Not just ministering to the homeless, but the onlookers too...

Church Without Walls 2-22-13

God Turns Man’s Heart Like Water

Miracles happen every day, but sometimes they’re difficult for us to see.

It was one of those nights in Norfolk where the temperature was 40 degrees, but it felt like 27. We pulled up our hoods, and paced back and forth to keep warm, but God was ready to show us His work.

It was amazing a number of months ago when the security guards let us pray for people in a government building. We thought ‘what favor we have been shown.’ Tonight, however, God showed us that he was not done with his work. Over the past months, as we ministered to the homeless, God was ministering to one of the security guards.

What a blessing to come out last night to see the security guard come over with a bag full of McDonald Hamburgers, and start to hand them out to the homeless! Last week Jeff took off his shoes and gave them to homeless man. Tonight, the security guard goes to McDonalds and spends his own money to help ‘feed the 5000.’ How GLORIOUS is our God! He spent his own money. He took the initiative. He became a minister of the Gospel last night and it really was glorious to see. It just goes to show you that the Word of God does not come back void, but accomplishes its purpose for which it was sent forth – and God’s purposes are far beyond our expectations.

Aaron preached last night sharing from the Gospel of John. He preached a simple message of God’s love as the homeless gathered around to listen. Jeremy played worship songs and we all joined in. After the preaching of the Word the homeless men initiated a prayer circle, where the security guard joined us, and Aaron prayed for all of us. Jimmy shared a powerful word about Moses, the Lord parting the waters that stands in front those who were listening. It was full of hope with the promise of God’s power.

Debbie stood in the cold last night for over 2 hours ministering to Susan, a 61 year old homeless women who is largely deaf and has been on the streets on and off for 20 years. If you take a good look at Susan you can tell that she is a beautiful woman, a woman who is hurting, a woman who needs hope.

She approached Debbie and asked her for prayer to heal her eyes from the developing cataracts. They had a conversation about being mothers, and prayed for each other’s children. She asked for prayer, but in the Lord’s providence she received more than a simple prayer. She also got a friend with a listening ear, a tender response, and a loving Spirit.

It is easy to forget that the homeless are real people, with real dreams, and emotional and spiritual needs. Many of them love and serve our God. Debbie found out that Susan loves to worship and that she had written some worship songs. She sang part of one for Debbie. Her voice was sweet and the song was inspiring.

Like many of the homeless, Susan has a variety of needs, but she found family last night in the people of God, and a sister to speak with in Debbie.

Steve Zollos

In our weakness...He IS strong.

An Amazing Night

God never ceases to amaze me. I was getting ready to go out to serve the homeless today and found that all our supplies were locked away, and I didn’t have a key to get to them. Even our 5 gallon coolers for the coffee and hot chocolate were locked up.

I called Nick who usually comes out with us, but he was helping to oversee a major event at his church. He called me and told me that even with the event going on that he was able to locate two coolers and could make the coffee and hot chocolate. What a blessing. How amazing!

I went to Walmart to get supplies and picked up cups, sugar, half-and-half, stirring straws, and a variety of individually wrapped cookies and crackers that would be good with coffee or hot chocolate and headed out to the streets.

I was the first to arrive and I wasn’t sure if anyone else would be showing up. I put the table out and put the coolers out along with the other supplies. A few of the homeless guys came over to help out, and Patrick, a godly homeless friend was among them. Patrick agreed to help me out tonight because I wasn’t sure who else might be coming.

I asked him his favorite verse or story from scripture and he suggested Romans 8:25 & 26

if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

“Why don’t you preach tonight?” I asked.

“I’m not a preacher,” he replied. So I told him if he started off, then I would finish.

Just then Jeremy and Jeff showed up and the night really picked up. There was a lot of cussing going on tonight, but the Spirit was moving none the less.

One man had shoes that were so badly worn that the seams had popped three quarters of the way around both shoes and his socks could be seen almost all the way around. I inquired and he said that he wore a size 12 and that size was hard to come by. I asked him what kind of shoes he preferred, and he said sneakers were best for him. I took special note of it and went to serve some coffee. Not two minutes later Jeff walked up and asked him his shoe size. We laughed and told him that I had just asked the same question. Jeff said he wore a size 13, and not 15 minutes later the man was wearing Jeff’s brand new pair of sneakers that he had been given. Amazing, I’ve heard of giving someone the shirt off your back, but the shoes off your feet? Amazing how God sets our hearts to love one another.

