HOMELESS MINISTRY
By Oleda Atkinson

Homelessness is escalating . . . even in your city! Homelessness does not exist in a particular season. Homelessness does not have geographical boundaries. People who are homeless may live during the summer months behind some shrubs, they may have a "cardboard condo ” in winter, or if they are fortunate, in a rundown automobile.

No one knows exactly how many homeless people there really are in our country. But we do know that they number in the millions. Many are families with children who are learning survival tactics instead of nursery rhymes. Homelessness is an extreme form of poverty.

This is where churches need to step in and pick up where shelters and government agencies leave off. The homeless need to see Christian values modeled. These people need to experience "help out” rather than a "hand out.”

Consider the following:

1. Pray for God’s guidance in organizing a local ministry to the homeless.

2. Contact a local shelter and ask what you can do as a volunteer.

3. Plan a program in your local church to "highlight” this need and challenge others to assist in a practical way.

4. School educators can enlighten their students by visiting shelters.

5. Local businesses could match employee giving to projects for the homeless.

6. Organize a block yard sale with proceeds for the homeless.

7. Inquire at a shelter for a family to "adopt” during the holidays, etc.

8. Set up a blanket drive and distribute them to the homeless before cold weather.

9. Involve the children in this ministry.

10. Work with other churches and community programs because this ministry is too vast for one group to solve alone.

11. The Bible compels us to go out to the highways and bring people in. The Holy Spirit will deliver the most hopeless from despair. So find a way to bring the homeless to church.

12. Research ways to bring lasting solutions to their problems.

13. Provide "Emergency Bags of Love” for the local community ministries and include basic necessities customized for men, women and children.

14. Provide sleeping bags for emergency shelters.

15. Distribute cards that you have designed with emergency information and referrals. Often homeless people lack basic information about available resources.

16. It is especially needful to provide food and housing, especially at the end of the month, to people on public assistance who find their finances depleted.

17. Do not be overwhelmed by the need.

18. Take a risk to rescue the unfortunate.

19. Answer with a resounding "yes” to this specific ministry that would be so pleasing to God.

20. Begin to pray earnestly about how, who and when you will help.

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