Joseph's Storehouse is blessed with large truck loads of food each month to be a blessing to many in the community.
Cars begin lining up early before our gates open at 8:30 on giveaway day, which last until 11:30. There is plenty of food for everyone who comes during those times.
Today's blog post comes to us courtesy of Apples of Gold Ministries. We appreciate the article and including Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry in the story.
Just One More.
The other day I came in for lunch just as my husband was getting to the end of a 3-hour WWII war movie he’d been watching. As a general rule, I don’t watch them. Daddy lost his leg in WWII. Enough said. Anyway, he paused to tell me the gist of the story so that I would understand when they showed the interview of the real-life soldier, Desmond Doss, in his old age.
Doss was the first (possibly only?) conscientious objector to ever be awarded the medal of honor. He was a Christian, and carried his Bible instead of a gun, serving as a medic for his country. He gladly served in that role, but refused to take up arms to kill. My husband went on to tell how badly Doss was treated by the other men and his C.O. because he refused to carry a weapon, and because he devoted the sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) to prayer and nothing else. They all considered him a coward, and as a result he was constantly hazed and ridiculed. They wanted to ship him out on a Section 8 for mental instability or court martial him, anything to get him away from their unit. Until one day, Doss single-handedly rescued roughly 75 of his fellow men, carrying them one-by-one off the ridge. (His C.O. said it was 100 men. Doss in his humiltity said it was more like 50, so the difference was split in the official record at 75.)
At this point, my husband stopped telling the story, and I watched the interviews (from several years ago) of Doss and his former C.O. and some others who were in their late 80s/early 90s by then. The men who had picked on him and ridiculed him for his faith owed him their lives. And they all refused to go to that final battle of Okinawa without him. Even after orders from central command, the C.O. and all of the men wouldn’t start until this soldier finished praying that morning... and they won the battle.
When they asked Doss how he saved all those men, he said he would pray, “Lord, help me get just one more.” And he took one down to safety, and prayed and took another. My husband said that in the movie, it showed Doss doing the impossible, with raw hands climbing up and down on that rope, but he just kept praying for God to let him get just one more until he got them all. I’ll be honest, it brought tears to my eyes.
In the world’s view, Doss had been considered a coward, and most didn’t want to go to war alongside him. In the end, they didn’t want to go without him. His C.O. said the men themselves didn’t really have a lot of faith in God, but they had a lot of faith in Doss and his belief in his God. They had seen firsthand as he walked the walk and not just talked the talk.
Oftentimes, we look at the world around us and it can be overwhelming to see the monumental problems. Evil abounds. Unfortunately, all too often we stay within our own little comfort zone and don’t dare to venture out to try to help with the bigger problems in the world. We think, what can I do? I’m just one person. That’s a lie from the enemy! The Bible says one of us can put a thousand to flight, and two of us can send the legions fleeing. One person with God can accomplish more than thousands without Him.
I’m sure most have heard the story of the little boy on the beach throwing the starfish back into the ocean. When asked how he thought he could possibly make a difference when there were so many, the boy replied, “it made a difference to this one,” as he threw it into the water. That’s the same attitude of the soldier. Just one more.
I sit on the board of our local food ministry, Joseph’s Storehouse, which feeds 400 or so families each month. When they come to get the food, they are offered to sit in faith services as well as offered one-on-one prayer. Not all want it, which is fine, but most do. Just this week, one came back and said she didn’t want prayer this time—she wanted to praise God. She had been bound with drug and alcohol addiction and many other problems, but God has set her free. Her life is now turned around and she is heading in the right direction. Joseph’s Storehouse made a difference to that one. I know we’ve made a difference in a lot of lives through the years, but like only one of the ten lepers that received healing came back to thank Jesus, we don’t always hear the success stories. However, we keep doing what God’s called us to do knowing we are “feeding the world, one soul at a time.”
We all need to have that mentality. We need to not look at the multitude, but look at the one. Pray for God to help us reach someone. Speak an encouraging word. Offer to pray for someone’s needs. Be kind. Be compassionate. Walk in love and forgiveness with everyone at all times. We may not ever know that someone had been planning on suicide, but for our prayer, or someone planning a school shooting, but changed his/her mind because of our kindness. Someone was hopeless, but we gave them hope. While we may never know the results, nonetheless, like the soldier and the little boy with the starfish, we focus on JUST ONE MORE.