As folks gathered around us to hear the Word, the man who had been doing most of the swearing stood right in the center of the group. I let the group know that Patrick had the Word for us this night, and immediately the man in the middle said, ‘go ahead and kick it Patrick.’

So Patrick read the verses above. He looked up and the man in the middle asked him to ‘kick it again.’ Patrick said I’ll pick up from there, but the man asked that he kick it from the beginning again. The Lord was already moving.

Patrick read verse 25 and 26 again and then a few more verses. No sooner did he finish than a man to his right began to explain that all we have is hope, hope in Christ. We may be hurting or down, but we have hope.

The man in the middle pushed in saying, ‘yeah, we get in trouble here or things are hard but we can always put our hand up to Him.’

‘That’s Right!’ shouted another. Then a fourth man began to explain how we all have a chance because of God, He is our hope.’

I wish I could relay the entire conversation. It was interactive preaching and one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. No sooner would one person stop talking than would the Holy Spirit move on another man to continue the preaching.

Finally a young man standing on the outside started in and told us how he recently got saved and how he had just got out of prison, and drank and drugged. He preached a word. When he finished the man in the middle said, ‘I can receive that,’ and fist bumped him and then hand shakes all around.

These are hard, streetwise guys, every one of them. To see and hear them bow their spiritual knees before the Lord is humbling.

I am so glad that I am part of a group of believers who love God so much that they can’t help but love people unconditionally. I was so blessed tonight, so refreshed by God’s love and mercy. I was ministered to by the homeless tonight as Jesus stood in our midst and shared his unending love with us.

Blessings in His Holy name,

Steve Zollos

Church in the streets on Saturday night

A Church Without Walls

1/19/13

“To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.” 

Although, I haven’t posted in a while, the power and love of God has been at work in the city streets of Norfolk, VA.  Every Saturday, the Spirit of God is at work in the hearts of those we minister to.  God is teaching us about him and we are getting to know God better, as we care for those in need.  He continues to provide for us and our homeless friends.

Just today, as Laura and Tosha were in Wal-Mart shopping for sleeping bags for our friends, two men approached them and in a joking manner said, “Someone’s going to do some camping, as they noticed many sleeping bags and blankets in their grocery cart.  Tosha looked up, chuckled and said. “Oh no sir, we have a homeless ministry in downtown Norfolk and we are buying these for the men and women who are sleeping in the streets.”  He immediately handed her a $100 bill and said, “I want to help.”  What a blessing!  They walked away with around 15 sleeping bags and 11 wool blankets.  Our friends were very thankful, as we handed them out tonight.

When Laura and Tosha pulled up to our house, I was outside loading the van with socks, snacks, cups, etc.  Laura jumped out of the car and said, “Someone just handed us $100 in Wal-Mart to help us buy sleeping bags for our friends!”  She was exuberant and rejoicing in God’s faithfulness!  She saw God provide and knows him better because of this act of His faithfulness.

We loaded everything up and headed to the streets.  We were able to minister to between 60 and 80 people tonight, by blessing them with not only the blankets, sleeping bags and socks, but also with a hot cup of coffee, snacks, gloves, and a powerful word, given by Tosha.  Many people were encouraged and one man even approached me when we were getting ready to leave and he said, “Jimmy thanks for coming out here and encouraging us.  What Tosha shared tonight was exactly what I needed to hear.  The messages on Saturday night are what get me through the week.”  He informed me that he didn’t come to stay in the shelter, but rather he came to hear the word of God.

For those of you who don’t know, Tosha is someone who was in the streets 2 months ago.  Her testimony tonight was not only encouraging to the homeless, but so powerful.  She encouraged our friends to look to God, despite their situation.  She shared how just two months ago she was homeless and her story had weight with them.  She encouraged them to humble themselves and submit their lives to God and to turn from their sin.  Many people gathered around as Tosha led a group prayer.  Many others stayed around after the message sharing their personal struggles and receiving individual prayer.  Here’s what struck me…God used Tosha and her trial of being homeless to speak hope into others who are currently homeless.  Her temporary, light affliction was really producing an eternal weight of Glory.  Her testimony brought God glory and offered hope to the hopeless.

