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Pastor Doug's Ramblings and Ruminations |
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Date: 2009-04-08 10:15:52
Title: Ministry for the Homeless
Last time I gave you some statistics on homeless families. If you wonder what can we do here in Midland, I have an answer for you. It is called the Interdenominational Faith Network. This group has come to Midland looking for a group of Churches to step in and help to form a local network. It would take too long to explain it all here, but let me try to give you a brief description on how it works.
A homeless family would be screened and put in the Network. The ministry focuses on helping families with no criminal record, and drug or alcohol problems. That family would then spend one week at each of the Churches involved. The longest time they can stay in the network is 13 weeks.
A typical day would look something like this. The family is up early to be picked up by transportation provided by the ministry. They go to the Ministry’s training center to shower and get ready for the day. Shortly thereafter, the kids go to school while the parents stay at the center and receive training so they can get back on their feet with work and find a place to stay. As the day wraps up, the family is taken back to the Church around 5:30 where they are fed dinner. After dinner, the kids work on homework while the parents do what they need to do. They turn in early so they can wake up for a quick breakfast and be ready to be picked up around 6:00-6:30am.
The week at the Church will require about 50 people to help. These 50 people all so something that cares for the family: meals, setting up sleeping locations in the Church, spending the night at the Church while the family is there, and other jobs. It is a great way for people to serve those right here in Midland. The focus is on families who want to get back on their feet. It is not a welfare or ‘give away’ ministry.
You might think that there are not a lot of homeless families in Midland. I recently heard that there are about 500 homeless kids in our public school system. One school administrator said that number is probably low. It is happening in our own backyard. Often times these families loose a job or are overwhelmed with financial obligations and end up with no place to go but the street.
Here are a few stats on IFH. They have working ministries in 39 states. Last year 80% of guest families found permanent or transitional housing. In a typical Network, half of the guests are children, most of whom are under six years old. This ministry was founded in 1988 and in 1992 received the President’s Annual Points of Light Award for being one of the top twenty volunteer agencies in the country.
We plan to get you more info through your Sunday Morning Bible Study groups. Please pray about this. I think it is something that could have a big impact on our community for the cause of Christ. If you have an interest in this ministry, there is a meeting coming up April. The meeting will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church (the one right behind us). Call the office for the exact time and date.
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