16 Nov The Day a Pig Came to Church

On August 17, children of Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) sold their own possessions to raise money for the poor. They raised $241, which was enough to provide several micro-business opportunities through Food for the Hungry–a dairy goat ($150), a pig ($50), 4 rabbits ($20), and a fruit-bearing tree ($25).

On November 15, Pastor Tim Hallman gathered the children around him at the front of the church to “place the order.” He opened his laptop, connected to the internet, and let them click on the links to actually send the donation to Food for the Hungry.

But first, to help illustrate what they were doing, one of the church members, Brad Johnson, entered the side door carrying a baby pig. The children had the chance to touch the pig; some did, some didn’t. But all were fascinated by the squirming animal.

Before the service, administrative assistant Pat Minch told Tim she would give him $5 if he kissed the pig. He said he wouldn’t do that for such a paltry sum. But as the children were attending to the pig, Pat walked to the front waving money in the air–this time, $100, which she emphasized would go to missions. All Tim had to do was kiss the pig.

And so, for $100, that’s what he did, much to everyone’s delight.