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MFB Georgia volunteer works with prayer team
When a local church called Midwest Food Bank Georgia to ask how they could pray for MFB during Lent, Barbara Roy knew it wasn't a coincidence.
Barbara volunteers one day a week at MFB and coordinates the prayer team efforts. What are the odds the church would call on the day she volunteers and answers the phone?
"I knew it was not just a coincidence but a God incident," says Barbara.
MFB recently formed a prayer team, and on distribution days, food partners receive a prayer/praise request card, and they can share those with the team.
Barbara collects the cards, and the volunteer team of about ten people prays for those requests. There is also a prayer board where praises and requests are posted that involve the MFB family.
"Barbara and the wonderful volunteers on our Prayer Team who pray for our partner agencies, other volunteers, and staff are impacting our mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ," says Lina Martin, Volunteer Coordinator of MFB Georgia. "Covering our organization and those we serve in regular prayer ensures we do not lose sight of the fact we partner with a powerful God who hears his people."
Barbara volunteers one day a week at MFB and coordinates the prayer team efforts. What are the odds the church would call on the day she volunteers and answers the phone?
"I knew it was not just a coincidence but a God incident," says Barbara.
MFB recently formed a prayer team, and on distribution days, food partners receive a prayer/praise request card, and they can share those with the team.
Barbara collects the cards, and the volunteer team of about ten people prays for those requests. There is also a prayer board where praises and requests are posted that involve the MFB family.
"Barbara and the wonderful volunteers on our Prayer Team who pray for our partner agencies, other volunteers, and staff are impacting our mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ," says Lina Martin, Volunteer Coordinator of MFB Georgia. "Covering our organization and those we serve in regular prayer ensures we do not lose sight of the fact we partner with a powerful God who hears his people."
Barbara submitting prayer requests to the team
Besides coordinating the prayer team, Barbara also serves at the front desk, prepares lunches for other volunteers, and helps during special events and projects.
She first volunteered at MFB following a natural disaster. She was familiar with MFB because her husband of 46 years, Jim, has been volunteering on distribution days for about nine years. Jim also served on the MFB advisory board. With 30 years of experience in hospitality and organization as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines, Barbara is accustomed to "meeting and greeting" all kinds of people.
"I answered the phone at my church and my husband's office for several years following my retirement," says Barbara. "These are the ways God prepared me for the role at MFB."
Volunteers at the front desk provide that all-important first impression for MFB.
"I love interacting with the agencies who come through the front door," says Barbara. "While it might be difficult at times, I enjoy helping people who call or come in by directing them respectfully and sensitively to where they can receive assistance."
The significance of the prayer ministry is illustrated in a story about a woman who came to MFB on behalf of a food agency partner. Her prayer card read, "I am having an ultrasound due to some speculated health issues this Friday. I am 72 years old, and this is the first time in my life I have felt the peace of the Holy Spirit. PTL! Pray God's will to be done." These cards represent people being "fed" through MFB volunteers like Barbara.
Barbara and Jim worship and serve at the United Methodist Church. Barbara says she enjoys home decorating, yard work, traveling, and serving at church and MFB.
She first volunteered at MFB following a natural disaster. She was familiar with MFB because her husband of 46 years, Jim, has been volunteering on distribution days for about nine years. Jim also served on the MFB advisory board. With 30 years of experience in hospitality and organization as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines, Barbara is accustomed to "meeting and greeting" all kinds of people.
"I answered the phone at my church and my husband's office for several years following my retirement," says Barbara. "These are the ways God prepared me for the role at MFB."
Volunteers at the front desk provide that all-important first impression for MFB.
"I love interacting with the agencies who come through the front door," says Barbara. "While it might be difficult at times, I enjoy helping people who call or come in by directing them respectfully and sensitively to where they can receive assistance."
The significance of the prayer ministry is illustrated in a story about a woman who came to MFB on behalf of a food agency partner. Her prayer card read, "I am having an ultrasound due to some speculated health issues this Friday. I am 72 years old, and this is the first time in my life I have felt the peace of the Holy Spirit. PTL! Pray God's will to be done." These cards represent people being "fed" through MFB volunteers like Barbara.
Barbara and Jim worship and serve at the United Methodist Church. Barbara says she enjoys home decorating, yard work, traveling, and serving at church and MFB.
Click here to see what volunteer opportunities are available at MFB Georgia, or contact lin at
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