One gentleman approached me and said, “It sounds so easy to stop sinning, but it’s so hard to really stop.”  I encouraged him with these truths, “In our weakness he is strong, greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world, my Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.”  I saw God pricking his heart and was able to drop truth in his heart.  What an awesome Church Service tonight.  Although, we didn’t have a building, sound systems, bright colored lights, smoke, loud music, etc, we all encountered God.  I saw the power of the Holy Spirit released, as I watched one lady pour out her heart through tears.  I saw the power of the Holy Spirit as one lady started declaring, “I will worship you God, I will worship you God!  Even if I remain homeless I will worship you!”  I saw the power of God as I felt the hand of a man lay on my shoulder as we were having group prayer, only to look up and see the man who always sits off in the distance, very far from the crowd.  Who is like our God in Heaven?  I know why night and day angels surround him singing worthy, worthy, worthy.  I know why night and day the elders are bowing before him!  Who or what can compare to his greatness?!

A Church Without Walls

Update...

Hello Friends,

It's been a while since I've posted on the BLOG, so I wanted to take time to share some of the things that are going on at "A Church Without Walls."  We've been very busy, as we approach the holiday and we are excited about all that God is doing in and around us.  God is so good!

Currently, we are praying about many things and we would be grateful if you would join us as we seek God as to how he would have us step forward.  We desire to follow God and not walk in front of Him.  He is teaching us to trust him and we are learning that as we pray, he truly does answer.  As we've thrown ourselves in with both feet, we've seen him do what only he could do, countless times.  Here's what's going on...

The Place of Prayer:

Many of us have been meeting on Sunday morning at 7 am to pray at Steve's house for the past month.  Last week, we encountered the Spirit of the Lord in a mighty way.  He left us speechless and sobered, as we realized that he was calling us to a deeper level of intimacy with Him and his word.  We realized that even this ministry - as good as it is - could take precedence over "knowing him."  We want to be like Mary, not Martha.  

True Discipleship:

Meet our friend Patrick:  Patrick is one of the men whom we've been ministering to for many months.  Jeremy, Aaron and Ezekiel have taken personal responsibility for this man.  We believe he has come to know the Lord and that he is growing in his relationship with the Lord.  His life is bearing fruit.  Jeremy has been meeting with Patrick, once a week walking him through the book of Matthew.  Patrick has grown in leaps and bounds as he's studied the word of God.  

Meet our friend Bernard:  Nick has taken personal responsibility for our friend Bernard.  He too sets out one night a week, to encourage this man in his faith.  I received a call from Nick this week, telling me about how the Lord drew his heart towards another man named Bob.  He told me that on Saturday night, he felt like God was drawing his heart towards Bob and Nick felt led to ask Bob to meet with Bernard and him this past week.  However, out of respect for Bernard and to be able to maintain his one-on-one time with Bernard, he didn't ask.  When Nick arrived to meet Bernard, he didn't see him.  After waiting for a little while Bernard didn't show up, however along came Bob (unplanned) into Wendy's and Nick was able to meet with him for some time, as they discussed the Lord and life.

Meet our friend Aguko:  Aguko is who God has given me in this season for discipleship.  He's an international student from Kenya, Africa.  We met him a couple of months ago as we served him in one of our food lines.  He came to the states on a green card about 5 years ago.  He received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy and is currently attending ODU seeking to obtain a degree in Nuclear Medicine.  He found himself homeless, as a full time student.  He's shared with me how he's slept in the library at the school and various homeless shelters in the area while studying and pursuing his degree.  He's focused on finishing his schooling and in his country coming to America to attend college is a great opportunity.  This week, we've met a couple of times and sharpened each other in the word.  I've encouraged him and he's encouraged me.  We've become good friends over the past couple of months and we're excited about all God is doing in our lives as we get to know each other.

The Farm:

Steve is moving forward with the Farm.  The Lord has provided as Steve has been faithful to do the little things that God has called him to do.  He's currently raising chickens, whom are now laying eggs and growing rapidly. :)  He has been working with Jonathan hand in hand and they hope to establish an organic garden this spring.  The Lord has already provided a load of wood chips and continues to provide what we need.  This past week, Steve has been building his boxes for raising honey bees.  He hopes to establish his bee farm this spring as well.  So...we have chickens, bees and hopefully an organic garden.  The Lord is good.

