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I've been a
born-again Christian since 1973. In the beginning years of my newfound
Christianity, my life was changed and full of joy. However, due to lack of
spiritual growth in my walk with the Lord, I soon became a defeated Christian,
leading a non-victorious life.
After years of
walking in captivity and suffering severe depression, migraine headaches, low
self-worth and low self-esteem; I finally got tired. Realizing I could no longer
live the way I was living, I cried out to the Lord as I have never done before.
I COMPLETELY surrendered every part of my life to Him, giving Him permission to
do whatever He wanted, whatever it would take to make me into the person He
wanted.
Once I made that
decision, I knew that I had to really get into the Word of God or
I was going to die. I was already spiritually dying. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people
die for lack of knowledge." That was exactly what was happening to me.
I became
determined to read the Bible every day. I knew I had to. No matter how hard it
was in the beginning, I continued to persevere. Within months, the Lord began
to heal me. He began to pour His love over me--to show me and teach me how great
His love is. Suddenly, that knowledge went from my head to my heart. My heart
became overwhelmed with the depth of His love for me. Then He began to heal my
body. First, the depression, then the migraines. Completely gone!
I fell deeper
and deeper in love with Jesus, and began to spend hours in His presence,
worshipping Him, praying to Him, sitting at His feet, singing to Him, listening
to Him, reading His Word. He began to teach me awesome truths, and revelations
of who He is, and who I am in Him. He began to pour His love over me like a
thick warm blanket.
Soon, He began
to break my heart for others that were hurting. Before I knew it, people were
coming to me and asking me to pray for them! After about two
years, I started volunteering in a nursing home. There I would minister to the
elderly. I would read to them, cut their hair, wipe faces, and help feed them,
visit with them, love on them, and pray with them. This is the place the Lord
used to build me up. To build up my self-confidence, teach me how to pray, to be
bold, walk in faith and trust in Him for all of my needs. It was there that as I
prayed for people, I saw many ask Jesus into their hearts and several within
days of going home to Jesus.
This is was the
training ground for where He has me today...ministering to those on the streets.
Almost 8 years ago I got a call from someone who needed help. After finding out
where they were, I went to pick them up on the streets of the 'skid row' area of
Portland, Oregon. I got lost and ended up in the wrong place--a place where the
poor and homeless lined up for a hot meal. Realizing I was in the wrong place, I
left. But those faces...those eyes...they continued to haunt me for months and I
couldn't escape them. I then realized that the Lord was calling me to GO OUT to
help those in need.
I started
volunteering to help serve meals. Then the Holy Spirit began opening my eyes to
the needs of the people. Many were cold and in need of warmth. So, I purchased a
few items and took them with me the next time I went down. I was swarmed by
those in need. Within minutes, all I had was gone! I stepped out in faith
telling the people that I would be back the next week with what they needed. I
had no idea where I was going to get what they needed! But, I knew that God had
placed me there so I knew that He would provide. I contacted a few friends and
donations started coming in. They have been coming in ever since!
Hence,
The Father's Heart Street Ministry began. It has now become a family-run ministry. Me, along with my
husband, Marty, and our two girls, Breanne and Miranda (Now ages 15 and 17) work
as a team. Committing our lives to the needs of the lonely, hurting and lost.
Choosing to be the walking, living, Gospel of Jesus Christ in action.
Demonstrating the love of the Father--becoming His hands extended in love.
As I have been
obedient to the Lord's calling, He promised that He would continue to provide
from the riches of His storehouse. After almost 9 years, He has been faithful to
His promises!
Today we operate
out of a 6, 210 sq ft. warehouse, where our doors are open to anyone in need, no
matter where they may travel from. The Father’s Heart Street Ministry not only
ministers on the streets to the homeless, we are now open as a drop in center
where the homeless can get something to eat, a warm shower and clean clothing.
A safe place to sit and catch up on the news while drinking a cup of coffee.
TFH also helps low income families by providing emergency food boxes, clothing
and house ware items. Women and children of domestic violence are referred to
us and every child gets a stuffed animal and a book to take home to make their
lives a little easier.
Our amazing God
continues to guide and direct us as we seek Him to reveal to us His “blue print”
for the ministry He birthed in me. We continue to seek Him and to be a
reflection of Him and the love He has for the broken, lost and hurting. There
is nothing more powerful then the love of Jesus, it can and does change the
hardest heart causing it to surrender to this powerful and amazing love.
Changing hearts and lives forever. |
