Four years ago, if you asked me what God commanded believers to do regarding the poor I would have said “help them” or “serve them,” as if it was an obvious thing that we as Christians do. However, if you looked at my life I was not following this command at all – it was simply head knowledge. But later, I started to become convicted that I was not actively seeking this out nor did I truly have a heart for the poor. I asked myself why I was just on the sidelines and why I had taken no steps to live as Jesus commanded in this area. It was then that I learned about the Union Gospel Mission.
I don’t recall if I had any expectations of what my experience was going to be like but I do recall believing I had nothing to offer except maybe a listening ear. The first night I went down to the mission, God captured my heart, and for the first time, my heart was stirred for those in need. My eyes and heart were opened. I now lead Watermark’s efforts at UGM and don’t view it as “serving” these men so much as developing and enjoying the relationships, enjoying seeing the gratitude on their faces when the Watermark crew shows up, enjoying the challenging conversations, and the “realness” of these men.
The first night I showed up at UGM I heard stories about prison, drugs, and murder, but I also heard men fighting to live for the Lord daily. These men had scriptural knowledge and an earnest dependence on God’s Word, which likewise challenged me to depend more on the Word each day, rather than relying on my own strength…my own wisdom.
These men have led me to see a different person than the stereotypical drunk begging for money on the corner of an intersection. God has allowed me to see these men as broken, desperately needing a Savior, thirsty for Truth, and hungry for a better life. While I thought it would be difficult, conversations were actually easy. What I love most is the openness and honesty in the UGM men. I love seeing the walls come down and a true sense of vulnerability. This has resulted in fruit in my own life – I am now more open in my relationships as well.
The impact we make on the men at UGM is very powerful; however it does not come easily. The impact we have does not come from serving food to the poor, re-arranging the pantry, preparing the next day’s meal or setting the tables. The impact comes from intentional time, attention, and prayers with these men….some of the things that seem to be the most difficult for men here in Dallas to give.
When we consistently show up with a desire to simply get to know these men, they begin to trust us with their lives, they are encouraged and challenged to get through the next day and continue to fight the good fight. The impact that we are making at UGM however could be so much more. It is my strong belief that each man at UGM needs a mentor – a Barnabas. We are currently actively seeking men to come alongside us and start getting to know the men at UGM through our bi-monthly times of service and hope to soon roll out the official mentoring ministry.
COME SERVE WITH US!
We serve at UGM at 6:30 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday and second Saturday of every month. Come serve with us – see the mission, learn more, meet some of the men, and see if God stirs your heart to serve regularly with the least, the last, and the lost of Dallas.
~ Andrew Johnson
AWJohnson6@gmail.com