Prayer Request:

Please join us as we pray for specific things.  We believe that as we pray and seek first the kingdom, God moves on our behalf.  Prayer is the foundation of all that we are doing.  God uses prayer to help us "know him."  

• We are asking God to provide a home for our disciples.  We realize that getting the guys out of their negative environment and into a place where they can be encouraged and sharpened in godliness is important.  We're asking God to provide for a few of the men who are serious about knowing him and growing in their relationship with him.

• We are asking God to open up the property behind Steve's that we may use it for farming.  It's an ideal place with several acres of land that would be great for farming.  We're also asking God to provide equipment, people, lumber and construction materiel for bunk houses, barns, etc.

These are a couple of things we're seeking God about.  Will you join us in prayer as we seek to do God's will?

Merry Christmas and I pray that the bounty of the Lord would rest upon you and your families this holiday season.  Remember those who are in need and who live in lack and take time to bless them and pray for them.  

Grace to you,

A Church Without Walls

Our 1 year anniversary...

It's hard to believe that a year has passed, since God initially called me to the streets of the inner city.  It's been an amazing year and I've seen God move in unbelievable ways.  Tonight, I'd like to share my most memorable moments of 2011-2012 as we ministered in the heart of the inner city.  God is using our ministry to bring hope to the hopeless, life to the lifeless, rest to the restless and light to those who walk in darkness.  I've gained many new friends in this journey and I know God more today than I did a year ago, because of this work.  Thank you to all of you who throw your lives into this ministry and to those of you who help us care for the poor.

The day my vision became a reality:

When God first started to call me to the streets, I had a vision of me preaching in Waterside park with a large crowd gathered around.  In the crowd, there were the homeless, poor, hurting, broken and lost.  These are those who are dear to God's heart and who he has called us to care for.  I've had many opportunities to preach in the streets and God has done great things through the preaching of his word.

God gives me "One":

I'll never forget the first night I arrived in the streets meeting Mira.  This was the first person I interacted with as I arrived in the heart of the inner city.  God has blessed our work and today we minister to 45-60 people on any given Saturday night.  I remember going out to the streets by myself for many weeks and now each week, I have 10 - 15 people who come alongside me to serve our friends.  

God provides:

For the entire year, God has faithfully provided for our every need.  Food alone costs us around $100 - $130 per week.  We have not had one week this year where we were unable to provide food because of lack of funds.  As a matter of fact, there were a couple of weeks when I wasn't sure how in the world God would provide and after much prayer he always came through.  He's provided many bibles, coats, socks, clothes, bikes, blankets, Christmas gifts, etc.  He's sponsored everything!

Ministries:

This year, on top of our homeless ministry we've started a prayer corner where we go out every Saturday morning and intercede for the city of Norfolk.  It's in this place of prayer that change happens and we understand the call of God to pray for our city.  We've also started a bicycle repair ministry, sock ministry and Christmas gift ministry.  

People who are dear to my heart:

I'll never forget Allen and the night he got saved.  I'll never forget dropping him off at the Richmond Outreach Center, where he has been ever since.  Once homeless and without hope, now full of hope and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.  He still lives at the ROC in a discipleship home where he has an active role in his church and community.   

I'll never forget Mary and Allen - a elderly couple in their 70's who were homeless for 8 years before meeting our team.  Today, they are living in a small apartment in Virginia Beach, warm and well fed.  Mary calls me everyday to tell us how much she loves us - literally. :)

My lovely wife, Steve Zollos, and Aaron Ransom hold a special place in my heart, as they have blazed the trail throughout most of the year.  Rain or shine, cold or hot, they were standing there ready to serve - no matter what.  

Many thanks and much blessing to all of those who have labored week after week to bless our friends and carry out the plan of God.  Thanks for all of your support!  

Fighting the good fight,

"A Church Without Walls"

Having Church during Hurricane Sandy....

A Church Without Walls  - 10/27/12

A Church Without Walls met on Saturday evening even with the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy bringing wind and rain. While many of us huddled in the warmth of our homes preparing flashlights and storing up water those on the streets were still hoping for food to eat, and maybe opportunity to get out of the weather.

