Book Foreward
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:21-22 (NLT)
Ministry as a calling. Ministry as a career. Ministry as a career looks like flashy slogans and often presents Christ as a commodity, rather than “my Lord and my God”. Christianity is turned into a formula for a comfortable life, rather than the narrow way which leads to the true life and intimacy the Lord desires to have with us.
To “Live Among Them” will require a “calling”. It will require that we love others as we love ourselves… it will require us to love as Christ loves us. That can only be initiated and maintained by Holy Spirit, not a career driven minister.
In 1989 a career family man with no ambitions for ministry, I was called to pastor a church in Galveston County Texas which turned into a transitional homeless shelter for families, again not my plan.
What I found is by treating people as I would want to be treated and not engaging in “us” and “them” – the “ministers” and the “clients”, results were staggering. Over half of those people left with homes and jobs. From my perspective most of them left with Jesus as Lord.
No rules, a covenant. My family and I lived in the parsonage on the same property as our homeless community. Women and children stayed in the Sunday School building and men stayed in the church. Sundays and Wednesdays the make-shift dormitories became classes and a sanctuary then shape shifted back.
That was a homeless shelter. Pastor Mark Disbrow teaches us how to embrace the hurting, meet critical needs, lead the lost to Christ and comfort the community of God by being like Jesus.
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
If we are to fill the nets of the end time harvest it will be because we have woven the net with the kindness of God. We can only do this if we Live Among Them.
This book will challenge you on every level to truly become Christ-like. It will change your life, your family, and your ministry.
