From Pastor John's heart...

I feel our calling is to take the Gospel to those on the street.  To plant the seed of the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will receive it.  I feel we are to train them up in the ways of the Lord (with the help of the local church body) and train them in turn, to be disciples on the street.  That they will share the Gospel on the streets where they are known, and to let their lives be a testimony to the changing power of the Holy Spirit.

How can we be most effective working with the homeless?

By feeding?  Supplying their daily needs?  We must be careful and not enable those who do not want change, who play the system to get what they want, some only stockpiling goods to sell to raise money to buy drugs and alcohol.

Our goal is to plant spiritual seeds and present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those in need to show them a better way. This goal is sometimes clouded by our emotions - or even guilt -  as we want to help when we may not be directed to help by the Holy Spirit.  It is when we operate in the flesh that we get drawn to simply enabling those that are only taking advantage.  No, I am not saying that we are to judge those that come to us for help.  I feel we are called to help all who are in need.  But there comes a time for the type of love that we sometimes receive from our Heavenly Father, tough love.  As we get to know the people we minister to on the street, it is not hard to separate the chaff from the wheat (if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit).  While we must never turn anyone away who is hungry or in need, we must never act on our own, but instead, always following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The interaction of the local church is key to helping these people make the permanent change that comes when they accept Christ as their Savior and learn to look to the Holy Spirit for guidance and the wisdom God has promised to those who call on His name and ask.  They have to be mentored by fellow Spirit filled believers.  They, just like us, need to be in a position of accountability.

No one got where they are overnight.  It happens in stages.  For anyone to get back to where they were, it is a process to be walked through with the help of the local church.