Here in South Jersey we live, work, play and worship in an area that can best be described as suburbia. Strip malls, Starbucks, restaurants can hide the fact that homelessness is a problem right in the middle of our affluence. As we have gotten involved in the lives of those who are homeless we have found that some of our stereotypes have been challenged. Certainly there are times when addictions and self-destructive behavior have led a person to being on the street. But there are many other reasons as well…
"A mother loses her job, a father is kept from working by an injury, a family is forced from their home by fire or natural disaster. Healthcare costs soar, public transportation is underfunded, affordable housing is almost impossible to find. These are the reasons why families now make up 40 percent of the homeless population, and why one out of every four homeless people is a child." Taken from IHN website
The mission of MLEFC is to "Love God, Love Others" (Matthew 22:34-40), and that means we are called to care for those who are struggling right here in suburbia. We are currently partnering with a ministry called Interfaith Hospitality Network that provides food and housing to families who are struggling financially and do not have a home. On a regular basis we open our church doors to house and feed 3-4 families for 1 week at a time. I can say that the weeks in which we host for IHN are some of the most satisfying weeks I experience. After preaching through the book of Mark (watching Jesus consistently care for the powerless) over a year ago, this ministry to the homeless has been a great way for the MLEFC community live out their faith. If you would like to know more about this ministry and how you can get involved, call the church office. Or you can check out the link below…
Interfaith Hospitality Network
