Wisconsin—The Wisconsin Rapids Church family once had 30 to 40 worshipers each Sabbath and the building was more than adequate to accommodate the little group. However, the design of the building was not very friendly to those in wheelchairs. The church had no restroom or fellowship hall on the main floor, and wheelchair-bound people were carried down a scary set of stairs. After much research and prayer, it was decided remodeling or building an addition would be too expensive, so church members voted to build a new church.

The members prayed for God's guidance and blessings on the project, and stepped out in faith by putting their church up for sale. It sold almost immediately, and the congregation soon had no place to worship. Some members offered the use of their pole building as a temporary sanctuary for the spring and summer months. It was a little farther to drive there and sometimes chilly, but just what the church members needed. Amazingly, the attendance did not drop off, even though some had to carpool. Finally, in November, they were able to move into their brand new church.

For their opening Sabbath, the church family decided to have a potluck dinner following the service. They had a number of guests visit the new church that first Sabbath, and some had driven long distances; the dinner provided was a welcomed treat. Visitors were delighted they could feed their children and have time to get acquainted with new friends at church. The next Sabbath, the members planned another potluck. Again, a number of guests stayed for the meal. In the past, the church had a potluck once a month, and if anyone suggested doing it more often, it was always opposed. Now, in their new church, the members wanted to get to know their visitors and have them join the congregation, and it didn't take long for the members to realize how easy it was to bond over a meal or across a table.

The weekly potluck idea was presented to the church board, and the motion passed. The rest is history. They have just passed a landmark with a whole year of weekly potlucks behind them. The weekly meal has changed the church culture in many ways. People become acquainted sooner and at a deeper level. They keep in touch with prayer needs and do not rush home from church, but linger to talk and pray. Others gather around the piano to sing. It's a joyful mix, and the payoff can't be tallied.

Attendance at church has doubled. Instead of printing 40 bulletins each Sabbath with enough left over to send to missing and absent members, now 100 bulletins are printed and sometimes it is not enough. There have been baptisms. The children's department has grown from two to three classes, and the Pathfinder club is dynamic and active. Now there are two well-attended adult Sabbath school classes where before there was only one with just a few of the faithful attending.

At a ShareHim meeting with Robert Folkenberg Sr., it was suggested the church members look with new eyes for opportunities for evangelism and "think outside the box!" Some believe these weekly meals are indeed evangelism at its most elemental level. They meet basic needs for body, mind and spirit, and they are building friendships for eternity. The blessings are beyond measure!

Barbara Tesser, Wisconsin Rapids Church member, as shared with Bruce Babienco volunteer correspondent, Lake Union Herald