Day 14 : Anglicans on the Streets | St. Paul’s Anglican Church

"When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed." – St. Theresa of Calcutta

We are about to tell you about the faithfulness of Anglicans in justice and mercy work. Mother Teresa's words above hit hard. What do we do with the "neither you nor I wanted" language? Her prophetic voice echoes John's clarity in the scripture below. These are not easy topics, but we are called to wrestle with the discomfort. And the Holy Spirit promises to companion and guide.

When we think of hunger, we often think of large cities and rural communities. But, the reality is that hunger exists nearly everywhere, even in thriving small towns. Some have known hunger their entire lives; for others, it is a new and often scary experience.

Can you imagine being food insecure, unable to feed your family? Where would you turn?

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." – 1 John 3:17-18

In Summerville, South Carolina, a small town of about 50,000 residents, the food insecurity rate hovers near 9%, technically less than 10% but consider how those numbers translate into a face, a name, a story. Years ago, the historic St. Paul’s Anglican Church wanted to better love their neighbors. For them, that tangible love meant bridging the gap in the community by providing meals for families.

Today, that means serving more than 1,100 families each year. But, ultimately their ministry is not simply providing food, diapers, and clothing; it’s about seeing their neighbors and creating a vibrant, welcoming environment that meets both tangible needs and builds long-term gospel-centered relationships.

As many ministries have found, word gets out once you become a place of shalom. People are attracted to the love of Jesus. They come and they bring others. When St. Paul’s realized they needed to grow their capacity to keep up, they applied for a Matthew 25 Initiative Grant.

Food distribution ministries need constant refreshing and updating so as to be places of shalom and not places of shame which can so easily happen. The gospel methods of relational investment, such as authentic friendship, make all the difference.

Poverty, by Leonard Beard

At the Matthew 25 Initiative, we create pathways for Christ-centered ministries to receive the financial aid they need to share the Gospel of God’s grace and meet the real human needs of the poor and vulnerable. It has been an honor partnering with St. Paul’s as they see, love, and serve their neighbors.

Hunger can exist in surprising places. Yet, where there is a church, there is a mandate to nourish, both spiritually and physically.