Say It Again
How Repeated Words of Encouragement Become Deep Convictions at Hope’s Kitchen
“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”
— Muhammad Ali
Walk into Hope’s Kitchen on a Tuesday evening and, before you look around, just listen. Underneath the clatter of trays and the hum of a full room, you’ll hear a steady stream of small words. “Good to see you.” “You saved me a seat?” “Glad you came back.” “Look at you!” None of it is dramatic. Most of it lasts a second or two. But spoken week after week, those simple words are doing something Muhammad Ali understood very well.
Ali didn’t begin as “The Greatest.” He said it before the world believed it—and then he said it again, and again, until he believed it himself and the rest of us did too. Whatever you thought of his bravado, he grasped a truth Scripture spoke long before him: what we hear repeated becomes what we believe, and what we believe deeply shapes what we do.
Faith works the same way. Paul told the Romans that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). We are, all of us, shaped by the words that are spoken over us. The question for a ministry like ours is simple: what words are we repeating?
Words That Flow Three Ways
Affirmation at Hope’s Kitchen isn’t a one-way street from the serving line outward. It flows in every direction, and every direction matters.
Volunteers to Guests
For many who walk through our doors, the voices they hear the rest of the week aren’t kind ones. “Move along.” “You can’t stay here.” Or worse, no voice at all—just people looking past them. So when a volunteer learns a guest’s name and uses it, remembers that last week was a hard one and asks how it turned out, or says “I’m proud of you” to someone who just landed an interview, something shifts. One kind word won’t erase years of hard ones. But Tuesday after Tuesday, repetition writes a new story: I am seen. I matter. God has not forgotten me.
Volunteers to Volunteers
Those who serve need to hear it, too. The kitchen cleanup crew elbow-deep in suds. The faithful few who come Monday to set tables. The first-time volunteer standing by the door, unsure where to go. When Pat Hawkins tallied the volunteers one Tuesday and counted 21 churches represented, it reminded us how many different backgrounds, traditions, and ways of doing things come together in one ministry. What holds that together isn’t a rulebook. It’s a culture of “Thank you,” “You’re really good at this,” and “We couldn’t do it without you.”
Guests to Guests
Some of the most powerful encouragement in our building never involves a volunteer at all. It’s the guest who saves a seat for someone sitting alone. The one who passes along a lead on a job or an apartment. The person who has walked the hard road leaning over to a nervous newcomer and saying, “These are good people. You’re going to be all right.” Those words carry a weight ours sometimes can’t, because they come from someone who has been there. We want to make room for that, notice it, and celebrate it.
When Rules Get Louder Than Grace
Let’s be honest: we sometimes get hung up. “That’s not how we do it.” “We tried that once.” “That’s not your station.” Structure has its place—a kitchen that feeds a crowd needs order, and safety always matters. But when rules or rigid opinions become the loudest voice in the room, we end up repeating a different message. And that message takes root just as surely: My ideas don’t count. I’d better just stay quiet.
That isn’t who we want to be. Our theme this year is Open Doors, Open Hearts, and an open heart includes an open mind. We want to be the ministry where a volunteer’s new idea hears “Let’s try it” before it hears “Here’s why not.” Where a supporter who offers to prepare special treats is encouraged. Where every idea and every effort is welcomed—because you never know which small suggestion is a God idea still in seed form.
From Belief to Conviction
That’s how it happens. A guest hears “You can do this” enough times that one day she makes the phone call. A nervous first-time volunteer hears “You’re a natural” enough times that he becomes the one leading the team. A man who has believed for years that he’s a burden hears “We’re glad you’re here” enough Tuesdays that he starts to believe it—and then starts saying it to someone else. Belief becomes conviction. Conviction becomes action. And the circle widens.
This Tuesday, Say It Again
Here are a few simple ways every one of us—volunteer or guest—can practice the ministry of affirmation:
Learn one new name and use it before the evening ends.
Thank a fellow volunteer specifically. “The way you greeted that family made a difference.”
Say “let’s try it” first. When someone offers an idea, welcome it before you weigh it.
Invite a guest to encourage a newcomer. Their words may land in a way ours can’t.
Repeat yourself. Say it again next week. And the week after that. That’s the whole point.
