Love God. Love People.

I just went this last weekend to a place called the Stockbridge Boiler Room, an inner city mission organization dedicated to spreading the love and compassion of God to the homeless, the addicted, the lost, the depressed, to anyone searching.

It was the most others-oriented environment I have ever seen...

These people live in old houses in the the middle of certain cities (Grand Rapids being the one I visited). They chose to LIVE in their own passions. The house I visited is open to the public. They bring in homeless people and give them a place to stay, a warm meal, a blanket. They help them detox and get into rehab...

But its not all just about being "nice" and "inviting"...

It is Christ centered. They do all those wonderful, humble things under the name of God. And what was most intriguing to me is that not one of those individuals living in the boiler room had a personal agenda. There wasn't a single person there with intentions of extending their list of personal conversions. No one trying to SCARE Jesus into people. They aren't shoving the Bible or standing on the street corners with angry signs.

All they do is care..
They listen to people.
They pray with people.
They are real...

I was only there for a day but I watched as a homeless man experienced church for the first time in years. He went his third or fourth day without alcohol. He wore a smile and a clean shaved face. I don't know him, but I could see just by watching him that he felt like a part of something. Those at the Stockbridge Boiler Room treated him as though he had ALWAYS been a part of something. A part of their family. Can you imagine what life would be like if everyone made an effort to make others feel as though they have unconditional worth?

This house is a house of prayer. They have a room dedicated to prayer and every night prayers and songs are lifted up. It's hard not to be skeptical at first, but regardless of the question God is all over that place.

Money, supplies, support, and people just "happen" to become available to the Boiler Room. Why? I think it's because every single one of those people are being real. They are following the two greatest commandments without question..

Love God. Love People

www.stockbridgeboilerroom.org