Some things are taught in a school and some things are taught within an experience. On December 13th, 2014, on a street called Grace, it wasn’t a head full of knowledge that mattered the most; it was a heart full of love that made the difference for over 400 people who live in the small and somewhat forgotten towns that surround Morningside village.

Pastors Jim and Lori Bakker rallied their entire staff and many volunteers to remember and SHOW that Christmas is one of the greatest opportunities to share the love of JESUS and His message of HOPE .

The building was packed with families who desperately needed help; many who were jobless and single moms who were struggling with two jobs to support their families.  The stories were truly heartbreaking!  Everyone here at the Jim Bakker Show and Morningside Church became unified to fulfill the mission of the gospel and spread with all of our hearts; hope, joy, love, and peace.

From the very start, inspiring music from Kevin Shorey, Caleb Gordon, Harmony Hayes, Kimberly Patrick and Kristi Blankenship literally charged the atmosphere with hope and fellowship. A huge breakfast buffet was served where everyone in the building was able to eat until they were full.

On behalf of Morningside and the generosity of our partners, Pastor Jim and his entire family gave away gifts in abundance featuring a flat screen color TV, a Wii gaming system, an inflatable kayak, camping tents, jewelry, bikes and toys of all kinds.  The faces of those children and families are forever in our hearts.  Their smiles completely lit up Morningside!

Excitement mounted as special guests were brought to the stage.  First came Frosty the snowman, and when Santa came out children and adults broke into a rousing applause, but the guest that amazed the crowd was the star of the movie “Frozen”; Elsa. The kids rushed the stage and everyone sang and danced to the hit song from the movie “LET IT GO “. People were lost in a moment of joyful Christmas spirit!

Among the gifts here at Morningside was a photo booth and over 100 families got in line to get a family portrait to take home, compliments of the ministry. The children also got pictures with Frosty and Santa and of course Elsa. These are memories that will stay with these beautiful children and we  wanted them to have that captured moment to remember.

It is in a spirit of love that people best hear the gospel message.  Pastor Keven Shorey preached a beautiful and hopeful message of Jesus’s power to save.  Heaven rejoiced as hundreds prayed a salvation prayer with tears rolling down their faces.  And all of us felt the Spirit of the Lord embrace us all.

Towards the end of this remarkable afternoon, Pastor Jim Bakker opened up a room filled with every kind of gift you can imagine!  There were tables full of them and every person was invited to shop. Right here at Morningside we had our own Black Friday, except it was Saturday and everything was free!  Finally, as these wonderful families were leaving for their homes, every person was sent home with a grocery bag full of food all made possible by remarkable people giving to this ministry!

I wish you could have seen their faces and heard their stories!  I also wish that you too could have experienced the atmosphere!  It was like riding a hurricane of crazy cool, loving Jesus, giving and loving emotion!

God so Loved He gave His only Son- Every time we give…every time we share and love another person… its Christmas!

Lloyd Ziegler