We all start shopping for Christmas this time of year, and many of us already shop through Amazon. If you're not already aware, if you simply put "smile" in front of amazon, you land on Amazon Smile, which allows a portion of all of your purchases to be sent to the charity of your choice. We are an approved charity with them. You can support us simply by choosing us as your chosen charity when you shop at Amazon this holiday season. Login to amazon smile at smile.amazon.com/ch/64-1641617. #AmazonSmile#StartWithaSmile
Once you are set up with Joseph's Storehouse as your chosen charity, as long as your order through smile.amazon.com, a percentage of your purchases all year long will be donated to us to help support the needy in our community. In this way, you can give back without even opening your pocketbook. How great is that?! However, if you are able to open your pocketbook, we do need your ongoing support to help us keep the doors open and the food going out. This time of year is especially needful. Thank you again for your continued support of the work we are doing to help the less fortunate in the community.
A large portion of the people we serve are single parents, or families who have fallen on hard times. For them, school starting back in the fall is both a blessing and a burden. They are grateful the children will be in school receiving two meals each day, but they have the extra stress of school clothes and supplies to buy when they can't even afford food much of the time. Several churches in the area offer school supplies, backpacks and more. We also have resources for free clothing in our area, which is a blessing to those in need. Here at Joseph's Storehouse, we provide food, but sometimes we also have school supplies. Be sure to ask about them if you haven't been able to go to the big church giveaways.
Joyce Wilson has written an article to give parents some tips to make back to school time easier for everyone:
Start the School Year With a Bang
As summer draws to a close and brief hints of fall float through the air, the minds of kids and teenagers all across the land begin to turn toward school. Many may be anxious as they start a new school year. Their schedules are about to become busier and they’re starting a new grade or new school. Here is a bit of advice for how parents can help their kids feel excited instead of anxious for the beginning of a new school year.
Start Off Well
Mornings can often be the roughest part of the day for kids as everyone in the family scrambles to get up, get dressed, eat breakfast and fly out the door. Starting the family’s day in a calmer, more organized manner will get your kids off to school on a positive note. To do so, make sure your kids get enough sleep so they’ll be ready to get up in plenty of time. Prepare as much as possible the night before; gather school supplies, pack lunches and choose clothes. As parents, you should get up well before your kids - if you are rushed and flustered, they will be, too. You should also set up a morning routine for them so they know exactly what to do, including brushing their teeth, making their bed, unloading the dishwasher and eating breakfast.
Schedule It Out
Remember that it will take a few days at least to get back in the swing of the school schedule and adjust to the increased workload compared to summer, so give yourself and your kids some grace. Start adjusting their schedules a week or so before the actual first day of school so getting up earlier is not such a rude awakening. They will also have to get used to homework again, so help them out by setting up a well-lit, comfortable, uncluttered place for them to do their work when they get home. Give them a snack and some downtime before making them jump right into homework every day. Make sure you’re not overcommitted with extra-curricular activities as well. Too many places to go can wreak major havoc on your family’s schedule, and you’ll need some down time to just breathe as you adjust to the reality of a new schedule.
Get Organized
Taking stock of what should be organized as you start back to school will also help. Start by doing a thorough cleaning of each kid’s room and closet. Go through their clothes and donate, sell or hand down anything they have outgrown. Get their homework areas clean as well. Make sure you have extra school supplies at home. Kids always need paper, pencils, crayons and more when they’re deep into homework. Set up a calendar and filing system so everyone is up-to-date on schedules and your kids have a place to put the never-ending pipeline of papers that flow to and from school.
Also think about what new supplies or equipment you might need to buy. For example, if you have a younger child who'll be playing online games or doing online exercises as part of their schoolwork or if you have an older child who listens to music while doing homework, a good set of headphones is a solid back-to-school gear investment. Many options are relatively inexpensive and a decent pair can be found for less than $100.
Following these tips will reduce back-to-school chaos and anxiety in your family. In fact, they may even help your kids start to build some excitement for the new school year. The first day of school will be here before we know it. Have a great year!
