A small Kentucky church received worldwide attention after its pastor’s kind response to a stranger’s plea went viral.
When we open our hearts to help others, we never know how far that generosity might reach. That is how God used a pastor’s kind heart to reveal His love to many people.
Pastor Johnny Dunbar of Heritage Hope Church of God in Somerset thought he was simply helping a desperate mother.
A woman called asking for $17 to buy baby formula for her hungry baby. Despite being scammed countless times before, Dunbar agreed to help.
“I’ve said no a thousand times. I’ve been scammed. I’ve been told every story in the world,” Dunbar said. But something prompted him to say yes this time.
The caller was actually Nikalie Monroe, conducting a TikTok challenge to test how churches respond to those in need.
Monroe contacted numerous churches nationwide, including megachurches, and many refused. “A lot of them still said no,” Monroe said. “But the mega ones? I got hung up on twice.”
Dunbar’s response stood out. “You could tell he cared,” Monroe said. “It wasn’t one where he said, ‘Well, we will see what we can do or call someone. Oh, your baby is starving, we need to feed that baby.'”
After Monroe posted about the experience, her video reached over 3 million people. The 100-member church has since received substantial donations from around the world.
Dunbar said all funds will support their food bank, Operation Christmas Child, and other ministries. “I prayed for years. Let our little church touch the world,” Dunbar said.
The pastor noted the significance of the challenge centering on a baby. “God sent a baby to rescue us. He sent a baby not a mighty warrior,” he said.
Monroe herself returned to church after years away, visiting Dunbar’s congregation and others. “I’m so happy how people have been blessed by this,” Monroe said. “And the lives that have been changed.”
Through a simple kind gesture, Pastor Dunbar showed the world what the love of Christ looks like. It touched many lives, including Monroe herself. Can we show His love through our actions and words to others?
Pastor Dunbar didn’t know his kindness would reach millions. He just knew a baby needed food. When we help others without counting the cost, God can take that simple act and multiply it in ways we never imagined.
WATCH: Pastor’s Simple Act of Kindness Touches Millions Online
