Pizza and Prayers

On a bitterly cold day last year in February, a small group of bundled-up CMA members gave away more than 350 free frozen pizzas.
In the Living Rock Church parking lot on East Main Street in Luverne, the Christian Motorcyclists handed pizzas to motorists through rolled down windows of heated automobiles.
And they were grateful, according to CMA member JoAnn Vanderburg.
“Some allowed CMA  members to pray with them when they picked up their pizza,” she said.
“And a lot of people were thinking of others. They asked, ‘Can I take one for my neighbor? Can I take one for a friend or family member?’ It was beautiful.”
The other beautiful thing, she said, was that the event had the indirect result of raising money for the group’s annual “Run for the Son” ministry.
CMA used to buy Papa Murphy’s reduced-rate pizzas and sell them for a profit during the week prior to the Super Bowl.
Last year, amid the pandemic, Vanderburg said it didn’t feel right.
“We prayed about it but decided we weren’t comfortable doing that,” she said. “God has really blessed us, and we pitched in together to buy the pizzas to give away.”
 Which they did.
But others who had also been blessed last year decided they would donate anyway, despite the free offer.
“God is amazing,” Vanderburg said about the outpouring. “People just handed us money — tens, twenties, fifties, hundred dollar bills. We were completely blown away.”
When it was over, they found themselves with $1,000.
In their last pizza fundraiser they netted less than $400.
Meanwhile, CMA members learned that Pizza Ranch in Luverne also offers bake-at-home frozen pizzas, so they’re gearing up for the 2022 event that will also support a local business.
They’re buying the reduced rate pizzas from the Luverne restaurant and again will give them away, free of charge, to anyone who wants one.
“We’re not asking for any donations because we truly want to bless the community,” Vanderburg said. “If there are funds raised, we’ll see. … We get to be God’s hands and feet and see what he will do.”
The pizza giveaway will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Living Rock Church on East Main Street in Luverne. CMA youth will be on hand to help out.
The drive-through-style event is CMA’s gesture to “share the love of Jesus” with the community.
This year more than 400 pizzas are available – until they’re gone – to anyone in the community who wants one. No signup necessary. Call 605-366-9942 if there are questions.