On June 14, 2026, Living Word, Lansing officially opened its Friendship Food Ministry—a mobile food pantry used to not only supply the community with food, but also to check in on them.
Below is a transcription of Rev. Moses Dangba’s speech on opening day:
Thank you and welcome to this exciting celebration of the opening of Friendship Food. What a joyful and exciting day as we praise God for this ministry. Through it we will practically participate in sharing Christ’s love to our neighbors.
Today is more than just launching a new ministry. But it is the beginning of a new opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with our community and to serve our neighbors in His name.
As we celebrate today, I would like to share this moment that touched my heart and it inspired me to God’s call for Friendship Food ministry: About a year ago, I visited a grandmother who was raising 12 grandchildren. During my visit, I learned that the whole water system in the entire house was not working. The basement was flooded, and both the bathroom and the kitchen sink were not working. I asked her, “How are you living here? Where do you cook? And where do you use the restroom?”
Her answer broke my heart. She told me, “Pastor, during the day we would go to a nearby store, and at night [we] would simply figure it out.” That day with tears in my eyes I left. And seeing their struggle reminded me that Christ’s love must go beyond the pulpit preachings on Sundays. And this experience inspired me to pray about how our congregation could come together in sharing the love and compassion of Christ with those who are hurting, who are struggling, who are trying to put food on the table for their families within our communities.
Today, we celebrate God’s answer to those prayers. Friendship Food will always share the love of Christ by providing food, compassion, and hope to our neighbors. Our prayer is that every family we serve will experience not only practical help, but also the love and care of Jesus Christ.
And truly, I’m so grateful for our District's support for this vision. This grant will 100% be invested to serve the needs of our neighbors. I also want to thank all the church’s leaders, volunteers, and friends for their prayers and support to make this ministry possible.
As we celebrate Friendship Food today, let us remember why we do this. Because
Jesus first loved us. Through His death and His resurrection, He has given us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. Because of His great love, we are called to love and serve others.
May this Friendship Food be a living witness to Christ’s compassion in our community that will point people to the Savior who gave His life for us.
Thank you for being here, thank you for your prayers, and thank you for partnering with us in God’s mission. May God bless Friendship Food and all who are served through it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
After the heartbreaking visit Rev. Moses Dangba mentioned, he and a team from Living Word attended Beyond the Breakwater, where they got practical ideas on how to go about helping people in their community. They applied for a Michigan District grant and visited similar ministries to see them at work and learn.
Dangba says they’re currently sharing Christ's love by serving 25–30 households, not including children, each week with food and other essential groceries: “It has been a wonderful opportunity to care for our neighbors while sharing the hope of the Gospel.”
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow, Director of Mission Development for the Michigan District, says: “God has guided Pastor Dangba and his congregation in amazing, jaw-dropping ways. As immigrants to the United States, they have heard God's call to serve their neighbors in significant ways, even as they are living in new circumstances. They are examples of what living the faith looks like, and I'm thrilled to be able to serve God alongside them.”
To learn more about Michigan District Grants, click here.
To learn more about Beyond the Breakwater, click here.
Photos courtesy of Rev. Moses Dangba