Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful year of ministry and I wanted to take a moment to recap and say thank you! Our ministry focuses on Bible Studies, 12 Steps, Mentoring and Resourcing. Let’s cover those.

Life Skills class at the Bridge: For the whole year, we have had over 1,000 men and women attend a class.  We have covered Anger Management, Christmas, Commitments, Community, Decision Making, Disappointment, Ethics, Family, Fear, Forgiveness, Health, Identity, Independence, Influence, Getting a Job, Keeping a Job, Leadership, Life Management, The Rules of Life, Life Change, Marriage, Money Management, Overcoming Difficulties, Personal Dignity, Relationships, Stress, Success, Thanksgiving and more!

Bible Study: This year I met with a group of men at a coffee shop in Deep Ellum on Sunday nights. We studied Exploring the Basics of Biblical Christianity by Neil Curran and then we started a chapter by chapter study through the Gospel of John. Meeting at a coffee shop is a challenge. Each week I have to pick up the men, which means we are limited by the number of seat belts in my car. But the staff at Cafe Brazil has been very welcoming.  The coffee is great and growing together through God’s Word is even better.

12 Step: An amazing victory we get to celebrate with friends is each new day of sobriety. I am always amazed to hear those amazing words “one more day” or “one more week” or “one more month” or even “one more year”. Each small victory adds to the next to create a duration of recovery. This year we have heard hundreds of stories and seen amazing recovery success though the power of God, prayer and community support.

Mentoring: Iron doesn’t sharpen Iron unless it touches it. In order to facilitate personal development, one person must challenge another and hold him (or her)  accountable for the results. This year we have mentored and discipled men and women and seen God work through the lives of many. Some have come to faith, others have grown in their faith, gained sobriety, been married, found employment, entered housing and others have even been reunited with their families.

Resourcing: How do you place a value on a blanket? What if you were living under a bridge in a cardboard home? What about food, or clothes? This year the Lord has blessed us and enabled us to distribute items to thousands of needy people throughout Dallas. We have given blankets, food, clothes, water bottles, personal care items, Bibles, books, shoes, socks, t-shirts, and even toys to children.

This year we have had hundreds of volunteers and we appreciate you. You have made this happen. Without your hands to serve, your prays to God and you financial support, we would not have been able to serve.  Thank you! You may not get to see everyone we serve and hear their gratitude. But if I can pass along their thanks, please know that you are appreciated.

May God bless you this Christmas season and Happy New Year.

Wayne Walker
Missionary to the Homeless and Executive Director OurCalling, Inc.