• ARGUS History
  • Join The ARGUS
  • Advertise With Us
  • ARGUSnewsnow
  • Contact
  • ARGUS H.E.A.L
Monday, May 19, 2025
  • Login
St. Louis Argus
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
St. Louis Argus
No Result
View All Result

A local church became one of Missouri’s biggest free meal providers, with $29M from taxpayers

Jacob Barker by Jacob Barker
December 24, 2022
in Feature, Metro Press
Home Feature
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare with Email

An approaching helicopter quickly drowned out the chatter of parents and their children enjoying a warm Sunday morning on the grounds of an unassuming church along Interstate 55.

The Bell 407 chopper descended to the church’s parking lot near Meramec Bottom Road in south St. Louis County, landing just beyond the crowd. Out climbed the Rev. Darnell West, who made his way to a side entrance of the church, where one of his three congregations was waiting.

It was a week before Halloween, so West spoke of death and eternity to the more than 100 people gathered inside the dimly lit sanctuary. At one point, the 42-year-old West mentioned his own north St. Louis roots, saying he had been born into a drug and gang culture.

“Jesus,” West proclaimed as his message approached its crescendo, “saved my life.”

He left before the service was over, heading back outside where the waiting helicopter, pilot ready, flew him to Influence Church’s Bellefontaine Neighbors campus in north St. Louis County, nearly 30 miles away.

A throng of parents and children remained, milling outside the church’s doors on the parking lot. Signs advertising a free helicopter candy drop had been dotted throughout the region and widely advertised on social media. Soon, a second, smaller helicopter arrived, delivering the promised candy for the Halloween season.

It’s a competitive marketplace for congregants, and West’s showmanship has helped him grow Influence Church to three locations — at one point it had five — since it was founded under the name Church In Action in 2005.

West arrives by helicopter weekly, something he said he has done since 2015 to travel between campuses. He has a personal security detail. His sermons are broadcast on local television stations. The church has purchased billboard space along busy Interstate 55.

Read more

Post Views: 67
Tags: churchcommunityfamilyfoodneedypantrypastorpoorunderserved

Related Posts

Feature

Severe Supercell Storm and Tornado wreak havoc across St. Louis, MO

May 19, 2025
Feature

OurStory: Freedom House: The Untold Story of America’s First Black Paramedics

May 16, 2025
Feature

Celebrating Easter Sunday in St. Louis: Traditions and Festivities

April 19, 2025
Feature

Ramblings Of An Issuecrat: Replacing DEI with DFS in the Age of WUL (White, Unqualified and Loyal)

April 3, 2025
Feature

Black to the Future: The Economic Costs of Racism-A Self-Inflicted Wound on Society

February 19, 2025
Local Business

Video: East St. Louis fraternity teaches young men about law enforcement

January 31, 2025
Next Post

Civic Leader: Non-for-profit Demetrious Johnson Foundation mourns the loss of the founder

No Result
View All Result

Latest News

FOXY 106.9 STANDS WITH ST. LOUIS: BRAVING THE STORM, SERVING THE COMMUNITY

May 19, 2025

Walmart and WK Kellogg Co® Partner to Bring Book Donation Literacy Eventto Hazelwood North Middle School

May 19, 2025

Kirkwood and Cardinal Ritter Running Towards More Missouri Medals

May 19, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • ARGUS History
  • Join The ARGUS
  • Advertise With Us
  • ARGUSnewsnow
  • Contact
  • ARGUS H.E.A.L

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • NewsWatch
    • St. Louis City
    • Community
    • Politics
    • Education
    • National
    • World
  • A Closer Look
    • Opinion
  • Events
  • the vibe
    • Art & Entertainment
    • Beauty, Wellness and Fashion
    • Books
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Harris Stowe
    • Food
    • Health
    • HBCUs
    • Sports
      • Black College Sports
      • High School
      • St. Louis Cardinals
  • National
  • E-Editions
  • The Narrative Matters
  • Video
  • Contact

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.