“All I got is a red guitar, six trash cans and the Truth.”
Pastor Jim Mann with the six "mracle" trash cans
Okay, that’s not exactly how the song goes. But it serves as a shout out to my pastor Jim Mann. Jim’s near-fanatical love for U2 is eclipsed only by his love for the less fortunate. Enter The Trash Can “Miracle” Project. You can also get Michael’s coupons on supplies and many more.
It started during Jim’s recent series through The Gospel of John. To illustrate Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine, Jim brought six trash cans on stage. Those cans were approximately equivalent to the amount of wine Jesus made. Wow! That’s a lot of wine. Shortly thereafter, Jim had an idea. He challenged the congregation to see if we could perform our own “miracle” and fill those six trash cans with shoes for Soles 4 Souls, a ministry to the needy that distributes shoes. Well, not only did the church fill the six trash cans, we filled the whole front of the stage with shoes. Take that all you church bashers!
Soles 4 Souls
Six trash cans full of shoes... and lots more!
But we weren’t done. Seeing the wonderful response, Jim suggested we make this harder. Shoes are rather big. We should try something smaller. So with school beginning, Pastor Jim challenged us to fill the six “miracle trash cans with school supplies. We would then fill back packs and distribute them to needy kids in a low-income area of town. Once again, the people of God came through. The six trash cans over-flowed with pencils, paper, and miscellaneous school supplies. Glory to God!
Lots of backpacks filled with school supplies!
Buzz Lightyear backpack
Finally, Pastor Jim decided we should bypass the trash cans all together. This time, we needed a truck. Our mission — a diaper drive for a local shelter for unwed mothers. And once again, the people of God came through…
A truckload of diapers
And more diapers!
All of this from six trash cans and a little faith. I don’t know where the Trash Can “Miracle” Project will take us. Either way, props to Pastor Jim! And let’s trust God for lots more “miracles.”
Amen! Sometimes all the church needs is to be focused and guided. The needs are so overwhelming that we don’t know where to start. Bless each one who wants to give and each one who can give. And, yeah, props to your pastor.
I’ve been wondering how the diaper donations went. Very cool to see so many in the truck.
I agree with Nicole above sometimes we do need to be guided however I think a challenge can really spur people on!