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A behind the scenes look at...
Homeless In The City: A Call To Service
This book is not based on pie-in-the-sky theories of ministering to the homeless, even though its author, Jeremy Reynalds, earned a Ph.D. at Biola University. Reynalds knows alot about the homeless experience; he was once homeless himself, and this year is celebrating 20 years as the founding director of Joy Junction, one of the Southwest's largest homeless shelters, which is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
While Reynalds supplies lots of practical guidance for those considering starting a homeless ministry, he also shares his heart and recounts the many personal struggles he has endured in order to offer a "hand up instead of a hand out" the homeless in his region.
Here are some scenes from Joy Junction and how they relate to the things you'll be reading about when you purchase Homeless In The City: A Call To Service.
Jeremy Reynalds is a high-energy Christian who uses the media to keep the Joy Junction ministry visible to the people of Albuquerque. In addition to having a regular radio broadcast, he keeps in contact with local newspapers and television stations. Rule number one, he says -- "Always be available to the media." |
Jesus Christ is the center of the Joy Junction homeless ministry. While this old adobe chapel on the grounds testifies to that fact, worship and training sessions are currently held in the facilities multi-purpose building. "We'd like to repair the adobe chapel and use it," says Reynalds, "but when it comes to finances, our first priority is meeting the daily needs of our homeless guests." |
Reynalds covers many aspects of homeless ministry fundraising in his book, Homeless In The City: A Call To Service. There are many people who begin helping Joy Junction by making donations to the Thrift Shoppe, then later give larger amounts for specific needs. "Always show your gratefulness for gifts large and small," says Reynalds. |
Joy Junction reaches homeless families, not just the stereotypical "skid row bum." Corporations are often willing to help in this endeavor, such as this playground equipment donated to Joy Junction of the local franchisee. "Community involvement is important," says Reynalds. "When we help the community, the community wants to help us in return." |
Due to the demand for services at Joy Junction, new homeless people sleep on mattresses on the floor of the multi-purpose building. However, individuals, couples and families can graduate up to rooms or family apartments on the property as they progress through the Joy Junction program which deals with addiction and other issues from a spiritual perspective. "We respect the dignity of our guests as they overcome the issues in their lives," Reynalds says. |
In Homeless In The City: A Call To Service, Reynalds shares very candidly about his own personal struggles with depression, ministry financial woes, marital problems and other stresses that often come with the responsibility of leading a homeless ministry. "You need to take time to talk with guests and not be consumed by your own problems" says Reynalds. "It's about people, and about how Jesus can bring hope to their lives. You can never lose sight of that." |
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