$15,000 donated to purchase detailing business...

The Lord continues to bless the work of our hands as he takes me from faith to faith and glory to glory.  This recent testimony is a fun one!  Let the glory of the Lord shine and may his name be magnified through our faith and his gracious right hand.

In September, as I was driving downtown to feed the homeless, I noticed the "Downtown Car Wash."  This is a local car detailing shop on the corner of Granby street and 17th street.  I've driven by this place for the past year, but I've never quite noticed it as I did this September day.  I immediately thought about my past experience with Integrity Auto Specialist and about using my experience to provide an opportunity to some of the men we minister to.  I pondered the thought of starting my own detailing business and using the business to not only provide jobs for men, but also to fund our ministries.  As you know, I have a strong conviction about using the resources that are donated for the actual needs of the people we minister to.  I have a desire to walk in the light with money that is donated and I want to faithfully steward all that God gives us.

I began praying about this idea and asking God to show me if this was from him or from myself.  I started pushing on doors to see if God would open any.  I called my friend - Steve Crabb - and asked him what he thought.  He's in the car industry and I thought his counsel would be helpful.  I also called a couple other friends I know in the car restoration business to seek out counsel.  In my conversation with Steve, he informed me about a man who had an immediate need to sell his already established car detailing business.  His father-in-law was sick and he and his wife had to move - on somewhat last minute notice - to care for his needs.  I knew this guy, so I called him right away.

He confirmed that he was in fact selling his business for $19,300.  Of course, I didn't just have that laying around.  I began to reason with myself and put together scenarios in my mind of how I could purchase this business.  I thought, "Maybe, I can just make payments to this guy, pay his truck off, etc."  My wife even cautioned me about trying to force it and she reminded me of this truth...she said, "If it's the Lord's will, it will open up."  Well, I made a phone call to someone I knew had a friend that worked at the bank.  I knew this person and knew they had the authority to loan money.  Well, during our conversation the person told me that they felt the Lord was asking them to loan me $15,000.  I was pretty shocked in the moment.  They told me they would like to pray about it and would get back to me.

The next day the person called me back to inform me that they felt called to give me this money to purchase this business.  I was overwhelmed with tears of joy, as I literally watched the Lord provide yet again in a miraculous way!  I ran off crying and rejoicing!  He keeps doing it! 

A week later, I had a truck, trailer, detail equipment, supplies, etc sitting in my driveway/garage.  It's still hard to believe how the Lord did this and why he would continue to bless me like this.

Well, this coming Wednesday Stepheno Zollos and I will launch "Restore Detailing."  I also believe the Lord has asked me to live by faith with this business and not put a price tag on our services.  Our business will run on donations only.  I believe the Lord will provide for our needs above and beyond what we can ask or imagine.  He is Jehovah Jireh - my provider.  Please visit our website at www.restoredetailing.net to find out more.

Who is this King of Glory?

"A Church Without Walls"

Is this not the fast that I choose...

Isaiah 58:6-8

"Is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."

All day Saturday, I observed many people choosing the fast described in Isaiah 58!  It started Saturday morning at around 7:30, when Aaron, CJ and I hit the streets of the inner city.  I observed CJ praying in the Spirit as he fasted and broke the bonds of wickedness and released the straps of the yoke.  As we prayed for one man, I believe the oppressed went free, I believe we broke every yoke in his life, in that very moment!

We believe prayer is the most essential thing we do.  Without prayer - I believe - we will be performing many "good works" with very little effectiveness. We believe that as we act as intercessors, we prepare the ground to receive His presence.  We literally are sitting on a wall, guitar in hand, singing and interceding for the city of Norfolk.  We had a few different people come and sit on the wall - in the presence of God - and we interceded for each of them for their specific situation.  It was a powerful time, where we encountered the Presence of God and where we tilled the soil of the spiritual atmosphere, inviting the power of the Holy Spirit to come to this great city!

I observed Laura, Debbie, Adah, Blanche and her 8 year old niece choose this fast as they labored in the kitchen and prepared the food to share with the hungry.  What struck me most about them preparing the food was their passion.  They were diligent in making things perfect, for those who they would feed.  Even Adah, who's 5 years old.  I watched her cut every potato with focus and concentration.  She was passionate about making the perfect meal for the hungry - and even her at age 5 - chose this fast!

