You Are Loved…
A Heart for November
November is here. Thanksgiving is around the corner. And everywhere I look, I see businesses, churches, and nonprofits giving back. It’s beautiful to watch the community lean in during a season when so many are hurting.
When we launched our Give Thanks Beaver Dam program, I honestly wasn’t sure what the response would be. Did we even need this? Was it the right direction? At the time, the SNAP benefits situation wasn’t in crisis. Then it was. Then it wasn’t. Then it was funded again.
Serving in times like this is messy, unpredictable, and tangled — and I absolutely love it. This is what ministry looks like.
I’ve been listening to pastors who have been in ministry 40+ years share what they wish they had done differently. Over and over they say:
“I wish I would’ve spent more time in the Word and more time in prayer.”
That’s why BDMC gives a Bible and prayer with every person we meet. This isn’t about being another social program. This is about reflecting Jesus.
If Edgewood Church’s mantra is “You Are Loved,” then ours is the action version of that love.
If we had a slogan, it might be: Live Love.
1 John 3:18 says,
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Saying you are loved is a blessing.
Living like people are loved is the call!
What God Is Teaching Me
(John 15)
This month, I’ve been soaking in John 15 — Jesus as the Vine.
Remain in Me. Abide in My love. Love others as I have loved you.
When you look at how Jesus loved people on earth — meeting physical needs, serving the hurting, teaching truth — that’s exactly what we’re aiming to do as BDMC.
If you’re reading this, you’re here for a reason:
maybe you’re curious
maybe someone told you about us
maybe you’ve received help
maybe you’re trying to discern if this is legit
maybe you’re a long-time believer encouraged by young faith
Whatever brought you here, I pray you feel the heart behind all of this:
Loving Like Jesus.
The world already loves well — look at secular nonprofits. They do amazing work.
How much more should the Church love?
I’m a baby Christian. I’ll mess up. My focus might drift. Pride might sneak in.
But my heart is for Jesus, obedience, and humility.
Hold me accountable if you see me drift.
Stories From the Field — October
Community Cookout — Swan Park
We hosted a last-minute community cookout with help from Disciples Doing Life with Jesus motorcycle group and worship from Rodney Ashcroft.
We grilled hot dogs. Served ice cream. Gave away Bibles. Prayed with dozens.
A homeless man named Phillip was in the shelter when we arrived. Jennifer introduced herself gently. I showed up minutes later and immediately welcomed him into our space. He served with us. He talked with people. He prayed with people.
It was beautiful — exactly how Jesus meets people.
Shoe Program
We served multiple families again this month. As winter hits, we expect increased requests for winter boots and kids’ shoes. We’re ready.
Homeless Crisis Requests
This month alone we had around 10 individuals reach out for help:
gas
food
temporary hotel stays
winter gear
Bibles
transportation
prayer and ongoing encouragement
One family is living in their van while transitioning out of their old apartment. With three kids. We helped with hotel nights, winter jackets, Bibles, and prayer. Their gratitude was overwhelming.
Another gentleman is living in a mobile home with failing walls, paycheck to paycheck, relying on SNAP. That wall situation is still unresolved, and he’s struggling. These are the people Jesus tells us to see.
Jesus says:
“I was hungry and you gave Me nothing… I was naked and you did not clothe Me…” (Matthew 25)
That convicts me deeply.
We don’t get to pick and choose scripture.
We obey it.
Pray for more workers. The harvest is huge. The workers are few.
November Focus — Coloring Contest + Thanksgiving Boxes
Coloring Contest
We set aside $1,000 to give away ten $100 grocery gift cards to families in need.
We created scripture-filled coloring sheets to get Jesus into homes. Habitat Restore gave us an entire table for:
free crayons
free coloring sheets
return drop-off
The drawings coming in are amazing, and we can’t wait to share them starting November 24.
Thanksgiving Boxes
This year’s Thanksgiving Boxes have one purpose:
Get Jesus into homes.
Each box includes:
a brand-new Bible
highlighted verses selected by volunteers
handwritten encouragement cards
a week’s worth of groceries (non-perishables + fresh items)
crayons and coloring sheets
a grocery gift card to cover fresh items like eggs or meat
We currently have 15 families signed up, and we’re letting God determine the final number.
Donation Bins
We now have four donation bins:
The Market of Beaver Dam
Piggly Wiggly Beaver Dam
Edgewood Community Church
GD Roberts (Columbus)
Every item donated stays local and goes directly into boxes.
December — Christmas Dinner
First Lutheran’s Loaves & Fishes program isn’t serving during Christmas week, and they reached out for BDMC to host a hot meal night.
Yes, there will be lots of Jesus.
We’ll need:
cooks
servers
greeters
shoppers
volunteers to sit and talk and pray with people
Sign up at missionbd.org/volunteer and mention “Christmas Dinner.”
But hear my heart:
Christmas is easy.
January and February are hard.
People suffer quietly after the holidays.
BDMC will be there.
Year-End Giving
My least favorite part of nonprofit work is asking for money. I hate it. But I’m asking because the need is real and the mission is alive.
If BDMC’s work moves you…
If you believe Jesus is using this ministry…
Please pray about supporting us financially.
In just a couple of months, BDMC has:
helped 34 people in crisis
provided over 200 pairs of new shoes
given out over 250 quality Bibles
prayed with dozens
fed families
housed homeless
driven people across counties
and watched Jesus move in ways I can’t fully explain
We organized in March.
We didn’t have funding until August.
But God has provided every step of the way.
We’re not going anywhere.
BDMC is here to stay.
Ways to Give:
Mail a check:
Beaver Dam Mission Center
PO BOX 20
Beaver Dam, WI 53916Online (one-time or monthly): missionbd.org/giving
Donor Advised Funds / DAF:
Beaver Dam Mission Center EIN 33-4097374
Let our unity and love show the world that Jesus is King.
John 17:21
You are loved — so let’s Love Like Jesus.
