Anonymous – Please pray for me.

Andres – Please pray for me to know the will of God.

Mary Lewis – My son is going to college, pray for him.  Please pray for strength to go on.

Owen – Pray for housing next month.

Monica – Please pray for the courage to speak.  God, please forgive me for I have sinned.  Please pray for my family.

Anonymous – Pray that I learn how to be obedient and how to surrender.

Jeff – Pray for our housing that we were told is coming in 4 weeks.  Pray that my’s parents can stay in their house.

Darrell – Pray for a job, friendships, anger management, hope, love for God and others, and my friends.

Lowell – Pray that my high blood pressure will go down.  Pray for peace within myself.

Rosemary – Pray for “Cowboy” to get his disability.

Gregg – Pray for my brother and his cancer to stay gone.  Pray for my nephew’s failing kidney to heal.  Pray for my SSI to start asap. I am sad for the loss of my brother.  He was stabbed in the neck with a pen in prison and died instantly.

The Ledbetters – I would like prayer for my husband and me as we get ready to move to TN.  I would also like you to pray for our children.  Let them know that no matter what, we do love them and miss them very much.  Pray that we stay strong in the Lord and in our new marriage.

Our calling is to glorify God by leading homeless people to Christ and stabilizing broken lives as they begin God-honoring lifestyles. So, why do we take blankets and food under bridges? Sometimes the noise of a growling stomach or teeth chattering with cold make the gospel difficult to hear.

We use blankets and food to help meet physical needs. Those are felt needs, as the pain of hunger robs your attention. In order to get an opportunity to tell someone about God’s love, we must show them what it looks like. Sometimes it’s a warm handshake or a warm blanket. Other days it may include helping someone find a job or providing the basics for a newly acquired apartment.

This morning a man called me that has been moved out of a shelter and into his own subsidized apartment. It is a blessing to move off of the concrete and into a carpeted space! But how well does this meet his needs? In reality, he moved into the space with his clothes and a single blanket. He has no soap or towels, dishes or cookware nor does he have any furniture or food. He has traded sleeping on the sidewalk to sleeping on carpet.  He can control the temperature, but he cannot shower, shave or eat.

One of the privileges we have is to help meet those needs. Often, we connect the dots between those who have and those who need. We may take donated items and redirect them to someone with a need, or maybe we might purchase slightly used items from a thrift store to stock an apartment.

Jesus was not in the food business, yet he was recorded to have fed many. Why? Was it because he wanted to impress people  with his his culinary talents? Maybe it was because in the process of leading people to the Father, their physical needs had to be addressed. Maybe he recognized that there is a connection between addressing felt needs, in order to address real needs.

Please pray that God will continue to provide opportunities to meet the needs of the community. If we can spend a couple of hours stocking a man’s apartment – do you really think I’m going to spend the whole time discussing furniture?

^Eph6:19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

• Do I need to bring anything? We can always use new tshirts. Bring a package (or more) in your size (or larger).
• What if it rains? If it rains, you might get wet. Dress accordingly.
• Can my friends come? Yes. Invite your friends and your family. We need hands to serve!
• Can my kids come? Yes. You should always keep your kids close in every public setting. Bring your kids, watch your kids and serve with your kids!
• What if I can’t make it? Check our volunteer schedule for the next opportunity to serve.

Donald – Pray for me and my loved ones.  Pray for me and my girlfriend.  We are going to PA to live with my mom, who is not well.

Venessa – I hope you can pray for me and my husband-to-be.  We are moving to PA to be with his mom.  Pray for my family.  Pray for my health.  Pray that I can get $4 for my prescription refill.

Anthony – I need help with learning to forgive.

Anonymous – Pray that I can stay clean longer than a week.

Anonymous – Please pray that I can see my wife.  We are in our 80’s.  We’ve been apart since 2005 because her son (by a previous marriage) doesn’t want to take care of 2 old people.  We were married in London, 1975.  I just want to see her.

Eugene – I pray that I will get my life back and that God will bless me to get a good job so that I can take care of my wife and kids.  Please pray for me.

Lowell – Help me to stop hating my mother and God.  They both have taken everything but my life from me.  I wish they might just have taken my life.  I’m dying and I know it.  Jesus, I’ve walked with you so long, but I have stumbled.  Help and guide me out of this hell I’ve put myself into.  Forgive me.  Peace.  Pray for strength, righteousness, faith, and hope for His will.

