Ministry Spotlight – Kitchen Ministry

Perhaps you have noticed a small sign that hangs outside the F.B.C. church kitchen that reads – “Nothing brings people together like good food.” As one born and raised in the home of devout Southern Baptists – I can say “Amen!” to that truth. My mom was known at the church dinner for her contribution of deviled eggs and pineapple lime Jello mold!

As I consider the facilities of First Baptist Church, there are few (if any) spaces that are utilized more often than the church kitchen. In the last month, there have been: weekly men’s breakfasts; a church family dinner; a girls’ pancake gathering; snacks for a senior adult movie; a catered funeral meal for a family; the annual Valentine’s Banquet; a Disciple Now weekend for youth; and the list could go on and on. In addition to all the church activities that involve use of the church kitchen, we have many individual rentals of the facilities that include kitchen use as well. Again, we are reminded that the buildings and resources of First Baptist Church are tools to be used to support the mission of the church and the furtherance of His Kingdom. God has been so good to us! We have great spaces, operative equipment, and financial resources to meet the programing needs of various church ministries.

The Kitchen Ministry Team of F.B.C. oversees the kitchen and monitors the consumable products that are utilized. This team also organizes volunteers to assist with churchwide events that include food. For example, the first Wednesday of the month (September through April) we provide a family dinner for anyone who would like to attend. This dinner is especially helpful to families that attend AWANA Clubs and volunteers who serve in clubs. Another churchwide event that involves the Kitchen Ministry Team is a carry-in breakfast on Easter Sunday morning. While much of the food will be brought by those attending, the Kitchen Ministry Team helps to coordinate, serve, and clean-up following the breakfast. In addition to the numerous churchwide events, many ministries of First Baptist Church have events that will include the preparation and service of food. Consider these ministries: children, youth, senior adult, men’s, women’s, missions-evangelism, Sunday School, Women on Mission, funeral meals, etc. With the kitchen being used by so many church ministries, it is important that we coordinate calendars and act as faithful stewards of the resources available. If you have questions about the use of the kitchen for a ministry event, please schedule the activity through Wendi in the church office. If you need a tour of the kitchen or a tutorial on how to use any of the equipment, you can speak to either Debby Hailey or Kay Marshall who co-chair the Kitchen Ministry Team. Volunteers to serve through the Kitchen Ministry Team are always welcome!

Another area of ministry that utilizes the kitchen is the Funeral Meal Team. This group is available to respond to the request of a family to provide a meal (usually at the church) in conjunction with a funeral service. The Funeral Meal Team utilizes a number of volunteers who are willing and able to donate a side salad or dessert item for a funeral meal. The main meal is prepared and served by volunteers who come to the F.B.C. kitchen and help with these preparations and service. The provision of a funeral meal is done without any expectation of payment from the family. However, many contribute to this cause so that the ministry can be extended to others as they experience the passing of a loved one. If you would like to know more about the Funeral Meal Ministry, contact Pat Walker.

Keep an eye on the church’s activity calendar and perhaps we will be serving you soon through the ministry of the church kitchen!