Jesus on the Streets (amidst spiritual warfare) - June 26, 2022

Here’s a report from our team from The Fellowship who served on Sunday.

Sunday was a tough but powerful day on the streets in Brockton. In so many tangible ways we experienced the spiritual battle that rages where the light of Christ is being brought into territory Satan wants to claim. Pastor Roberto’s church is an island of hope where so many of our friends come to find peace and love, even if they don’t have a relationship with Jesus. The hot weather brings out some of the ugliest elements and behaviors, but it also highlights the battle being fought for the lives of those living on the streets. When we arrived we were taken with a sense of landing in enemy occupied territory. A small group of our friends were waiting patiently as we unloaded the van to set up and serve the days meal of chicken pot pie, fruit, snacks, and cold drinks of iced tea or lemonade. We fed almost 100 people and prayed and talked with dozens who just needed to be seen and heard or desperately needed to share a burden.

As people moved through the serving line our team did what the Bible teaches to do, love, love and keep on loving. When Lora arrived the question was asked “how is your day going?” She gave the standard answer, “fine”, we asked again, “how are you doing is everything ok?” She responded with tears stating that she doesn’t know what to do, her apartment is gone she’s on the street and people are so awful, but then she said, "but you are so kind", we let her know right then that God cares for her more than she knows and that our kindness comes from our relationship with Jesus. Lora, asked for two meals, one for her and one for Kenneth. We helped bring the meals to her and Kenneth who was sitting a short walk away. It was then that spiritual warfare broke out, two of our team were encouraging Kenneth with prayer. Kenneth’s life was darker than we could have known and the discussion became challenging and intense. Our friends on the street took notice of how our team was ministering to Kenneth and seemed to take heart.

The contrast between our first and second stop today was like night and day. We ended the day in a joyous gathering with friends that reminded all of us that at the other end of every meal and encounter is a person created in God’s image.

As you think of our friends in Brockton please keep these in mind. Pray for freedom for all the friends trapped in the grip of addiction. Pray for Jonathan who knows scripture but struggles with understanding and accepting God’s grace, and for Andrew who knows the truth but has lost his way. Pray for Kenneth who is caught in spiritual battle and weighed down literally and figuratively by life on the streets. Remember Lori who lost her place to live, and is scared and desperate. For several friends struggling with health issues including Eddie and Laverne – and for work or shelter for Sharon, Bill, Mike & Dawn, and Charles.

Thank you so much for all your love and support!