Anonymous – I say a prayer for my daughter.  I forgot to send her a Valentine’s Day card.  Pray for my ex.  I feel like he is nice, then something else can happen.  When does it stop?  I don’t like being here, but I feel like God put me here for a reason.  When does God check in with you?  How do you know He is there?  I feel like He is here and I don’t know it.

Mary – Thank God for this day.  Pray that I can see my mom again.  Pray that I can stay clean and on the right path.  Pray that I can stay in touch with my girls.  I pray that God will forgive me.

James – Pray for an apartment.

Anonymous – Please pray for my roommate and I to have peace.

David – Pray for my mother to find peace of mind before she goes home.

Jeff and Angel – Pray for housing for us.

Monica – Pray for me to stay clean.  Pray that Lupe and Linda will grow to love me as much as I love them.  They always will be my mom and sister.  Pray that they will have a happy and fulfilled life.

Anonymous – Pray for the people in this world.

Darrell – Pray for me and my friends.

Gregg – Pray for my brother with cancer.  Pray for my nephew and his liver problems.  Pray for my SSI to start soon.

Jackie Lynn – Pray for God to restore me to sanity.  Deliver me from heroin addiction, mental illness, and homelessness.

Anonymous – Please keep me in God’s sight. Please get me back on my feet and take care of my family until I come back.

Anonymous – Pray for Robert Knight and Brian Waldon

Morris – God, keep me out of trouble.  Take care of my family and friends.

Darrell – Please pray for me and my friends.

James – Pray for a ride to move my items I have here (at The Bridge) to my apartment.  Pray that I will be able to get a car or truck.

Lowell – Pray for me.  I struggle with hate for, distrust for, and betrayal by my mother.  Pray that I will forgive her.

Oscar and Leigh – Pray for employment for us.  Pray our housing will come through.  Pray that SSI will be approved quickly.

Vicki – Pray for my aunt (my only living relative).  Her name is Veranell Vaughn.  She has Lymphoma.  Pray for my best friend, Stuart.  He’s in the hospital in Fort Worth with stage-4 Hepatitis C.

Venessa – Please pray for me.  Please pray for my family.  Pray for all the staff at The Bridge.

Mary – Please keep us all safe.  Pray that my SSI will come soon.  Thank you, Lord, for putting my girls back in my life.  Help me to get well.

Anonymous – Pray for my mom.  She is not in good health, so I need to get back home to be with her.

Gregg – Pray for my brother with cancer.  Pray for my nephew with liver problems.  Pray for my SSI to start soon.

Anonymous – Pray for my marriage to be grounded in God’s Word.  Pray that my husband will find a good job.  Pray for our housing to come through quickly with no complications or delays.

Jennifer – I would like to pray for my sister.  She has a job interview tomorrow and I want to pray that she will get that job.  I also want to pray that the love of my life will have the faith in God to bring us closer to each other.

Anonymous – For my mom to come to her senses to release my inheritance for me to live and to help my daughter to go to college.  Amen.

Shane – I would like prayer for my fiance and myself.  We are getting married 6/1/10.  I would like prayer that our marriage will be strong as we are both Christians and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I would also like prayer for my son.  There are legal issues keeping me from seeing him.

Lori – Pray for me.  Pray for my family.

Vicki – Pray for my health to improve.  Pray for my aunt (my only living relative).  She found out she has lymphoma (she is 83).

Rickey – Pray for my health to improve.  Pray for my mom and dad.

William – Pray that my anger will be taken away – I get frustrated when people talk over another person who is speaking.  Pray for Eileen and her family and especially her kids.  Pray for my relationship with God to grow.  Pray for my relationship with Eileen to grow.  Pray for wisdom, housing, job, for my friends, and especially The Bridge.

Julio – Pray that God leads me to a job that will fit my schedule and have positive friends or meet a lady that the Lord could bless me with.  Pray that I will continue my education.  Pray that God will restore my family relationships so we can be reunited.

Gregg – Pray for my brother who has cancer.  Pray that my SSI will start soon.  Pray for my friend, Shane, to be happy.  Pray for Jeremy and his wife to stay together.

