He preaches to a group before the breakfast at St. Joseph's. Staff photo by Tracy Wilcox Liberty Baptist Church outside Spring Lake spent about six months working with a woman who went to the church for help. Church members gave her food. The pastor got the woman a bicycle. The woman was later baptized there.
Most churches have similar stories.
A light bill paid, new clothes at Christmas, a family adopted, a prayer said. When people are poor or struggling, they need something spiritual, said the Rev. Augustine Joseph. On the first cold morning this fall, a group of people waited outside for the free meal the church serves at 8 a.m. He preached as if the building were full, his message one about keeping God's will in mind when making choices. Building a wall between church and state is futile, he says.