Why do we reach out to the needy, the hurting, the homeless, the hopeless, and the helpless?
- When Jesus opened the scripture and read Isaiah 61, He said, "today this scripture is fulfilled in your presence."
- As the body of Christ, we are told not only to love God with our whole being, but also to love our neighbor as our self.
- When we do this, we are the hands and feet of the body of Christ. We are called to proclaim freedom for prisoners, to see the blind see, the oppressed released, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
It is not a matter of wondering if I, as a believer, am called to do this. The scripture in Isaiah 58 says
to share my food with the hungry, to provide shelter for the wanderer, to clothe the naked, and to not turn away from our
own flesh and blood.
God does something when you reach out to the least of these (Matthew 25). He takes us beyond ourselves and our personal
worries and problems. He may have a special direction or plan for our life but we are ALL called to reach the lost and help
the hurting.
Outreach Upcoming Events
Local Outreach
San Francisco Night Strike
Our San Francisco Night Strike trips continue to grow and bless those who serve as well as those being served. Approximately 200 different people from Bethel have participated in trips to San Francisco, ministering to the homeless.
In association with Inner Cities Ministries International, Bethel Church is now supporting trips to Night Strike twice a month, usually on the second and last Friday nights of the month. Be sure to check the church calendar here on the web site to confirm dates.
The ministry, while very safe, will show any Christian how to walk in faith on enemy territory as you represent Jesus Christ as, quite possibly, the only hope the San Francisco street people will see in two weeks. There will be a divine appointment for eveyone who goes. This trip is safe for most age groups. The Bethel Youth took 30 high school students on one very memorable trip. Bethel parishioner testimony
Lodi Homeless
There is a movement building in Lodi. It crosses denomination lines with people obedient to Jesus in
helping the homeless find salvation and get off the streets. And it's working. As of early August 2008, two people have
made the transition all the way off the street while there are five more entering the program. Both the people have joined
churches and are activly involved in the ministries.
More Information to become Involved
Bethel's Recycle People Ministry
The Recycle Ministry is a new ministry to support the Lodi Homeless Ministries, Night Strike Ministries, and to help Lodi
people from going back to the streets. It will be based on asking Bethel Church (and we trust God to expand the ministry to
all of Lodi) to buy just one item whenever people can. We will post a list of needed items here on the web site.
More Infomation on how to help.