Over the past 15 years, hundreds of friends, neighbors, church members and even prisoners have shared Sunday lunch at Pastor Alvin Sullivan’s home in Eight Mile.
For most people, serving 30–50 people a home-cooked meal every week after preaching a sermon would be a huge undertaking. But for Sullivan, who will turn 80 this year, “it’s just a way to say thanks.”
Four years ago, he became the pastor of Kushla-Bethany Baptist Church, Eight Mile, in Mobile Baptist Association. Sullivan was the pastor of Bethany Baptist for 45 years before it merged with Kushla Baptist.
“When I counted my blessings and realized I’d pastored pretty much the same congregation for one half of a century, I thought surely there is something I can do to give back,” he said.
Sullivan has given back almost every Sunday since by opening his and wife Dolores’ home.
Every week, she calls to invite members of the congregation and friends, but “really anybody who wants to come is welcome,” he said. Even the neighbors drop by occasionally.
There is no shortage of variety from the Sullivans’ kitchen. He said he likes to serve at least five meat dishes, from chicken breasts wrapped in bacon and smothered in cream of mushroom soup to meatloaf, the basic staple.
As for side dishes, Sullivan prepares at least 12 including squash, peas, lima beans, rice and gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, cabbage and macaroni and cheese. “Just good Southern food,” he said.
Preparations begin on Thursday nights, and Sullivan puts everything in warmers and ovens Sunday morning so that it’s all ready to serve directly after the service. So far, the food has never run out, he said. Occasionally people drop by with covered dishes and casseroles to add to the selection.
Guests are seated throughout the Sullivans’ home and even on the front porch when the weather permits.
Tommy Jernigan, a member of Sullivan’s church since 1964, has had Sunday lunch at the Sullivans at least 30 times over the years and said his personal favorite is Sullivan’s collard greens. “It’s always a loving Christian atmosphere, and there’s more than enough to eat.”
And there’s always a variety of guests.
For six or seven years, those guests included inmates from the Mobile Work Release Center in Eight Mile. Until 2003, Sullivan and other church members transported inmates from the center to Sunday School, worship services and lunch at his home and then back to the center. He saw this as an opportunity for members to mingle with people in different circumstances than their own and to minister to the inmates.
Jernigan said some people worry Sullivan’s doing too much at his age but instead of slowing down, “we always find him doing more.”
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