This has been a wonderful and glorious year for HMA. We preached all over the United States this year. We started all kinds of on line programs. Raised more money than ever before. Pushed The Saving Place furniture thrift store into new areas. Started carrying our own line of mattresses, appliances and furniture. Added two new positions for the jobs program. Were blessed to be involved with Pastor Lamb and the founding of a brand new church work in Kentucky, (the newest fully functioning HMA affiliate). Saw some of our first addict converts turn thier fifth year clean. Worked on a huge jobs program here at the very end of the year that netted over 100 homeless people off of the streets, (the last three of which were finalized today). Met with some new pastors and church leaders just in the last few weeks already about projects for next year. And it almost exhausts me just typing about it. :)) This last year we have been able to work with and see God deliver many street drug addicts, more and more prescription drug addicts, serveral alcoholics, a couple homosexuals, a bisexual and a few proffessional thiefs and liars just out of the Tulsa homeless mission program. This is not to mention at all the Jacob's Ladder progams, the children's programs or any of the affiliate projects.
Of course we all know that the ultimate goal here is not to just make them happier or give them a better life, but becasue we love them with the love of Christ, it is our ultimate intention to see thier eternity changed for the better. God has blessed us here at HMA with an amazing group of people, (over 180 volunteer staff members nation wide). These people understand the scriptural balance between reaching out with love and compassion and teaching sound doctrine and principles. This very delicate balance is the difference between effective Christian outreach and it's not so effective counter parts, which are cultic discipleship or hate and segregation by denomination.
We refuse to go along with the sweeping, watered down, charasmatic groups that only reach for numbers and basically teach "come to Jesus, he will make you happy, rich and get you a gorgeous mate", (it's not about you, it's about Him). But at the same time, we also refuse to subscribe to the idea that being a Christian is such a tight, restricted set of values and rituals that there just aren't hardly any poeple left that can measure up to it. God would like to and is plenty capable of saving every single person that you meet every day for the rest of your life. Perhaps the only thing stopping Him is.......you.
Well, there I go again. It is very hard for a preacher to communicate without getting a little preachy. Haha. I just want to say a tremendous thank you on behalf of all that have been helped and all that have been saved. From the one that got the blanket to the one the got the housing. From the one that got the bowl of soup to the one that got delivered from meth. From the one that got the coat and hat, to the one that got the bus ticket back home. From the one that got the new job to the one that got the new God. God bless all of our donors, workers, ministers, volunteer, drivers, cooks, fundraiser organizers and prayer warriors. The longer these New Testament biblical outreach principles are spread and applied the more we change, not just the face of the "Christian" movement here in America, but the world. One soul at a time. God bless HMA in our up and coming 6th year functioning, 5th year incorporated. Thank you for Loving the Least, the Last and the Lost. MERRY CHRIST-mas!!!
your humble servant,
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