Story number 3 for 23 Nov 2000

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, many rescue missions reach out to the needy. However, one such group has more than just food on the mind. Every year, Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hands out holiday food baskets to one-thousand needy families in the community. But, as Mel Trotter’s Executive Director, Reverend Tom Layman explains, they are more excited about the evangelistic impact their ministry has. “We had a wonderful harvest, spiritually. We had 62 people make decisions for Christ, and that is wonderful news, when people come in needing food for their body and receiving food for their souls as well.” The group provides plans that reach men, women and children. Layman says the result of all their programs reaching out to the needy is that they’re seeing the truth of the Gospel come alive in the people they help. He says because their hope is restored, their lives are saved now and eternally.