The Wonderful Chaos of Street Ministry
So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’
So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good,
and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Matthew 22:9-10
We arrived to find a parade, a street festival, and a wedding going on at City Hall and the Library… VOX was with us for City Serve…it was chaotic. It was beautiful. It was Biblical.
Last Week’s Update…stay connected!
Logistics
Served: really can’t say… all 100 lunches were gone without seconds
Last week's leaders: Bryan, Jody, Curtis, Malaree, Chino,
Gifts
Last week's: Street Church Hoodies
Next week's: Hygiene
Looking Ahead
Check the signup for the next few weeks out to see where you can help https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040849a5ac2aa6f58-street#/
excited to welcome the youth from South United Methodist Church next week!
Miscellaneous
don’t forget to sign up for lunches and helping load up!
We will be hosting youth from the Hartford Project June 24-27th downtown during the day. If you have time to join us please let me know!
Service
It was a bit chaotic, as we had to pause twice as a Hartford Youth drum chore passed us on the sidewalk leading a celebration for the Hartford Libraries. Instead of resisting, I simply called the crowd over to watch and cheer the kids on.
Vox was with us for their “City Serve” day when they flood the city where they are planted to bless them…
“also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper”
Jeremiah 29:1
They provided all the food and packed it at their offices and then showed up with a huge team. We are thankful for these church partners who send a dedicated team to come worship and serve with us each and every week.
Eric was visiting us from VA and is doing well and sends his love to all. His voice was gone so he could not sing and praise the roof off the church like he always does…even though we have no roof!
I preached on living fully for God and after the sermon a woman approached me confessing she had been worshipping “mother earth” and using “good spells” but wanted forgiveness and asked how to make amends and get back with God.
I called Ciara over who is with VOX, and explained the conversation, and she gently spoke to her and with tears the woman repented and came to Jesus. I love releasing people into ministry. It is not for the “professional” at all, it is for us all who with hunger and thirst have come to Jesus for healing and life.
At the end of the service I helped a man that was sent to us by the Hartford Police’s liaison to the homeless ( Yes, Officer Jim Barett!) purchase a bus ticket to NJ for training for a new job. Thanks to all those who faithfully give to help him get back on his feet.
..from the Community Churches…
Didn’t get a chance to take the “family selfie” but Laura and I met with the Farmington Station Community Church last week. The woman we first asked to have us come was a bit down because she was the only one there, but folks just kept coming after we prayed…and her spirits lifted. It doesn’t matter where the church meets, folks will always be ten minutes late!
Street Church was asked to come and share at the Torrington Christian Academy to encourage the students with tales from the field. I shared on being a light, the one God made them to be, nobody else’s… and then shared from where the light was carried to Ukraine, the eight nursing homes, and the streets of Hartford. There is an added gift for me as I spent a number of years doing prison with the teacher whom invites me. Her husband passed from cancer last year, so when I taught on taking care of the widow it hit home.
I was able to visit and preach at one of our family churches, New Life Christian Fellowship and it was a blessing as always. I also met with the outreach director from 180 Life Church who was so excited to share they had raised $14,000 for the ministry. We are so grateful for our partner churches!
… and lastly, Jody and I were able to drive to New London to attend the fundraising dinner for Ostroda Camp in Poland where I have worked and visited. The camp has had so much work done and is looking beautiful… but most importantly it will be welcoming, loving, and sharing the Gospel to many youth from Poland and Ukraine this year. Praise God to and for Faith2Faith and camp Regeneration.
The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale
The Community Church at Brookdale
The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield
The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield
The Farmington Station Community Church
The Gables Community Church
The River Ridge Community Church
The West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church
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