Debbie made a steaming hot pot of Beef Barley Soup and cornbread that was perfect for boosting hope for cold rainy night and we ventured out to 19^th Street. We actually hoped that we wouldn’t see anyone on the streets… the weather was just too bad on Saturday as the storm began to rock the east coast.

We set up our table and Nick and Aaron and the others met us there to love our friends and share an encouraging Word with our neighbors. Thankfully there were less than 30 people out that night, and most would get some hot food and head to their makeshift shelters. After Aaron’s word about the Love of Christ the night turned into a time of personal ministry. A number of us gathered around Patrick who received various ‘Words’ from the Lord, encouraging Words, Words of hope and a future…. Manna from heaven straight to his soul. God is so good to his children, even his children on the streets.

One of our friends was hoping to get into an apartment this week, however, an unexpected unpaid bill for $368 popped up and was blocking his way into his new home. I laid hands on my friend and we prayed for God’s provision, for God’s favor. Will you join us in this prayer? God has been so faithful to provide for these men and women over the past year and I trust He will be faithful again.

Tosha and Jessica were there too. What a beautiful surprise these two are, serving Christ in the streets and seeing God’s hand in their desperate situation. Tosha gave me the number for a conference call Bible Study she would be teaching this week. Debbie and called in and were blessed by a powerful and encouraging message from 1Corinthians 13 and the Love of God. Beautiful teaching from the streets…. Who would have thought that God would have His children on the streets? As Joseph said to his brothers, “you meant it for evil, but the Lord meant it for good, that many should be saved.”  How God’s love encompasses all, especially those who are suffering and those who are without a home.

Finally, there was a Muslim receiving food. He said he would give me a copy of the Koran, and I told him I would be honored to receive it. See, God’s grace is on the Muslim too. You should have heard this man agreeing with Aaron’s message of the blood of Christ and His perfect sacrifice. He is a Muslim today, but by God’s gracious power he will be redeemed tomorrow. We simply show him the love of Christ and trust that God will work in his heart and draw him to himself…. Just like he has done for each of us.

How Great is our God. How wonderful are His ways. Even the power of a hurricane is putty in His hands to be molded to bring many to Christ.

Praise Him all the heavens and the earth. 

I wish I could write....

ACWOW 11/10/12

I wish I could write in the true inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that I could relay the power of God I saw working through the hands and prayers of His people last night on 19^th street.

I wish I could write so eloquently that you yourself could taste the homemade shepherd’s pie, and apple crisp that was made in Debbie & Laura’s kitchens and served to those who have no kitchen to cook in. Words cannot express the joy felt by those receiving a truly homemade meal at the hands of friends who love them.

I wish I could express the significance of a Muslim man worshiping the savior after hearing a simple message of God’s mercy expressed through His Son, Jesus the Christ.

I wish I could explain what it is like to have a Jehova’s Witness respond to the Word of God and the powerful love being shown week after week in the streets of Norfolk. But alas, my words cannot convey the beauty of the Savior expressed through the loving hands of His little children.

Would that I could take you with my words to the streets last night to feel the compassion of Christ as an ODU student born in Kenya stood in line for food, and had someone to share in His sufferings.

How great it would be if on my keyboard I could take you on an emergency ride to Walmart to get a blanket for a man who was shivering from cold. If only my words could take you on the trip to hear the prayer in Walmart asking for wisdom on which of the 3 blankets would best serve this one that Jesus loves, only to be told to take all three and to not withhold from those in need… If only my words could convey the humbling of my heart when two more people, not knowing that we had blankets, ask if we might have a blanket for them.

I long to be able to have you see in your heart through my writing how a woman who had been living on the streets only a week before gave a powerful message from the story of the prodigal’s son to her friends on the streets. How she shared her love of God with her ‘family’ on the streets.

It would be my desire to write so powerfully, that you would feel the healing power of the Holy Spirit course through your body like those who stepped forward for healing prayer witnessed last night as we gathered around those who desired a healing touch and to be known by God.

Could it be that my words could show you those who remain trapped in the lie of alcohol, or drugs. Who stand so deceived that only the love of Christ could possibly reach down into their hearts and save them from certain destruction.

How I desire to be able to write in such a way as to convey the love of God shown so tenderly to these hurt and suffering people.