Home Based Ministries-Anyone Can Help a Hurting World

Many people long to make a difference in the world and to change lives, yet feel limited in their ability to help. Some are disabled and spend the majority of time at home while others never leave the house. There are many reasons for people to be confined, reclusive or just plain busy at home. Yet they yearn to ease the burden of others and to fulfill the directive of Jesus in Matthew 25:40 when He said “"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”

How can one provide resources, food, comfort, love and spiritual growth through the world from their own home? There are many ways to reach across the world with the good news of the Gospel and to be compassionate. Here are some ideas and resources.

Many lonely people are incarcerated and do not have family to correspond with or to visit them. Some have even grown spiritually, have accepted responsibility for their actions and are totally remorseful. Others are not. Anyone desiring to minister to a prisoner should be cautious and do their research. A letter, email or phone call to the prison warden or chaplain should be a first step. He or she can suggest a certain prisoner who is in need of a friend and give safety tips. Every facility has its own rules about correspondence and you will want to be advised of these in advance.

I am going to be very honest here. Do not engage in correspondence with someone who is getting out soon and may show up at your door. Do not give personal information until you fully trust the pen-pal. My personal prison pen-pal is in another state. Some people who maintain prison ministries keep a post office box and never reveal their home address. Others feel comfortable in sharing every detail of their lives. Keep in mind that this person is under great stress in a potentially dangerous situation and does not need to become a recipient of your problems.

Keep the letters upbeat, full of information about the area you live in. You might even send photographs of the trees, flowers in bloom or other items to bring solace and a feeling of peace. Include newspaper clippings of fun or interesting things, poems or stories, and Bible teachings to enlighten and inspire. Let the prisoner know you are praying for them by including a prayer you have spoken just for them personally.

This is a worthwhile ministry that anyone can perform regardless of age (minors excepted) and physical ability.

Many churches have phone numbers and email addresses listed for members. Pastors (with permission) can provide these to a person who is interested in performing this type of ministry from home. The interested party can collect these from his/her personal address book also. Some assisted living or nursing home facilities will provide a list of people who are lonely and need to hear an uplifting voice.

Be careful to deliver what is promised. If someone is expecting a call or email on set days, they will be disappointed if it doesn’t arrive. Keep the subject matter light and upbeat. Never divulge secrets or fall into gossip with anyone. In talking to each person, you will discover his or her likes and dislikes. Keep a record of these and seek out news or magazine articles to prompt conversation and mental awareness.

Some of the contacts may have poor eyesight and be unable to read well if at all. Be prepared to read a favorite book over the phone, a magazine or news article. Many enjoy hearing a favorite portion of the Bible read to them. All of this can be done over the phone.

Emails should be kept short and encouraging. Something as simple as saying “I was thinking of you and just wanted to say hello” can change a person’s day. It is not advisable to send e-cards as many do not click on links. An appropriate joke or Hints from Heloise can brighten someone’s day. An email to a new mother can include advice from back in the 1800’s with a chuckle and reminder that things certainly have changed.

There are hundreds of ways to perform this ministry depending upon the person receiving the phone call or email. Just remember to make it personal and never send the same email to everyone on your list.

Stand ready to pray for people and initiate a prayer chain. A phone tree of numbers can be set up so a list of people receive the alert to pray. We can offer up prayers and lift others before the throne of God even if we do not know them. God loves us all equally and desires to salve all wounds and hurts. Sometimes just knowing others are praying gives solace to the hurting hearts of people. Even if someone is not a believer in Christ, we can pray for them and for their salvation.

We are directed in the Bible to pray. Samuel 12:23 says "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to "pray continually. Prayer is an intimate time with God and is one of the greatest examples of love to both Him and the person we lift up before His throne.

Today’s world is full of hardships and challenges. Some people are lacking basic necessities such as food. A great ministry that can be managed from home is food collection for local pantries, schools or soup kitchens. Set up a phone “tree” so people can be advised there is a particular need. One call can alert dozens or even hundreds of concerned citizens to drop off nonperishable foods at a chosen location.

Many schools participate in the food backpack program. A plain colored backpack is loaded with food items every Friday and sent home with needy children to ensure they eat over the weekend. This program is funded from local churches and other programs but food is always needed. Food can be collected and delivered to participating schools even once a month to supplement this program.

Nutritious but great foods can be collected, packed in attractive baskets and taken to nursing homes, domestic violence shelters or hospital wards. Fresh fruits, protein bars, bottled water, nuts or trail mix are great ideas for these baskets.

The idea for a food ministry is to keep it simple. Due to privacy regulations, especially at DV shelters, you may need to send your food gifts through a manager or other person who can safely deliver them.

**note: A clothing ministry can be structured in the same manner.**

• care2 dot com is a place where people who care about social and environmental issues have opportunity to contribute by free clicks that generate donations for favorite causes. A home ministry can raise funds for breast cancer research, feed hungry children, stop violence against women, and give books for a literacy project and much more. Every time a person clicks, the sponsor donates a tiny bit of money and it all adds up. Recently “clickers” produced over $5,000 for Haiti and more than $21,000 for Children International. Other clicks help fees animals, protect territory for wild animals and preserve the environment. We are directed to be a good steward of our planet also.

• free rice dot com allows people to improve their vocabulary while helping others. A word appears on the screen with four possible definitions. Every correct answer generates ten grain of rice to feed the hungry. The rice is donated to the United Nations World Food Program which works all over the world to relieve suffering. Over 91 BILLION grains of rice have been donated to date. That is a lot of rice.

• the hunger site dot com is another website that is reputable and is easy to use for at home ministry work. People click one a day, each click is counted and sponsors pay for every cup of donated food. Every item purchased through the online store generated funds back to the site also.

• the veteran site works the same way and proceeds are used to feed hungry and homeless vets who have given so much for their countrymen.

• the non profits dot com hosts dozens of nonprofits that provide food, medicine, clothing, clean water and much more to needy people and animals all over the world.

  Many of these click to donate sites can be done as a family to teach children the joy and necessity of giving. There are many more but these are enough to get anyone started in this area of ministry.

There are many more ways that people can perform ministry and show the love of Christ. One's imagination and the leading of the Holy Spirit will give inspiration and direction. Prayer is always the first step in creating any service or ministry. There is no limit to the extent we can serve out fellow man and thereby serve and honor our God.

Matthew 25:40-" “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' "