“People who are in need of a Savior and in need of a brother and sister, (need)to know that they are loved,” said Pastor Denise Abston, who developed the program. “We care for them holistically.If you meet their physical needs first, they are more open.” Abston,a student of Greenville College's Leadership and Ministry Program (LAMP), designed the ministry after Jesus' sermon about ministering to the least of these.“ We want to be Matthew 25 leaders,” Abston said about her relational leadership style. “In order to preach the good news, certain things need to be cared for.”

In six months, the food bank has served ,100 people.To fulfill the practicum requirements of the LAMP program, Abston plans to develop a food bank ministry that can then be taught and passed on to other churches.

Ideal for those currently in ministry or going into ministry as a second career, LAMP seeks to prepare ministers for effective service in the Body of Christ. Greenville College added the program in August of 1998, due to a perceived vacuum in graduate level education in the Free Methodist Church.Students meet for two weeks in August and two weeks in January each year and on average, it takes students three years to complete. The program requires applicants to have a bachelor 's degree in any field. “We built the program on an adult learning model for people with life experience,” said program director Dr. Joe Culumber.

Greenville College developed LAMP as an alternative to traditional seminary, which often forces people already established to relocate, interrupting their ministry.

“I can 't stop life to go to seminary,” said David Tomb associate pastor at Belleview Heights, an American Baptist Church in Sun City, Arizona. “LAMP is complimentary to life experiences.”

“This is the perfect format for a Salvation Army officer couple,” said Jorge Diaz,director of operations for the Salvation Army in Philadelphia. “Salvation Army officers may be moved at any time.This is more practical than going to seminary in Philadelphia. With Greenville, it doesn 't matter where I move.”

The program attracts a broad range of students both geographically and theologically. “It is a safe place to share and process ideas,” said current LAMP student Erin Swank, who also graduated from G.C.'s youth ministries undergraduate program. “You realize you aren 't alone in ministry.”

The program 's community approach grew spontaneously and remains a key component. “We began with the philosophy of an organism,” said Culumber. “We are all members of the same body. We lay aside our titles and know each other on a first name basis. Our classroom setting is built on dialogue.”

Culumber adds Greenville 's model for Christian workers is distinctly different.

“We teach servant leadership.”

An equal number of men and women add to the community. LAMP administrators have intentionally sought women from the beginning and the Wesleyan heritage has historically ordained women.

“We see women not just as a window dressing but an untapped resource in the church,” said Culumber.

Abston,the first woman on the ordination track in the Mid America Conference of the Free Methodist Church in the last 80 years, encourages and mentors the women in her church.

“Women have learned to count the cost, but too often they don't believe they have what it takes,” she said. Abston believes it is impossible to dismiss a calling from God.

“Who am I to fight with God?” she asks. “We need to relate to the poor and emotionally broken. LAMP is down in the ditches where the people are.”