LETTER FROM: Cathy, PA

A central Pennsylvania church ministry not only provides physical bread every week to those in need, they assure that recipients also hear about the free gift of salvation from the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

The Bread Ministry began in 2018.

Each week, a volunteer picks up bread, bagels, and sweets from Panera Bread, and brings them to the church, where volunteers meet to wrap and bag the donations. A Gospel tract is included in each bag.

The bags are placed in the church foyer and made available to any family in need. Each month, volunteers also distribute bags to individuals in a nearby senior living apartment complex.

“We discuss salvation and prayer needs, and pray with each person that requests it,” said Cathy, a volunteer. “We also will distribute a Bible if the person does not have one.”

Cathy and her husband Ben have been a part of the Bread Ministry since August 2024.

“Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world,” she said. “It is easy to ask if a person would like to know Jesus as their Savior and offer to pray with them. Many times, we think we don’t know what to say, but the Holy Spirit leads us.

“By going to a designated place each month, we have opportunity to share our faith and invite them to church.”

Cathy said volunteers have been able to build relationships with individuals through the ministry, and many will ask for prayer each month when they visit.

The tracts, she said, provide an additional avenue through which people can hear the Good News. Her favorite tracts include the “Romans Road” to salvation.

“They are very simple and concise,” she said. “It gives the four steps to salvation in Jesus Christ.”

“People will look at tracts when something catches their eye,” she said, adding, “It is the opportunity to share Christ without pressuring them.”