VISIT, SERVE, LOVE
At Greenhouse, one of our core values is community. This means we make long-term commitments to local communities and the people that reside in them. We actively work to interact with and support our neighbors. By doing this, we develop authentic relationships with our community and create an atmosphere of hope. One of the specific ways our ministry team does this is by sending volunteers regularly to the streets of Chester to pray, share, and perform acts of service, such as picking up trash or helping our neighbors.
As important as this work is, I think it’s also important for us to experience another perspective from those who reside outside of our community. That is why a few times a year I like to lead a mission trip to a nearby neighborhood. On Saturday, July 11th, Greenhouse partnered with the Rock Ministry in Kensington to serve their community. Kensington is widely known as a center for the drug trade for the Greater Philadelphia area, as well as one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.
Our mission was to pray, walk, feed, and share Jesus at McPherson Square, which is just a few blocks from the Rock Ministry. To many homeless people and individuals addicted to drugs, this place is home. Our team showed up ready to serve: we handed out 150 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and cleaned up trash. What made this trip extra special was our partnership with Rick’s Plant Health Care, who donated the sandwiches.
Oftentimes, people volunteer with the mindset that they will change someone else’s life. The best thing that happened during this trip was helping some individuals enter into Drug and Alcohol treatment. These missions are designed to help those we are serving and give them hope, as well as help us learn how to better serve our ministry field of Chester.
For me however, this trip was personal. At one point, I was addicted to drugs and living in Kensington. I was on these exact streets: strungout, hopeless, tired, and hungry. Most of my addiction was spent between Chester and Kensington. The people on the streets dream of being set free, being with their family, and living normal lives. Anytime someone shows up and reaches out, it is possible that a life can be changed.
Above all, every place and every person needs Jesus. This is why we continue to serve where we live. The love of Jesus ultimately can transform any person’s life into one that is life-giving. Join us on our journey as we seek to cultivate long-term transformation of individuals, families, and communities in difficult areas. We do this by living a Gospel-centered life, being family focused, and making long term commitments to both individuals and the communities they reside in to create an atmosphere of change.
Our next outreach is August 8th, 2020 and we are back to serving our community in Chester. Urban areas are a vast mission field; just looking at the challenges can leave you feeling helpless. High crime, drug addiction, homlessness, poverty, and hunger can easily overwhelm anyone. This is why your support, prayers, and encouragements are so important to our mission. Thank you for joining us as we visit, serve, and love those in our community.
To give to our mission CLICK HERE. or get involved on our VOLUNTEER PAGE and check out our future EVENTS.