By REV. DR. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Business men and women! Would you like to have lunch once a week and also hear an encouraging, sound word from God? If you work in the vicinity of downtown Fayetteville and for a nominal price, you can have it.

It's called “Lunch in the Word.” It comes as the creative overflow of one of Fayette area's businessmen, Michael Moore, who is regional manager of Papa Johns Pizza (no, they don't serve pizza but delicious home cooked-like vegetables, meats, salads, and delicious desserts). Every Wednesday, lunch will be served-up beginning at 12 noon; within fifteen or so minutes, a local minister begins serving up the Word of God.

The “amen” comes at 1 p.m. sharp.

“Where is it?,” you asked. Remember the old “A and T Market” that sat vacant for a couple of years? Well, a couple Christian entrepreneurs bought it, turning it into a wholesome youth gathering spot. They are making it available to business folks for the Wednesday lunch. Michael Moore recently moved to the Fayette area because of his vocation. Where he came from, he and other businesses led the way in developing a similar luncheon meeting. It was a great success. Last Wednesday, May 10, the very first Lunch in the Word drew about 30 men and women. The Reverend Chuck Griffith, the pastor of Fayette Assembly of God, made history by being the very first minister to deliver the Word at the lunch. He taught on the subject of Christian unity and how divisive an obsession of doctrinal differences can be. His text was the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John.

Today, March 17, The Reverend Gray Harwell, founder and director of Cherith Ministries, will deliver the Word of God. Harwell's ministries focus on prayer renewal and a minister to pastors and their families. Pioneer for Lunch in the Word, Moore, says the luncheon has been so designed that believers of all backgrounds should be comfortable.

Now a word for you! Do you work within a five or 20 minute drive of downtown Fayetteville? Why not go for a mid-week pick-you-up? The old A and T Market is located at the intersection of Jeff Davis Drive and Highway 54 (in the westward lane). It's diagonal to Jordan's Salvage—one of Fayette's most famous landmarks.

Perhaps one of your fellow employees isn't a Christian; this presents a great opportunity for him/her to hear God's Word in a non-threatening environment. Where they might come with you to church, they would come with you to lunch—especially if you pay for lunch.

So, thanks to Michael Moore for his heart for Christ and his passion to see Christ in the Market place!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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