Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarThad Ransier goes after the ball as he participates in the Love Out Loud mission event at Highland Park with the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi Wednesday afternoon.

The Love Out Loud program, a Christian-based humanitarian group, has been busy in Lauderdale County this week, participating in more than 20 different ministry events.

Volunteers have been donating their time and services to contribute to the community.

These seemingly random acts of kindness are anything but, with at least 30 different churches and more than 800 people gathering together to provide haircuts, goodie bags for the elderly, food, medical services, clothes and more.

According to Wade Phillips, coordinator for the group, the idea for LOL came when his church (Northcrest Baptist) asked a simple question six years ago, “If we closed our doors tomorrow, would anyone notice.”

Since then, the LOL program has worked to provide ministries that affect people’s lives all while spreading the Gospel.

“The goal as we do this is to spread the Gospel and tell people about Jesus,” Phillips said. “We want people to know the God that we know and be saved.” 

On Wednesday, LOL partnered with Feed By Faith, a weekly charity that provides free meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Peggy Coleman established Feed by Faith because of a vision she interpreted to be from God, and continues to feed hundreds thanks to support from volunteers and partnerships such as the one with LOL.

She said it’s the support of others that help the organization thrive.

“I see Feed by Faith as a Ministry that can’t be run by one person,” Coleman said. “I started it but I can’t run it by myself.” 

Along with hot food and cool drinks, LOL used the space to provide free haircuts, medical screenings and a clothing drive.

According to Phillips, to get involved, one would only need to show up during the mission week.

Every morning volunteers pour into the Northcrest multi-purpose building and are greeted with a light breakfast before they choose from a variety of different missions.

Volunteers can choose something active and outside, such as car wash ministries or drive thru prayer or something different such as ministries with the elderly.

“Jesus did not wait for people to come to him, he went to the people,” Phillips said.

The mission week in Meridian will end with a worship service at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20 at Temple Theatre.

For more information or to make donations, visit lolmeridian.com and feedbyfaith.org.