Consistent, honest, thoughtful, cool-headed, and dependable; these are rarities in the life of someone experiencing homelessness. In fact they may be nonexistent. That’s where people like Dave Shattuck step in. Show up at South Main early on a Sunday morning, rain or shine, cold or hot, Dave will be here—because he cares. He knows our Manna participants, if they have a specific need, be it socks, a new I.D., a coat, Dave will work to find a solution. He does that not just because it meets an immediate need, but because it shows that person that Church matters, and it matters because that is where you find Hope.
—J Hill, Ministry to Missions
When and why did you begin volunteering with Manna?
I began to volunteer with Manna in the fall of 2007. My wife, Carol, and I heard that Keith McFarland was meeting with homeless people in Peggy’s Point Park on Sunday mornings. He was praying with them, reading the Bible, and providing food. We were curious and began attending these informal sessions. Carol and I felt moved to help out, and when Keith had to step aside, we moved into a leadership role. The “why” question is a bit more difficult to pin down. The Holy Spirit probably played a role; we felt a need to be a part of being in fellowship with the people who were on and near our church campus.
What’s your role in the Manna ministry?
Our roles have shifted with time. At the beginning, Carol and I were taking a leadership role, buying food at Jack in the Box, and providing fruit and drinks. We would prepare Bible readings and lead prayers. We were not alone in this but amidst a group. After a bit, the church pulled back and tried to do some real planning for how to do homeless ministries in an effective manner. Carol led those planning sessions. That was when the ministry changed its name to Manna and moved to the north side of campus at Trinity Pines Chapel. After that point, Hart Brupbacher became the leader of the ministry, and we were among the helpers. I worked for several years on making sure that coffee and drinks made it to Trinity Pines Chapel. Then, I became one of the leaders of the devotional time in our weekly Sunday morning meetings. In a role shared by two or three people, I read a passage from the Bible, facilitate a discussion of what it means, and help lead the prayer time that follows.
What’s one of your favorite things about working with Manna?
My favorite aspect of working with Manna is the constant reminder that many homeless people are Bible experts, devoted to reading the Bible, and anxious to discuss the Bible. It is an inspiration to me and my spiritual life. Several of the Manna participants know the Bible very well, read it daily, and have memorized big parts of it. It is fun to hear them bring in a related passage and tie it to whatever we are reading.
What has changed in the Manna ministry since you first began?
The location and the nature of the food has changed. We moved from Peggy’s Point Park to the north end of campus. We changed from buying “Breakfast Jacks” at Jack in the Box, to a casserole cooked by Manna volunteers. The real purpose of Manna has not changed, but my perception did change. I started out thinking that Manna was about feeding the homeless. We do feed the homeless; but that is not the real purpose, which is to provide a community for our friends who have no permanent home and give them a place to worship where they feel comfortable coming as they are. This is what the Manna participants have told us is most important. They value being treated as friends and fellow pilgrims on a journey of faith.
How does the Manna Ministry impact the larger congregation?
I find this question to be difficult to answer. I know how it affects me, and I know how it affects the people who meet with us on Sunday mornings. It is a form of fellowship and spiritual growth. To give an example of another ministry, the Children’s Music Ministry does not affect me very directly, although I enjoy the programs they provide. The greater joy is knowing that children are being given an opportunity for worship and growth. I hope the larger congregation knows that a similar thing is happening for our homeless friends, at least in part through the Manna Ministry.
