November 2016
For most, spiritual food is a difficult concept to comprehend. Not so for Wally Vehrs of Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 W. Army Trail Road in Carol Stream, Illinois. He had a vision to feed souls as well as bodies as people from the community stream through the church’s gym.
“I felt compelled to fill the walls with inspirational Scripture verses,” said Vehrs. Senior Pastor Andrew Koschmann provided Vehrs with guidance for painting verses on the walls of the church’s gym.
“It’s a multi-functional space,” said Koschmann. “It’s used for Sunday morning Bible study, for Vacation Bible School, Boy Scout meetings, a community-organized high school basketball league, and our annual garage sale [which supports mission organizations and human care in the community]. Every Wednesday, it’s the resting place for PADS [Public Action to Deliver Shelter] guests.”
About 50-70 DuPage residents find food and shelter at the church every Wednesday night. Thanks to Vehrs and a crew of artistic volunteers, the PADS guests now find themselves encircled in Scripture.
“I love it,” said one PADS guest. “The whole atmosphere is very bright and welcoming.”
In addition to serving as a weekly PADS location, the church, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in October, raises and harvests one ton of vegetables each summer for donation to several area food pantries.
“For the past five years, we’ve been raising fresh produce,” said chairperson Ray Peterson. “To help us maintain the garden throughout the spring and summer, we hire a PADS guest.”
“Our congregation is dedicated to feeding the hungry and homeless,” said Koschmann. “We know we’re making a difference. Our efforts go full circle. We’re feeding the hungry with both fresh produce and the Word of God.”
To learn more, contact Pastor Andy Koschmann.