"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, `Lord, when did we see
You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
`When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or
naked and clothe You? `Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,
and come to You?' "And the King will answer and say to them,
`Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

Matthew 25:34-40 (NKJV)

What is Outreach?

About 5 years ago we joined KCM. Not long after the Monday Night Outreach was re-launched, we both felt a desire to go out and try; we knew God had called us both to work for Him and wondered if this was the area. After working through our initial fears and concerns, we found we were comfortable with the Outreach and actually enjoyed it. We even found ourselves looking forward to going out! We served as part of a large team made up of volunteers from KCM and other local churches, and we developed our skills week after week.

One day we were called to the office and, much to our surprise, we were asked to head up the ministry! God had been faithful as always and had done as He had said He would do.

Now, what does it mean to serve on the Outreach team? Well, basically we all meet up on Monday nights at 7.30pm at the Caring Hands Day Centre where we prepare soup and sandwiches to take out with us. Tea, coffee, etc are also catered for. Most importantly, we gather together as one man to pray for the night that lies ahead and for all the opportunities that we will get to share Gods’ love with those we meet. The Outreach Van is loaded and the team is set forth, prayed up and ready to minister the love of God.

It takes time and commitment to build up relationships with people, especially with those whose needs are great and even complex with no home, no family, no friends and rejected on the whole by society. Battered and beaten by life and circumstances, some are basically looking for just one reason to live. The life stories we hear are quite shocking; of course some are embellished, but most are true. These people are the fish we cast our gospel net for, but they are now free swimming as it were. No, they are more like shellfish; you know, a hard exterior that hides a soft inner part. Bruised people need to feel safe before they can even think about opening up.

It is only with God that we can minister the necessary compassion and peace to share with those in so much need of His touch. On the streets, our team have a great advantage in that the Caring Hands’ ministry is known and respected throughout the community for the work it does among the vulnerable. This helps the Outreach team start from a position of strength and respect when engaging with people on the street, which is the platform from which we can launch our gospel net.

Whether we encounter many or few on our ‘night out’, God has always found a way for us to help and share His love. This team is full of people who have testimonies of answered prayer amongst those we seek to serve to Gods’ glory!

Wouldn’t you like to join us in winning souls? Please, feel free to call the office on 01634 409 768 for an appointment to view the ministry and see how you too can fulfil the call on your life to minister reconciliation to the lost, the lonely and the left out.
Blessings,

Alan & Joy Shaw
Outreach Team Leaders