Click HERE To Read Homeless Teens – Part 1.

This particular account is from “Chapter 10: The congregation was more than enthusiastic about answering the rally cry. Within a few days, the boxes started mounting up in the hallway outside the church office. My role from that point on was content control.

As a box came in, I would open it and check that all food items were in fact, non-perishable. Secondly, I would open any envelopes scanning notes and cards for personal information, as well as removing any cash.

All monetary gifts were placed into our youth outreach fund, to be used for another project. This of course, was explained to the congregation before hand, but sometimes our hearts prevent us from hearing and that’s okay.

Lastly, I would make sure the box was packed neatly enough to be closed securely.

By the end of the first week, our quota was half filled. Small groups were hosting box-filling nights, adding even more boxes outside of what their families were providing.

And word had spread.

I started to notice that some of the boxes were being dropped off by people who didn’t attend our church. It turned out that some of our attenders took a few box-lists and handed them to friends, family and coworkers.

I called the Homeless Teen Liaison at the end of the first week to let her know what was happening. She was thrilled!

“But what am I going to do with all the extra boxes?” She exclaimed!

“We might have to cut people off?” I replied.

By the following Sunday, I had an announcement to make.

“Thank you so much for your generosity! Though we’re just under 100 Homeless Teen Boxes, I see that some of you have brought your boxes today. Furthermore, we have heard that there will be a number of boxes arriving within the next few days. Please keep in mind that we still have to transport all these boxes to the schools for distribution by the end of this week.”

All of a sudden, my statement came as a shock to me. I had been so busy with the project that I had really missed the mark on transport. How was going to get all these boxes to the schools?

Thankfully, when God moves people within a project like this; transportation is a minor detail for Him. Wouldn’t you know it, immediately after the service, the owner and employee from the glass shop down the street approached me.

“Need any help transporting those boxes?”

“Do I?” I responded!

“Absolutely! What do you have in mind?”

Soon enough, we arranged for a pick-up that week with their cube-van; more than enough room to transport all the boxes!

The day came.

Their employees and I got every box loaded. The Homeless Teen Liaison had arranged a large storage space at the local middle school. It was central and therefore, beneficial for distribution.

I knew that there would be a few more to arrive in the next couple of days, but I could manage those in my personal vehicle. As school closed that week, all the Liaison’s homeless teens received an incredible gift for Christmas.

Furthermore, the extra boxes were given to a few connected families that she knew were struggling. Because I read every note and card, I know that almost every person received an even greater gift.

Most cards and notes held well worded encouragement and explanation of the Gospel. Much like the boys I mentored, I can’t validate that any of those Homeless Teens accepted Christ.

Nevertheless, we are called to simply care for the needs of others and plant seeds of salvation along the way.

Join the Conversation, Share Your Thoughts:

What was the last ministry project that you were a part of? What role or responsibility did you hold for the project?