The mission of the National Association of Church Food Service is to promote the advancement of the science of church food service and to provide a basis for a network to meet and exchange ideas both in technology and ministry.

We believe that Food Service is an equal ministry of the church, touching the congregation as no other department can. We believe our trust in God affirms our work and empowers us to do His will. We feel our role is to provide the opportunity for fellowship in a loving atmosphere, and we have a commitment to ourselves and the church we serve. We believe excellence in our work is a part of this commitment, and pledge ourselves to this goal.

The National Association of Church Food Service, Inc., began as a dream several years ago in the heart of Carolyn B. Clayton. Carolyn realized the tremendous need that so many churches had in the area of food service. Believing that people who work in this profession would benefit from having an opportunity to know each other and share experiences and expertise, she decided in 1989 to make that dream a reality. She contacted a number of local people and set the wheels in motion. With the help of Pat Eubanks, R.A. Kube, Linda Nolen, Claire Waters, and others, Carolyn arranged a one-day workshop as a beginning.

The first meeting of NACFS was held in September of 1989 at the Georgia Power Company Conference Center just outside Atlanta. The Planning Center, a new and modern facility used to establish the growth of business throughout the state of Georgia, had recently added a commercial cooking wing onto its building. This wing was furnished with high tech equipment, and the kitchen and seminar rooms were used for the workshop. This was a wonderful place for Carolyn's dream to come to life.

Twenty-five people attended the workshop, and all discussed the possibility of an education association for food service professionals. Those individuals knew that the possibilities were limitless-education opportunities, meeting with guest speakers, conference with each other and much more. Carolyn's enthusiasm was contagious, and the quite hopes and dreams that she had nurtured for 13 years came into existence that afternoon in light of the rousing support of those who now shared her vision. The plans made at this workshop would lead to the establishment of a new organization for food service managers in churches throughout the country.

The astounding results of the 1989 conference paved the way for the first NACFS conference which met in Knoxville, Tennessee, in July of 1990. Serving as president of the association, Carolyn Clayton proposed a budget, appointed officers, and began to work with the board members to set national standards for perspective members. With legal assistance, a set of by-laws was written to incorporate The National Association of Church Food Service, Inc., as a not-for-profit organization. Before the 1990 conference, a pamphlet was printed and mailed out to churches throughout the nation as an invitation for charter members. The goals, benefits, and opportunities were introduced, as were the objectives of NACFS. The dream had, in fact, become a reality.