Anonymous – First I want to give God all the glory and thanks.  My prayer is for my little girl, Jada, she’s 2.  I also want another prayer.  I need to find a job quickly.  Pray that I do well in college.  Thanks for coming down on Friday nights.

Bernard – I need a way to work and I need to know how to get to the Lord’s heart.

Jeremiah – Pray that my wife and I will grow closer to the Lord.  Pray that my foul mouth will stop.  Pray that I will find  ajob when I get my ID so I can support my wife and kids.  Pray that God will bless my wife.

Jesse – I would like you to pray for me so that I can keep going.  Help me, please.  Please pray for Vanessa, too.

Karl – I would like to pray for family and friends.  Pray that I can get a better job and when I go to court things work out.  Plray that I can find a place to live.  Pray that things get better for people who need it.

Darrell – pray for my friends.  Pray for The Bridge.

Deah – Pray for healing, safety, and financial blessings.  Pray for my family and friends.

Bryan – Please pray for my patience and continued diligence in our efforts at The Bridge.  I’m almost into an apartment.  Pray for the nation of Haiti and all our troops at home and abroad.

Vanessa – Please pray for me.  Pray for my family and friends.  Please pray for Donald.  He took me back a few days ago.  I love him very much.  Pray for both of us that we stay together.

Donald – Please pray for me, Vanessa, Rosemary, my Mom, and my friend Ronnie.

Walter – I need pray for food stamps and my glasses to see.  Pray for my hearing to come back.  Thank you.

Gregory – I need help staying clean.  Pray for my health.

Over the past year, we have been blessed by the commitment of donors who have partnered with us. This “calling” to serve the homeless has become the calling of many! The men and women whom we serve (over 3,500 last year) deserve this full-time commitment and I am so excited!

This is truly a gift from God and I am reminded of the words of Jesus in John 15, “apart from Me you can do nothing.”
This is truly a blessing from God Himself and we give Him all of the glory.

We are still seeking new partners who will join us in annual commitments to meet our total ministry budget. The classes that we host and the resources that we distribute require the support and dedication of many. Does your church have a missions department that would want to partner with us?

Praise God!We have raised the first phase of our annual commitments and I will begin serving as a full-time missionary on the streets of Dallas within the next few weeks!
Over the past year, we have been blessed by the commitment of donors who have partnered with us. This “calling” to serve the homeless has become the calling of many! The men and women whom we serve (over 3,500 last year) deserve this full-time commitment and I am so excited!This is truly a gift from God and I am reminded of the words of Jesus in John 15, “apart from me you can do nothing.” This is truly a blessing from God Himself and we give Him all of the glory. We are still seeking new partners who will join us in annual commitments to meet our total ministry budget. The classes that we host and the resources that we distribute require the support and dedication of many. Does your church have a missions department that would want to partner with us?

Reuben – Pray that all I hope to strive for, if it God’s will, will succeed.  Pray that I will have a better relationship with my mother.

Victor – I need more work and a place to live.  I need wisdom to face the problems ahead.

Anonymous – Pray for Haiti – pray for the injured, the doctors, the families that have lost their loved ones.

Latochya – My prayer request is for my health problems and financial problems to get better; pray for myself, my kids, and the rest of my family.

Timothy – I pray that God will bless me with a good, faithful, Godly woman that will make my life complete because I already have a Christ-like lifestyle.

Anonymous – I need you to pray that I get off drugs, I’m so tired of doing it.  So will you please pray for me?  Thank you.

Robert – Pray that I am strengthened to do God’s will and stay clean from drugs and alcohol.

Mary – Pray God gets me back on the right path.  Pray I get my housing back.  Pray that the Lord will give me patience.  I thank God for bringing my girls back into my life and giving me a second chance.

Venessa – Please pray for me.  Pray for my health, my life, and my family in Mississippi.

Kary – Pray that I can repent and turn my life around.  Thank you a lot.

Deborah – Pray that my husband and I will get our lives right and that he and I will leave crack alone for good.

Jennifer – Pray for my mom.  She is still sick.  I also want to pray for myself to get closer to God.

Janet – Please pray for me that I receive housing soon and get another job.

Anonymous – Pray that my medication will stabilize.  I’m not feeling well.  Pray SS comes through quickly.  Pray for sunshine for my wedding on Feb 6th.