I observed Steve and Debbie observe this fast, as I watched two of our homeless friends get into the back seat of their car, on their way to spend the night at the Zollo's home.  They just wanted a shower and a good nights rest.  Steve and Debbie chose to fast last night, by bringing the homeless poor into their house.  

I observed John and Dianne Dempsey, Aaron and Monique, choosing this fast as they gave away several bags of really nice clothes to clothe the naked.  I watched those at Community Fellowship Church observe this fast as we passed out many of the coats they donated to our ministry.  I observed Freedom Baptist Church, New Life Community Church choose this fast, as we passed several of the 700+ brand new socks they donated.   I observed Jeremy and Rebekah Miller observe this fast as I passed out a really nice pair of shoes to a man who's shoe's were literally falling apart.

I observed Jacky and John, Blanche and her 8 year old niece observe this fast as they labored to ensure each one who was hungry, was served.  I watched Noah observe this fast as he passed out each drink.  I watched Ezekiel observe this fast as he labored over many bikes to ensure they were in tip top shape.  Remember, bikes are the primary mode of transportation for those who are homeless.  It's their "car" in many ways. 

I observed Tasha and Jessica choosing this fast as they gathered us in a circle in the middle of 19th street and prayed against the principalities and powers of darkness.  I saw yokes being broken and the captives being set free, as many of us laid hands on Bernard and David - breaking the power of an alcohol addiction in their lives.  

After we prayed, I observed David and Bernard praising God - David dancing wildly in the streets!  As CJ strummed the guitar I watched another homeless man - with an amazing voice I might add - lead worship to our God.  Real worship, where men were set free in a very moment and couldn't help but sing, dance, shout and laugh!  No prompting needed to lift their hands other than the prompting of the Holy Spirit in whom they just encountered!  This is the fast that we choose!  This is true fasting!  This is the mighty God that we serve - the King of Glory!  God bless you all!

"A Church Without Walls"

The word of the Lord came to 19th street...

A Church Without Walls (10-14-12)

And The Word of the Lord Came to 19^th Street

A week ago at least 8 people surrendered their lives to the Lord on 19^th Street as we ministered to those of us who have no house to live in. How could anything get any better than that I wondered – but I had not rightly considered our glorious God who does amazingly, powerfully, beautifully beyond all that I can hope or imagine.

Last night there was a special anointing on the servants of Christ who came to minister to those in need of love and compassion. We served homemade chili on rice, cornbread, and brownies. We had sodas and water and the people lined up, lots of people lined up for the hot food that was served not to needy people, but to our friends, to our family – to those God loves so dearly.

The anointing fell as it seemed that everyone seemed to be able to easily enter into conversation, like old friends coming to share time with one another. I met a man just out of prison, a welder by trade. Like so many others drugs led him to the streets, to despair. He was so grateful for the hot food.

A couple helped us give a handful of brand new winter coats out; first to the ladies, then to those who had no jacket at all. Everyone was blessed with a brand new knit cap. The nights are cold now and these brothers and sisters of ours – of yours – were so grateful.

Patrick was blessed to tell me the story of how cold he was the other night. “No one believes it,” said he, “but all I had was a sheet to keep me warm, so I prayed and that sheet heated up and kept me warm all night long.” I told him that I believed him because God is so good, and he hears our prayers.

David came to Shaun in tears of thankfulness and asked for Jimmy and I to come and hear his testimony. “Last week we prayed,” he said, “because I had to go before the judge because I’m $57,000 in debt. I was sure he was going to put me in prison” He wept as he spoke, “I was so scared, I prayed and prayed before I went before the judge, and he took $40,000 OFF my debt, just like that! Now I will actually get some money from my check… I should be able to get a place to stay with the money that I will have. Thank you God, Thank you God, Thank you Jesus!” he repeated over and over again.

