Thursday 24th August 2006
Heather Bellamy interviewed Pastor Peter Cunningham of Green Pastures, an organisation that houses homeless people.
Continued from page 1
Alcoholic, family back together, set up own plumbing business, now
owns his own home.
Vicky and
friends
Two alcoholics male and female, met one another, life
back together, married now in Housing Association Accommodation.
Abused young man now married with three children nice three bed -
roomed house currently setting up his own business.
Addict now in rehab for over 18 months, doing well.
Addict now in rehab 3 months settling in.
40 stone man with 3 three children given up by Social Services,
re-housed twice, father has come to Christ been baptised,
ongoing.
Worst aggressive alcoholic in town, ASBOW served on him, now
housed and clean and tidy, ongoing.
Migrant workers abused by agency and landlord, housed, working and
content.
Migrant worker with family, became ill, assisted with financial
problems, now in financial order, all now part of our church
family.
Migrant worker fell ill looked after her and nursed her in church,
recovered, now working and in her own accommodation in
Manchester.
Substance abuser, free from addiction now working. Sunday School
teacher will be married in October.
"And there's more"
Why is it so important for
Christians and the Church to help homeless people? Why shouldn't it
just be left to the Government?
As part of preaching the Gospel which we are commissioned to do we
cannot escape the fact that the Church has a responsibility to help
the marginalized. The Government is failing; we declare from our
pulpits week after week that the systems of this world fail. Why does
the church have the desire to rely upon failing systems or is it just
the Church wants to excuse itself from the problem, are we the priest
and the Levite who passed by on the other side. Shouldn't we be the
Samaritan that pays the bill and then says "if it costs any more I
will pay the price." On the final day Jesus will be looking out for
those who are willing to pay the price.
If you
could encourage Christians and the Church in one thing when it comes
to homeless people what would it be?
Putting their hand in their pocket.
we are dealing with trying to end homlessness in my school. we are especially trying to focus on homelessness in the youth. Please try to help us. contact the principle of our school