Jeanne – Pray for a warm coat and blanket – mine were stolen.  Pray for my health and my safety.  Pray for my relationship with my daughter.  Pray that Gary and I do the right things.  Pray for my friends.

Gary – I need prayer that the classes and training that I am attending will lead to a full time job.

Walter – Pray for the people in Haiti.  Pray for my recovery from alcoholism.

Richey – Pray for me and my girlfriend and all our close friends and family. Thank you.

Ted – Pray for strong recovery in my addiction.  That I fully get strength to change my mind, body, and soul from my old lifestyle.  That I may be responsible for positive action, so I can take care and be a father to my child.  Please pray for my health.  Pray financial aid will go through so I can go to school to be a social worker.

Gary – pray for a stronger relationship with Christ – an unwavering relationship.  Pray for the removal of my mental disorder.  Cancel out homosexuality from my life-all thoughts and lusts of the flesh.  Pray for a mate.  I would like a wife and kids because I know God is able.  Pray for employment.  Pray for stability and not be double-minded.

Walter – Pray for the renewal of my eyesight.  Please help me straighten my mind out.  Please help the friends around me.

Anonymous – Dear God, I wish God would let people be with who they want to be with and take care of their loved ones and be happy.  I’m stepping out on a limb and taking the right steps is hard.  Thank you.

Victor – Pray for me to live right daily.  Pray for my family and others.

Leigh – Pray for steady full-time employment for my husband.  Pray for God’s will in my life and marriage.

Darrell – Pray for me and my friends.  Thank you, God!

Jeff – Pray for my Mom and Dad, my sister and nephew.  Also pray God will use me and my wife to minister to all those God sends us to.  Pray also that God will supply housing for us together.  Please continue to pray for OurCalling.

Jeanne – Pray for strength.  Pray that I will be able to go to church.  Pray for my safety and that I can get a job.

Jeffrey – Pray for health, job, nd more of the Spirit of God.  Pray for my family.

Shelly – Please pray for my fiance and me to find jobs.  Also, for us to be able to get a car.  Pray for our relationship with each other, and mostly with God, to be stronger.

Anthony – I would like for you all to pray for me.  I want to stop doing drugs.  Pray that I can get a warm coat, shoes, and a backpack.

Benjamin – I want everyone who is reading this to be very blessed.  Please know that I for one pray for those blessings upon you all everyday and night!  I wish for and am grateful for continued improvement with my epilepsy.  I wish for a strong and healthy daughter.

James – Pray for a construction job.

Anonymous – Pray that God gives me the ability to subcontract my company with a construction company.

Gregg – Please keep praying about my brother who has cancer and is in jail.  Pray that my SSI will start soon.  Pray for my relationships.

Shane – I would like prayer for myself that I may get a job and be gainfully employed.  I also would like to have prayer that my fiance, Rosemary, and I would get back together because I love her.  I feel empty without her.  Thank you.

Venessa – Pray for my friends and family.

Jesse – Please pray for me to get a job.

Click the pic to see the detail. Try to count the number of people serving people.

We distributed bags with socks, t-shirts, snacks, combs, vitamins, water bottles, and gospel tracts. We had bins of various clothes that included pants, sweaters, shirts and other items. We also gave out cases of Bibles in both English and Spanish.

Will you pray for a stranger?

Every day thousands of homeless men and women walk the streets of Dallas. Often they are ignored or looked down upon. How would you feel if everyone you looked at quickly looked away as if to avoid eye contact?

Our volunteers were challenged to engage people, look into their eyes and shake their hands. They were not afraid to give a hug and spend time asking someone “How can I pray for you?” We bring these items as a ministry to meet physical needs in order to gain an opportunity to engage their emotional and spiritual needs.

It was a beautiful sight. Groups were talking together, laughing together, praying together and crying together. This is what the Body of Christ is supposed to look like every day.

To our volunteers: Thank you so much for your commitment to give your time to serve people in need. You can never underestimate the power of showing the love of Christ.

To our donors: Thank you so much for your commitment to give your resources to serve people in need. Your gifts were used to provide needed physical resources that become a bridge to the gospel.

Volunteers: 100+
Homeless men and women served: 700+
Eternal Perspective:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:34-40 NLT

We don’t do this to earn anything from Jesus. We do this because this is what He did.

Special thanks to the students at Dallas Theological Seminary and the Disciple Now group from Hampton Road Baptist Church.