I haven't literally seen Jesus feed 5,000 people, starting with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, then ending up with plenty of leftovers. But I have witnessed the miracle of multiplication several times in my life when God's Word comes near in love and service. One of the most recent examples was this winter when our congregation agreed to serve as a cold weather emergency shelter.
Ours is a church in Milwaukee, a city where people experiencing homelessness number in the hundreds on any given night, often over a thousand. By partnering with the Milwaukee Coalition for Housing and Homelessness, our congregation was able to welcome in 60 guests each night to keep them safe and warm. Over the course of the winter, more than 650 people found respite and resources in our church. This wouldn't have been possible without the contributions and support of many volunteers and neighbors. But God's Word came near to us and was shared through all the people serving and building a healthier community together.
- Pr. Kevan Penvose, Unity Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
