Dear Friend, Family and Supporter,Greetings in the PRECIOUS name of Jesus Christ!
I am so delighted to give you an update through July 2011. Please, as you examine our fruit, pray for our next direction as we seek God and His Kingdom for more!
1. Speaking Ministry: Vision Statement: To educate society, the judicial system, and the church that not only can people come off drugs, the streets, and out of prison, but they can become what they were created to be by unlocking the greatness of God in them.
a. In 2011, I’ve had the privilege of multiple speaking engagements:
i. Kentucky – Lexington
1. Be Bold Teen Girl Conference
ii. Florida – University of Florida
1. Four Sessions: Sigma Phi Lambda Retreat (75 women)
2. Two Sessions: UF College of Music
3. One Session: UF National Society Black Engineers
iii. Florida – House of Hope Luncheon
1. One Session: Spoke for 270 people including pastors, judges, state’s attorney, wardens, and more from all over tri-county areas.
iv. Florida – Trinity United Methodist
1. Sunday Women’s Ministry
2. Sunday Life Group Coed Ministry
3. Friday Night Service
v. Florida – First Assembly of God
1. Communion: East Campus
2. Microchurches: several groups have asked me to come and speak
3. A6:4 Leading/Speaking/Making Disciples an evening outreach
4. Breakthrough: Multiple sessions
2. Downtown Ministries: There are many churches and groups involved in serving The Downtown Ministries. They are faithfully donating, cooking, and serving at the Plaza every week. We are delighted!
a. Salvations, Services, & Breakthrough:
i. Salvations – 17 salvations
ii. Services – people go to multiple different churches weekly
iii. Breakthrough – we’ve had 7 people attend breakthrough with 4 water baptisms
iv. Countless prayers and encounters at the Plaza
b. Internship:
i. University of Florida has approved our ministry legitimate for a summer intern
1. Brittany Chimento (UF Intern)
ii. First Assembly of God Summer Interns
1. 11 Interns for 6 weeks (Debriefed 1 hour after every outreach)
c. Churches and Groups: We have multiple people coming alongside our efforts from:
i. First Assembly of God – Keystone Heights
ii. Living Hope Family Worship – Florahome
iii. First Assembly of God – Gainesville
iv. The Family Church – Gainesville
v. River Cross Contemporary Baptist Church – Gainesville
vi. River of Life Assembly of God – Gainesville
vii. North Central Baptist Church – Gainesville
viii. Trinity United Methodist – Gainesville
ix. Grace United Methodist – Gainesville
x. Campus Crusade (Three different groups) – University of Florida
xi. BCM (Baptist College Ministries) – University of Florida
xii. Sigma Phi Lambda – University of Florida
xiii. Unite Now – University of Florida
d. Saturdays – a full hot breakfast
i. 40+ volunteers
ii. 90+ homeless to feed
iii. Approximately $175 weekly costs
e. Wednesdays – A full hot dinner.
i. 25+ volunteers
ii. 100+ homeless to feed
iii. Approximately $80 weekly costs
f. Mondays – We have begun to feed a lunch to the plaza and 2 Tent Cities
i. 6 volunteers
ii. 70 lunches: sandwich, chips, cookies, fruit, bottled water
iii. Utilized First Assembly Summer Interns for 6 weeks (making disciples)
iv. Approximately $25 weekly costs (we don’t serve every week)
g. Sundays – Lunch after church
i. We have had up to TWENTY SIX people go to church with us every week
ii. 10 consistently go every week (amongst many that go to other churches)
iii. Approximately $2/person
h. Sporadic Visits – We make visits intermittently to meet needs
i. Pastoral Needs (We’ve had 2 deaths and 4 near death accidents)
ii. I get calls b/c someone is hungry
iii. i.e. blankets, shoes, toilet paper etc…
iv. random donations of food
i. Off the streets – (Nothing happens w/o prayer and belief!)
i. Mr. Ray: Now receiving his veteran benefits
ii. Laurie and Pine: Got jobs and now have an apartment
iii. Lasheka and Terrance: Got an apartment
iv. Katherine: Got an apartment (disability benefits)
v. Ken: Got an apartment (disability benefits)
vi. Joanne and 4 yr old son Josiah: Got an apartment
vii. Roderick: Got job and an apartment
3. House Ministry:
a. Took in a 19 year old for one week – abandoned by family
b. He now lives with a couple in our church fulltime
c. Hosted Breakthrough rows multiple times
4. Holidays: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial, and July 4th:
a. Valentine’s Day: Outreach to Homeless on February 12th
i. Served 200 people from plaza and surrounding communities
ii. Decorated Plaza with tablecloths, centerpieces, festive décor
iii. Had 5 booths with professional photographers
iv. Had over 100 volunteers doing hair, clothing, makeup, and nails
v. Had a live worship band
vi. Had live games and prizes
vii. Served lots of snacks
b. Easter Outreach:
i. Served over 100 people
ii. Games and prizes
iii. $5 McDonald Gift Cards for everyone (100 total)
iv. Decorated with tablecloths, centerpieces, and more
v. Preached our first sermon (The LORD said now is the time)
vi. Ham, Casseroles, Grits, Biscuits, Colored Boiled Eggs
5. Devotionals:
a. We started doing devotionals every Saturday in June, 2011
b. Making Disciples: Training others in their calling to preach the word
6. Homeless Coalition
a. I was nominated and voted on as a Board Member in June to the Alachua County Homeless Coalition
b. Have attended multiple coalition meetings at St. Francis House
c. I have attended multiple City Commissioner’s Meetings to combat ridiculous laws
7. The Joy FM:
a. God has opened the door to a 2 minute update on the homeless ministry every Sunday
8. 2011 Support Request:
a. As you prayerfully consider your ongoing or new financial support, please know it is our honor to be your hands and feet to the homeless community in our church, city, and country.
b. As you continue to offer your prayer support, please pray specifically for wisdom, renewed vision, Jesus to be exalted, and God’s perfect will to be done.
c. Please know that all the fruit and the glory go to Jesus Christ!
d. I am available for a face-to-face to interview if necessary.
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” (1 Samuel 2:8). The LORD is doing miracles, signs and wonders at the plaza! Weekly, multiple prayers are going up and we are seeing fruit of salvations, healings, and transformations! We are humbled to play such a roll there.
I pray blessings for you as you give HERE to His kingdom! May the LORD multiply to you one hundred fold for you generosity!
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Smith
Awesome update! Keep on keeping on my friend!
You are making such an impact! Love you!