The Monday Night Meal Ministry began during COVID as “M25:35” (based on Matthew 25:33), a drive-through meal pickup for anyone wanting a meal. From there it developed into an outreach to the homeless in Longview who were living at the old tent city, then Hope Village, and then in May of 2023 to serving a meal here at the church. We reach out in compassion to people who need God’s love.
Over the past several years, we’ve made many friends in this particular community. Some are not homeless but struggling to keep from becoming homeless. While our main “activity” is serving a hot, nutritious meal, we are always ready for “spiritual interactions”. Some nights it’s purely friendship and others we have a chance to pray with someone over a deeply felt need. Our desire is to “turn their eyes upon Jesus” in the midst of their struggles.
Ministry coordinator, Dan Durben, shares this story: “S” was in Hope Village when we met her. She became homeless again after getting kicked out. She struggled with drug addiction. Honestly, I almost never saw her “clean”, always spaced out. But she began to let me pray with her, then made the decision to fight to get her life back, and entered a local residential program. I saw her less often but always in better condition. One day I said I was praying for her to stick with it and get a new life again. Her reply touched me deeply. “Dan, it’s only your prayers that have kept me there and kept me clean.” That’s what makes it all worthwhile.
For more information how you can make a difference in someone’s life email or text to Dan Durben, dan.durben@swissmail.org 215-527-8229.