A Prayer for Encouragers
Lord, You spoke the world into being, and Your words still bring life. Make us people whose words build up rather than tear down. Help us see one another the way You see us—worthy, gifted, and loved. Where we have held too tightly to our own ways, loosen our grip. Where someone among us is waiting to hear that they matter, give us the courage to say it, and the faithfulness to say it again. Turn our small words into deep convictions, and let Your Spirit do what only You can do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Weekly Schedule:
Monday Morning
Setup will be from 8:45 am until 10:30 am
Tuesday Evening
Volunteers arrive at 4:30 pm
Volunteer meeting at 4:45 pm
Guests arrive at 5:30 pm
Worship at 6:00 pm
Dinner served at 6:30 pm
News and Notes
On November 3, Sherri Vestal and Pastor Daryle Bush of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church will be worship leaders. Please join us to share in this special service.
Join members of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church as they follow the "Giving Thanks Calendar" for November. Each Sunday bring your items to Church for Hope's Kitchen. Drop-off locations: Church Office, rear entrance of the Welcome Center, or outside LFLC.
We are looking for volunteers in several areas:
*Monday morning setup*
*After meal kitchen cleanup*
*End of day pickup from retail partners*
*Food Collection site coordinator*
Please email us at hopeskitchenmisson@gmail.com if you want to volunteer or learn more.
Praises and Prayer
Praise Reports:
Thank you, Lord, for Jim’s generous giving and service to others. He says the Fall Festival at Lakeside Church was a success!
Opal’s sister, Sharon, has been discharged from the hospital!
The Harris family, guests from the shelter, had a healthy baby boy.
Mom and baby are doing well.
Bonnie will be a great grandmother soon! Pray for a safe delivery for mom and baby.
Pray for:
Linda as she is very sick.
Charlie and her family as they grieve the sudden loss of her brother.
Tyesse as she and her family try to find housing.
Giving during Thanksgiving and Advent at Hope’s Kitchen.
Tyler whose girlfriend is considering an abortion.
Ann as she undergoes a biopsy.
Cindy as she has had bronchitis.
Joe Quigley’s wife who had cataract surgery.
Pat Robinson
Gina to have her needs met.
Beth whose treatment has been delayed until November 16 to allow for further healing.
All the families and guests from the shelter.
Hope's Kitchen Mission
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South
North Myrtle Beach,SC 29582
hopeskitchenmission@gmail.com
oceandrivechurch.org/hopes-kitchen
“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”
— Muhammad Ali
Walk into Hope’s Kitchen on a Tuesday evening and, before you look around, just listen. Underneath the clatter of trays and the hum of a full room, you’ll hear a steady stream of small words. “Good to see you.” “You saved me a seat?” “Glad you came back.” “Look at you!” None of it is dramatic. Most of it lasts a second or two. But spoken week after week, those simple words are doing something Muhammad Ali understood very well.
Ali didn’t begin as “The Greatest.” He said it before the world believed it—and then he said it again, and again, until he believed it himself and the rest of us did too. Whatever you thought of his bravado, he grasped a truth Scripture spoke long before him: what we hear repeated becomes what we believe, and what we believe deeply shapes what we do.
Faith works the same way. Paul told the Romans that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). We are, all of us, shaped by the words that are spoken over us. The question for a ministry like ours is simple: what words are we repeating?
Words That Flow Three Ways
Affirmation at Hope’s Kitchen isn’t a one-way street from the serving line outward. It flows in every direction, and every direction matters.
Volunteers to Guests
For many who walk through our doors, the voices they hear the rest of the week aren’t kind ones. “Move along.” “You can’t stay here.” Or worse, no voice at all—just people looking past them. So when a volunteer learns a guest’s name and uses it, remembers that last week was a hard one and asks how it turned out, or says “I’m proud of you” to someone who just landed an interview, something shifts. One kind word won’t erase years of hard ones. But Tuesday after Tuesday, repetition writes a new story: I am seen. I matter. God has not forgotten me.
Volunteers to Volunteers
Those who serve need to hear it, too. The kitchen cleanup crew elbow-deep in suds. The faithful few who come Monday to set tables. The first-time volunteer standing by the door, unsure where to go. When Pat Hawkins tallied the volunteers one Tuesday and counted 21 churches represented, it reminded us how many different backgrounds, traditions, and ways of doing things come together in one ministry. What holds that together isn’t a rulebook. It’s a culture of “Thank you,” “You’re really good at this,” and “We couldn’t do it without you.”
