By james art By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.
I was honored to participate in the harvest call, along with more than 80 residents from the local community who responded to the harvest call on Saturday, October 19, held at Alpha and Omega Faith Church from 12 to 3 p.m. The Harvest Vision Call was turned over to Minister Kathy Torrey and myself. The members of Alpha and Omega Church of Faith were happy to support this effort.
Minister Joseph Anderson and I led the opening welcome song “Funga” while the audience played African instruments. Minister Cathy Torrey and the Alpha and Omega Choir sang “God Did It!” and singer, entrepreneur and playwright Janice Price Black sang “Jesus” by Shirley Caesar. Ben Piggott and I rapped “What Happened to the Dream?” about Dr. King while the kids played African instruments. I also performed “The Negro Mother” and “Harriet Tubman Didn’t Take No Stuff” by Eloise Greenfield.
Minister Tory, my armor bearer, was in prayer and meditation when the Spirit of God spoke to her, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Will you help me harvest?” Tori said as she explained the source of her vision from God, “God has called me to gather the Body of Christ together to bless the people in the community to tell them that God loves them.
“I have never had an encounter with God in which He spoke to me in an audible voice. I was struck by this interaction with the Holy Spirit. I was talking to one of my friends, the late Min. Nine Campbell and I worked on the project together for the first year. We started going to nursing homes like Forsyth Village. We packed bags of candy and small gifts for the residents. We would sing, pray and reach out to people. They loved it! And so do we.”
The project started ten years ago, but over the years the ministry has grown and changed. At one point, 25 churches joined to help provide food, clothing and community ministry. In addition, several agencies assisted with supplies and resources. Businesses that remain include Texas Roadhouse, Zoe’s and Food Lion.
The message I preached during the meal was “Faith is an Equal Opportunity Business” which was based on the text “Looking to Jesus, the head and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
I said, “Faith is open to all of us! Have faith in God. God is touched by your faith. God honors faith. Faith will save your house. Rahab made a decision to side with God’s people, the Israelites. Rahab was a harlot in Jericho. God did not love her behavior, but He loved her. When Joshua sent spies to Jericho to spy out the land, Rahab hid the spies. She took action against her faith. She was not yet saved, but she believed that God would deliver her when Jericho fell to the Israelites. God honored her faith. All other homes in Jericho were destroyed. The only house that God saved in the city was the house where the prostitute lived. Regardless of your situation or past, God lifts people up equally. Faith is an equal opportunity for all.”
Min. Tori was very thankful to God and all the people God called to help her ministry this year for the harvest call.
“The harvest call has expanded this year because we connected with a pastor after God’s own heart. We always had enough food to serve the people, but this year we had volunteers who also have hearts for God,” Min Tori said. “They came to provide more than enough new and gently used clothes, shoes and coats for the winter. They were also ready to bless people with poetry and songs. People were blessed with big bags of clothes and shoes for free. Some children who didn’t have shoes got new shoes on Sunday, which were ordered online on Saturday afternoon.”
Volunteers used their talents and gifts to bless people with music and creative messages. Volunteers came from different churches. Jeremy and Ruby Johnson of Union Baptist Church shared information about voting and answered questions about health care. Regeania Huntley of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church helped with the clothing distribution. Dr. Elwanda Ingram, former professor of English at Winston-Salem State University, came to support the efforts of the volunteers and guests. Dr. Ingram attends Greater Church. Pastor Nathan Mumford and Min. Andrienne Mumford and their children from Mt.Calvary Holy Church supported the meeting with their presence and their children helped with playing instruments for the rap “What Happened to the Dream?” Janice Price Black brought a song from Mount Zion Baptist Church. Eric and Courtney Caesar helped with event logistics. They come from the Municipal Mosque.
During the gathering, men and women came with their friends and family members to enjoy food, fellowship, gospel music, poetry, rap music, clothing giveaways and door prizes. By answering historical questions about the city of Winston-Salem, adults and children won artwork, flags and books written by me.
“I was so happy to have the opportunity to meet my brothers and sisters from the Alpha and Omega Church. I felt like part of the Harvest Call family,” said Minister Adrienne Mumford.
Wheatley and her children came to commune at the harvest call. It was her first visit to the Alpha and Omega Church. “I saw the event advertised on Facebook and recognized Pastor Felecia’s face. I enjoyed the sermon so much. I felt like you were talking right at me when you were talking,” Whitley said. “Now look at all the blessings I received by coming to the House of the Lord. I’ll be back, she said.
God’s vision of the harvest call is based on the scripture “For I was hungry, and you fed Me; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in” (Matthew 25:35).