“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
As the rays of sunlight shone mostly over him, the esteemed Pastor was behind the pit, dutifully manning the meat like a true saint sent on a mission from God. The sweet-smelling smoke didn’t seem to bother him at all as the wind picked up a little when he turned over the rack of ribs with those steely tongs.
Gathered just a few feet from the busy road, the large smoke-pit and a couple of tables full of sides, plates and other ephemera was tied-down out in front of the Followers of Christ Baptist Church, 1125 NE 36th Street. The Pastor and his congregation had been tending to the meat all afternoon, feeding weary drivers with some of their heavenly praise and their heavenly barbeque. That’s how I found them, waving to cars and looking like they were having a joyous time of spiritual fulfillingness together.
While there are always a few rib joints that I tend to side with in any argument—the much-loved Leo’s Barbeque is just a few blocks away—the truth is the best BBQ of any sort always seems to come from these little church fundraisers, just like this. It reminds me of when I was just a kid and my peace officer father would patrol typically Baptist churches, watching out for big-time trouble on a small-town Sunday; I would stay behind and fill my plate, putting a hurting on fried fish, barbeque and, really, just about anything else off that smoking grill.