I don’t have a degree in biblical studies or an emphasis in ministry or missions. I’ve never been on an international mission trip to feed starving children in Africa. I’ve never had to raise money for a plane ticket to Haiti, or sponsored a family to provide them with farm animals or mosquito nets.

But what I have done is serve the mission field that needs me most… my own community. I am a resident of Hawkins County, Tennessee, which is home to 56,563 good country folks. Out of those 56 thousand, nearly 50% are below the poverty line. Children often eat chips and Ramen noodles for days on end, because it’s a cheap way to fill their bellies. Parents must make the decision to buy food for their family, or make their house payment. Students wear hand-me-down clothes with holes and stains, and may not have access to a hot shower.

Some of the things that kids see in this area are mind blowing. Kids may have multiple siblings, when their parents can’t even afford a decent lifestyle with just the two of them. Students may pick up dirty needles because they’ve seen their parents “playing” with them. Kids know how to manufacture bottled meth labs, because it’s almost common knowledge in this area. Middle school students can’t read because of such frequent absences.

One of Hawkins County School System’s biggest missions is to “Educate and Graduate,” working to raise the current graduation rate. Now they are also emphasizing higher education, fueled by both the Tennessee Promise Scholarships for recent high school graduates and Tennessee Reconnect for adults to further their education at no cost. There are definite measures being taken to better this community, but we still have a long way to go, and a lot more work to do.

That’s where I come in. I work with a local nonprofit called, Of One Accord Ministries. We have a variety of different ministries to serve the community, including a senior meal program, free home repair, child feeding program, free clinic, clothing drives and thrift stores and a community food pantry. I am fortunate enough to work with the Church Hill branch of the Hawkins County Lunchbox, Of One Accord’s child feeding program.

The Church Hill Lunchbox serves free, hot, nutritious meals to anyone 18 and under, no questions asked. We serve public sites such as the Mt. Carmel and Church Hill Libraries, and the Church Hill Pool. We are mostly known for our 2 big yellow school busses that travel the entire upper end of Hawkins County, literally taking meals right up to kids’ doorsteps. We have converted these busses into “rolling diners” where children come in and eat at a booth-style table. Since we are mostly a government-funded program, we ensure that each child gets a balanced meal.

Not only do we feed our program kids, but we build relationships with them. We get to know them, pray for them, and treat them as important individuals. During the summer, they may not get to interact with anyone else but the people in their neighborhood, so lunchtime is a great opportunity to talk and play with them if only for a few minutes. A majority of the feeding sites we serve are mobile home communities or government-funded housing complexes, because these areas are of the greatest need.

Some of our kids have told us that the meal they get from us is the only time they eat daily during the summer. What a heartbreaking experience to hear about! I want to take each of these children home with me and fix them a homecooked meal, buy them new clothes, and give them a warm shower. I would love to take in every single child that we find in these dire situations. But since I can’t realistically do that, I lend a helping hand by serving them a Lunchbox meal, giving them a warm hug, and sending up many prayers on their behalf.

Just because I don’t travel halfway across the world to serve doesn’t mean I’m not a missionary. Just because I don’t have a degree in ministry and missions doesn’t mean I’m not a missionary. Serving others is not my job- it’s my passion. It’s how I show Christ’s love in me. It’s how I share the gospel with others.

I encourage you to do your research and reach out to local charities and nonprofits. Find ways to learn about the needs in your community, and how to get involved and get to work! There are countless ways to serve, whether with a team or on your own. I challenge you to embrace your community and maybe you’ll find your mission field in your own back door.