Jeremy shared a powerful word about giving everything over to the Lord. It was cool because the people gathered around tonight, anticipating the Word, they were hungry to hear about the love of God – I think more hungry than they were for the food; God is working in our hearts on 19^th Street.

Jeremy shared his testimony of God’s faithfulness, about being transformed, about becoming a new creation. He talked about how pale everything in the world was after Christ changed him. The things he once craved, valued, and pursued he now saw as they were – he considered all those things as trash compared to knowing Christ.

Then Shaun shared a parable-like story about God and His Angels who had come to let Him know what they needed. One was overseeing people who were asking for food and the food pantry was almost empty and God in His goodness opened a door for the food to be provided. Another Angel was overseeing people who were asking for clothing and again the Lord graciously provided the clothing they asked for. The Lord went down the line fulfilling request after request until He came to the last Angel who didn’t know what to ask for because the person he was overseeing on the earth had recently come to the Lord and just kept saying, “thank you Lord, thank you Lord, thank you Lord.” God said to the last Angel, “Give him everything.”

That really summed up the night. Jimmy recounted God’s faithfulness reminding us of people from 19^th Street who have been blessed, some of whom are now off the streets, others who are now reunited with family, some who have been given new hope. Then he led us all – our entire family – in a prayer of thanksgiving; it was powerful.

As we closed a few folks told us it was Bernard’s birthday. 40 some people on the streets joined voices and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ right there on the 19^th street. It was beautiful. God is glorious. His people are amazing people.

I am so grateful for those who made the dinner, those who served the food, those who gave out the coats and hats, those who shared their gift of music, those who prayed with others, those who dared to preach God’s Word, those who handed out drinks, those who fixed bikes, those who gave hugs, those who shared in the anguish of others.

I am grateful for those who God has obviously made a new creation and are indeed in and of themselves ‘A Church Without Walls.’

Guest Speaker arrives at A Church Without Walls...

 

A Church Without Walls, October 6^th

The last week of September I got to go on a dream trip; fishing for a week in Canada. I went with 2 friends – both brothers in Christ. Beautiful clear water, incredible scenery with the leaves changing daily, a mostly untouched landscape made by God’s hands, and lots of fish to catch. Being a nature lover, I knew I was experiencing something special. What I didn’t realize was how much I would be affected just by being with these Christian brothers.

At church on the Sunday after we returned God started to reveal to me the true blessing of the prior week – being in His presence in a unique way. I was in tears thru half the service – not my normal reaction to singing hymns. One song sent me a strong message about God’s grace and His unlimited love that He pours forth.

Tuesday morning I entered into a time of meditation. I prayed and wrote down in my journal, “Lord, what will you have me do?” One of the six items He gave me to do was to be present Saturday, October 6^th at A Church Without Walls ministry to the homeless, so I called my friend Steve and he invited me to join them on the streets this Saturday evening.

This wasn’t my first experience working with the homeless and I was proud to cook, help serve, interact with the men and women there, and do whatever was needed.  Jimmy gave the message, the parable of the wedding feast and a great message it was. I thought God was telling me to say something but I blew it off (I said “No”).  When Jimmy asked if anyone else wanted to speak, I could no longer deny the call of God to share what He gave me with these folks – I obeyed the call of the Lord and stepped forward.

Being a recovering alcoholic, when I saw these men and women I thought, ‘there but by the grace of God go I.’ I shared some of my story with them and how when I received the Lord the blessings poured forth. I was offered the opportunity to accept Jesus as my savior before I got sober but I refused to receive Him for 12 years. The message God gave me to share last night was they didn’t need to do that, they didn’t need to live the life of loneliness, fear, isolation, and uncertainty that I did. They could say “YES” right now and allow God in their hearts and lives and never be lonely again.

To share one other thing, until yesterday I had never been God’s messenger that directly led to someone being saved. I had never prayed with anyone as they allowed God in their heart.  By God’s grace on Saturday night many people responded to Jimmy’s word, and several men and women came forward – 6 joining me after my exhortation – a humbling experience to say the least.

I look forward to the future guidance from God as to what is next and I am grateful to A Church Without Walls for allowing me to be a part of their ministry.

God Bless,

Shaun Smith