the first night of a homeless shelter

1 Peter 4:9  NLT

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

I sit here late at night thinking back over this day that seems too good to be true.  We’ve been working for a few years to open a homeless shelter.  But today it became a reality as a group of people came together to open an emergency winter shelter.

So many groups, churches, government agencies and others made this happen.  It was incredible to watch it all happen.  Early today I was on the phone in conversations that seemed would never end, yet they all came together to make this a reality.  We aren’t serving many people, but we have the ability to serve many.

This is the first step.  And this is why I am excited about the future.  I believe this is only the first step for a year round homeless shelter that will be for men and eventually for families as well.  The amount of people that are talking about this and willing to help is growing by the day. 

I believe that God is about to build something that we are all going to be proud of and will serve people for many years to come.  There are people who aren’t in yet, but they will be.  What is even better is the fact that the more we serve, the more we share and the more we love, the more people will join us, come along side and help to serve people for many years to come.

This is one step of our Dream Center.  A homeless shelter is a great piece of how our church and Dream Center serve the hungry, hurting and homeless in our community.  God has called me, God has called you to serve Him.  But what takes that to a greater place is that others will start serving because we serve.

2 Corinthians 8:14  NLT

Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

Move forward to another level I saw reports from a good friend, Emilio Cervantes, started a new church in California.  Sunday they had over 200 people come to their first service, and there were over 80 people who accepted Jesus.  Because Emilio and his family stepped up many people, if not thousands, will be impacted for the cause of Christ.

What are we willing to do to help others begin to walk with Jesus and to serve others?  Because this homeless shelter began many others will serve and many will be served.  I am excited about the steps ahead.  Join me.  Join others as make a difference demonstrating the love of God to our community and beyond.