$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

Crazy, right?

A Crazy Night On The Streets

Dan and Shelly are from Philadelphia. They are both disabled and just arrived in Norfolk a week ago. Although they had enough money to stay in a hotel until October 3^rd when their next check comes in, it was stolen from their hotel room.

So they find themselves living on the streets until the 3^rd of October. Crazy isn’t it?

Dan was hit by a train, pronounced dead and woke up in the morgue with a toe tag on a number of years ago. It shocked the priest that was there reading last rites so badly that he dropped his bible and ran to get help. Dan has no bone running from his wrist to his elbow – it’s a piece of metal now – he showed me. His jaw was broken and his tongue was bitten off. He showed me his tongue so I could see where it was sewn back on – Crazy right?

He had to learn how to walk again. [Think about that for a moment]

He had to learn how to talk again. [Think about that for a moment too]

Now they found themselves living on the streets of Norfolk. They had no blanket, just the clothes on their backs. We bought them a blanket.

The cool thing about Dan was that he was totally optimistic. Crazy isn’t it?

I know people with a roof over their heads, with good jobs, and food in the refrigerator who can’t see God’s mercy. Crazy huh?

Here’s Dan, walking with a cane, thin as a rail and smiling and telling me about people in his family who are doing well, and you can see the pride shining all around him. Crazy thing isn’t it?

Shelly told me that if it weren’t for folks like us, helping when they can, that they just wouldn’t make it. She was so soft spoken, so kind, so appreciative - we prayed.

I also spoke to Demetrius, a young man who has been quiet for the many weeks that I have known him. Tonight Patrick and Demetrius were debating about who exactly Melchizedek is… you know, the king that Abram paid tribute to. He was an angel suggested Patrick. Demetrius argued that he was God. They both had good reason. They both know the Word. It was a good conversation…. One I would have expected to have in church and not on the streets… although conversations about the Word can be hard to find in some churches where the Word stays pretty tight to the pulpit. Crazy, wouldn’t you agree?

It was a crazy night out on the streets and I was reminded of the many years that I faithfully sat in church each and every Sunday morning thinking that I was attending to God’s work. In fact, despite my work within the walls of the church, I was a flourishing, but fruitless tree. Crazy, right?

God Performs A Miracle On 19th Street

It was an exciting night at A Church Without Walls last night, as we witnessed a powerful miracle with our own eyes!  Read on.

There seems to be more and more people on the streets each week. We saw a number of new faces. By God’s grace there have been more and more people coming out to help serve. Last night Aaron, Monique, Jeremy & his brother Josh (from Elizabeth City), Ezekiel & Shannon, Tom & Elisha & Hezekiah, Debbie & Sophia, and Jimmy & I went out to serve the spaghetti dinner that Laura had made to those of us who have no home. Imagine, a hot spaghetti dinner with homemade sauce and garlic bread! Last night A Church Without Walls became ‘home’ for these beautiful people – just as Jesus intended when he commanded us to ‘Love our neighbors as ourselves.’

The spaghetti was gone in a moment… but the night was just beginning. Everyone gathered around Josh, Shannon, and Ezekiel as they began to play music and the rest of us served dessert – homemade brownies. Once everyone had found a place on the curb Jimmy brought a word of encouragement from the Gospel of John, sharing the story of the man who was born blind and when the disciples asked ‘who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?’ Jesus replied ‘neither, but that the glory of God would be revealed to them all’…. including us.

Jimmy shared his testimony and introduced our new friend Ezekiel who brought full circle the teaching with his testimony of his trials and God’s ultimate glory.

God’s power was evident, as one man risked missing his opportunity to have a place to sleep in order to be prayed for, and another took the initiative to ask that we pray as a group… and we did.

Ezekiel, who himself has spent many a night homeless, made an important observation. He said some people look for miracles in their great wealth, their many blessings, or some great and obvious move of God. But it’s a miracle when you’re hungry and someone gives you food, or when you’re thirsty and someone gives you something to drink, or when you are cold and someone gives you something to wear. These are the true miracles that Christ has called each of His children to perform.

We witnessed the miraculous last night as the hungry were fed, the thirsty were given drink, and everyone heard how much God loved them, even in their desperate situation. It was a miracle as lives were changed (including our own) right before our eyes. The love of God was freely displayed, and new hope was brought to those who are struggling to survive.

The cool thing is that miracles are so easy to perform. How difficult is it to make a spaghetti dinner? To purchase a $5 pizza and give it to someone in need? How hard is it to hand a bottle of cold water to someone on a hot day?

The truth is that the miracle that you are to perform today is only a heartbeat away.

What miracle will you share with someone today?

A Church Without Walls exists to encourage, empower, and provide opportunity for the children of God to ‘perform the miracles’ prepared by God in advance for each of them to do.

The Ezekiel Project

What I'm about to share with you is an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness and his greatness.  He really does take us from faith to faith and glory to glory.  I'm still very affected by how God showed himself faithful to me, once again, through this most recent event.