We hope everyone has a blessed Father's Day weekend. Many families will gather together and enjoy a big meal and perhaps some fun in the sun, weather permitting. While you are enjoying it, would you consider those less fortunate than you that perhaps don't have a father in the home?
We see so many single parents; while most are mothers, some are fathers. Most of them all work hard to provide for their families, but they just can't make ends meet. For the men especially, but some of the women as well, it hurts their pride to admit they need help. They can lay down their pride; there's no judgment here. We all need help sometimes, in one way or another, and that's why we're here.
God has called us to feed the world one soul at a time... in other words, to feed every person, every family, that God brings to our door, as well as sending food to other ministries and organizations to help reach people beyond our community. In addition, He has commanded us to show them the love of God in the process. You know the old saying, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." When people can feel the love and acceptance, it takes the sting out of the pride that would try to make them feel bad for asking for help.
So in honor of fathers this week, and (for those of faith) to honor Father God, would you consider making a donation to Joseph's Storehouse to help us help the less fortunate? You'll be glad you did. It truly is a blessing to be able to give to others.
"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me."
It is with a very heavy heart that I write, amidst the tears... tears of sorrow and tears of joy. Bro. Bob Evans, who founded this ministry along with his wife, Peggy, back in '99, has left this world behind and is now rejoicing in heaven with the angels. For all of us who knew and loved Bro. Bob, we are sad at his passing, for he will be missed; however we also are happy for him, knowing how happy he is to meet Jesus face-to-face. Up until these last few years of his life (suffering from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases), Bro. Bob lived a full life. As a general rule, he was always full of joy... and energy. Nehemiah 8:10 says the joy of the Lord is our strength, and Bro. Bob certainly knew that well. It was that strength that kept him going and allowed him to accomplish all that he did for the Lord.
The Bible also teaches us that we can live an abundant life here on earth, and Bro. Bob truly did. His abundance didn't come from worldly riches, but he had an abundance of blessings that money can't buy. He had been married to his high school sweetheart for over six decades, and they were blessed with three beautiful daughters, as well as grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. They also had a son who went to heaven as a baby. I imagine that Russell was with Jesus as they welcomed Bro. Bob home.
He spent his life serving the Lord, including founding two churches as well as this ministry. Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy would both agree that It wasn't always easy (serving the Lord usually isn't), but it was always rewarding. He truly lived what he believed, and as a result, Bro. Bob always had a heart for giving to others. He lived by God's Word, especially the one upon which he founded Joseph's Storehouse, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me." (Matt. 25:40) He never met a stranger, and he was no respecter of persons. It didn't matter if someone was rich or poor, clean or dirty, he loved everyone the same. God put a heart of compassion in him and called him to "feed His sheep." Through the years, the Lord spoke to Bro. Bob many times in visions to help guide him into the next phase of his ministry, including a vision of heaven. No doubt the real thing doesn't even begin to compare. I'm sure that before he gets through hugging and shaking hands with everyone there, those of us who have also accepted Jesus as our personal Savior will join him around the throne. I firmly believe there will be thousands of people in heaven that will be able to thank Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy for being their "spiritual parents." I, for one, could never thank them enough for loving me like their own.
Please keep Sister Peggy and the family in your prayers, and please let them know you're thinking of them. The official obituary from Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home is below.
BRO. BOB EVANS
Funeral services for Rev. Bob Evans are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at West Hills Baptist Church, Lebanon, TN. Visitation will take place at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home on Monday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Tuesday after 11:00 am at the church. A private family burial at Wilson County Memorial Gardens will follow the service.
Bro. Bob Evans, 82, of Lebanon, went to be with his Lord on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The son of the late George and Allie Evans, Bro. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy Bellar Evans, daughters Laurie (Terry) Taylor, Lisa (Benny) Nolen, and Susan (Marc) Huddleston; five grandchildren, Carrie Beth Taylor, Jeremy (Christy) Taylor, Benjamin (Callie) Nolen, Bethany (Kyle) Speck, and Anna Huddleston; and eight great-grandchildren, Cayden Champion, Isabelle and Hudson Taylor, Asher, Levi, and Samuel Nolen, and Nolen and Nathan Speck.
