Testimony

3 things

Recognize the intentionality of what God has called us to.

All the adjectives - marginalized, addicts, disenfranchised, homeless, hopeless, etc.

What we’ve seen is our POH clients actively engaged in Corps ministry opportunities. God has called our Corps to be a place of centering for their lives - the safe pivot point where they can come to make the next decision because there is trust.

We’re being indignant - which means we’re being compassionate.

Mark 1:41 HCSB

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.”

The three words are so powerful - moved with compassion. We have a song about it! We have started intentional homeless outreach and ministry at Lakewood. We made a decision that we were not going to stand idly by while these men and women struggle to survive. We have opportunities for men and women to shower and do a small load of laundry. Use the computers in the library. Sit in the lobby and drink water and coffee. Share prayers and tears and stories and invitations.

Our children see the members of the homeless community not as “thems or theys”, but by their names.

Learn the relationship between expecting and waiting.

In January of 2023, I started a basketball outreach on Sunday nights at the Corps. Three guys came my first night - Johnson Philaphon from DHQ and two of his friends, Adam and JT.

I expected God to just WAMMO this thing, and that didn’t happen. If it wasn’t for Johnson, I would have quit doing basketball. Why aren’t there more? Why? How come? Etc.

I was blinded by basketball. I just wanted people to play basketball.

I’ve seen 38 guys come on a Sunday night to play on one court. I’ve seen young men receive Bibles, encouragement from each other. one of them, JoJo, used it as an opportunity to make recruiting videos for himself and now he’s in Kansas playing D-1 Junior College basketball.

Gabe came in Sunday night and said his fiance had their baby 10 days earlier and he’s so excited, but he said, I don’t know what it takes. What does it take to be a good father and husband? I have nobody to look to! Gabe, it takes sacrifice, love, and forgiveness. I’ve moved beyond basketball.