Photo via renner.org

Church and the House of Mercy hold services for homeless teens

The Moscow Good News Church and the House of Mercy have begun weekly church services for homeless teens, reports Rick Renner Ministries. On Sunday evenings after the youth ministry service, the House of Mercy and volunteers from the X-Factor Youth Ministry hold a special service specifically geared to reach people from the streets. These services feature energetic contemporary praise and worship, as well as a message from House of Mercy director Lilit Gorielova.

The House of Mercy has held special services for homeless youth in the past and has found them to be extremely effective in bringing young people to Christ. However, finding a place to host these services is difficult, since building administrators are not usually open to allowing homeless teens in their facility. But now that God has provided the Moscow Good News Church with the regular rental of a small auditorium, we have the space we need to hold these services again.

House of Mercy team members meet homeless kids where they live, bringing them to the meeting in vans and on public transportation. After the service, the young people are given a hot meal - probably the best meal they will have all week. Then they are given a metro (subway) pass so they can return to their "homes." These teens are thus able to hear the Word of God in a comfortable setting where they will not be judged for their appearance or coarse behavior.

Last Sunday was our first service of the year, and two homeless kids received Christ! Four other homeless youth who previously accepted Christ were also among those in attendance. Although many may initially come only for the meal, the teaching of the Word and the testimonies of lives changed by God's power invariably open their hearts and draw them to Jesus. For the volunteers, this is a chance to really demonstrate God's love to those whom the world considers unwanted and unlovable. For the homeless teens, this is a place where they can experience God's life-changing power and love.

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TAGS: Russia Moscow Good News Church the House of Mercy Rick Renner Ministries homeless teens

[10/13/2008]

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