Concrete Gospel

What a great start to an incredible day! A motley crew of guys gathered at the Annex early Thursday morning at 6am to connect with Jesus and then take Him to the streets of our community. We set up shop in a downtown parking lot near the Volunteers of America on Florida St, backed up a truck, and fed breakfast to nearly 60 men and women who call the concrete streets their home. They were in need of more than just a hot meal...they needed a little taste of hope.

I'm constantly amazed and inspired by the volunteer revolution taking place among us. Two guys, Vince and Frank offer their time and resources to make sure this experience happens every single week. Our Cooking for Christ team starts long before the sun comes up preparing eggs and biscuits. A dozen Refuge students give up precious teenage sleep during their summer vacation for the purpose of serving others--Tyler and Jason are doing an amazing job teaching this next generation about the value of serving the poor.

When the truck pulls up and all the red "Serve Team" shirts pour out, the entire neighborhood knows what's up--kinda like when momma used to call all the kids in for dinner. In a unique way, we're beginning to feel like family, sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, as we break bread together. You can see the beauty of Jesus and sense the calling of the Cross everywhere! CiCi needed a pair of shoes (size 7 & 1/2) and after making arrangements for her to pick up her new kicks, we prayed for divine direction over every step she would take. Evelyn had bronchitis from years of smoking and needed healing in her body. Karen was from Shreveport and trying to beat an addiction to cocaine. Joe was dressed in his very best that day and needed favor for a job.

When Jesus returns to this earth, I pray He will find us doing this very thing--helping the oppressed, serving the poor and hurting, being a voice for those without a voice, and loving His favorite people. "When you've done it to the least of these...you've done it unto Me!"