Guests to Guests
Some of the most powerful encouragement in our building never involves a volunteer at all. It’s the guest who saves a seat for someone sitting alone. The one who passes along a lead on a job or an apartment. The person who has walked the hard road leaning over to a nervous newcomer and saying, “These are good people. You’re going to be all right.” Those words carry a weight ours sometimes can’t, because they come from someone who has been there. We want to make room for that, notice it, and celebrate it.
When Rules Get Louder Than Grace
Let’s be honest: we sometimes get hung up. “That’s not how we do it.” “We tried that once.” “That’s not your station.” Structure has its place—a kitchen that feeds a crowd needs order, and safety always matters. But when rules or rigid opinions become the loudest voice in the room, we end up repeating a different message. And that message takes root just as surely: My ideas don’t count. I’d better just stay quiet.
That isn’t who we want to be. Our theme this year is Open Doors, Open Hearts, and an open heart includes an open mind. We want to be the ministry where a volunteer’s new idea hears “Let’s try it” before it hears “Here’s why not.” Where a supporter who offers to prepare special treats is encouraged. Where every idea and every effort is welcomed—because you never know which small suggestion is a God idea still in seed form.
From Belief to Conviction
That’s how it happens. A guest hears “You can do this” enough times that one day she makes the phone call. A nervous first-time volunteer hears “You’re a natural” enough times that he becomes the one leading the team. A man who has believed for years that he’s a burden hears “We’re glad you’re here” enough Tuesdays that he starts to believe it—and then starts saying it to someone else. Belief becomes conviction. Conviction becomes action. And the circle widens.
This Tuesday, Say It Again
Here are a few simple ways every one of us—volunteer or guest—can practice the ministry of affirmation:
Learn one new name and use it before the evening ends.
Thank a fellow volunteer specifically. “The way you greeted that family made a difference.”
Say “let’s try it” first. When someone offers an idea, welcome it before you weigh it.
Invite a guest to encourage a newcomer. Their words may land in a way ours can’t.
Repeat yourself. Say it again next week. And the week after that. That’s the whole point.
A Prayer for Encouragers
Lord, You spoke the world into being, and Your words still bring life. Make us people whose words build up rather than tear down. Help us see one another the way You see us—worthy, gifted, and loved. Where we have held too tightly to our own ways, loosen our grip. Where someone among us is waiting to hear that they matter, give us the courage to say it, and the faithfulness to say it again. Turn our small words into deep convictions, and let Your Spirit do what only You can do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Weekly Schedule:
Monday Morning
Setup will be from 8:45 am until 10:30 am
Tuesday Evening
Volunteers arrive at 4:30 pm
Volunteer meeting at 4:45 pm
Guests arrive at 5:30 pm
Worship at 6:00 pm
Dinner served at 6:30 pm
News and Notes
On November 3, Sherri Vestal and Pastor Daryle Bush of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church will be worship leaders. Please join us to share in this special service.
Join members of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church as they follow the "Giving Thanks Calendar" for November. Each Sunday bring your items to Church for Hope's Kitchen. Drop-off locations: Church Office, rear entrance of the Welcome Center, or outside LFLC.
We are looking for volunteers in several areas:
*Monday morning setup*
*After meal kitchen cleanup*
*End of day pickup from retail partners*
*Food Collection site coordinator*
Please email us at hopeskitchenmisson@gmail.com if you want to volunteer or learn more.
Praises and Prayer
Praise Reports:
Thank you, Lord, for Jim’s generous giving and service to others. He says the Fall Festival at Lakeside Church was a success!
Opal’s sister, Sharon, has been discharged from the hospital!
The Harris family, guests from the shelter, had a healthy baby boy.
Mom and baby are doing well.
Bonnie will be a great grandmother soon! Pray for a safe delivery for mom and baby.
Pray for:
Linda as she is very sick.
Charlie and her family as they grieve the sudden loss of her brother.
Tyesse as she and her family try to find housing.
Giving during Thanksgiving and Advent at Hope’s Kitchen.
Tyler whose girlfriend is considering an abortion.
Ann as she undergoes a biopsy.
Cindy as she has had bronchitis.
Joe Quigley’s wife who had cataract surgery.
Pat Robinson
Gina to have her needs met.
Beth whose treatment has been delayed until November 16 to allow for further healing.
All the families and guests from the shelter.
Hope's Kitchen Mission
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South
North Myrtle Beach,SC 29582
hopeskitchenmission@gmail.com
oceandrivechurch.org/hopes-kitchen
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