FARMINGTON — Guy and Debbie Stevenson have a mission to bring manna (food) and music to area churches.

The couple also has a heart for the Franklin County Animal Shelter.

This Saturday, the new Manna and Melody Ministries will provide manna in the form of grilled hot dogs and lemonade to those attending the animal shelter’s yard sale next to Hayden Brothers Shoe Co. in Wilton.

“We’ll give out hot dogs, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday only and continue until they are gone,” Debbie said.

The beef dogs will be free, as will be the meals and concerts the ministry intends to provide for area churches.

After losing two senior dogs, the couple took “Branson” from the shelter for a weekend of respite care. He never went back, Guy said. Now weighing more than100 pounds, the dog “reminds” them to help its buddies; the animals without homes at the shelter, Guy said.

Director Heidi Jordan said.

The yard sale, to take place Friday and Saturday, will raise money for operating expenses.

The couple is excited about the ministry that’s just taking off and feel they are being led to provide gospel music and free food for smaller churches that don’t usually host known gospel singers, Debbie said.

It started on a visit with relatives in New York a little over a year ago. They were invited to a Skyline Boys Quartet concert, Guy said. He didn’t really want to go but didn’t want to hurt the relatives, so they went.

“The music hit me; I couldn’t sit still,” he said. “I knew more people need to hear this music.”

He felt inspired by the Lord to bring the music to others and to add a meal to the mix. At the same time, Debbie was led to the same idea, he said. The ministry was born.

“Once we went to the concert, we both knew we’re supposed to do this,”  Debbie said.

Four concerts are scheduled this year, starting with one featuring the Down East Boys from North Carolina. A Southern breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the concert at 10:30 a.m. on July 21 at Living Waters on Routes 2 and 4.

At first, the couple took on the costs themselves. Now they have sought and found corporate sponsors and developed a nondenominational board of directors for the ministry. They are creating a website and have plans to begin in Maine and eventually provide manna and melodies up and down the East Coast.

One day, an RV acting as a mobile kitchen will provide the manna to not only concert-goers but also respond to disaster relief such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Guy said they want to help when areas lose power and cannot cook the food provided.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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