Food as the Heart of Jesus’ Ministry
If you read the stories about Jesus, it becomes clear that food was not just important—it was central to His mission. He shared meals in people’s homes, fed multitudes, and revealed Himself in the breaking of bread. Even in His resurrection appearances, food played a role. As Luke 24:32-34 recounts, the disciples recognized Jesus by the way He broke bread.
The Power of a Meal Plan: A Personal Reflection
During my time in college, we were required to have a meal plan. Some students opted for two meals a day during the week, while others chose three meals a day, seven days a week. The dining hall became a place of connection—where friendships were deepened over meals, where we laughed, studied, and shared life together.
The mandated meal plan brought us together, strengthening relationships that remain some of the most precious in my life. I believe Jesus has a meal plan for the church today.
Food: A Necessity and a Ministry
Food is fundamental to life. Alongside water, clothing, and shelter, it is a basic human need. Jesus understood this, often providing for those in need. Today, we speak of food insecurity and food deserts, highlighting the struggles of many who lack access to nutritious food. Churches and community organizations have stepped in, creating food pantries that serve as lifelines for struggling families.
I once served in a town of just 700 people where we provided weekly food distributions to over 100 families. These ministries are vital, as they fulfill Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:35:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
Food Pantries: A Community Beyond Necessity
Food pantry patrons often form a unique community. They know each other, support one another, and show up consistently. But could there be more? Could we move beyond simply meeting physical needs to fostering a deeper, spiritual community?
At one food distribution center, something remarkable happened. Three regular attendees passed away in the span of a month, and the community grieved together. We decided to host a meal—a gathering of remembrance and comfort. That evening, we shared home-cooked food and held a memorial service.
In that moment, something was born—a step in a Food to Faith journey, transforming a gathering of need into a community of love.
The Table as a Place of Welcome
A shared meal embodies hospitality. It is one of the simplest yet most profound ways to create belonging. People who are lost, broken, lonely, or hurting can find healing and connection at a Dinner Church meal. They do not just receive food—they receive friendship, family, and faith.
This was Jesus’ practice. He fed people physically and spiritually. From feeding the 5,000 to instituting the Lord’s Supper, He used meals as places of divine encounter. Shouldn’t we do the same?
A meal is an expression of love that Jesus commended to us. It is both an act of hospitality and a means of divine encounter.
Walking the Food to Faith Journey
The Food to Faith journey is biblical, practical, and deeply missional. Over the years, I have been part of building ministries—some from meager beginnings, others from places of struggle. I once heard a phrase at a conference that has stayed with me:
Start where you are, with what you have, do what you can.
This simple yet powerful approach applies to any Food to Faith journey. It is something we can all embrace. Whether through food pantries, community meals, or shared tables, we can follow Jesus’ model—feeding bodies and souls, creating spaces where faith and food bring people together.
