I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.
Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?
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I love the fact that you have a heart for the homeless. My experience is most of the time you are planting seeds and they need time to germinate. I've heard testimonies including my own of memories of acts of love from a church that later drew the person back to find out more about this love. Sometimes a youth will come along and they will recongize that this love is what they have been searching for all along and are fed up with the life style and are ready to embrace true love. God bless,,,
Originally Posted by stormdancer0
I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.
Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?
__________________ Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
What's ur history behind getting involved in this so honorable ministry?
Originally Posted by stormdancer0
I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.
Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?
Originally Posted by tigger45
I love the fact that you have a heart for the homeless. My experience is most of the time you are planting seeds and they need time to germinate. I've heard testimonies including my own of memories of acts of love from a church that later drew the person back to find out more about this love. Sometimes a youth will come along and they will recongize that this love is what they have been searching for all along and are fed up with the life style and are ready to embrace true love. God bless,,,
I studied social work after being a Franciscan and took an interest in this population. It includes people with addictions, mental health, disabilities so have many ministries all packed into one. As far as preaching God to them some may think you are preaching about God because lack of faith is the reason that they homeless. Like they are judged in some way. Some people that are homeless do have God in their lives. And others though do feel that God has abandoned them and are angry at God.
I would just honor their needs like a pair of gloves for winter, a cheeseburger or cup of hot coffee. Talk with them where and what they want to talk with you about so that some sort of bond is formed. You can insert God later on. Show charity first and insert God later into things.
Me and my friend want to bless the local homeless, and we want to take them to dinner someplace. Should we get pizza and bring it to them and eat with them there, or take them to the place? Which would be more impacting/beneficial to them. I would say taking them(it would be only like one or two, maybe), but I want your advice.
__________________ "This is our lifestyle. No its not a religion!"
-Lecrae
Ephesians 5 my generation!
Me and my friend want to bless the local homeless, and we want to take them to dinner someplace. Should we get pizza and bring it to them and eat with them there, or take them to the place? Which would be more impacting/beneficial to them. I would say taking them(it would be only like one or two, maybe), but I want your advice.
One of the only obstacles is that taken them into a restaurant if they have nopt bathed in months would be hard. But to have sup with them in such a way brings joy to my heart. For although the body needs food the heart needs fellowship. We are entering winter and food as well as a scarf and winter gloves are good gifts. A listening ear, the smile of non-judgment are welcome. I have taken the homeless into my own house. Some have urinated in their pants and the smell of not washing for a long time. But to be honest this is like a sacred perfume to my nose to endure this and give them new clotheses and even give them a place to bathe so that my clothes are fresh with them. For chartity is not always supposed to be an easy thing.
We do have to be realistic. Some whom I have helped are drug addicts and they are 'currently' lost and in spiritual darkness. I have helped some that tried to break into my house. And all that I have will not help them until they address their addiction. If it would they could have all my material things and I would be glad of it sincerely. If they are not barred from the shelter i serve in it would be my work to get them there out of the cold so that may have a place to shower and three meals/day. The resources are there from the Canadian government. Some do not avail themselves of such means.
I like the point of not pushing God. My particular denomination often never even mentions the word, God, when bringing some food or clothes. Someone may ask, "Why are you doing this?", and we might answer, "Just to show God's love in a way that counts." or something to that effect.
Of course they can, and will, hear all they want, but usually only if they express an interest. We flatly don't believe in someone having to "pay" for the kindness by enduring our preaching.
__________________ "True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Bill Everett - St. Petersburg, FL
I like the point of not pushing God. My particular denomination often never even mentions the word, God, when bringing some food or clothes. Someone may ask, "Why are you doing this?", and we might answer, "Just to show God's love in a way that counts." or something to that effect.
Of course they can, and will, hear all they want, but usually only if they express an interest. We flatly don't believe in someone having to "pay" for the kindness by enduring our preaching.
We have been homeless several times over now, one such experience was when we lived in camp grounds in the Wash. state area (no more details to protect those still there) we lived there with 3 young boys. One thing that people seldom realize is how much they help and care for one another. If there is wood or food or jobs to be found, the word spreads quickly. Sometimes I get really frustrated at people who stereo type the homeless as being lazy, without God, etc. They aren't like that at all...they are people just like everyone else, even those in your very churches, and in fact, we ended up homeless that time, because we followed Christ no matter the cost, and the cost was homelessness for a season. I guess my point is this, we try to label people, when in reality, they are just like the rest of us, no different, same worries, same struggles, same pains, same joys, they just do it without the comforts of money and secure homes and clothes, etc.
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