Benefit BBQ Held at CTK
March 6th, 2010Saturday, February 27th, the people at Christ the King came together to support a member of the community at a benefit BBQ held in their new Parish Life Center. Tony Ingram, a founding member of “A Better Way” ministries, a music teacher at Trinity Christian School, and beloved husband and father, passed away suddenly on February 1, 2010. He left a wife, Crystal, and two young children, ages 5 and 8, as well as an adult son from his previous marriage that currently resides in Ohio. Crystal Ingram, who had been a teacher at Trinity Christian for quite some time, lost her job last year and had to return to school to finish her certifications for her return to teaching in the public school system. There was no life insurance, so the next few months until she can return to work were appearing overwhelming.
Several members at Christ the King put together a Benefit BBQ for this young widow and her young children, selling smoked chicken and fixings for $10 a plate. David Fjeran and Richard Thompson, together with other members of the congregation put together this event, advertised it on a local radio station, 92.5 The Bear, advertised it on Facebook, and spent a Saturday pulling our community together to love this young family as Christ would have them do. The men started up the coals at 6:00 a.m. and over the course of the day smoked approximately 600 pieces of chicken. Several members of the church and community worked tirelessly in the kitchen at the Parish Life Center from early that morning, as well, dishing out food, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and helping in many other ways.
No one really knew what to expect as far as how many would show up. They joked all week about praying for fishes, and loaves, and crowds. On the day of the event, only about half of the plates were sold–however, God provides in amazing ways. Though only half the plates sold, more money was collected than if they had sold all the plates. Between what was given in advance for purchase of food, what was given the day of the event, and what came in after, and what was given directly to Mrs. Ingram due to the publicity of the event, the total was over $8,000.00– and there is still enough chicken to feed the entire church at their next event. One member laughed and said that it was the baskets of leftovers collected after Jesus fed the crowd.
One person related, “Mrs. Ingram was and continues to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the people in this tight knit community.”
article by Christi Thompson
