“There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story ”
At CBF, we have a ministry that takes various items to people that may need a little help during the week. When we first started talking about this ministry, we talked to leaders at Serenity Hall in Skyway about setting up outside their meeting place. There were quite a few homeless people in the area, so it seemed like a good fit. When Serenity Hall said they were willing to try it, we began going there each week. The typical items that we bring are water, cup of soup, bananas, oatmeal packets, Pop tarts, socks and t-shirts. We give to anyone that needs them, whether they are homeless, an AA member or the occasional neighbor that stop by.
There are several reasons for being there each week. The obvious reason is helping out someone in need. While helping someone, conversations take place that usually give insight into a person’s background and beliefs. Some people have been on the streets most of their lives and are actively struggling with addiction. Some are new in the recovery process and trying to get back on their feet. Some have been clean and sober for many years, but come back to Serenity Hall to help a newcomer find sobriety. It’s amazing to find out how many people on the streets have a faith in God, that have a family member or friend that has shared Jesus with them in the past. There is a particular fellow that knows a great deal of scripture. One night he was in tears as he was sharing verses he had learned. But there is great reluctance on the part of people we meet to accept an invitation to join us for Sunday services. I had a friend tell me that Serenity Hall was his church. That being the case, it seems important to go to their church and help meet the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors.
I’ve been told by homeless people that they feel invisible. People walk by them all the time without any sort of acknowledgement. Let’s be like Jesus when He told Zacchaeus, “hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today”.
2 Corinthians 5:17 is one of my favorite verses. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” It is a life changer when we become a new creation through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The old habits and struggles that drag us down may still rear their ugly heads now and then. But the Good News is, we are new from the inside out, forgiven, empowered, forever.
We would love to talk to you if you are interested in the ministry at Serenity Hall.
Elder Dave
