What can we do to spread the love of Jesus? This is a common question and the answer is, literally, millions of things! For the Antigo Seventh-day Adventist Church the thoughts were simply, “How can we help the community and at the same time, share a bit about our church and the love of Jesus?” Together the church voted to make and register a Little Free Library for their church lawn. From this decision grew the idea to obtain books to pass out at the local Fourth of July parade and to include an information flyer about the church.
The local Goodwill store, school district, and church donated many of the books that were shared. Inside each one was placed a sticker that informed people about the Little Free Library and another little sticker telling about the organization that donated that particular book. The Antigo church’s note read: “Donated by a Seventh-day Adventist church, a church dedicated in following Biblical truths, through the love of Jesus.” They did not add these notes for the reason of getting special recognition or needing credit for good deeds, but rather to inform people. Children at the parade were very excited to get a book handed to them by April Barske, Lana Hickman, who dressed as Cat in the Hat, and Matthew Barske – pictured above.
The Antigo church recognizes the importance of giving to those that need, but feel it is always more important to lead people to the love of Jesus. Some of their thoughts on how to do just that include:
- Perhaps everything donated by a Christian could contain a label that helps to fulfill this goal.
- Instead of simply writing a check to a local food pantry, might it be more beneficial to purchase nutritious food, place an informative sticker on each item, and then donate the food items? The sticker would let them know who we are and that our church members have prayed that this food will help to nourish their bodies so that they may enjoy good health.
- Donated beds, might be given with a beautiful sticker that informs its beneficiary a bit about our church and that we have prayed that the person who sleeps upon this bed will benefit from peaceful nights of sleep.
The paths to Jesus are truly endless.
Lana Hickman, member of the Antigo Seventh-day Adventist Church