RED OAK—The griddle begins to sizzle, coffee is brewing and gravy is being stirred. Several members of Red Oak, First’s Baptist Breakfast Club (BBC) gather in the kitchen of the church’s Life Impact Center early every Sunday morning to prepare breakfast for homebound citizens.

The hustle and bustle of the morning’s activities is small compared to the laughter and fellowship being exchanged among the men. The “early morning crew” works to prepare

Several men of the Breakfast Club pause to pray for those who will receive breakfasts. Pictured are: Cody Todd, Johnny Montgomery and Gordon Bell

sausage, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy (area favorite delicacies) for senior citizens. Red Oak is located in Latimer County, 14 miles east of Wilburton.

“This ministry was started 17 years ago as the Baptist Breakfast Club,” explained Johnny Montgomery, pastor of Red Oak, First. “Many of the children who served in the ministry over the years are now serving God in other capacities. I can’t count the number of men, women and children this ministry has touched.”

The breakfasts are packaged in to-go boxes, and a label with a Scripture is attached to each. As the men finish their duties, the delivery crew arrives. Led by Rosalie Garner, the children gather church bulletins and load the boxes and bottles of orange juice into her car. Methodically they travel from house to house, knocking on doors to deliver the breakfasts with a smile and “God bless you.” The children even gather newspapers from boxes and deliver to the waiting resident.

“You are such a blessing,” said one recipient, Margaret Rutledge. “What you do is off the charts!”

Another breakfast recipient, Cecil Prock, said, “I appreciate you guys so much. A lot of older people can’t do for themselves. You help us so much!”

Garner works to find area residents who would benefit from the Sunday morning deliveries. The ministry averages 17 breakfasts delivered each week. Only one delivery is to a member of Red Oak, First. The others are residents who might otherwise not receive a hot meal or visitor on the weekend. The children get lots of hugs while delivering.

While the deliveries are being made, the “second crew” comes in to prepare breakfast for anyone who wants to eat before Sunday School.

Red Oak resident Faola Hilburn never lets Bella and Maddux leave without a hug as they deliver breakfast to her every Sunday morning

When Garner and the children return to the church, she leads the children in a Bible Study.

Alex Mabry, one of the inaugural children involved and an alumni of the BBC, began delivering breakfasts when she was 5. Now a young adult, Mabry has participated in six

mission trips to Haiti and one to China.

“The Breakfast Club helped me develop a servant’s heart,” said Mabry. “I learned that God wants us to be willing to give to and serve others. It allowed me to get to know elders of our community and serve them.”

“That’s what it’s all about,” added Pastor Montgomery. “Our church gets it, and we are training the younger generation in the importance of serving our God and others in our community. This ministry has been a blessing to those served and those serving.”

ROFBC plans to celebrate the Breakfast Club during the evening worship service on Sun., Feb. 26.