God of this City - Chris Tomlin
Homeless donate to the poor
By: Meredith Heagney
The Columbus Dispatch - January 11, 2012 15:01 PM
You don't think homeless people would donate money to the poorest of the poor. But that's just what happened in recent weeks at Vineyard Church of Columbus' Fifth Avenue food pantry, said the Rev. Rich Nathan, senior pastor of the megachurch near Westerville.
Vineyard has many ministries, one of which serves a leper colony in Zambia, in Africa.
Recently, one of the church's ministers posted a notice at the food pantry at 181 E. Fifth Ave. saying there would be a collection for the lepers. These lepers live in extreme poverty and are stigmatized and isolated from society.
The men and women who attend the food pantry and its church services do not have much, but they had a little, and they gave it, Nathan said. In about two weeks, they raised nearly $550. About 35 "regulars" come to a Monday night service. Some are homeless, and others are simply poor.
Still, they scrounged the money up however they could and turned it in in a big plastic bag, Nathan said. The story will be told on video at upcoming services at Vineyard.
Nathan said he was inspired.
"The notion that those who are experiencing poverty in America would be concerned about extreme poverty (in other parts of the world), tells me these folks are the followers of Jesus," Nathan said.
"You don't need a lot to be able to give to somebody else."
Greater things are yet to come greater things are still to be done in this city.
I don't know what this means or what You are planning to do with the Monday Night Service but I am in shock. You will be glorified, and all glory belongs to You, Jesus. I'm excited to see what you have in store for Monday Nights please keep sending more Holy Spirit to dwell in the pantry and more of Your presence in the hearts of our brothers and sisters who attend the service.
I am overwhelmed.