A Free Lunch!

(More Photographs here)

In a bible story 2,000 years ago, loaves and fish fed a multitude of people. Recently, this time around it was bread and burgers or even sausages if you were so inclined.

The people of Chesterfield were treated to a free lunch, a barbecue, in the Crooked Spire grounds and while not matching the miraculous thousands that Jesus fed, they managed to give over 1,000 hamburgers and hot dogs away. It was a lovely July Saturday, the music was resounding throughout the town centre and the sumptuous smell of the barbecue attracted the shoppers in their hundreds.

Delighted and amazed were the reactions of people, delighted at the fun filled atmosphere, and amazed to find out it was totally free. There was a feast of music and song, cafe style seating encouraged many to sit and enjoy the entertainment while children enjoyed all the activities from play station to glass painting.

The event took place under the Hope 4 Chesterfield banner- a mission involving Churches working together to serve the community.

Good food was being given out along with good news. Good news that there is hope for our town: .

• Hope for those in despair

• Hope for those in crisis

• Hope for those in sickness

• Hope for those who have given up hope

There is hope because of God's Love.

One young lady in a wheel chair at last year's barbecue was dancing this year because of God's healing.

When asked "Why did you do this event?" Pastor David Bunting said "So we could show the community a token of God's love. God has done so much for us we wanted to show God's love in a practical way to the people of Chesterfield - Yes it was hard work but God is always working on our behalf making a difference to lives."

It wasn't 'The feeding of the 5,000' but it was certainly a day not to be forgotten in a hurry.

More Photographs here

For details of Hope 4 Chesterfield contact: 01246 200768.