"The best fruit is not shaken from the tree, but picked by hand, one by one." From the memorial service of Jerry McAuley (d. 1884), founder of the McAuley Water Street Mission in New York City now known as the New York City Rescue Mission.
In our travels helping the homeless, we have realized that to produce any real fruit, we must develop real relationships with the people we are serving. While providing food, clothing and shelter to those in need is on the surface a good thing, we must refrain from "drop and run" ministries. True compassion requires us to come alongside people and walk with them.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, December 4, 2009
Welcome to My Home
Being invited into someone's tent is a reminder that while we call this ministry a 'homeless' ministry, what we are really saying is that people are 'houseless.'
When visiting a camp of approximately 30-40 people, after awhile, you earn the 'right' to visit them on a more personal level. Then you are welcomed into their tent and asked to make yourself 'at home.' You sense the same amount of hospitality, just as if you invited someone into your own home.
This is, after all, their home. It is important to remember this. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 8:20 (also Luke 9:58), "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
When visiting a camp of approximately 30-40 people, after awhile, you earn the 'right' to visit them on a more personal level. Then you are welcomed into their tent and asked to make yourself 'at home.' You sense the same amount of hospitality, just as if you invited someone into your own home.
This is, after all, their home. It is important to remember this. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 8:20 (also Luke 9:58), "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Monday, October 26, 2009
Groups Help With Tepees (10/17/2009)
Thank you to the groups from Faith Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ and First Baptist Church in Manasquan, NJ.
On October 17, 2009, volunteers from these churches helped construct tepees for the homeless living in the tent cities in Lakewood, NJ.
Right now the population of Tent City is approximately 30-35 people and the coming winter is expected to be a cold one.
On October 17, 2009, volunteers from these churches helped construct tepees for the homeless living in the tent cities in Lakewood, NJ.
Right now the population of Tent City is approximately 30-35 people and the coming winter is expected to be a cold one.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Heroes of the Faith - Andrew
When you consider Andrew in the Scriptures, what comes to mind? There is no record in Scripture of Andrew preaching a sermon, or performing a miracle. There is no book of the Bible written by Andrew.
So why is Andrew a Hero of the Faith? Why should Andrew be a good role model for ourselves?
Well, in John Chapter 1 we read that "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus."
Andrew brought Peter to Christ!
In the story of the feeding of the five thousand, it was Andrew who found the boy "with five small barley loaves and two small fish." And what did Andrew do? He brought the boy to Jesus!
Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. Our task is not to convict anyone of their sin. Nor is it our task to make people do what they should. Our responsibility is to bring people to Jesus. Just like Andrew did. God will then perform His divine work in their lives.
So why is Andrew a Hero of the Faith? Why should Andrew be a good role model for ourselves?
Well, in John Chapter 1 we read that "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus."
Andrew brought Peter to Christ!
In the story of the feeding of the five thousand, it was Andrew who found the boy "with five small barley loaves and two small fish." And what did Andrew do? He brought the boy to Jesus!
Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. Our task is not to convict anyone of their sin. Nor is it our task to make people do what they should. Our responsibility is to bring people to Jesus. Just like Andrew did. God will then perform His divine work in their lives.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I Wonder
Here is a poem by Ruth Harms Calkin titled, "I Wonder"
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You
At a women’s club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
A fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm
At a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder,
If You pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day,
Month after month,
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew?
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You
At a women’s club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
A fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm
At a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder,
If You pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day,
Month after month,
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Two more with a new home
We delivered several boxes of household items to the new apartment of 'M' and 'J' - Thank you for for all your donations and especially for your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted as to their progress as they make the move out of homelessness.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Homeless Outreach Ministries
Homeless Outreach Ministries takes their work into the woods and desolate places in our communities to extend the love of Jesus Christ to hurting people. Doing our utmost to follow the commands of Jesus Christ by going to the aid of the poor, homeless, sick, and suffering. Homeless Outreach Ministries is an effective means of reaching hurting people with food, medicine, shelter and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. And in turn, we get the opportunity to share the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
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