By Bob Ray Sanders
bobray@star-telegram.com
Shortly after I arrived at True Love Sanctuary on Monday morning, an AT&T truck drove up and parked in front.
Pastor Michael E. Williams quickly declared, "God did that. God does everything right on time."
The telephone man wasn't scheduled to arrive until 6 p.m. to install a new phone line for the church on Fort Worth's south side. But he showed up just after 11 a.m., perfect timing for me to be the first to have the new telephone number that will serve as a help line for area residents this Thanksgiving season.
Because I had dropped by to get information on a special outreach program the church has had for eight years, the new phone number would be an important element of the story.
True Love, a Christ Holy Sanctified church, is very small (about 100 members), but it must be measured in service rather than size.
"We're a small church that just loves to give back to the community," Williams said, noting that the church's name speaks to its mission.
Member Cynthia Nickles chimed in, "We may be small, but we dream and think big, and, through the help of the Lord, we accomplish big things."
Williams, a singer who for years spent much of his time on the road with a gospel group, founded the church with his wife 11 years ago. They started in a small blue storefront, across the street from the current location at 1911 Yuma St.
About the old building, Williams said, "When it rained outside, it rained inside. When it was cold outside, it was cold inside."
He wanted his church to serve a community in need. At the beginning of the school year, the congregation provides school supplies for the kids; at Christmas, they distribute clothes and toys; and every fourth Tuesday evening, the church has a family night, serving meals to the community before and after worship.
Williams said the church has given families holiday baskets of food that will make a full Thanksgiving meal: turkey, a bag of potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, corn, green beans, drinks and dessert.
The first year of the Thanksgiving giveaway, they prepared 30 baskets, but the need was much greater. The next year, they planned for 50, and still that did not meet the demand. Last year, True Love distributed 200 dinners and -- you guessed it -- that was not enough.
This year, church members plan to prepare 500 dinner baskets to feed up to 3,000 people, and they're already planning to feed 1,000 families next year.
The pastor asks that those wanting the help register with the church. Those who received food last year are already on the list and will be notified that they are eligible for the dinners.
People can register in person beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, or they can call that special number installed Monday: 817-207-9039. Baskets will be distributed Nov. 17.
I must admit that it did seem somewhat miraculous when, as I was interviewing Williams, he began to talk about "getting ready to designate a special phone line." Before finishing the sentence, he was interrupted by a call informing him the telephone man was outside.
The pastor went out to greet the AT&T representative, who informed him that he had completed the job and had the new phone number, which he gave to me.
"Yeah, God did that," the pastor repeated.
The congregation has received help from sponsors like Linq Transport Company in Irving, but they could use more help with this mission.
Those who would like to receive a Thanksgiving basket and those who would like to donate to this cause can call that special new phone number.
Bob Ray Sanders' column appears Sundays and Wednesdays.817-390-7775 Twitter: @BobRaySanders
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