Reading Scriptures with Homeless
By: Sydney Hart, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 27, 2007
The colder nights have homeless folks seeking shelter.There are over 3,000 homeless people in the metro area and that's why one man spends two mornings a week in the River Market sharing a cup of hot chocolate and donuts with local homeless people.
"Tuesday and Thursday mornings we just started a discipleship program where basically we want the homeless to be engaged in spiritual growth," explains volunteer, Jay Martin.
"We're going through the word. We're studying the word and a lot of these guys may have trouble reading, so rather than having them learn to read and then study the word we've come down here and read that word to them," adds another volunteer, Bart Perrier.
"We seem to grow every week. We usually have 10, 12 guys and girls that come out that are homeless just listen, eat donuts and drink hot chocolate," explains Martin.
"We've run out of hot chocolate. We've run out of donuts, so praise the Lord for that," smiles Perrier.
But mornings in the River Market are more than just a conversation over hot chocolate and donuts for Martin and Perrier...
"It's the one thing I look forward to on Tuesday and Thursday," says Edward Kolbinski about his visits with Martin and Perrier.
Those mornings about building relationships with the homeless.
"I've made some good friends," says Perrier about his time with the homeless.
Friends that thankful for Martin and Perrier's faith...
"There are people that work the street everyday and help, but these guys bring something extra. They take time to sit down, read the scriptures, talk with ya. They don't make you feel like you're nothing. They treat you like a person," explains Kolbinski.
Kolbinski admits he struggles with depression, but adds time spent with Martin and Perrier helps him make it through a tough week.
"These guys give something to me that I can make it another day," praises Kolbinski, "They don't know how uplifting they are."
Martin has only been doing this for about 5 weeks, but says people can help by calling 1st Assembly of God in North Little Rock (501) 758-8553 or call Jay Martin with the Metro Worship Center at (501) 375-5545.
