English
Korean
Spanish
The food pantry ministry of First Baptist Church in Swan, a tiny community nestled between Tyler and Lindale, serves a whopping number of families—more than 200 each week. The pantry has become a key connection point between the church and community.
Despite serving such large numbers, FBC Swan Pastor Jeremiah Dollgener felt a disconnect. After all, the pantry, he reasoned, was not an end in itself, but a means to evangelize the community. With that conviction, he led his church to engage in the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Regenesis process.
Regenesis, a ministry funded in part through the Reach Texas State Missions Offering, guides churches toward health and renewal through a proven process. In 2024, 74 churches and 378 lay leaders were trained through Regenesis—which has grown every year since its inception in 2022.
“We had some positive, outreach-oriented ministries going at the time,” Dollgener said, “but we needed something more. Through Regenesis, God led us to craft our vision to fit our community and context.”
FBC Swan streamlined its vision to develop a three-pronged strategy that guided its members to serve their community, share their faith, and seek Christ. That focus has helped the church make meaningful gospel connections with a diverse group of people.
In one instance, a Hispanic man approached Dollgener at a store and asked about the food pantry. That man is now leading a bilingual Bible study class that serves food in the community. In another instance, a woman who is served by the pantry shared she had been diagnosed with cancer. The church prayed for her, provided her with meals, and eventually had the privilege of watching her give her life to Christ and get baptized.
“Upon entering our church, one will see rich and poor, business owners and homeless, Black, White, Hispanic all under one roof,” Dollgener said, “singing and praising the Lord who saved them.”
