A WORD FROM PASTOR WILL: On Their Level

[Rev. William Griffith]

"I had an interesting experience with the pastor of a large church who wanted to give me advice on how to handle our street and homeless outreach. It was an enlightening conversation. "I would like you to read this proposal and report on homelessness and how we think we can reach these people in a more effective way", he said to me. Glancing at the report, I saw it full of numbers and statistics, all of which I'm familiar with. I laid the report down and said: "Pastor, I am not going to devote a single moment to this report until I see the dirt on your hands". "What dirt?", he replied. "I want you to translate these numbers into names. I want to know these examples as people. What their medical needs are. What booze they drink. What brand of cigarettes they smoke. What addictions they're struggling with. What foods they're allergic to. I want you to tell me how they got to where they are and what their families are like. Do they have kids? Until you can tell me that, I'm not reading your report". He was quiet and the conversation was concluded. I don't wear crisp white shirts and ties. I don't wear suit coats or polished shoes. I even worship in the clothes I minister in. T-shirts, jeans, shorts, a bandana and sandals. I want to be able to relate with those on the street. Jesus became one of us so he could relate to us and speak to us...NOT AT US. He didn't polish His crown, but took it off to walk with the people, eat with them, play with them, sleep among them. He wiped their tears and laughed with them. This is how Jesus came to be with us. He became one of us to reach out to us. In our ministry we are called to do the same. The people must come to see you on their level. They must be able to relate with you and to trust you. In doing so they also come to find that Jesus did the same thing for them. He understands their plight and He was one of them. Alysyn and I were called to be among these people. To reach out to them on their level. To share their experiences and to even socialize with them. Through this God is working on their hearts. Through this hearts are opening to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a new life IN HIM.

~Pastor Will Griffith
  Evangel Pacific Ministries