If a homeless person showed up on your church property, how do you think you would respond?
Mike Yankoski found out. Mike spent six-months as a homeless person and wrote the book Under the Overpass to share his experience. He met with us at HOPE a few weeks ago and one story in particular stood out.
Mike shared how a church director of a homeless outreach literally ousted him off church premises right before a church breakfast. It was Saturday—which wasn’t “the day” for caring for the homeless.
Mike commented the director of homeless ministry compartmentalized his ministry from his daily life.
I started to wonder how I, too, compartmentalize my faith. I travel to foreign places where we help “serve,” but I wonder if I have eyes to see needs/opportunities for service in our hometown.
I’m inspired by several HOPE staff who not only serve with HOPE internationally, but also find ways of engaging in service in PA. Some of these service opportunities include:
- Help-Portrait. If you’re a photographer, I guarantee you’ll love this concept. A movement started by celebrity photography Jeremy Cowart (he’s also done some amazing work for HOPE), Help-Portrait is encouraging photographers to use their skills and give back to their local communities by enabling them to take portraits of those who don’t have access to a camera or the money for a formal portrait. See http://help-portrait.com/.
- Volunteer at your local homeless shelter. Just look online or go to http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ to locate homeless shelters in your own community. If you’re interested in volunteering and are from Central PA, Water Street Ministries is a great organization.
- Engage in refugee resettlement. Church World Service is helping over 8,000 refugees and immigrants resettle in the U.S. every year. In my region, it is encouraging for me to see Church World Service partner with churches to help the growing Bhutanese and Nepali refugee populations. Many of those working for HOPE currently volunteer and support this ministry.
There are needs all around us. I hope you are able to find the right opportunities to use your talents and skills in service next door and around the world starting this Christmas season but extending throughout the year.
