Ever feel like what you do is too small or insignificant to matter to God?

Welcome to Jane Roberts’ kitchen where the bread that’s now coming out of the oven — and what happens with it afterward — should answer that question.

After returning to Kernersville from Charleston, S.C., in 1990, Roberts quickly put her cooking talents to work at Triad, baking loaves of bread for people she knew were hurting and needed encouragement, and for visitors.

Eventually, that grew into the Bread Ministry that Roberts now runs for the church. Part of the Greeter team, Roberts and her ministry’s loaves go to visitors and others Jane feels the Holy Spirit is directing her to bless with the unexpected food gifts.

She bakes the bread each Wednesday, creating the number of loaves that Terri Crosby of Triad’s staff asked her to make based on the visitor cards received from the previous Sunday.

The scene in Jane's kitchen is the same each week: She takes the loaves out of the oven, lets them cool, puts them into bags, labels them, and takes them to the church. There, they're put into bags on the Welcome Center counter in the Worship Center/Gym on Wednesday evenings for pickup and delivery by Greeter team volunteers (three men and three women).

“It’s a ministry plain and simple, and I get a lot of pleasure out of doing it,” Jane says. “I like to say a prayer over the bread for the people who will receive it. It’s just something I believe I was meant to do.

“I’ve heard that some folks may not have received a loaf from time to time, so if that’s you, get up with me and I will fix you right up!”

Jane says she makes plain banana bread with no nuts because it’s the bread most people like. And she makes six loaves, using one banana in each of the six bread pans she has in her kitchen — usually making more than the number of visitors. She also has some already made up in the freezer for rush requests.

“I’ll take extra for our missionaries who may be visiting Wednesday nights, and for others,” she says. “Sometime the Lord just tells me somebody needs a blessing, and I’ll get them a loaf. Many people have suggested I do it as a business but, to me, it’s another way I can serve the Lord.”

Jonnie Manuel, head of the Greeter team and its work to provide visitors with the warmest welcome possible, says he’s seen the impact of Jane’s few hours in the kitchen each week.

“These food gifts give us a chance to thank people again for visiting Triad and in many cases, welcome them to the community, or share the gospel with them, or pray about a need,” he says. “Many of them are new to the Triad area and even North Carolina.

“Most people say that they've never had anyone come out to their home, especially with a gift, right after visiting a church,” he adds. “It really makes a huge impression on their opinion of our church. Folks will remember years later that someone came to their home with a small loaf of freshly baked bread, and in some cases, that visit will result in lasting friendships.”

Jonnie says Dennis and Cindy Dozier developed lifelong friends at Triad — and more — through the ministry.

“I delivered bread to them, invited them to our Sunday School class, and made a point to greet them every Sunday,” he says. “It made such an impact with Dennis that he eventually gave his heart to Jesus, got baptized, became a deacon, and is still living for God today. He was transferred by his company out of the area and now lives in Tennessee.”

Jane is far more than just Triad’s “Bread Lady.” Generations of Vacation Bible School students know her instead as the “Bird Lady” because of her Cockatoo named “Cuddles.” The G-Force VBS that runs July 13-17 will be Cuddles’ 15th VBS.

“Having that bird on my shoulder when I am talking to children gives me confidence,” Jane says. “I try to instill God’s love to them through birds since that's another passion he gave me.

“I’ve always tried to use those two things to point lives to Christ: my birds and my bread. Ask God to show you what He can use in your life. You will never be same.”