Jax teenagers befriend Memphis homeless

By Stella Prather - May 15, 2008 - comment

There is no place like home.

This reality recently touched home for Brooke Peeples following a mission trip to the Memphis Union Mission, March 24-28.

“On the mission trip, I learned that I need to be thankful for all God has given me,” says Peeples, a member of Second Church of Jacksonville. “I realize now that it is only by the grace of God that I am not in the same situation…as the homeless people at the mission.

“I need to always be thankful for my family and my home.”

Peeples was one of the 36 teens and adults from the Jacksonville church that spent spring break ministering at the mission, where they served lunch to and befriended area homeless. They also tackled several clean-up jobs and helped in worship services.

For three days, Steve Walter, a pastor of Second Church, led a Bible study in North Shelby County for a group of homeless men taking part in a 7-month rehabilitation program.

Recalling a baby and mother who stopped by the Union, Peeples said the baby had no diaper and was wrapped in a towel.

“So many of these people have nothing, but they still come to mission services to worship God,” she said. “They raise their hands…and are not ashamed to worship.

“It made me wonder why we are often ashamed to worship like that in our churches.”

The trip, said Peeples, has motivated her youth group to seek out ways they can minister to the homeless closer to home.

“I know there are probably people in Little Rock, Jacksonville and even at my school that are in that position and need someone to care.”

This article is reprinted from the May 1, 2008, issue of the Arkansas Baptist News, the newsjournal of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Faith, Ministry, Citizenship, Hunger/Homelessness,

Post a Comment




Notify me of follow-up comments?

Before You Submit Your Comment (below), Read This:

Thank you for your interest in the ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC).

Comments are moderated to preserve the family-oriented nature of this website and in an attempt to avoid comment spam. We welcome opposing viewpoints, and we will not turn comments away as long as your views are presented with respect to everyone.

Your comments will not appear immediately and are subject to editing or deletion. We will make every attempt to check new comments in a timely manner, though there will likely be delays on the weekends and around holidays.

Please follow the these guidelines to insure your comments will be posted:

  1. Use a real name, at least a real first name. We find folks are less-rude online when not hiding behind a screen-name.
  2. Name-calling and vulgar-language will not be tolerated. Zero-tolerance is our policy. We will not spend time editing profanity. If it contains foul language, your post will be deleted. Oh, and we decide what is and what is not vulgar.
  3. Comments must be on topic. General comments (compliments, complaints, and otherwise) are best delivered here or expressed on your own personal Web site.
  4. And please, do not type in ALL CAPS. It looks like you're screaming at people.

Additionally, within Baptist polity, please recognize that many issues and decisions are addressed at a local church level. SBC denominational (national) offices have no control and desire no control over the activities of a local church. This entity is not responsible for overseeing and insuring the ethical behavior of Southern Baptist pastors or church members. If your concern involves a legal civil or criminal matter, we suggest you contact the proper local officials.

Issues involving pastoral staff or other church members, local Baptist associations or state Baptist conventions are local issues. Therefore the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission cannot and should not address such issues. While we regret we are unable to assist you, we encourage you to seek a biblical resolution of the issue at the local church level. If your question or submission pertains to a matter covered in this text, it is likely we will not acknowledge your submission.

Other than that, we welcome you and hope to see thoughtful discussions at ERLC.com