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Home
> Program Index > Van
Street Ministry
Our time on the
corner as well as time spent walking the streets is the
opportunity we need to build relationships of mutual trust
with women and men who are addicts, as well as with children
living in dysfunctional and abusive, neglectful families.
Unless a person is in extraordinary emotional or physical pain
they are not likely to open up and ask for help from a
stranger. Our philosophy is to be most gentle, to avoid any
semblance of "pushing" God or religion on the
people, and to simply listen and offer non-judgmental
friendship.
We offer simple, nourishing, food and drink to help with the
physical hungers and thirsts. When we feel we can do so,
without causing the person to flee or to stay away from us,
we speak to them of help we can offer for them to move off
their addictions, off the streets, and into a safe, healthy,
lifestyle.
Our "van runs" ministry is one of hospitality and
invitation. We are not out there to "save" or
"disciple" people. We believe that in time, we can
gently lead even the most hostile nonbeliever to Christ
Jesus, but not before the right time. Too often we encounter
hostility and lack of trust from people who have been harmed
by overzealous and misguided evangelists with a message of
guilt or easy salvation that is toxic to true conversion of
life and commitment to Christianity.
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