Pastor: Brian Dolleman
Church: Northwest Life
Nominator: Candace Haralson
Pastor Brian (PB for short) rallied the staff and the congregation to become community supporters at the start of the pandemic. There was a food bank that supported families but PB shifted all of the staff to the food bank. This little church serves up to 200 families a week with a drive thru food bank that includes a kids pack with an activity that he has planned for them. PB is at nearly every twice on Sunday food handout and has made this his ministry of love. This work of helping anyone that stops is what love looks like. When snow stopped the Sunday food bank, they left boxes out for anyone to take and then opened the food bank all day Wednesday to allow people to come by. This ministry has pulled our church together and feels very much like a fishes and loaves sort of story. Often someone will ask for diapers, or dog food and there it is! Such a grateful community.
In the summer, the church started an outdoor service. It was kept short but it was food for the soul. At the first one, I found myself crying to be there and have something feel normal. Pastor Brian stands for everyone and loves everyone. His heart is so big. For me, Pastor Brian has brought hope not just to the church but he has given hope to so many with a box of food and a kids pack. The last area was when the protests started he asked staff to add race resources to the website and he walked in a local March with the church. He is a testament to hope for all regardless of their differences.
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