Answering the Call
“I am so thankful for this church and Congregations for the Homeless.” A comment from one of the men I had breakfast with at 1st Congregational church in Bellevue, WA Thanksgiving morning. A whole crew of the youth and some adults from the church had prepared a great breakfast and then sat around and shared with some of the 30 men who make this “home” in November.
I talked with 5 men over the course of a couple of hours. Cameroon,Georgia, and the Eastside were their homes as they grew up. When hearing that I work with homeless men, I often get the response, “There are no homeless men on the Eastside! Surrounded by wealth, Microsoft, Costco and multitude of well know businesses and people, most do not know that over 200 homeless men live in their cars, the woods or behind dumpsters.
How about a couple of stats from Congregations for the Homeless (CFH) ofBellevue: 12 churches house 35 men nightly in their facility (each church is assigned a month); 120 men will be served in 2012; 1000 volunteers from churches provided a hot evening meal each night of the year; 60 men have graduated to CFH housing. In another outreach, last year 250 different men were served in the Eastside (that’s right) Early Winter shelter, managed by CFH.
Roger (not his real name), is 46, divorced, in alcohol recovery and was laid off from his job last year. Roger is discovering a new life. He joined our bible study, asked a lot of questions, and experienced a new relationship with Christ. “I have realized that there is an answer to my anger and hopeless condition. I am now sharing my understanding with others who are in my situation and the response is so positive.” Roger recently was hired in his industry and has housing through CFH.
My role at Living Perspectives is to introduce God’s love to the men at CFH through bible studies and counsel, and provide the hope that there is productive living within their grasp by experiencing a relationship with Christ. We can make a dent in homelessness.
How about another stat: There are only 2 of us from Living Perspectives focused on meeting the spiritual needs of 200+ men. Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Luke 10:2
I am wondering if there is anyone out there that would join other committed supporters in our Living Perspectives army to volunteer as a spiritual mentor or bible study leader to homeless men inBellevue. I am a phone call away at 206.295.1820 or email [email protected].
Paul Tomlinson, President
