For 25 years, Hope Street Missions has been answering the call to present God's Word in a caring and compassionate manner to those who are down and out. We have gone to great lengths and have travelled many miles to minister to those who are in need. God has allowed Hope Street Missions to minister to as many as 300 peaple per day with hot food, a compassionate prayer and the preached word.
The burden to reach the homeless of Tampa Bay is increasing every year. Due to our climate, the Tampa metro area has the highest rate of homlessness in the entire nation. The number of homeless in the Tampa metro area is now over 16,000! There are more in need on the streets every week that goes by. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness in a report issued earlier this year, there are 57 homeless for every 10,000 residents in Tampa. Many are veterans who have served our country honorably. One in five are children. Regardless of their skin color or situation, Hope Street Missions believes that God will save sinners. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The social problem is very real. According to CBS News, one homeless man was arrested 76 times in five years by St. Petersburg police, and served a total of 560 days jail, costing the county $80,000. Tampa's mayor and police department said there is no plan to remove homeless people from the streets. With the desperation of homelessness growing in Tampa Bay, community organizations are now asking for help.
How can we claim to love the God of the Bible and shut out those who need the Lord most? I John 3:17 asks, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
Our team will go to the end of the world to reach a soul. The ministry has spanned the entire state of Florida with a primary focus on our immediate communities, but Hope Street Missions will go wherever God opens a door to reach the homeless.
Our team has a representative(s) that would love to come as a guest to your church to share the burden of Hope Street Missions. We ask for your prayers for those whom we are ministering to on a weekly basis, but if you can, we would gladly receive any support that will help to defer the cost of this expensive task. Hope Street Missions does not offer cash to those on the streets, but there is a cost to meal preparation, fuel, needed items, etc. Please put Hope Steet Missions on your prayer list immediately.
Our message is clear: Christ is the answer - preaching still works - compassion makes a difference.
Needs:
Blankets
Bicycles
Water
Feminine Products
Underwear (men & women's)
Socks
Shoes (men's & women's sizes 8-12)
Monetary Donations
