Out on a Limb - Street Church Ministries Update

“My heroes had the heart to loose their lives out on the limb, and all I remember is thinkin' is I wanna be like them”.

This is a line from the song “Crazy”, by Gnarls Barkley, sung by Cee Lo Green. This line in the song always stood out to me and resonated in my mind. Most of my heroes in the Bible had two things in common, they shared a willingness to “loose their life out on the limb” considering others as more important than themselves. The second thing they had in common was the fact that it did not end well for them in this world. John the Baptist and Paul, more than any other biblical figures, are my two main inspirations. They attacked this crooked world with the light of Christ, both abandoning themselves for the greater cause of the gospel of grace. With this same kind of spirit and attitude, Street Church Ministries plans to move forward and hold out the life of Christ within the dark streets of our city block. With racial tension increasing, drug use running ramped and shootings on the rise, it is not time to shrink but rather go on the offensive with the Light of Christ! To this aim we seek to minister to those within our sphere of influence, one person at a time.

As a result of your partnership, our ministry continues to be able to provide many basic services for those God brings into our lives. We have been able to provide food support for several very poor individuals as well as families within Trenton. Thanks to your support we held a back to school outreach at the end of August, providing book bags and school supplies for children within our area. From time to time we get requests to help people purchase medicine due to poor health insurance or lack of money, we are always glad to meet this need.

A woman who is relatively new to our fellowship, Lorraine, currently lives with her sister on Monmouth Street in Trenton. This is one of the most dangerous blocks in the City in terms of gang related shootings. Just the other day, her neighbor came home from work and was sitting on the front porch for some air. Her neighbor was hit with a stray bullet and died. Things are not pretty out there. Thankfully, Lorraine will soon be moving into her first apartment in a long time. We will be able to help furnish Lorraine’s apartment when she moves since there are no furniture voucher programs going on at this time.

God is bringing new people into our ministry despite the ongoing restrictions imposed by our political leaders. The Lord continues to draw people to himself regardless of constrictions on our freedoms .

Brandon was led by a friend to our ministry at Church on the Block and he is tapping into a new life in Christ for himself. It’s a privilege to watch this unfold as it is happening. Your prayers and support go a long way in making this a reality.

We continue to partner with “The Good News Home For Women”. This is a faith based long term residential recovery center for women. In the future, aside from financial support, we hope to serve there in some capacity.

We also continue to partner with Teen Challenge of New Jersey, a Christ centered recovery place for men. Aside from referring and sending men there, we also go to the New Jersey location to conduct chapel services for the men. Just the other day I was walking the streets and met a man who is interested in going, his name is Oliver. Pray that he would soon leave Trenton behind and find the courage to head to Teen Challenge.

Street Church Ministries is planning three more outreaches for the calendar year. We will have one in October, November and December. The outreaches will consist of food, clothing, coats, books, Bibles, toys and games. We can’t tell you enough how much your partnership and friendship means to us. Please continue to pray over our ministry, that it might be and become all that the Lord wants it to be.

A Message from Pastor Tony