Field Trip

We always have a staff meeting on Wednesday afternoons at the church. These meetings include all the pastors, interns, woman counselor and myself. Usually they're intended for touching base, prayer, all of us getting on the same page, etc. But occasionally Pastor plans a field trip. Yesterday we all got into a church van and traveled to Camden. There's a ministry there that has been operating for a number of years ministering to ex-convicts and prostitutes. What a ministry! We were very excited to see firsthand what is happening in that city.

I confess I was not too comfortable being there. It's depressing to drive by all the boarded up homes and observe guys dealing drugs.

But there's hope in the hopelessness of that situation. Lives are being changed, people are being ministered to.

My Father's Hands and South Jersey Aftercare are currently being run by Bill who was a powerful big-wig attorney before he got involved in drugs, then mishandled funds in a trust in order to support his habit. He was caught, stripped of his license to practice law and served a 15 month jail term. God used that experience in his life to bring him to Himself. Then God also gave him a desire to serve others who were caught in the web of sin.

Bill's wife is with him in this ministry and recently began working with the prostitutes that walk the streets. She boldly walks up to them, begins a conversation with them and prays for them.

Bill was so encouraged by our being with him and caring about his ministry, but I think we were the ones who were blessed. God is at work - nothing is too hard for Him.