Watch God Transform a Community.

3 and a half years ago, through the crazy imagination of the Holy Spirit, we opened the shower on the church campus to care for and build relationships with our neighbors experiencing homelessness. It was completely out of the blue and out of my box. But I had this burning desire from the Lord to make sure this community knew that their circumstances and choices did not define them. They were beautiful and special, full of dignity, not necessary because they had it all together, but because they were image bearers of the Most High God. They were daughters and sons, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters. All broken in different ways, and desperate for connection, just like me. Their current stories did not define them and I was convinced that God wanted to do something transformative through the simple act of opening a shower that would open up the possibility for relationships.

There are moments when I feel naive and foolish to think that a shower and a conversation can transform a community. Then I visit Laura in her apartment. This same Laura that has come every single week since we first opened the showers in July 2018. The same Laura that police officers and social workers would sigh at with an air of hopelessness when spoken about. This same Laura who has almost gotten jobs since the moment I met her, but has been hindered by the fact that she has no mailing address and was constantly getting her possessions stolen.

I was overwhelmed walking into her new apartment today. It’s not a lot according to the world’s standards, but to her (and me!) it’s the most beautiful apartment she’s ever seen.

The way of Jesus is the way of love and imagination. It transforms people and I’m humbled that we are getting a front row seat to watching it transform a community.

*If you want to join us in watching God transform a community, let me know!!