Preceding him in death was his son, Robert Russell Evans.
Bro. Bob Evans, born in Baltimore, MD, moved to Lebanon at the age of 10 years old. He attended Lebanon High School and graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1954. He also attended Tennessee Tech University.
Bro. Bob was a Lebanon business man, working at Bellar Furniture Co., and owner/manager of Town and Country Home Furnishings, both in Lebanon, for 22 years. He surrendered and served in full-time ministry for 39 years which included music ministry at College Heights Baptist Church, Gallatin, and Fairview Baptist Church, Lebanon. He founded and pastored two churches, Love One Another Church, and Love’s Way Community Church, both of Lebanon. Desiring to show God’s love to hurting people, he and his wife founded Joseph Storehouse Food Ministry in 1999, which provides food to those in need in Wilson and surrounding counties. Bro. Bob also was involved in foreign mission endeavors in Russia and Haiti.
In 2012, the Lebanon Rotary Breakfast Club awarded Bro. Bob the Bernie Bass Community Service Award.
In 2014 the Tennessee House of Representatives passed a Joint Resolution to honor Bro. Bob for his work in ministry and community service.
Bro. Bob was a past member of the Lebanon Jaycees and Rotary Clubs, and the Gideon’s International.
Active Pallbearers include: Bobby Joe Reich, Joe Varossa, Kyle Speck, Terry Taylor, Jeremy Taylor, Robert Billings, and Fred Vanhook.
The service will be conducted by Rev. Benjamin Nolen and Benny Nolen.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Joseph Storehouse Food Ministry, 1960 SE Tater Peeler Road, Lebanon, TN 37090 and the Gideon’s International.
Thanksgiving will be here in less than a month, and we have a lot to be thankful for this year. We are thankful for people like you that donate your time and your resources to help us keep the doors open. Without your generous gifts, we wouldn't be able to feed the multitude of less fortunate families in middle Tennessee.
In every face that comes through our doors, there's a story. Most people would prefer not to have to come to a food ministry to get help, but they find themselves in situations that necessitate it. Before even talking with them, their faces tell us a story. We see the worried looks of a young mother trying to feed her children on her own, and then the tears and thankfulness when she's offered a listening ear, a helping hand, a word of encouragement, and a big yellow wheelbarrow full of food, toiletries, household items, as well as toys & trinkets for the kids. We see the wrinkled, hagard faces of the elderly, many living alone and having to choose between buying medicine and buying food each month. Most of them tell us they couldn't make it through the month without our assistance. We see the faces that are distorted with pain, sickness and disease that have aged people beyond their years, and we are thankful we are here to help them through another month. We see the downtrodden faces of the men who have hit hard times and are now unable to provide for their families. Many are embarrased to have to lay down their pride and ask for assistance, but then they are thankful to find that there's no judgment for needing help. We are here to love the people with the love of God by feeding them, one soul at a time.
For all of you that help us in any capacity, we thank you.
"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me."
Joseph's Storehouse warehouse manager, Robert Billings, coordinated efforts to collect and ship much-needed food, water and paper goods to areas ravaged by the fierce storms this month.
Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry co-founder and Executive Director, Peggy Evans, expressed her appreciation for the faithful supporters and volunteers who, "donated their time and effort to help send life-saving food, water, and other items to several locations which have suffered such devastating and unimaginable damage from the monstrous hurricanes. We shipped a total of 12 pallets weighing over 16,000 pounds, including: 4 pallets of MREs (meals ready-to-eat); 3 pallets of canned goods; 2 pallets of bottled water; 1 pallet of hygiene products; 1 pallet of cookies and 1 pallet of assorted snacks and other goodies. The Bible tells us anyone who gives even a cup of cold water to one of these in Jesus' name will be rewarded. We are so appreciative of the people in this area who have assisted us in helping those who are in such desperate need."
While Joseph's Storehouse is known for feeding hundreds of middle Tennessee families each month, it isn't commonly known that we provide disaster relief assistance beyond our local service area. Victims of hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Irma, as well as victims of the Haitian earthquake and the Great Flood of 2010 have also been assisted through JSFM.
