Our Mission
The heart of Stone Soup Ministries is to honor God by serving people in the name of Jesus as led by the Holy Spirit.
Our Vision
We will seek out and serve the most vulnerable members of our communities. We will create a nurturing environment where individuals can find encouragement, solace, support, and the tools necessary for personal growth.
We are committed to finding creative ways to serve and not compete with local churches and other service organizations.
We are dedicated to making a tangible difference in people's lives by addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individuals we serve to create a brighter, more hopeful future for all.
Stone Soup Ministries is derived from the European Folk Tale about one person who brought a village together to provide for all.
STONE SOUP
A traditional European Folk Tale
A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes, locking doors and windows.
The stranger smiled and asked, “Why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal.”
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his sack, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from his pocket and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear.
"Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot.
“Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef.
And so it went, with potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The baker just happened to find some crusty loaves of bread… and the vineyard keeper found flasks of wine to share with all… the local dairy farmer brought milk and cream for the children and fresh butter for the bread.
The village elders offered the stranger a great deal of money for the stone, but he refused to sell it and left the next day. After all, there were more villages to feed and more people to get involved in sharing.
The villagers realized that sharing what they had, along with others doing the same, is the very best way to serve and bless all who come near.
The villagers never went hungry again!
Stone Soup… it’s about working together.
Adapted from several sources by Mike Grigsby.
