What is a hero? The dictionary defines a hero as “a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.” It’s not everyday you meet one, but I did last weekend. His name was Maurice. I met him under the bridge in Indianapolis. Maurice was a successful businessman with a wife and children. God began to tug on his heart, so he stepped out of the business world and moved under the bridge in downtown Indy to minister to the homeless.
My husband and I were privileged this past weekend to serve alongside a church plant in Indianapolis called Soma Church. Long Hollow helps support this church, and they had an initiative last week called Renew Indy. Some of our Long Hollow folks, under the leadership of Eddie Holland went to Indy and served alongside Soma doing projects from landscaping to renovating.
Over the weekend, there were several ministry projects. On Friday evening we went to Wheeler Mission Ministries, a center that houses women and children who are homeless and also has rehab program for women. We played games and had a fun night ministering to these women. Saturday we had a picnic in the park and had opportunities to visit with people and let them know about the presence of Soma church in the neighborhood.
Sunday, we went to help feed the homeless under the bridge and that’s where we met Maurice, a big man with such a gentle spirit and kind heart. Maurice works for Shepherd Ministries and sleeps in a tent under the bridge where he ministers to a community of people. He had a white board that listed everyday of the week and different ministries he has organized to come and serve. Maurice is making a difference in the lives of people and helping them get back on their feet.
I’m so excited about My Judea, because we all have an opportunity to get out of our comfort zone and serve the communities where our satellite campuses are located. There is nothing like serving others that will help you put your faith into practice. You just think you are going to be a blessing to others but I promise, you will walk away being the one who is blessed.
If you’ve never been to one of our satellite campuses, this is the perfect opportunity. I can hardly wait! Find out how you can get involved and sign up here: http://www.longhollow.com/serve/myjudea_about
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
This week as we celebrate our country’s Independence Day, pause to give thanks for the heroes who have served and those who continue to serve in our military so that we might live in a free country.
With a grateful heart,
Julie
PS…Don’t get in a summer slump spiritually! We’ve got opportunities for you to grow. I hope you’ve been participating in the study of Hosea that Megan Pfahl has written and posted on Wednesdays In the Word. She has done an outstanding job taking us through this book!
As Hosea winds down, I’m excited to tell you about an online study that will begin in a few weeks on the blog. We will be working through Margaret Feinburgs study Wonderstruck. Rachel Lovingood will be leading this study and we will have the opportunity to discuss together online. You will be hearing more in the days to come.