By Chad and Mary Jendry of Chandler, Arizona, USA
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
(shared as part of the International Leaders Meeting, June 2025)
We would like to share an evolving story that has been taking place at the Chandler Community of Christ in Chandler, Arizona. It has been amazing to share in this growing experience.
Chandler has always been focused on mission, looking for new ways to share the love of Christ with the world around us. As a congregation, we made and gave away bags with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fruit until we were told by local police we had to use packaged food because we needed a license to give out freshly made food. A short time later, we learned about manna bags. What a blessing!!!
The leadership team at Chandler was planning events at the church or in a park. My wife Mary and I would go out in the streets searching for folks less fortunate than ourselves and invite them to our events. We had church in the park and barbeques; we played games, donated clothing to share, and always had manna bags with us. We were and are building a community. At one of our events, one of our guests named Dave, asked Mary if we had heard of the I-Help (Interfaith-Homeless Emergency Lodging) Program started in 2012 through the Chandler Community Center (now called AZCEND). At the time, there were only a couple of churches involved, and they were working toward having a place for guests to stay every night of the month. Mary found our pastor (Larry Haines), and Dave explained the program. It is a 90-day program to help get IDs, job placement, and sign up for eligible programs (social security, food stamps, medical, etc.). We started later that month.
AZCEND takes the group by bus to the church where they are staying around 5:30 p.m. and picks them up around 7:30 a.m. the next morning. We serve them dinner and return at 6 a.m. to make breakfast. We give them manna bags for lunch. While in the program, participants are required to turn over 75% of their paycheck to help with housing when they graduate.
We have witnessed many being transformed from unemployed and homeless to productive members of society. We started doing one night per month in 2012 and then were asked to take another. We are also on call for nights when there is a problem with housing. So, we see people more often and we have more opportunities to build relationships. The congregation is involved in supporting generously with their time cooking, serving, shopping, and all the other little things needed to make this work. We believe we are sharing Christ’s peace.
Prayer Phrase
“For in him all things…were created…” (Colossians 1:16).
The International Community
Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.