I first heard about them via a friend and was immediately impressed with their operation.  Not only did they have a big mission, they also had the operations in place to run it efficiently and effectively.  Essentially in the Food Pak Campaign they gave us empty boxes and then we sent them home with our families to fill up with non-perishable supplies.  These boxes were then given back to CHF to distribute to families in need in our local area.  One of the distinctive qualities about CHF is that they don’t just randomly give away food.  They actually partner with churches whom they train on how to identify people in need and then to deliver the food paks as an opportunity to reach out to them.

We were able to fill over 60 boxes and below are some stories from families who received Food Paks.

• A church in Chicago began delivering Food Paks to a woman and over a period of time she began attending church, gave her life to Christ, got baptized, and is now delivering Food Paks to other needy families in her neighborhood.
• “I met Irena at the clothing outlet over a year ago and she had told me that she had signed up for the food paks and that she really needed them so I looked into it and that same week I started meeting with her. She started coming to ESL and her daughter started coming to AWANA. Soon after Irena made a profession of faith… We received answered prayer and things got better with her husband’s job and she was so thankful that we were there for her in her time of need as well as her getting to know the Lord through the Word.”
• Through the Food Pak ministry, a church in the chicagoland area was able to begin a relationship with a family made up of father, mother, 2 sons, a girlfriend of one son and their two young children. Family was on government aid and had to heat to the house with the stove because electricity was often shut off. Throughout the visits, the family became receptive to the gospel and the Bible studies being shared with them. The whole family would gather in the kitchen as the pastor would share from the Word during the Food Pak visit. After a while they became regular attenders at the church and began serving in various outreach events. The church was also able to help them move into a smaller house with a more manageable rent, and help them purchase a minivan.

I love seeing the kingdom of God at work!

What if we invaded the mall and served as many people as we could?

As wild as it sounded that is exactly what we did last Sunday.  A few families met at the food court and then tried to bless as many people as possible.  It was a great experience for my family as it prompted incredible conversation with my children.

One lady was stunned when my 6 year old asked if she could put her tray away.

Another family had her 7  year old ask her on a completely different day when they were shopping if they should help an elderly man.  She got it!

It was simple idea…a little risky…but incredibly rewarding.

Here’s Les and Pilar’s story:

Since attending Suncrest-East we have become closer as a family and grown spiritually as individuals.  Life experiences have been for the positive and not the negative.  We hae met many wonderful and caring members and made some great friends.  We are on our way to becoming financially at peace due to classes offered.  We love being a part of the church’s family and feel truly blessed.

I was lost for a very long time and when I found Suncrest I found HOME AGAIN.. I found a Christian family to belong to and it’s changed my life completely. Every single message Suncrest has talked about I’ve needed to hear which just blows my mind. I count down the days till Sunday because I can’t wait to be in Church. I LOVE to Worship the Lord so the music choice is awesome. The craving I’ve had for God and the light that shines through me I owe all to Suncrest.. I was baptized through Suncrest & have been Reborn..THANK YOU!!

If you click HERE you can see Angela’s baptism!

OH… What Suncrest has meant to me. I had been going from Church to Church for some time and one day I got this post card in the mail from Suncrest.. normally I would have thrown it out with me junk mail but for a month I held on to it. Finally I decided to try it.. the other Churches had great buildings… and loads of people. I always felt like a lost sheep..checking my time to see if it was time to leave.   I went in and came out…no one even knew I was there.  I have to say that I adore the people at Suncrest, I have yet to check my time and see if the sermon is about over and I feel fulfilled when I leave. The sermons are interesting and real, they speak to your heart and soul. I know that I have found a home in Suncrest and I thank God for that little post card. My daughter and I will be at Suncrest for years to come.

A side note on Dinah’s story:  When she came for the first time, I notice Gail immediately welcomed her and invited her to sit right beside her and her husband.  I don’t think we can miss the coorelation between Dinah finding a home at Suncrest and Gail’s welcoming action!  Way to go!

From Maria:

One paragraph is definitely not enough to share how God has divinely set me up to come to Suncrest in order to continue the work he’s begun in me. Since I’ve come here, I have received much healing within my mind, heart, soul and yes, even body., Depression has left me(and my home) with the help of God’s word brought forth in a simple – yet, very applicable way through the messages. I believe the “next steps” Suncrest challenges me with help me to be a “doer” instead of a “hearer” and though these “next steps” can be challenging or uncomfortable, I know they are for my good and I can feel God looking down on me waiting to see if I’ll grow in my faith and make the change by his grace. For those that have come to know me, your unconditional love and compassion towards me has caused me to stay when I wanted to run. This is another thing I’ve learned…not to run anymore but stay and trust the Lord. I never knew a church where you didn’t have to take classes in order to be a part of the “team”. When asked if anyone wants to pray for people after services, my mouth and heart dropped because I’ve always longed to do so, but I always had to take “membership” classes and then was never picked to do so. I just want to thank God for the work he’s doing and continues to do and how he is blessing me to establish sound relationships, slowly but surely. And I want to thank you, Suncrest, for reaching out to Merrillville. I know I am one reason why God sent you here. One more thing, thank you for the FPU, I have really seen a great change in my life with a new mindset on how to be a better steward with God’s monies. I love the humility of our pastors and there since of humor is good medicince to our bones…Suncrest Rocks!