Thursday, April 14, 2005
Minister Now!
When I first ran read this Scotwise post I was planning on springing off of it and give a mini-sermon about how each of us has a ministry, and we should not wait for our church staff to do something. A sentiment I still hold. You are far better equipped to minister in real ways (not just setting up tables for some church event) to people around you than any professional, simply because you are their friend.
But then I ran across this story. (HT: The Scriptorium, but not the one in the SoCal Alliance)
That is what makes the street ministry that Allthings2all's Catez is involved in so compelling. She recounts her latest foray here.
These stories take me back to Scotwise:
But then I ran across this story. (HT: The Scriptorium, but not the one in the SoCal Alliance)
A woman was arrested for allegedly forcing her 12-year-old daughter into prostitution and trading a 14-year-old daughter for a car.Doesn't that just hit you in the gut like a ton of bricks?
That is what makes the street ministry that Allthings2all's Catez is involved in so compelling. She recounts her latest foray here.
Later, in the heart of the city we stop in a dark side street. We know this street now. It's where a group of child prostitutes congregate and get picked up. There's just two of them there when we arrive. I sit on a low concrete wall and share a drink and some conversation with one, while another woman from our team does the same with her friend. I ask how old she is and she says 24. I can tell she's about 15-16. "I've got a knife for protection", she tells me. She's small, slim, and obviously wouldn't get far against an adult man if she was attacked.Catez did exactly the right thing. She stood there with the girl and put that sad young lady in the presence of the Holy Spirit that resides in Catez.
I ask her why she is prostituting. "For the money", she says. "I like clothes". Across the road on another corner are two young men sitting watching - waiting for us to go so they can muscle the girls money away from them. The girls know they are there and why they are being watched. We talk for a long time. I gain an understanding of why money is so important to this kid who is trying to be sophisticated. "I can only handle one night a week of this", she says. What can I say to a girl whose parents think she is just having fun in the city and don't know she is selling herself on a street corner? What is my answer to a girl who was introduced to prostitution by an older relative - who promised it would be a means of independence and extra money to buy self-esteem? I listen, and she is open to things I have to say.
These stories take me back to Scotwise:
These last days in which we live are perilous, but they are also days of great opportunity! God has given gifts to the body of Christ that they may be used for the extension of His Kingdom. So let?s use them now, that we may see drunks become sober, drug addicts become addicted to Jesus, families that were broken by the enemy ? repaired by God, people from all walks of life ? would know the real meaning of life, children prevented from abuse of all kinds! So what are you waiting for... ?Get On With Your Ministry!?When I read such things the truth of those words rings so loudly. How can we sit at home when there is such pain in the world? Reach out to someone today!
