Real people, Real Dreams, Real Fears, Real Hope...

Good morning friends,

Last night we were able to minister to many folks.  It was extremely cold last night and there were many men and women seeking shelter.  We had an opportunity to pray for many, share personal testimonies, scripture, and encourage them.  I specifically remember a man named Glen - who when I asked if I could pray for him - immediately responded with, "Oh, yes sir."  Glen's prayer request was that I would thank God for providing him with a job this week.  He was very humble and grateful. 

I remember another man named Glen, who had found a man's wallet and asked me if I knew how I could get it back to him.  He showed me the wallet and there were credit cards, ID's, etc.  It hit me that my immediate thoughts were negative, but then I thought...He's showing me and asking me how he could return it to the man.  I told him he should take it to the police officer inside the social service building, to which he did. 

I remember a man named Hargrove, who was also humble and thankful for what God had done for him.  These are men who are living on the streets, yet they are grateful and thankful.  They are discipling me - as much if not more - than we are discipling them.  This week, Steve is going to share his experiences at "A Church Without Walls."  I hope you are encouraged and spurred on to discover what God is calling you to, individually.  Grace and peace to you!

By Steve Zollos:

God is so good. Tonight we had the opportunity to serve food and coffee to people who are living on the streets, and to pray with many people. One lady named Joanne, came to our van after a 5 mile journey in her wheelchair. She told us that both of her legs had been amputated after a disease set in. She has been on the streets for just over a month. We served Joanne a hot cup of coffee and encouraged her with the love of God. Many of the homeless come to this bus stop each night to try to get into shelters.

Tonight was a special night as God continued to reveal his love to the homeless and to us. We prayed for Robert who asked that we pray for his friend Roy who was suffering with pneumonia. I prayed for Roy, and I thanked God for Robert and prayed for him as well.

We prayed for Joseph who asked that that we pray that he continue walking in the path that the Lord is leading him. Here is a homeless man, seeing the will of God in his life, in good spirits, and praising God in spite of his circumstances.

Evvone was there tonight, she was one of the first people the Lord sent to Jimmy when he began this ministry to the homeless. She asked that we pray for her son who had recently been to the hospital for an MRI and was awaiting the result. We prayed for healing for her son, and a clean bill of health and that both he and she would draw near to God and that she would know His love.

I prayed for Chivet, who goes by ‘dirt’. I called him Chivet. He shared his dreams to go to college and to be a therapist. He’s 33 years old and a bright young man with dreams of providing for a wife, and having a job. I prayed for him to know the love of God and that the Lord will fulfill the dreams he has put in his heart. He was so thankful for the prayer and said he really needed it tonight.

We ministered to many others as well, but the Lord really ministered to us tonight too. As we build relationships with these people, they come to trust us and are willing to talk to us. We saw real people tonight. People with dreams, fears, hope, and people who love others, often putting others before themselves, even in their difficult circumstances. People just like you and me.

The Lord reminded me of how important relationships are for those who desire to minister His love. He reminded me how important our relationship with Him is and that we need to regularly draw near to Him to know Him and to be known by Him.

I have to admit, when it comes time to go out to minister I always battle thinking about all the other things that I could be accomplishing at home. I’m tempted to back out and do things that are important to me or my own household. But ministering God’s love is always emotional, ‘heart opening,’ and pleasing to the Lord and I’m so glad that I went again tonight.

Let me encourage you to step out into the ministry that the Lord has prepared in advance for you to do. That’s what ‘A Church Without Walls’ is all about. Responding to the grace shown to us by sharing God’s love – the Gospel, with others.