Grace Polaris Church recently demonstrated an inspiring way to support their missionaries by coordinating church-wide lunch events for them. The experience not only raised crucial funds but also provided a unique cultural experience for attendees, emphasizing the impact of missions. Here’s how they did it and how you can too.

The church’s Women for Missions group collaborated with their Missions Advisory Team to organize the lunches, and their goal was to provide a meal that reflected the cultures the missionaries serve in. The events were both educational and delectable!

The first missionaries are an Encompass couple who works with refugees from the Middle East, so the meal included chicken shawarma, tahini sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and other toppings—all served family style. The meal concluded with homemade baklava, creating a Middle Eastern culinary experience that helped attendees feel connected to the mission field.

When it came time to host the second family, they chose to serve beef plov (photo right), which is a staple in Central Asia. The dish is made of beef, rice, and spices, and it is often accompanied by specific salads and bread. So the team prepared a carrot salad and two other salads with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, along with Russian flatbread. The preparation and serving of the meal brought everyone together, fostering a warm sense of community and shared purpose.

Both lunches were a huge success, with the second seeing more than 100 attendees! The church set up extra tables to accommodate everyone, and food was shared among the tables—yet everyone had plenty to eat. One of the missionary kids kicked off the event with a game of Kahoots, featuring questions about their ministry and the country they serve. This interactive element engaged participants while deepening their understanding of the mission.

These lunch events were also successful in helping the missionaries raise financial support. The second missionary family needed to raise several thousand dollars in monthly support, but one attendee generously pledged to meet their entire monthly need!

These lunches at Grace Polaris proved to be a deeply rewarding experience, both for their congregation and for their missionaries. The cultural meals and interactive elements truly brought the body of Christ closer together. How might your church benefit from hosting a luncheon to celebrate its missionaries?