Lauren and I presented a workshop at Mission ConneXion NW on Saturday. Here are some of the key points we covered... How to start a ministry:
1. Discover Problem
- What do you see in the world that needs changing? - Examples: Abortion, Slavery, Starvation, AIDS, Poverty, Homelessness,...
2. Develop Plan
- Pray. - Think big. Think outside the box. Think crazy. Don't get trapped in thinking what's safe or normal. - Get a team together. Working by yourself is a lot harder then working with a friend. - Do your research. Find out more about the problem you're addressing. Ask those who have gone before you for advice in solving the problem. - Pray a lot. Without God's help and guidance, solving a problem will be impossible.
3. Do it!
- Sometimes this is the hardest step, even though it sounds simple. It's easy to talk about what we want to do and think about it, but taking the step to live it out is definitely harder.
God promises to be with you and to be all you need. Do it with the strength of the Lord!
2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for You, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
A lady came into our church yesterday to buy 10 bags with her birthday money. She wanted to give bags to her friends and family for Christmas so that they could go hand them out to the homeless.
Upon his encounter with shiverring homeless people on the streets of Portland, Jim Paulk tells his story and encourages you to get involved with his mission.
Please read on and consider helping me get blankets to the street denizens of Portland. It will be 15 degrees tonight and that is cold enough for someone sleeping at home. When you are on the street, huddled with a child, a stranger, a dog, life is just miserable and health problems are multiplied.
Driving home last night from downtown Portland, I anticipated a warm meal with Mary, my wife. Then I saw them....scores of freezing homeless people...all facing a night I can't imagine. I called Mary and told her that I wouldn't be home for dinner. I sped to Freddy's and bought 20 blankets. Then, I went on a search party to find those unfortunates who I thought could use some more protection. That wasn't hard. They are all over the area.
I gave a couple of blankets to 3 men who had a fire going. One man said "The police aren't too happy about fires (even though they are on cement, away from any structures), so we watch out for them and put a grate over the fire to show then we are cooking".
Another family, mother, dad, child, and dog, peeped out from under cardboard and rags. 5 blankets went their way. The night had stories like this until it happened.....I ran out of blankets and returned home. My heart was racing because I felt I was helping people. At the same time, I felt a sense of loss because I ran out of good will.
That's where you can come in; at least to get past this arctic blast. I will be going out again every night until the weather changes. I can't solve all the problems homeless people have, but you and I can help for the short term. Believe me when I say...THEY APPRECIATE US. Almost everyone said "God bless you". My heart was in my throat all night.
If you can find any old blanket that you have no use for, they sure will. I can't pick them up from each of you, but if you can drop them off at the following location. You will be part of a good thing. IF YOU GET THIS AFTER BUSINESS HOURS, JUST LEAVE THEM AT THE FRONT DOOR. If you can add your location as a drop-off spot, let me know and I will pick them up there too.
Allstate 12520 SW 68th Parkway Ste B. Tigard, OR 97223 (right off the Haines exit on I-5.)
Not looking for money, just a used blanket or sleeping bag. "God bless you, too"
