The word community can be traced back to the Latin word communis, with con- meaning “together” and -munis meaning “service.” At its root, community is about the friendship and solidarity found in serving others together.
If you’ve ever been to Lubbock Impact on a Tuesday evening, you know our Community Meal embodies that definition.
Each week, volunteers gather to prepare and serve a meal shared by families, friends, and strangers alike. Tuesday evenings have become an important part of many people’s routines not just because of the delicious food, but because of the relationships that have grown around the table over the years.
Longtime volunteers often share stories of the friendships they’ve built with participants and fellow volunteers. For the past 16 years, Lubbock Impact has been able to offer a Community Meal every week, year-round. But it wasn’t always that way.
When Lubbock Impact first began, the ministry operated entirely through volunteers because there wasn’t funding for staff. During the summer months, volunteer availability naturally declined as families traveled and schedules changed, which meant the weekly meal couldn’t continue consistently.
That changed in 2010 when First Baptist Church of Lubbock was looking for a meaningful way to invest in the community. Guided by Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded,” the church felt called to use its resources to serve others.
Minister of Global Initiatives Jerry Ramirez explains, “We had an abundance, and we were looking to share it. We looked around to see who was doing good work, and Lubbock Impact was the clear choice.”
Over the past 16 summers, First Baptist Lubbock has purchased, prepared, and served roughly 160 Community Meals. Their commitment has made it possible for Lubbock Impact to continue opening its doors every Tuesday throughout the summer. For many participants, these meals provide more than nourishment, they offer a place to gather, escape the heat, and experience community. Without First Baptist Lubbock’s faithful partnership, that simply wouldn’t be possible.
As a volunteer-driven nonprofit, Lubbock Impact is deeply grateful for partners like First Baptist Lubbock. Yet the blessing is mutual.
Jerry shared that one of his favorite parts of serving is watching friendships form among church members. People from different classes, life stages, and small groups, who might not otherwise cross paths, serve side by side, getting to know one another while caring for their neighbors. Serving at Lubbock Impact strengthens not only the community around them, but the community within their own church.
Jerry also keeps the well-known starfish story in mind when organizing service opportunities. In the story, a young boy finds thousands of starfish washed onto the shore and begins throwing them back into the ocean one by one. An older man tells him, “There are too many. You’ll never make a difference.” The boy tosses another starfish into the water and replies, “It made a difference for that one.”
That mindset shapes how First Baptist Lubbock serves. The more hands willing to help, the greater the impact they can make together. That’s why the church partners with organizations across Lubbock, including St. Benedict’s Chapel, Word of Hope Prison Ministry, Food2Kids, Kingdom Co-op, and many others. They also prepare meals for local high school football teams. If there’s an opportunity to serve in the community, chances are First Baptist Lubbock is ready to step in.
During a recent Community Meal, one volunteer smiled and said, “We look forward to this every year. We love serving at Lubbock Impact!”
We’re grateful they do. Their faithfulness over the past 16 summers has meant far more than 160 meals. It has created a place where friendships have flourished, neighbors have been welcomed, and our community has gathered around the table week after week. We’re thankful to call First Baptist Lubbock a partner and even more thankful to call them friends.