Where Dignity Steps into Transformation

There is a belief if we rethink our decades old systems that’s been proven not to work that people will die from hunger, lack of clothing and material deficiency.

This idea is absolute nonsense. Let me repeat that, the idea of this is nonsense.

We, in some circles, are not well liked or received. Not by those we are trying to minister to, but by our fellow nonprofits, churches and civic groups. It’s okay, it hard to break a pattern of, “We know what’s best for you because you’re poor and we’re not.” Because we think we know what’s best for the poor we’ve convinced ourselves that money and a cheeseburger is going to “fix” everything. It doesn’t, it won’t and it never will.

Let me share the brutal truth about urban missionary work: We can do nothing. The only hope is Jesus, period. Not cash, not burgers, not another handout of stained used crap we didn’t want to begin with and if truth be told would have thrown in the trash had it not been for a misguided understanding of Matthew 25 and the poor.

We are a treat everyone the same – no cast system ministry.

Thankfully for us, Northside Christian Church’s Midtown Ministries has become this incredible partner in the work we do on a daily basis and together we have sort of plowed through the hurdles, mistakes and misunderstandings together.

And, here’s what we’ve discovered:

Handouts don’t work

Handouts creates more problems than it solves. It’s like casting out demons with long leases. Break the lease or they will come back and bring more roommates (Luke 11:24–26). Where the Church is being established among people that perceive themselves as powerless, there is a great need for deep discipleship, wrestling with the roots of poverty at the community level rather than concentrating on the individual.

Cash won’t work either

Financial help that does not develop a sustainable, local, financial self-sufficiency is much more likely to create poverty than it is to meet real needs. Until we realize that we can’t overcome poverty with handouts, we will never be much help in completing Christ’s Great Commission.

As followers of Christ we must fight poverty through discipleship rather than covering it with spiritual frosting. Either we do God’s will God’s way or we aren’t doing His will at all. Discipleship means teaching others what we have learned so they can teach others to care for their community’s physical, economic, emotional and spiritual needs on a sustainable basis! (2 Tim 2:2, Mt 28:19–20) ~Steve Saint

What we do best

For years we’ve been offering our programming to the community we love with one caveat. Our families have skin in the game equal to the benefits they receive.It’s changed our way of thinking and it has truly impacted lives.

“We’re a different kind of charity. We offer hope and dignity, not dependency and shame.”

We partner with under-served neighborhoods beginning with its residents, its churches, nonprofits and businesses and finally local government to provide innovative and holistic development that produces flourishing communities where God’s peace is present.

Stop by Midtown Commons for a tour and a schedule of our daily programming and activities. It will change your life!