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Community Outreach

Dos and Don'ts for Helping the Homeless

Do pray about who you are to help—and how.

Do freely share the hope of the good news and the joy of Jesus.

Do be a friend. Friendship builds trust.

Do offer help with practical needs. It's difficult for someone who hasn't eaten or is cold and sick to listen to a sermon.

Do involve Missionettes. Children bring warmth and love to people who feel neglected and unwanted.

Do work with other churches and community programs. The needs of the homeless are too big for one group to solve alone.

Do find a way to bring the homeless to your church. Some may be offended or put off, but the Bible compels us to go out to the highways and byways and bring people in. The power of the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of believers have delivered many a homeless person from a life of despair and brought hope and stability.

Don't settle for constantly meeting temporary needs without planning ways to offer lasting solutions.

Don't go out alone—go in groups of two or three.

Don't judge the homeless. Except for God's grace, we might also be destitute.

Don't start something you cannot finish. Helping the homeless should be a lasting commitment.

Don't depersonalize a homeless person—learn each person's name, and use it in your activities and conversations.

Don't lend money. All too often it leads to drinking or drugs—or personal injury if someone tries to steal the money.

Don't give up! Reaching the homeless may seem overwhelming to us—but perfectly "doable" to God who knows the story of each forgotten person.