The Butterfly Project: Spreading Wings of Hope
The Butterfly Project is a heartwarming initiative led by Bethel Community Church in Anderson, Indiana. This ministry of compassion is a response to the community's experiences of loss and suffering, including cancer, depression, death, and addiction. It all began when Pastor Kristine Marshall drove past the house of a woman grieving the loss of her husband. The vision of a bright blue butterfly in the woman's yard sparked inspiration and became a sign of hope amidst sorrow. Moved by Pastor Kristine's vision, the church quickly mobilized, crafting butterflies out of plywood and painting them with vibrant colors. Every Tuesday for the past three and a half years, members of the congregation have come together to bring these butterflies to life, resulting in over 1,200 gracing yards in Anderson and beyond. Each butterfly represents a unique story, symbolizing moments when Jesus entered someone's life through this ministry.
The impact of The Butterfly Project has resonated throughout the community, garnering attention on social media and the local news, including FOX59 in Indianapolis. What began as a call to see and serve those who felt unseen and uplift those burdened by hardship is now a movement. These butterflies are more than mere decorations; they embody the light, hope, and joy of Jesus. Words are written on the back of each butterfly, declaring light, hope, and joy for the people whose homes they adorn. The impact is not one-sided; the volunteers themselves find healing through serving, strokes of paint on wood, and shared stories of their own loss and healing.
Pastor Kristine reflects on the project: "Our God is a creative God! It only makes sense that God would call us to powerful, creative ways to reach the lost." The fruit of The Butterfly Project relies on the dedication of volunteers who contribute their gifts in painting, woodworking, delivering, and praying. The project thrives with around 30 regular volunteers and the ability to expand to a group of 70 during an influx of requests. Organizations like the local Christian Motorcycle Association have stepped in to carry the mission even further.
One particularly poignant moment captures the essence of the mission. A butterfly was hand-delivered to a home overshadowed by an unspeakable tragedy—an attempted suicide by a young 10-year-old. Through the muddy footprints left behind during a butterfly drop-off, a powerful message was also delivered: these are the footsteps of Jesus, boldly and passionately entering the lives they touch.
The Butterfly Project aligns with the Global Methodist Church's mission to "make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly." Each butterfly placed and every prayer whispered is the outflow of the love that knows no bounds and testifies to the faith that dares to boldly step into the stories of others, leaving imprints of Christ's everlasting light, hope, and joy. Through the work of many collective hands, these butterflies become a tangible expression of God's love, crafting not only butterflies but also bridges that connect the Church to those who feel forgotten and yearn to be seen.
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