How can the gospel apply to real-life situations right where you live? How can you use the gifts and talents that God has given you to help those around you? What is one of the ways that you can help make a big place like Parkside feel a little bit smaller? Serving in the Homeless Ministry is a great place to start!
Collecting Coats
Beginning Sunday, January 24th through Sunday, January 31st, the Homeless Ministry will be facilitating the collection of winter coats, socks, and new underwear for the homeless. Your donations will be directly given to men and women in need at both 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter and the City Mission. If you would like to donate any of these items, you can drop them off anytime before, during, or after the Sunday morning and evening services in the lower-level of the Commons.
Meeting Needs
Every year, countless numbers of people find themselves without food, clothing, and shelter due to the difficult circumstances they face. Exhausted and in need, many homeless men and women spend so much of their time worrying about the basics of survival that they can’t find a way out of their own homelessness.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…..whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35-40
For 10 years, Parkside Church has been caring for the homeless at 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter who might otherwise weather a dangerous night alone on the streets of Cleveland. “Whether we’re preparing and serving food for the men at the shelter, leading Bible studies, music, or collecting clothing items, everything we do to serve the homeless is a tangible, bridge-building opportunity for the gospel,” says Dan Krieger, volunteer.
Over the past 10 years, we have served a total of 45,000 meals including the preparation of 11,000 lbs of meat, 3,515 gallons of beverage, and 3,500 lbs chopped onions, just to list a few! Through the little part we play, many homeless men and women are given an opportunity to have their basic needs met, participate in a mentorship relationship, and hear the Gospel message. “Just as Jesus cared for the least, the last and the lost, Parkside’s ministry to the homeless is not just about meeting people’s physical needs, but ultimately about meeting their spiritual needs as well,” says Greg Voss, volunteer.
Making a Big Place a Little Smaller
Being involved in something like Homeless ministry can help make a big place like Parkside feel a little bit smaller as well. “At first, I began serving in the homeless ministry because I wanted to get to know people and be involved in something, but God has done far more than I could ever imagine in deepening my compassion for those in need and giving me meaningful relationships,” says Sandy Mansell, volunteer.
If you would like to know more about Homeless ministry, please contact Josh Griswold at jgriswold@parksidechurch.com or 440.543.1212.
