Misfits For Jesus
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1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (The Message)
It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We're the Messiah's misfits. You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we're mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don't have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. When they call us names, we say, "God bless you." When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them. We're treated like garbage, potato peelings from the culture's kitchen. And it's not getting any better.
This "organization", that's such a bad word to us, we'll call it a group, quite possibly a church of misfits, was birthed somewhere back around May of 2007. Before that, we, Randy, Jon, and Steve, met at a St. Louis homeless shelter where we all felt led by the Spirit of God to reach out to the homeless. After going separate avenues in ministry to the homeless, Randy and Jon joined together after God put it on both our hearts to not only be feeding them physically and spiritually through brief encounters, but to disciple a group of people whom the Lord would bring our way. About a year later Steve was led by God to join us in this ministry.
We began by having a cookout on Thursday evenings at an abandoned building that we frequented accompanied by a bible study with a few friends we had met there. It has now transformed into a brief interactive message to them, along with food and clothing items being handed out with many new faces whom the Lord has brought our way. We are meeting many new friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord who, very likely would not be attending church. It is our heart to bring church to them.
We don't really fit into the box that Christianity has become. We don't look and speak like most of those in our local congregations. We believe that our Lord is using that to gain their trust and friendship allowing us to speak into them the love, forgiveness, and healing of our Savior. We have seen some realize and apply these truths and some that come only for entertainment or food. Either way, we believe that the seeds we are sowing and these truths we are preaching, will one day reap the harvest that is to come, of lost souls clinging to Christ. We believe in feeding them spiritually, physically, and doing our best to assist them in the practical needs of day to day life. (employment contacts, transportation, etc.) We hope to one day be used of God full-time in this ministry as a shelter/church/employment and training center.
So far I can say it has been a wild ride.... Amazing things happen when you start following the call of Christ. Volunteers have showed up, sometimes, by the dozen, wondering how they can help and join in on this "journey" with us. Some go back to their churches on fire for God, seeking the call He has on their life. We are so blessed to be a part of what God is doing and getting to meet so many incredible people. To God be the glory!
It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We're the Messiah's misfits. You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we're mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don't have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. When they call us names, we say, "God bless you." When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them. We're treated like garbage, potato peelings from the culture's kitchen. And it's not getting any better.
This "organization", that's such a bad word to us, we'll call it a group, quite possibly a church of misfits, was birthed somewhere back around May of 2007. Before that, we, Randy, Jon, and Steve, met at a St. Louis homeless shelter where we all felt led by the Spirit of God to reach out to the homeless. After going separate avenues in ministry to the homeless, Randy and Jon joined together after God put it on both our hearts to not only be feeding them physically and spiritually through brief encounters, but to disciple a group of people whom the Lord would bring our way. About a year later Steve was led by God to join us in this ministry.
We began by having a cookout on Thursday evenings at an abandoned building that we frequented accompanied by a bible study with a few friends we had met there. It has now transformed into a brief interactive message to them, along with food and clothing items being handed out with many new faces whom the Lord has brought our way. We are meeting many new friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord who, very likely would not be attending church. It is our heart to bring church to them.
We don't really fit into the box that Christianity has become. We don't look and speak like most of those in our local congregations. We believe that our Lord is using that to gain their trust and friendship allowing us to speak into them the love, forgiveness, and healing of our Savior. We have seen some realize and apply these truths and some that come only for entertainment or food. Either way, we believe that the seeds we are sowing and these truths we are preaching, will one day reap the harvest that is to come, of lost souls clinging to Christ. We believe in feeding them spiritually, physically, and doing our best to assist them in the practical needs of day to day life. (employment contacts, transportation, etc.) We hope to one day be used of God full-time in this ministry as a shelter/church/employment and training center.
So far I can say it has been a wild ride.... Amazing things happen when you start following the call of Christ. Volunteers have showed up, sometimes, by the dozen, wondering how they can help and join in on this "journey" with us. Some go back to their churches on fire for God, seeking the call He has on their life. We are so blessed to be a part of what God is doing and getting to meet so many incredible people. To God be the glory!
Content copyright . Jonathan Schultz. All rights reserved.
