On Sunday, April 23, Bite Size Talks held its first conference at the West Covina Hills church. Fifty people participated. J.R. Cahatol, R.N., spearheaded the conference, with Elaine Asumen, the YouTube “Simply Bakings” vlogger. Other presenters included Adventist Review Strategic Partner liaison Jared Thurmon; Chef Chew from the VegHub Restaurant; Karen Houghton, R.N., B.S.N., cookbook author; Shad Loh from Vegin’ Out, a vegan/vegetarian meals delivery service; and many more.
“Our desire was to create a platform where faith and food come together to inspire others, one healthy bite at a time,” Cahatol said. The Bite Size Talks organizing team featured young adults from various churches who share the desire to reach people for Jesus in new ways.
Darlene Akpulonu, a member of the 54th Street church, volunteered to help out with the conference. “I was so inspired by the stories of various food presenters!” she said. “I was especially blessed by the presenters’ passion to
use food as a medium to spread the gospel. I praise God for placing this amazing idea on J.R.’s and Elaine’s hearts.”
Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV) is one of the motivating passages for the team. “Then those who gladly received His word were baptized; and that day about 3,000 souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
The Bite Size Talks team wants their movement to be a revival of the work of health and fellowship given to the church for the healing of the nations and for the preaching of the gospel of Jesus in truth, love, and service, through the food space.
The event featured presentations by chefs, YouTube vloggers (video bloggers), and owners of health-based food products. Throughout the day, presenters shared stories of faith, their experiences in the food business, and their passion for healthy living. The Bite Size initiative is aimed at connecting with the community as well as motivating
and equipping the next generation with a passion for food, health, and business.
During the event, attendees were fed healthfully, spiritually, and practically with food of all kinds, including noodles, special tomato herb soup, and cookies. Elaine Asumen shared how others can start their own video ministry to share God’s Word through the online food space.
Chef Chew (his real name), shared many miracle stories of God’s work in leading his food ministry, including door-to-door evangelism and the creation of healthy meat alternatives.
“It looks like chicken. It tastes like chicken. But it’s not chicken!” Chew said.
The chef also shared his testimony of God’s providence working with him through the personal trials he faced when trying to find success in the restaurant industry. His VegHub Restaurant in Oakland, Calif.,and his Better
Than Meats product line, are gifts Chew said the Lord has given him to reach those hungering for something better.
The Bite Size Talks team is developing many projects and cooking plans, and they are grateful God is blessing them. The 2017 conference was a foretaste of future faith-based food events. Team members are thrilled to see what Jesus, the Bread of Life, has lined up on their menu for reaching people through fun, food, and faith.
For more information, visit www.bitesizetalks.com.