Last week, during my personal prayer time, I felt like the Lord was saying very clearly, "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes."  I questioned this and began to ask the Lord what it was he was asking of me.  As I listened to the Lord, I believe that he was calling me to take yet another step of faith in regards to ministering to the inner city.

Up to this point, we've ministered to the homeless each and every Saturday night for almost a year, but the Lord reminded me of the initial vision.  He wants to do so much more in the inner city than just minister to the homeless.  Although, the homeless are precious to the heart of God, he's ready to do more.  The questions he posed to me were these.  Are you ready for this work?  Are you ready to surrender everything?  Are you ready to leave it all behind for the sake of this great gospel?

He led me to Ezekiel 36:33-36 and it was obvious what he was saying.  Here's what the scripture says, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt.  The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it.  They will say, This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.  Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it."  

The Lord quickly revealed the place where he was calling me to, the projects of the inner city.  He gave me a picture of me and others working on bicycles in the inner city.  I believe he was showing me that the bicycle repair ministry would bless the kids and ultimately get us to the families.  The word is love, love, love - serve, serve, serve.  I had a conversation with my new friend Brandon Lannie from Richmond, VA who leads a bicycle repair ministry in the projects of Richmond with the Richmond Outreach Center (ROC).  Monday, he sent me the whole outline of how he does things and ideas of how to get started.  I must confess, I haven't really worked on bikes in my life, so this was really just a faith thing as I have no clue what I'm doing.  God told me to do it and I want to be faithful.

Sunday, I spent 4 hours seeking the Lord and forming the vision for the "project ministry".  The Lord quickly gave me the name for the ministry based on Ezekiel 36:33-36 - "The Ezekiel Project."  (Remember this name) I typed up 3 pages describing the vision.  It was amazing, how the Lord was giving me ideas and clarity.

Monday, I put a post on Facebook, sharing my vision about the "Bicycle Repair Ministry" and asking folks to consider giving me damaged bikes for parts before throwing them away or discarding them.  I planned to start taking bikes apart and putting them back together, so I could learn how the parts work together and how to assemble and disassemble.  I received 4 bikes total to be donated, just yesterday.

Later that day, I went to the local bike shop to get a new tube for my little girls bike.  I'm still not quite sure how she got a flat tire on her bike, but I know now it was the will of the Lord for me to go to the bike shop.  I walked in and asked for a 16" tube for Adah's bike.  The man working was very helpful and handed me the tube, quickly.

There were two men working on some bikes on stands.  As I was speaking to the two guys, I said, "You may think I'm crazy, but the Lord has given me a vision to start a bicycle repair ministry in the inner city of Norfolk, VA.  I was wondering if you guys ever have spare parts or junk bikes that you'd be willing to donate to bless the children of the inner city.  I noticed the one man stop working on the bike he had on the stand.  He looked me dead in the face and said, "I knew you were coming, I heard about you and I already started saving bikes for the kids.  I have some parts too."  I said, "Sir, you must have the wrong guy, as I just finished this vision today and only started working on it Saturday."  He said, "Well my friend Eric is the one who told me about it and he's very prophetic so I'm not sure if this was a prophetic word or what, but I just started working on bikes and I have them in the back, ready to go.  I was blown away in that moment, but that's not it....

I just so happened to bring my 3 page vision with me to the bike shop.  I handed it to the man and said, "Take a look at this paper, as this is the vision the Lord has given me."  He looked at it and immediately tossed it on his work bench and started to cry.  He paced back and forth breathing heavy and looking into the air.  I said,  "Are you okay man?"  He didn't answer right away, so I asked again, "Are you okay?"  He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "My name is Ezekiel!"  (The Ezekiel Project)  He immediately said, "Man, I need to talk to you.  Can we meet tonight?"  I said, "Sure."  It just so happened, Jeremy and Rebekah Miller were coming over for a cookout.  It all happened so fast, I realized after I left that I didn't get his phone #, but I wrote mine down and gave him my address.  Several of us were waiting on him in my living room   I started to get worried that he wasn't going to come.  As soon as I said to those in my living room, "I hope he shows up," I noticed him riding outside of my house.

The next thing I know, we're sitting in my living room with about 10 people who are involved with "A Church Without Walls," listening to Ezekiel tell us about his 2200 mile bike journey.  He has forsaken everything just to lean on the Lord and watch him provide for his every need.  He called it a "journey" where he lived strictly on faith.  Trusting God to provide his daily food going from town to town playing music and telling people his story, blessing them with his amazing harmonica talent, playing the banjo, etc.  He walked several miles as well and it's important that you know, he did this all on a prosthetic leg.  He said his leg would hurt if he walked for a small distance, but as he was on his journey, his leg didn't hurt.  Isn't that amazing?

He's going to not only come help us with the bike repair ministry, he's going to help us learn how to blow glass, play the banjo, and raise honey bees.  :)  God has provided again!

This is our great God!  Who is like him?

Check out this link of my new friend Ezekiel!  Let's help him get a new leg!

https://vimeo.com/49110825

"A Church Without Walls"