by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The First Baptist Church has been serving up one of the cheapest lunches, pound-for-pound, Downtown for over 20 years and the bible study that follows can help those who may over indulge in the offerings.
Almost everything that comes out of the kitchen at the preschool building is made from scratch and anyone with $7 can fill their plate with the main entree, three sides, bread, desert and beverage.
“Our most popular items over the years have been our fried chicken dinner, BBQ ribs and steak,” said Judson Leverette, facilities director of First Baptist Church. “Our specialities include soups, apple pie, pecan pie and chicken salad.”
Pastor Dr. Jerry Vines created the prayer lunches as a community outreach program in 1982 and it continues to grow next week with the addition of Tuesday and Wednesday lunches.
“The food is very, very good,” said An Nguyen, a Vietnamese pastor. “The ribs are my favorite.”
It takes a staff of about 17 people to serve the average crowd of about 400 people. Despite the late morning rain storm Thursday, about 200 people filled their trays at the prayer luncheon. Women outnumbered the men by a ratio of about 2-1.
Minister Lee Sheppard gave the invocation and oversees the bible study that starts at about noon. The study session lasts for about 20-25 minutes.
356-2466