By Jennifer Taylor
“His Heart, His Hands” began with six people buying breakfast sandwiches at McDonald”s to distribute to the hungry and homeless of Chandler, Arizona. Today more than 35 volunteers serve hot breakfasts every Sunday morning to 60 homeless men and women from around the city.
One reason for this rapid growth is obedience. Sharon Bouchard, a volunteer leader and a member at Chandler Christian Church, felt God leading her to the ministry.
“Just a short time later, two other people told me they wanted to do something for the homeless,” she says. “I hadn”t mentioned it! God put it on our hearts at the same time, so we agreed to pray about it for one month, then take action.”
The first Sunday morning the team discovered a small park with lots of drug activity. They distributed their six sandwiches and promised to return the following week. Now the group cooks eggs and breakfast burritos, prays with anyone who asks, and offers showers at the church building. Another area church donates much of the food, and a third provides midweek Bible studies and showers.
“We invite them to attend services with us, but it”s not required,” Bouchard says. “We also help people complete the paperwork for benefits and IDs. We”ve been able to help some of them enter rehab.”
But more than any tangible assistance, the group offers relationships.
“Whatever else people need, they need our friendship,” says Bouchard. “Some just stop by to get a hug and have a conversation. We talk and pray with them one-on-one. A Spanish-speaking volunteer helps with translation when necessary.”
The group has baptized several of the homeless men and women and even performed a funeral service for one.
“The food and showers are just tools to build connections,” she says. “The real ministry is being God”s heart, God”s hands, so they will see Christ.”
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