Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:17)

    John pulls his coat collar up to shelter his ears from the cold wind as he carefully places the Bibles in front of the liquor store. Next to the Bibles he displays a pile of Tyndale’s, Book of Hope, a collection of key verses intended to explain the gospel message. He notices Carter across the street, panhandling for liquor money. He has shared the gospel with Carter a few times. Before misfortune found him, Carter was a deacon in his neighborhood church. He knew all the facts: that Jesus was God’s son, that He died on the cross, that He rose again, and that He stands at the right hand of God. Carter could even quote scripture. But something snapped inside when Carter was fired from his job of twenty years. This led to a succession of job failures until Carter just gave up on himself. Holding to his misery and hurt, his wife left him. Out of work and money, Varnum Street is now his home. His life consists of waiting until dark, pounding the street begging for money, and ending the night in a drunken state, only to rise the next day and repeat the process. On Wednesday night, he looks for John. He is the only one who reminds him of his worth. John reassures Carter that although he may have given up on himself, God has not. John prays that someday soon Carter will claim that knowledge and start on the path to recovery.

    Darryl is talking to Disco, a Vietnam War veteran. Disco says he started drinking heavily about ten years ago when his mother, father, and son were killed in an automobile accident. He tells Darryl he just can’t seem to get the hurt out. He went into rehab a few years ago but started drinking again as soon as he got out. He looks for John and Darryl. He likes talking about Jesus with them. It reminds him of when he used to go to church. He used to believe in Jesus until that horrible accident. Sometimes, though, John and Darryl get too close to the truth. “I’m upset,” Disco says. “I gots to go.”

    A while later, John spies Jerry. Jerry likes John because he knows John is a foster parent. Jerry was abused by his father and then raised in a succession of foster care homes in Baltimore. Jerry says he’s been on the streets since he was a young boy. He thinks the gospel is really cool and listens. He tells John that he also believes in Islam and that all religions have merit. But he really likes talking to John about Jesus and how Christianity is more than a religion, it’s a relationship.*

    Sometimes, on nights like this, John wonders why he continues his efforts. He knows that at this stage of the fledgling ministry, it is important to build relationships. The process of ministry involves getting to know people as people, not just handing out a bunch of booklets. He doesn’t force the issue, and remembers that Christ died for the drug dealers and alcoholics that comb the streets at night. The reminder renews his love and commitment.

    The Mt. Ranier Ministry was born nearly three years ago. While coming home late from work one night, John noticed a collection of alcoholics and drug addicts convening not far from his house. His first reaction was one of anger over the epidemic of dealers and users walking Varnum Street. He thought of his family and their safety. His human instinct was to gather his neighbors together and start a program to run them all out of town. He envisioned a brigade of concerned citizens taking down license plate numbers and confronting the evil that was taking over his community.

    But the Holy Spirit reached down and pushed his anger aside. He felt God was telling him that was not His plan for these homeless, hurting people. Slowly God softened John’s heart. Each time he drove past the now familiar scene, he asked God to send someone to save these people and to help him to be more compassionate.

    Five months later, John felt as if God were telling him to walk down Varnum Street. John obeyed. As he walked, he felt God showing him a vision for a ministry. God promised to send a helper.

    The next month John was accosted by a mugger not more than 100 yards from his door. The shinny object in his attacker’s hand was definitely a gun. The moonlight revealed a muzzle, handle, and trigger. Maybe it was just a toy gun, but John did not try to test his attacker to find out. His anger swelled again as he reported the incident to the police, but he was also grateful he was not harmed.

John was now certain that God was asking him to be the “someone to share the gospel.” But how?

    God nudged John again, renewing the vision of a ministry. John was now certain that God was asking him to be the “someone to share the gospel.” But how? He could not do this alone. It was too dangerous. He was white and the neighborhood was predominantly Afro-American. He was sure to stand out. The first night he walked on Varnum Street, someone actually asked him if he were a cop. How could he get these people to trust him?

    John drafted a letter to his church leaders explaining his desire to begin a ministry on Varnum Street. There was no response. John was tempted to give up, but he sensed God renew the promise of a helper. A few months later, he was given ten minutes during a morning worship service to explain his ministry ideas. The response was overwhelming. Volunteers began taking turns going out on Varnum Street one night a week with John while others met and prayed.

    John has written letters to the clergy of the local parishes. Although none of the clergy has expressed interest, the local clergy have agreed to allow him to speak at their next meeting. John believes perseverance will result in lives coming to the Lord. He sees the seeds that are being planted. He attests to his own changed heart toward these people. Only God could change his anger and hatred into compassion and love. He sees the hungering after God’s word. Each night the Bibles that he purchased from his own personal money disappear within minutes. He feels the locals are grateful for the acceptance he and the volunteers offer.

    John takes one last look as he and Darryl start the walk back home. He notices an older man hand a teenager cash and an indistinguishable object given in exchange. He says nothing but stares at the two. When they notice John looking at them, they move to another location. John knows it is a drug deal. He feels completely calm, however. He senses God’s protection, for although he has witnessed countless of these transactions, he has never been threatened.

    Back at the house, Darryl and John join in a prayer of commitment for the night’s efforts. They pray that the seeds they have sown will take root. They pray that others will join in the efforts to claim Varnum Street for God.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:6-8)