In Mark chapter 6, Jesus looked out at thousands of people hungry
and without a leader, like “sheep not having a shepherd.” How did he respond?
He began to teach them
many things.
Jesus didn’t hold a forum. He didn’t
spend 6 months planning a conference in a nice hotel far away from the
undeveloped area where the people were languishing. He talked to the people and taught them what He knew.
Jesus talked TO the people; He didn’t just talk ABOUT them.
The disciples said the location was too far from industry. They said that the problem was too far gone.
This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.
The disciples got together and published a statement demanding somebody (else) do something about the problem.
Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and
buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.
The disciples said that they needed additional funding before they could do anything about the problem.
They said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and
give them something to eat?”
But Jesus said: YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.
Go to them. Go among them. YOU!
Go out there and organize them.
Do you see the need?
Then meet it!
You! Feed them.
Quit all of this blah... blah... blah... It’s so hard. That’s so wrong. Somebody (else) should do something.
Pick a spot:
a school,
a community center or boys & girls cub,
a place where there should be a community center or boys
& girls club but there isn't,
a community ministry at your church,
your congregation if it doesn't have a community ministry,
the business association in the nearest distressed
neighborhoods,
the business owners if there isn't a business association in
the nearest distressed neighborhood,
the police department's community coalition,
the police chief if he/ she hasn't created a community
coalition,
a local non-profit (like SAYNO, the substance abuse prevention agency I run)
that deals with a problem,
the nearest United Way office (River Region United Way if you're in central Alabama),
Hands On River Region which coordinates volunteers,
Google, if you don't know which non-profits in your area deal
with the problems,
your fraternity,
your sorority,
your lodge.
Pick a spot and commit 4 hours or more a week to working
with them on making things better.
Forums don't count toward the hours.
Anything where you're part of the audience doesn't count.
Stop waiting for Dr. King, Ghandi, or George Washington to rise from the grave
and lead you.
Stop waiting on Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farakhan, Barack Obama, the DNC, or the RNC to
fly in and lead you.
Our people are hungry for change.
You!
Feed them.
---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry,
and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T.
Graves II is pastor of
Miles Chapel CME Church
in Fairfield, Alabama; executive
director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization
(SAYNO); and
director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human
Development (
NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
You can help support
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clicking the
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Support by check or
money order may be mailed to
Miles Chapel CME
Church
P O Box 132
Fairfield, Al 35064
