Jay-Ar was homeless for about twenty years. But because of a ministry called Mobile Loaves & Fishes, he now has a home.
Faith-Based Town: Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a ministry in the Austin, Texas that helps find solutions to the problem of long-term homelessness. Alan Graham founded the ministry. He is also the CEO.
The concept for Mobile Loaves & Fishes was planted in Alan’s heart in 1998. He courageously carried out God’s command to “love your neighbor” by serving meals to homeless men and women out of the back of a green minivan with four of his friends. Alan freely acknowledges that the organization’s initial strategy for helping the homeless had some shortcomings. But with the assistance of Houston Flake, who formerly lived on the streets, they improved the model that Mobile Loaves & Fishes successfully uses today.
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This Faith-Based Way of Evangelizing
In a recent interview with TODAY host Harry Smith, Alan shared that “what we want people to do is preach the gospel often. And only when necessary, use words.”
This is their way of evangelizing: becoming a ministry that gives shelter to the homeless. It’s evangelism without the sermons and faith with good works.
Inside this the Mobile Loaves & Fishes community is an art studio. There are also work opportunities and a hydroponic garden that supplies fresh produce. It’s a home where everyone is welcome and loved. Many of the residents testify that living there “incredibly fulfilling.”
Homeless for 20 Years
Jay-ar has been on the streets for twenty years.
But not anymore.
In an interview with TODAY, he said, “You’ll never find another place that cares about people like this.”
He was asked, “If this place didn’t exist, would you still be on the street?” To which he truthfully answered, “If this place didn’t exist, I’d be dead. That’s the truth.”
Alan and the entire team had many struggles they overcame for this ministry to happen. But he is convinced by how God called him and what He wanted him to do. And for Alan, he wanted to give it his best for the glory of God.
He also said that satisfying human needs is important. “The two essential human needs are the need to be fully and wholly loved. And fully and wholly known. When you bring all that to the table, it creates an environment of welcoming,” he concluded.
Header image: Alan and Harry [TODAY]. YouTube, 8 April 2023, https://youtu.be/RFshGln9oDo
Reference: Mobile Loaves & Fishes