This Thursday morning I stopped by our homeless breakfast at the Baton Rouge Dream Center. Early Thursday morning Cooking for Christ fries up some eggs, bacon and biscuits and rolls downtown to our Roselawn location to feed the homeless. When I went there I was surprised to see that this was no drive though McDonald’s. A team of volunteers rolled out the red carpet to serve these individuals. We dined together and shared the gospel with everyone. Two young boys even played viola and cello while they ate.

It reminded me of this scripture in Psalms:
Far below him are the heavens and the earth. He stoops to look, and he lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! - Psalms 113:6-8

When God stoops to look, he LIFTS the poor and needy. Early Thursday morning HPC was lifting these people and placing them among royalty. We had this place set for a king. The music was the perfect added touch of the spirit we are trying to create in these settings. By the five star atmosphere of the breakfast (and so many of our outreaches), we communicate to people that they are valued and loved by God. The heartbeat of our church is to lavish the poor and needy with the extravagant love of our Savior.

Pastor Johnny read this email in a staff meeting today and it touched my heart. The people at HPC are so kingdom minded. They just love people. Here is a story of four women who are reaching the World by serving one:

” Why I love HPC.

One of the reasons I love HPC is its selfless servant hood to individuals. I don’t believe I have ever shared the amazing mission of Martha, Anna & Ann. I get overwhelmed with the good service, cheer, encouragement and hope they deliver at the hospital each week.

The nurses at the station are prepared for them each time they come. They are given names of patients that are in earnest need of cheering up or encouragement. Martha’s sister Ann from a local florist shop buys up the left over arrangements from the previous day and gives them to the Martha to give to the patients. Martha and Anna purchase inexpensive gifts and package them in colorful bags with ‘get well’ cards. They insert the purple HPC business sized card and an ‘Our Life’ booklet into the bundle. Then they spend time with the patients, talking and visiting and sharing about God.

Both nurses and patients have been impressed with their actions for over a year now. Even thinking of the lowest number they have visited on a regular basis, they have affected over 200 lives in the past year. That is pretty amazing. And, the only time they have not gone to the hospital is when one of them is sick.

Some of the patients have even come to HPC as a result. Some have passed away knowing they were loved by God in that short time they had left. The terminal patients were visited repeatedly until their passing. The ladies even contact the patients when they are released and find out how they are doing. On a couple occasions, Martha and Anna have picked up a couple of people and brought them to church.

This type of dedication to the Lord is why I love HPC. People serving people, serving God.

I wrote this note to you, because what they do is a beautiful testimony of the heart of our church family. These women count themselves as nothing. And their service brings tears to my eyes when I think of the love that is given with such honesty. They are eager to share about Jesus. The ladies feel so loved by HPC that they are like kids when it comes to inviting the sick to join our services.

There are so many people at HPC that lavish the love of the Lord on those that ‘have not’. Then I know there are many like myself that don’t let my right hand know what my left is doing and little to no one knows what or how we give or share. I see every person at HPC as a secret giver, because I believe that is the dna of our wonderful church. This is the church I get to be a part of. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? ”

I am getting “amp-ed up” for Amplified 2010 in just ten days! On February 12-13, 2010 youth from all over the region will take over Healing Place Church for a two day weekend retreat. They will hear from dynamic speakers Christine Caine and Matthew Barnett, and will worship with Press Play and HPC’s Epic Worship Band. They will be motivated and empowered to reach out to the poor, hurting & oppressed. We so value the next generation and see them flourish in the things of God. This weekend will be a great opportunity to pour into them and encourage them to Live Loud! You can register for Amplified by clicking here.

I am so encouraged to see the continued commitment to serve the needs of those hurting in Haiti.

Pastor Dino and a team of pastors from across the country left yesterday to assess the great need and encourage those local pastors on the ground in the relief efforts. Let’s cover them in prayer as they need protection and discernment for the next steps in the ongoing process to restore this broken nation.

I also want to share a brief testimony that someone emailed me today. It is a snapshot of the youth in this community and their faithfulness to serve the hurting. It really encourages my heart to see such a spirit of generosity and selflessness in the next generation:

Today the Central Middle Fellowship of Christian Students sponsored a “Heart for Haiti” day where we took up monetary donations schoolwide. I’m proud to say that we raised $1,558.11….that’s an average of more than $3 per student. We are partnering with the FCS clubs at S.A.H.S., E.A.H.S., and Dutchtown High pooling our money together and would like to make the donation to Samaritan’s Purse.

May God use our hands and feet to bring his love and healing power to so many in need.

These are some pictures I put on twitter from  Haiti. I apologize if any are too graphic. It is the reality here.

Helicopter landing in Port au Prince

Search and Rescue Teams at the airport

 Doctors trying to save a patient’s leg

 View of the city

 Squatter Villages

Children at the Orphanage