Homestead Ministries nears 500,000

Tom Riedner and Greg Nolan partnered nearly two-and-a-half years ago to form Homestead Ministries, a nondenominational Christian ministry which aims to provide meals for those in need through soup packets. Riedner called it “a faith thing.”

“Sometimes mountains are a little higher than we think they are,” said Riedner. “It's a journey of faith.”

Riedner told the Gazette this week that Homestead Ministries is nearing 500,000 soup packet meals which the organization distributes.

“We thought God would come through for us, and He did,” said Riedner.

Riedner shared the story recently of needing 12,500 pounds of beans and lentils to be able to make an annual event at Logos School in Moscow happen. With three weeks to go before the event, he had no idea where the product was going to come from.

“I can't do it, I don't know how to do it,” Riedner recalled.

A group came through and donated all the product and more needed.

“God literally moved a mountain of incredible tension and anxiety,” said Riedner. “I'm learning as much as I can, and I think the Lord is teaching us.”

Colfax Attorney Gary Libey, soon to be superior court judge, donated a truck to Homestead.

“Now we can go to more of the events as a group rather than being fragmented in different cars,” said Riedner. “It allows for a little bit more camaraderie.”

Riedner said it is amazing to him to be nearing 500,000 meals.

“When we hit the first 100,000, that was just incredible,” he said. “Now we're getting to the better part of half a million. God's going to continue to drive the bus.”

As Homestead is preparing to continue its mission and plan more events in the community, Riedner said one thing he wants people to know is they are not going anywhere.

“This is a continuing program,” he said.

The group is putting together its schedule for next spring, and Riedner said they hope to have an event every couple of weeks.

He said the entire journey has been a great ride.

“You feel like you've done something worthy,” he said.