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It truly is a message of love when churches come together to provide material necessities for those less fortunate in their community.

Members of Metropolitan Baptist Church recently spent part of their Saturday giving out clothing, canned goods, school supplies and other needs in the parking lot of the church. They held the event outside, wore masks and kept their distance from one another and from guests so that everyone would stay safe.

The church’s members and ministries all pitched in to make this event happen, with church members supplying all of the donations and and the ministries, deacons and trustees helping out as well.

That truly is what it’s all about. Christians are instructed dozens of times in the Bible to love our neighbor and to help others. Probably one of the best-known verses on this topic is Matthew 25:35-40: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

The Rev. Donald Everett, youth pastor of education at the church, summed up nicely the purpose behind the giveaway.

“If people are searching for what the church is, this is it,” Everett said. “It is Christ’s love shown through giving and love. This is the time for us to show what Christ has put into us during these times. This is not for show, but a message of love.”

We thank the members of Metropolitan for answering the call to help others.