St. Columba’s Church recently launched its Beacon of Light series — a monthly gathering designed to spotlight stories of hope, healing, and faithful action from around the world. The inaugural evening featured Thrive Co-Founder and Executive Director, Priscilla Heffelfinger, whose message invited listeners into a movement where nourishment is both a daily act and a sacred calling.
Priscilla shared Thrive’s humble beginnings, recalling how she, together with a few expat moms, used to deliver bananas in an old baby stroller to schools tucked within the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. From those early acts of care, Thrive has grown into a vibrant network of mother-led feeding programs across the Philippines and Bangladesh. She spoke of women who rise before dawn to prepare warm, nutritious meals, not just for their own children, but for every child in their school. These daily acts of service spark powerful ripple effects: improved school attendance, healthier children, and communities strengthened by shared purpose.
“Feeding is not just about food,” Priscilla said. “It’s about dignity. It’s about the Gospel lived out in service, in nourishing not just bodies, but also children’s dreams for brighter futures.”
The evening culminated in a live Zoom call with mothers and students from one of Thrive’s partner communities in the Philippines. As their faces appeared on the screen — some shy, some waving — the sanctuary at St. Columba’s leaned in. Audience members were invited to ask questions and listen as the mothers described what the feeding program meant to them. One mom, Nancy, speaking softly in Tagalog, said, “Life is hard and finding work is not easy. I hope they [the schoolchildren] can aim higher and not always be stuck at the bottom.”
Thrive’s talk bridged hearts across continents, a reminder that true nourishment is physical, relational, spiritual, and communal. Through Thrive’s work, churches have the opportunity to step into that story as co-builders of a more nourished world.
How Churches Can Get Involved
- Sponsor a Feeding Program: Help provide daily meals to over 3,000 children through mother-led school kitchens.
- Lead a Local Campaign: Join Thrive’s Church Partnership program to raise awareness and support within your congregation and community.
- Join the Prayer Circle: Receive monthly updates and field-based prayer prompts to lift up Thrive’s work and families served.
As the Beacon of Light series continues, St. Columba’s invites congregations across California to listen, learn, and light the way alongside communities near and far. Thrive’s story reminds us that even the smallest acts—like stirring rice at dawn—can ripple outward with grace.
