by A sermon/presentation by Warren Crawford on behalf of Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project
When Hollis and Ila Sherwood planted their first corn crop in 1985 to support a medical missionary in Africa, they had no idea God had different plans. That first harvest was ready to ship when a devastating earthquake struck Mexico City, killing 20,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more. Their mission partner asked: could they redirect the corn?
Without hesitation, they said yes.
That pivotal moment launched what would become the Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project (BHRP.org)—forty years of feeding the hungry and spreading the gospel around the world. And it almost didn’t happen. The Sherwoods initially thought, “We didn’t complete our original project,” so they planted a second year. By then, God had embedded this calling deep in their hearts.
When God Redirects Our Plans
Over four decades, we’ve witnessed God turn what looked like disasters into His glory. When a shipping container with 42,000 pounds of corn failed to be unloaded at the Ivory Coast, it ended up in neighboring Nigeria—exactly where a tribal chief had declared, “You cannot preach the gospel in our country unless your God can feed our people.” The corn sat waiting in a Nigerian port, and the gospel was preached in Eastern Nigeria.
During the brutal drought of 2012, our corn crop failed almost completely. That disappointment led us to partner with I.D.E.S. (International Disaster Emergency Services) and discover food packing events—a ministry that continues today and has expanded to youth groups across the region.
When a co-op accidentally sprayed Roundup on our non-GMO corn and the entire crop died, the insurance settlement paid for a bumper crop we didn’t have to harvest—with money left over to purchase other non-GMO corn for distribution.
God has always had this figured out, even when we couldn’t see the path forward.
The Engine of Generosity
None of this would exist without generosity—the true engine that moves this mission forward. And I’m not just talking about money.
Think about the volunteers who’ve made this possible: church groups, music camps (hearing an a cappella choir sing inside a corn bin is unforgettable), a women’s lacrosse team from Minneapolis, the Mitchell football team, and students from Middle Tennessee State who spent their spring break doing mission work instead of heading to the beach.
Generosity of time has been just as crucial as financial support. A pile of money without vision, planning, and willingness to work is just a pile sitting idle.
What Generosity Really Means
Society tells us to accumulate fortunes, hold tight to our possessions, and secure our own interests first. But generosity runs counter to everything our culture promotes. It mirrors the heart of God and counters the self-interest dominating today’s world.
Consider what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about the Macedonian believers: “They are being tested by many troubles and are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.”
These were first-generation Christians, and God had transformed their mindset completely. Paul connected their financial generosity directly to God’s ultimate generosity: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”
Our generosity—however impressive it might seem—pales in comparison to what God gave us. I’m thankful for God’s grace, but I’m most amazed that He was willing to be generous with His Son.
Generosity as Compassion and Justice
Jesus made the connection explicit in Matthew 25. When the King sits in judgment, He says: “I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home.”
When the people asked when they’d done these things, Jesus delivered the punch line: “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.”
Generosity isn’t just a duty for Christ’s followers—it’s essential to our identity. Do a word study on “one another” in Scripture, and you’ll see how central mutual care is to Christian life.
There’s a story about a rabbi who disappeared every Friday morning. His disciples believed he ascended to heaven to talk with God. A skeptical newcomer decided to investigate. He followed the rabbi and discovered him dressing in peasant clothes, cutting firewood, and delivering it to a poor widow and her children—enough for the entire week.
The newcomer stayed and became a disciple. Whenever someone said, “On Friday morning our rabbi ascends to heaven,” he would quietly add, “If not higher.”
Breaking the Power of Greed
Generosity is spiritual warfare. When we’re generous with others, it infuriates the enemy. Proverbs 11 tells us: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched.”
I don’t preach a prosperity gospel—God doesn’t operate on a bonus point system. But He does acknowledge what we do for Him, and following His pattern brings benefits beyond what we can imagine.
The truth is: God doesn’t need a cent of your money. He doesn’t need a minute of your time. You have the right to keep it all to yourself. What God asks for is dedication to His ways and His plan.
I once saw a bumper sticker that read, “The one who dies with the most toys wins.” Is he in for a surprise.
Three Types of Givers
There are three types of people when it comes to giving: the flint, which only sparks when struck; the sponge, which eventually runs dry when squeezed; and the honeycomb, which continually overflows with sweetness while being constantly refilled.
Which type are you?
Generosity changes us. It transforms our hearts, making us more compassionate. It shifts our attitudes from looking inward to looking outward. It fosters gratitude for what we have. And it strengthens our faith in God’s provision, shifting our focus from “us” to “them.”
Moving Forward
No one could have imagined what that small beginning would grow into. The Sherwoods marveled at it before they passed away. Today, we’ve expanded beyond corn to distributing ground pork and beef through local food pantries—our “processed corn operation,” as I like to say.
We continue, fueled by the generosity of others and striving to be the best stewards of what God has entrusted to our keeping.
As we celebrate forty years, I can only say: To God be the glory.
What has God been calling you to give—your time, your resources, or perhaps something else entirely? The world needs more honeycombs.
LISTEN TO OR WATCH THE FULL SERMON HERE:
Daniel N. Lee 