A Pastor’s Heart
By Pastor Wes | October 10, 2008
The recent tremendous growth of Angel Food Ministries has caused me to reflect on all the years of change I have personally witnessed since it all began. I helped and watched as my parents began distributing food from our home and through our various locations to our current warehouse. I realize that all the different aspects of training over all the years have been preparing me to be a shepherd and to bring me to such a time as this. As the Director of Pastoral Relations I have the honor and privilege of connecting with Pastors and Directors of current and potential host sites for Angel Food Ministries to encourage them, impart to them our vision and cultivate unity in the Body of Christ.
In my role with Angel Food Ministries and as Associate Pastor of Emmanuel Praise Church I have come to know on a deeply personal level what Jesus meant when he said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 KJV). My personal goal is to be like Jesus.
I want to encourage every Pastor to “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” ( I Peter 5:2-4 NIV)
It is not only my duty but my heart to personally meet all the Pastors involved with Angel Food Ministries and to help you in any way I can to Reach the lost and hurting with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Angel Food Ministries is a tremendous tool to help you evangelize your community.
Topics: My Heart | 1 Comment »
Visit to New York
By Pastor Wes | September 20, 2008
I was recently honored to have been in New York City at a banquet for Angel Food Ministries and was so excited to see the pastors and community leaders catch the wonderful vision that my parents began almost 15 years ago. That vision still stands strong which is one not only to help people with their monthly food budgeting, but most importantly to reach the lost and hurting with the good news of Jesus Christ. I am proud to report that the state of New York is growing strong when it comes to Angel Food and I am thrilled to be headed back for another banquet in the next few weeks.
I feel New York City as a whole gets a bad rap when it comes to the stereotyping of its people’s attitudes and manors. I see a large city with wonderful hearts everywhere I go. That was never more evident than on September 11th, 2008, when I personally witnessed the compassion of a state and a nation. God’s Word says in Ephesians 4:32, “ Be kind and compassionate to one another” and again in Colossians 3:12, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”. I saw God’s Word and heart in action on that day as many honored the victims of the heartless and cruel death that was forced upon them. Through this day of memorial, I was reminded that we must not only pray for the victim’s families but also for the people and it’s families who committed these violent actions. I was truly blessed to have met the Father of a young lady who lost her life on that fateful day of September 11th, 2001. He actually collapsed to the floor in sorrow and sadness as he was sharing his story and I lifted him up crying with him and he thanked me for loving him. He proceeded to tell me that his daughter had died and that he had some comfort and much peace knowing that she was saved by grace and with God in Heaven. I proceeded to tell him that she is with the Father and smiling down on him as a member of his “cloud of witnesses” as he continues to serve God and run his race. It was beautiful as he looked me in my eyes and told me he not only runs his race for himself but for his daughter as well. As we parted company, he said something that will stay in my heart and mind forever. He said,
“Do not forget to pray for the people who killed her and their families.”
He reminded me of what Jesus said to us to us in Matthew 5:44,
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
I challenge you all today to pray for those who persecute you. Let this man be an example to all of us. He is a testament of the commands of our Lord Jesus. The law of sowing and reaping is in effect everywhere and in every facet of our lives. If we want to receive we must first give.
Topics: Travels | No Comments »
Love Finds a Way
By Pastor Wes | July 25, 2008
I will never forget the early years of Angel Food Ministries. In the year 1994, in Monroe, Georgia, the community was shaken by the closing down of some industrial plants which caused several hundred people to lose their jobs. Bear in mind that to many of these people who lost these jobs, this was the end of the rope for them as they did not have a wide variety of training or skills in other job fields. So yes fear had settled into the hearts of these families as they struggled to find a way to keep their family fed and provided for.
It was during this time that my Dad and Mom, Pastors Joe and Linda Wingo, had the idea or vision to begin what is now known across the country as Angel Food Ministries. It was so ironic to me as to how it all began. In the beginning, my Dad wanted to simply buy food in bulk and give it away t these families who had a sudden need. He advertised in the local newspaper and on the local radio stations letting these folks know that he wanted to help supplement their food supply until they could get back on their feet again. His heart was to do this for free. Well suprisingly, not one person came to my parent’s home on the distribution Saturday of these groceries. Mom was so thrilled to have cabbage rotting in her living room and to have the air conditioning turned down so low you could hang meat in our house.
Dad was discouraged by the no show. He found out through local friends and officials that the people did not come to his home because they simply had the pride inside of them of a working man. They did not want to take something for nothing as we say here in the South. Dad and Mom prayed and prayed until they received their answer from God. God gave them the vision to begin a non-profit ministry that would not only allow the person to purchase the food at a bargain price, but help the person purchasing the food retain a sense of accomplishment in doing so.
Topics: Love | 1 Comment »
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