We couldn't do what we do without the faithful support of our donors. Thank you so much for your generosity.
JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE FOOD MINISTRY IS PARTICIPATING IN THE BIG PAYBACK.
The Big Payback annual giving day is returning on Wednesday, May 3, and JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE is excited to take part in this monumental event for the FIRST time.
The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day that celebrates Middle Tennessee’s spirit of generosity and supports the life-changing work of area nonprofits.
Kicking off at midnight on Wednesday, May 3, the 24-hour online giving day helps organizations, like Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry raise much-needed funds and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community.
Gifts made to Joseph's Storehouse during The Big Payback are amplified by incentives and awards and may help us qualify for special prizes and bonuses throughout the day.
Since its inception in 2014, Middle Tennessee’s annual day of giving has raised more than $6.75 million for nearly 800 area nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions. We hope to benefit from it this year.
We hope you’ll support JOSEPH'S STOREHOUSE FOOD MINISTRY and our mission to feed the world, one soul at a time, on Wednesday, May 3 during The Big Payback.
For more information, contact us or visit www.TheBigPayback.org. Thank YOU for your support!
As many of you know, our Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Bro. Bob Evans, has been struggling with Parkinson’s Disease for a while now. Sadly, his health has now deteriorated to the point he has had to retire from Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry. His daily presence here will be missed, but his legacy will continue on. His wife, Co-Founder, and Co-Executive Director, Sis. Peggy Evans will continue as Executive Director and daily operations will continue as they have been. Please keep Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy in your prayers.
As I was listening to Tim McGraw sing his hit, “Humble and Kind” during the CMA’s the other night, I couldn’t help but think of Tony Bates.Tony has been a faithful supporter of Joseph’s Storehouse for many years now, and we praise God for the Bates Ford sponsorship funds we receive that help us feed the less fortunate in the community.
I sat down with Tony earlier this week and we exchanged testimonies of how God has blessed us more than we could deserve. Tony shared he’d gone from humble beginnings to where he is now, all to the glory of God. He told how, in his younger years, he had been so focused on working and making money that he had lost sight of the more important things in life.Then he had an epiphany and realized he’d rather be broke than be miserable, a point that he emphasized again and again. Humble and kind.
When I asked about Bates Ford, he told me he started working for Mr. Burchett back in February of 1990.Tony would have left in ’94, but Mr. Burchett offered him a partnership with rights to buy him out.So Tony stayed on, and in 2007, after Mr. Burchett’s passing, Tony exercised his option to purchase the remaining stock, and the business became Bate’s Ford.Now Tony also owns two tractor dealerships. God has truly blessed him, and Tony is quick to tell you why. It isn’t because he is something special, he’ll tell you, but because he’s a giver.
Tony gives a minimum of 10% of the profits from his business, plus he gives personally.Then he gives into the community as well. He supports schools, many programs at the fair, local ministries, and of course, Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry. He is our largest single supporter, but he doesn’t pat himself on the back about it.He said God told him several years ago, “it ain’t about me.”So Tony began putting money into ministries, and God has poured out His blessings on him.
Folks around Lebanon may know that Bates Ford supports the fair every year, and they may know he supports the schools. In fact, anyone needing funding for any school project will generally knock on his door. However, people may not realize all the extras he does for individuals in need; I won’t share any of his secrets here, but I will say it is amazing all he has been able to do.Tony didn’t share some of those stories with me to toot his own horn- he was giving glory to God.He’s quick to say that he does it because it’s a miracle he is where he is today, and that God has blessed him to be able to do it.God gives it to him so that he can bless others with it.You can’t out-give God. The more you give; the more He blesses you.Tony is living proof of God’s blessings, and he stays humble and kind.
It is that same humility and kindness that has graced Bob & Peggy Evans, Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry founders, to continue to serve the Wilson County community all these years. God gave Bob a vision to feed the hungry, and He has blessed Joseph's Storehouse with people, like Tony Bates, who hook up with the vision to help those less fortunate than themselves. If you are not already a part of our ongoing support here at Joseph's, let me encourage you to consider partnering with us so that you, too, can enjoy the blessing of giving.
