In this video, I talk about the history and philosophy of BBQ4Jesus
How we got started
Why we chose BBQ
Our philosophy behind what we provide
Where God guides, he provides
Things in progress
What can you do?
Formatted Transcript
There is an automatically produced transcript linked with the video, but below is a nicely formatted one.
Hi, I’m Alan Robertson, and I started BBQ for Jesus in May of 2024. I’d like to tell you a little bit about it.
I’ve always been blessed by providing people food they love. I just really enjoy it — and all the more so for people in difficult circumstances.
How we got started
I did a little homeless BBQ outreach before COVID. Then when COVID hit and things fell apart, and after I retired, I started looking for an ongoing way to feed people in need.
So I looked around and eventually found Jeff and Kate Simpson at Barbecue Mission in Phoenix. They have a mature barbecue outreach. We visited them for a few days, went to church with them, and served alongside them.
When we came back to Denver, we decided to partner with the outstanding people at Christ Body Ministries. They provide food, showers, clothes, and the love of Christ — along with the gospel — for the homeless in Denver.
I started this food outreach as a way of showing the love of Jesus to people in need by providing great barbecue. We can bless them in a small way.
Why we chose Barbecue
I chose barbecue because it’s my wife’s favorite food (and mine too), and it’s relatively easy to scale up to large numbers of people. Feeding people is a great way to show the love of Christ because everyone has to eat. It also opens the door to reach people who need the gospel.
We are dedicated to feeding people in need with great food. Many of them tell us this is likely the best food they’ll get all month.
Currently we smoke pulled pork, beef brisket, and blueberry cobbler.
Our philosophy behind what we provide
When you want to feed people in need, there are two great strategies you can follow. One is to feed as many people as possible with the resources you have — being a great steward. The other is to feed the people you serve with the same quality, love, and care as though Jesus Himself had stopped by for lunch.
We choose the latter approach. To us, the people we feed are Jesus. Check out Matthew 25. We feed them as though Jesus had dropped by for a visit. Great food, served with great love — that’s our approach.
Where God Guides, He Provides
We rely on God’s provision for this outreach. Where God guides, He provides. We don’t solicit donations and don’t intend to. This is His work, and He will supply everything we need.
We were inspired by the approach George Müller used. When we need something, we pray that God will provide it. Because we rely on God’s providence, we are never truly in need.
Although we don’t encourage gifts, we won’t stand between you and how the Holy Spirit might direct you.
Things In Progress
We’re currently in the process of becoming an official 501(c)(3) for legal reasons and to make sure I’m not a single point of failure. Right now I kind of am. If I get sick, injured, or God calls me home, the work shouldn’t stop. So we’re expanding the team.
What You Can Do
No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. For me, this is that something. For you, it might be praying for us, helping in whatever way you’re led, or even starting your own outreach.
We can never get too much prayer, so whatever else you might do, we covet your prayers. Prayer works.
Thank you, and God bless.
