologically, why Christians should respond to the call to feed hungry children. I pray that this book liberates Christians, to take action for the children in our neighborhoods, in our state, in our country and in the world who need food.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973669500

Barbara Muse M.Div.

Barbara Muse is a professional speaker, co-founder, and Executive Director of Bread of Life Development (BOLD) Ministries, a non-profit dedicated to feeding those in need spiritually and physically by providing meals and educating families in making healthy food choices. She is passionate about fighting hunger in America for the sake of the children. She has a passion for empowering others to live an abundant life though Jesus Christ. Barbara has ministered in various locations across the country. Barbara’s vision is to eradicate hunger by feeding one child at a time. Barbara has a Master of Divinity in Pastoral/Congregational Care from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from National University. Barbara has also completed a Certificate Program from University of California, Davis in Alcohol and Drug Studies.

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Copyright © 2019 Barbara Muse M.Div.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-6951-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-6950-0 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/05/2019

Contents

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO THE POOR & TO HUNGER

HISTORICAL VIEW OF POVERTY

THEOLOGICAL VIEW ON POVERTY

PASTORAL RESPONSE TO HUNGER

CONCLUSION

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

APPENDIX D

APPENDIX E

APPENDIX F

APPENDIX G

BIBLIOGRAPHY

FOREWORD

In 2009, my husband Ray and I launched a summer food program as a community outreach effort for our church Bread of Life Development (BOLD) Ministries. We received approval from the State of Georgia to become an Administrative Sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program, which provides reimbursement to Sponsors who provide free creditable meals to children eighteen and under. The meals we serve must meet the USDA meal pattern requirements for children. The meals include items from five different food groups to help children receive a nutritious balanced meal.

This was a very important outreach project for our ministry to take on. Most of the children that attended our church came from low-income families. Every Sunday during children’s church, the children would not even settle down until I could find something for them to eat. I would see their entire countenance change after they were able to consume some food at church. Since we had obtained some vital statistics regarding the socio-economic conditions of our area therefore, we knew there was a need in the community to feed children. We could see the need for food as an issue every Sunday at our own church especially with the high unemployment rate of our members.

After receiving state approval to become a Sponsor of the SFSP, we began that first summer by placing a sign on the church lawn, advertising that free meals were available for children 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We had a consistent number of children coming to the church everyday to receive free breakfast and free lunch meals Monday through Friday. We were also able to recruit and train five other sites, and we prepared and delivered meals to those sites as well. During that first summer, we prepared and delivered over 20,000 meals to children. At the time of such humble beginnings, especially with such a small congregation we never knew how God would use us to feed so many children in the