Ministry of meals

"The purpose of this church shall be the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and His Gospel by following the teaching and practice of the New Testament in worship, proclamation of the Gospel, Christian education and training, benevolent work, missionary labor, and ministry."

This is the mission statement of Red Star Baptist Church, which has put it into practice in various ways that benefit the community to which it has been called.

Bible studies and worship services are the norm in most churches and are vital aspects of the ministry of Red Star Baptist.

Contemporary, traditional and blended worship services are offered; there's something for everyone.

The church also lends the building to Prodigy Leadership Academy, which provides Christ-centered instruction.

A table of nonperishable food items waits to be sorted April 23 during the monthly work night to prepare for the food pantry distribution at Red Star Baptist Church. (Glenn Landberg)

Mission trips aid in carrying out the church's focus. The youths move beyond the four walls of the church to meet needs, said Kevin Sexton, the church's youth pastor.

Sexton and his wife have taken as many as 25 youths on any given mission trip, "locally and around the country."

Another aspect of the church's outreach is a summer day camp.

"A couple of years ago, we started a summer day camp," Sexton said. "We have a beautiful facility that we own. We don't have to pay for mortgage."

They show their gratitude by holding the camp for next to nothing: half a day, five days a week for six weeks, for $5 a week.

Bryan Parker stacks cans of vegetable soup at Red Star Baptist Church Thursday, April 23, 2015 during the monthly work night to prepare for the food pantry distribution. (Glenn Landberg)

"We have a full-size gym, a full-size kitchen and people who want to do it."

"We're going to share what God has given us," Sexton said.

Red Star has a lot on its plate, but perhaps it is best known for its food pantry. The pantry, said Sexton, who manages the effort, is known as a government pantry.

"But," he added, "the beauty of it is we also get food and donations from private donors," which means it is free to give to whoever is in need. "It's a great combination."

The food pantry has a mass distribution once a month -- the fourth Saturday, except in November and December, when, to accommodate holidays, it's on the third Saturday.

Kevin Sexton hands a box of crackers to Phyllis Wood at Red Star Baptist Church Thursday, April 23, 2015 during the monthly work night to prepare for the food pantry distribution. (Glenn Landberg)

Those who find themselves in need, however, do not have to wait until mass distribution days.

"We make arrangements for emergency situations."

There is a referral program, and when someone reaches out for help, the church is called.

The pantry began in 1993 as a result of what some people refer to as "The 500-Year Flood."

Because the church is near what was the flood zone, food donations were dropped off there in tractor-trailers.

"When the food started coming in, [church member] Lynda Cook stepped in to coordinate, and when donations tailed off, she said, 'Let's continue.'"

And they did.

Sexton said, "The food pantry has turned into a monthly gathering."

Some show up a couple of hours before distribution and sit at the church's activities building and talk. Red Star holds devotions there for those who are interested. Some at the food pantry "have had the salvation experience through our devotions," he explained, adding that some have become members of the church -- because of a food pantry.

"The Red Star District has a lot of needs," Sexton stated. "We can't answer them all, but we do our part."

Their part involves serving about 100 families of about five people per family each month in slower times and 150 to 160 families in heavier times.

Red Star does not do it alone, Sexton emphasized. They receive help from other churches; grants; United States Department of Agriculture funds; the Missouri Foundation for Health, which provides equipment such as commercial freezers; private individuals; and Prodigy Leadership Academy, which sends children over to help. "If there are 40 people serving on a Saturday, only about 15 or 20 are from Red Star." And everyone is a volunteer.

The youth pastor is not bothered that Red Star Baptist -- once considered "the church" in the area -- is now a relatively small church.

"The people still here are the people who don't care that it's not as big as it used to be. ... We are relatively small, but we serve a lot of people."

Pertinent address: 1301 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701