Hunger is very real, and people by the millions are adversely affected by it everyday. We have all seen images of starving children crying for a small morsel of food. If you are like most people, those pictures bring both a sense of urgency and sadness to our eyes.
It is my firm belief we, the most affluent nation on the planet, are to be at the forefront helping those who are not in the position to help themselves. Our nation is very giving in what it does to provide comfort and food to hurting people all over the world. I realize those in our own country feel we are a wretched nation that never does enough, but there will be people like that for a long time to come.
I want to write about a powerful ministry located here in Florida that has a positive impact on hurting people around the state. Bishop Richard L. Bender, Jr. founded The Seed Sowers Evangelistic Association in 1982. Brother Rick Bender is an ordained bishop with the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, and member of Operation Compassion International, which is the national benevolence organization of the Church of God.
My wife and I have known Brother Rick and his wife Kris for a number of years, and see in them a real heart for ministry. Brother Rick is an anointed minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, preaching revivals and evangelistic meetings under the powerful anointing of the Holy Ghost. Sister Kris’s anointing is evident as she ministers to the hearts of people in genuine love and care. The Benders are real people with a real desire to minister to the hurting and wounded.
Here are some facts taken from the Seed Sowers web site:
- IN THE WORLD’S RICHEST NATION, MORE THAN 36 MILLION PEOPLE, INCLUDING 14 MILLION CHILDREN, EXPERIENCE HUNGER !!!!!!
- IN 2005, REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE INCREASED 12 PERCENT.
- 54 PERCENT WERE MEMBERS OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
- 40 PERCENT OF ADULTS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WERE EMPLOYED
- APPROXIMATELY 7 MILLION DIFFERENT PEOPLE RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IN ANY GIVEN WEEK !!!
- Seed Sowers is reaching 37% of the poverty, disabled,
elderly, and 36% of the unemployed through its 30 county network of
compassion centers in Florida.
If you would like to contribute to this worthy organization, here is some pertinent information:
The Seed Sowers
You may write us at:
The Seed Sowers Evangelistic Association
1745 Olive Street
Lakeland, Florida 33815You may call us at: (863) 688-3200
You may fax us at: (863) 688-3206You may e-mail directly to:
Rick Bender-Founder: rick@theseedsowers.org
General Office: info@theseedsowers.org
Kris Bender – Vice President: kris@theseedsowers.org
Wendell Smith – Compassion Director: wgsmith7@verizon.net
From Preacherpen's Desk 