Earlier this week, Matthew’s Table delivered more than 100 Thanksgiving food baskets and hot meals to residents of the neighboring community, focusing efforts at the Cadillac Motel on West Second Street.
Founded in 2017, by Pastors Roger Chiton, Nick Martin, and Steven Kidd, Matthew’s Table has since strived to be missional, continuously serving.
“This is our second year hosting the Thanksgiving outreach at the Cadillac,” Pastor Nick Martin said. “We began focusing on that area as we want to be a consistent presence within the neighborhood. They know us, they see us, we are building relationships.”
Some 100 odd baskets along with family size hot meals were delivered by the church, ensuring every room of the Cadillac was a recipient.
“Our mission from the very beginning has been to love unconditionally, reaching the unreachable. We always want to be a church that goes,” Martin said.
The success of the outreach, Chilton said, is due to the outpouring of support from the congregation of Matthew’s Table.
“We don’t want to be a church you’ve heard about, we want to be a church you’ve seen,” Chilton said. “We are very fortunate to have an amazing body of believers that are willing to go where they are needed most. We are committed to sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ with everyone everywhere.”
A unique element of the outreach, each basket distributed and its contents were purchased and provided by individuals within the congregation.
“I think that’s my favorite part about this outreach,” Martin said. “All of this was made possible by the people of our church, they personally went out and bought these baskets. Everyone was involved not just a few people.”
Kidd believes the most significant takeaway from the outreach and additional missional events provided by the church is the “connection” established within the community.
“Often this is a way we connect with others within the community,” Kidd said. “It was an absolute joy to know that we were able to provide a Thanksgiving meal to many in need, but when it dawned on me that we had so many individuals and families desire to give of themselves rather than receive, my heart was filled.”
