You can read Pt. 1 in this series here. There’s really no way around it — ministry to the poor is heart-wrenching. My friend Mike Spencer was making strides. He had repented of his sins and decided to follow Jesus with his whole life. But Mike was still homeless and had no clear path to … Continue reading Mike Spencer — Pt. 2
Love
Close Enough to Touch
Jesus’ first teaching was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” I picture Jesus spending the first thirty years of his life deciding what he would say first, and this was it. I grew up thinking this phrase meant, “Be sorry, because God is coming to get you — and soon!” It scared … Continue reading Close Enough to Touch
First Love
I know a pastor who took his wife on a date to the movies. The movie was a thoughtful comedy with a PG-13 rating. After the movie, while standing in line for the restroom, the pastor reflected on the film. He realized his 12-year-old son would love the movie. He also realized the movie had … Continue reading First Love
Marriage on Mission
With his left hand, Steve smoked a cigarette. His right hand had been stabbed through — one of seven fresh knife wounds. A fellow homeless man had attacked him that morning. Rachel dialed 911 and held the phone up to his ear. After the call, Steve sat down and took a drink from a cup … Continue reading Marriage on Mission
Good News to the Poor – Usefulness for All
Linda is off the hook crazy. I first met her when my pastor friend Brian responded to a call FROM THE POLICE to assist in a domestic situation. Brian and I drove down an ally to find a woman ranting and raving in front of what looked like a yard sale. It wasn’t a yard … Continue reading Good News to the Poor – Usefulness for All
What’s Wrong With Us?
My friend Jeff is the director of a Louisville area non-profit called Clean Socks Hope. Clean Socks (as we refer to it) began with the simple idea of giving clean socks to homeless people. The organization has now adopted a 10 year plan to invest in New Albany’s Midtown neighborhood. Jeff has office space at the … Continue reading What’s Wrong With Us?
Bearing With
I am to bear with the failings of the weak. Paul, the Apostle, writes, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:1-2, ESV) People are weak. But … Continue reading Bearing With
Worthiness
All people are worthy of my time and attention. Notice this doesn’t say, “I think all people are worthy of my time and attention.” That's because the statement is not an opinion, it’s the truth. It will always be true, even when I completely botch it up and ignore the people that smell funny or … Continue reading Worthiness
Values
My name is Preston and I am a minister to the poor. I get to interact with homeless men and women, children from broken homes, addicts, ex-cons, the poor elderly, and the mentally ill on a daily basis. I love it. My strong, intelligent, talented, absolutely gorgeous wife, Rachel, has walked beside me in this … Continue reading Values
Preston Searcy 