Years ago, Pam Trudeau — Director of Mom’s Pantry — welcomed a new volunteer onto her team.
She was kind. Reliable. Eager to help. But one thing was clear from the start: she didn’t want anything to do with Jesus.
Pam respected that. She didn’t force a Bible study. She didn’t push faith. But one day, with a gentle boldness, Pam said something simple — “Just so you know… God sent His Son to die for you so you could live forever with Him.”
The woman’s response pierced Pam’s heart.
“I pray to God,” she said, “but I don’t want anything to do with Jesus.” Pam went home and cried. She called a board member. “I just can’t bear the thought,” she said, “of this sweet woman not knowing Jesus.” They grieved together. And then… they kept praying. And the woman kept volunteering. Weeks turned into months. Months turned into years. She kept showing up — kind as ever, helpful as always. But still, no sign that her heart had changed.
Until last week.
She pulled Pam aside after a shift, almost laughing at herself, and said, “I was in the card aisle looking for an Easter card. I kept thinking, ‘This one is too religious… this one is too much.’ And then I stopped and thought — how silly. This is a religious holiday. Jesus rose from the dead. That’s what Easter is about! He is Risen!”
Pam froze. Tears threatened. Her mind raced.
After all these years… it finally clicked.
She called her board member again — this time, not to cry, but to celebrate. What they thought was a seed lost in hard soil had been quietly growing all along.
This is what long faithfulness looks like. This is what patient love, consistent community, and an open door can do. And this is the kind of story that doesn’t happen without Kingdom Builders.
Because Kingdom Builders isn’t just about events or projects. It’s about people. It’s the grocery shelves, the staff, the outreach, the lights-on and doors-open that allow volunteers to walk in and encounter something deeper — whether they know they’re looking for it or not.
God writes beautiful stories — but He invites us to hold the pen with Him.
Every moment we give, we’re making space for another heart to come home. Even if it takes years.
