I think one of the unfortunate mischaracterizations about life at a homeless shelter is that it is a dreary way of living, void of the Holy Spirit.
When, in fact, what I’ve learned over the past two months in my short stint as CEO of a faith-based nonprofit that operates a shelter housing more than 120 people every day, is that, just like in any community of gathered people, there is soul-filling, smile-inducing, divinely beautiful life taking place … every … single … day.
Sure, I can’t deny that we struggle with a lot of things that make creating a wholesome living environment difficult. There is plenty of poverty, mental health issues, physical maladies, poverty and generational trauma that make for challenging circumstances.
And all of that takes a toll on the guests who call our shelter home, as well as our team privileged enough to serve them.
But even so … even after all of that … there are so many beautiful life moments that happen every day under our roof … that I am absolutely convinced the Holy Spirit is present and active every day at Micah’s Mission, the name given to our shelter about five years ago.
Every day that I arrive at work, there are dozens of people -- including many families -- who are living safely under our roof thanks to the generosity of our community members who make that possible.
There are hundreds more who receive three meals a day in our Community Center, where anyone is invited to come join us to fill their bellies, regardless of whether they live under our roof or not.
Children are getting supported so they can regularly attend school; those needing medical attention are being healed; those who are trying to find their way out of poverty are receiving assistance; and those fighting addictions are finding a potential new future.
And in my highlight for this past week, I was informed on Friday that there even was a marriage proposal that took place in our Community Center as well!
Friends … the beauty of everyday life is playing out all around us every day at Micah’s Mission, and it has been a distinct privilege these past two months to have a front row seat to witness it.
But let’s be perfectly clear here: It’s not only our guests, and those coming to the shelter for a warm meal, who are part of the everyday divine miracle taking place at our shelter.
I see the Holy Spirit at work in our staff as well: In their dedication amidst very challenging circumstances, running the gamut from our guests’ struggles to the uncertainty in which we work, given that we only have funding to keep our shelter’s doors open a few more months.
What I’ve come to experience is that our shelter is not a place where the Spirit goes to die!
Much to the contrary, our shelter is a place that gives life. It is a place of safety for some, a bed out of the elements for others and a warm meal to so many more. It is healing; it is warmth; it is friendship; and it is a place to find God.
Life at Micah’s Mission is so much more than just life at a homeless shelter.
Every day, the guests and our team here are woven together into a beautiful tapestry of Holy Spirit-inspired life … and in the process becoming a little microcosm of what plays out in the greater world beyond our doors.
Yes, my friends, there are absolutely life-giving events taking place at Micah’s Mission. ... And, yes, there is joy happening here at our shelter. … Every. Single. Day.
I will be forever grateful that God called me to this moment at Churches United. I can feel it changing me every day I get the privilege to report to work.
In just two short months, I have come to recognize that I am fortunate to get to work with such a compassionate and dedicated staff, and also to get to know so many wonderful guests who call Micah’s Mission home.
Thank you to those who have given to make this work possible. And if you haven’t yet given, please consider making a gift so that we can continue to support the life-giving work taking place at Micah’s Mission. Amen.
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