"Jim" has wrestled all his adult life with alcohol and drug addictions. He is an extremely bright man who challenges those around him to think. Skepticism has also been a close friend of his. His God-directed challenges have often frustrated those who would minister to him. But deep in the core of his soul he has nurtured a relationship with God.

This past year "Jim" discovered that his liver was shutting down due to hepatitis C and related, addiction-induced maladies. He fought and fought but finally this past month he succumbed. Tomorrow we memorialize our brother. His outlook was colored by the truth he was learning-"Whether I live or die, I win, because Christ lives in me."

Just about a year ago "Jerry" came to our homeless center because he was miserably depressed and suicidal. Several failed suicide attempts took him to his "bottom". He cried out to God in my office and Jesus gave him new life. Building on this new relationship with God, his psychotherapy was energized by the Holy Spirit and he began to make excellent progress. Today "Jerry" is our intake/triage manager. He's the first person a needy man or woman talks with. He's been there. He understands. It works.

Every Sunday we bribe the locals with donuts and coffee and have a big Bible study for street people. Between eighty and a hundred come in and most stay for the discussion. Of course, a Bible discussion with 50 plus people can get raucous…and it does. One of our regulars was overheard describing the Bible study to someone else as the "Jerry Springer Bible study"! But this is one of the few places these men and women hear that their ideas and opinions count for something…that what they think is important.

There are many more stories. And many that I know nothing about because God has chosen to cultivate His kids out of my earshot. But I know that He is faithful and will not let His Word go to waste. Praise the Lord!

Chaplain Ronald Rogers
Workplace Ministry
June 2001