Saturday Morning Outreach

Primary Contact Person: Jerry
Phone: 248-303-2754
Email: jerry.downie@yahoo.com

Location:

People's Church
8601 Woodward Ave.
Detroit MI 48202

Gentlemen and Ladies,

I feel it my duty to warn you about these guys (Jerry and Jim). They may try to destsroy your life like they did mine. I was minding my own business, living under a bridge for the past five years. Doing several glows (herion) a day along with a few rocks (crack cocaine). The usual menu for a street junkie. The rats did not bother me too much and I threw them a crust of bread from time to time. I was able to find enough discarded clothing so I could change nearly every month. I managed to take a shower in 2002. My idea of personal hygiene was to pick a few bugs (lice) off me and be on my way.

Life was good.

One day I was working the corner at I-75 and Mack (panhandling with a sign that read "homeless — hungry God bless you") when a horn blew. I turned and saw Jerry and Jim. At first glance, I was sure these guys were worth a twenty, maybe a fifty. I approached the truck and they said "Hello brother, would you like a sandwich?" Oh boy, a sandwich.Well, I took it and forgot about them but they kept coming back. Week after week, without fail, "Hello brother, would you like a sandwich?" Oh yes, they were persistent and trucky. Soon they were saying things like "We love you, we're praying for you, and is there any way we can help you?" Soon, they both took a day off and we went to the Health Department for help.

One year has gone by since I met these guys and I want to tell you that they, through Jesus Christ, have destroyed my old life.

Gone is the bridge, the heroin, the cocaine, the filthy clothes, the rats, and even the bugs. I have been in a treatment program and clean for forty days. I am attending a great church (Zion) and I assist in the feeding ministry on weekends. By the love of Jesus Christ and the help of his people, I have a new life, Hallelujah! Now I am one of them so beware the words "Hello brother, would you like a sandwich?"

– "Mike's Testimony" (2005)

Today Mike is Associate Director of "Harvey House", the drug treatment program he originally connected with.

Target Group of Ministry: People on the street

Current Needs: Anyone with helping hands and open, willing hearts who wishes to come and join in the feeding outreach.

Prayer: Pray that God would open up a more permanent facility that the ministry could use to expand the nature of the outreach.