Join Me in Supporting YWAM San Francisco’s Life-Changing Work in the Tenderloin
I want to invite you to participate in something that’s close to my heart—with a book that can engage your faith more deeply and will contribute to transforming lives in one of the City’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Since 1995, YWAM San Francisco has served God’s beloveds in the Tenderloin. From food distribution and showers to recovery programs, discipleship, and street evangelism, their base of operation has become a beacon and a haven for the least, lost, and lonely.
This is where my new book—and you—come in.
I am contributing all proceeds of my fourth book in a Donate What You Can campaign. That means if you want to give $10, $50, $500—or more—please do! Every dollar goes directly to helping them to serve their neighbors in Jesus’ name. Your donation of any amount for the book will contribute to their ongoing ministry costs.
DONATE WHAT YOU CAN HERE. DOWNLOAD THE BOOK BELOW.
DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK HERE
Missional, Merciful, Worshipful Christians and Their Churches
A Study of Luke Chapter Ten
The three key moments in the tenth chapter of the good doctor’s biography of Jesus’ life and teaching paint a portrait of three seminal features of Christian spirituality and church life.
- The mission trip of the seventy (Theme: Mission),
- The parable of the Good Samaritan (Theme: Mercy), and
- Mary of Bethany sitting at Jesus’ feet (Theme: Worship)
Like a three-legged stool: Reaching out to lost people, serving the marginalized, and pursuing a deepening intimacy with God form a balanced foundation of Christ-centered lives and healthy church communities.
Most individuals and their churches lean toward one or another of these seminal Christian values. Some major on evangelism. Others, not as compelled toward good news sharing, are impassioned about good news showing in their service to the poor and ignored. Still others, to whom mission and mercy are less of a focus, possess a singular appetite for cultivating a deeper intimacy with God through contemplative prayer, meditation, and worship.
While everyone tends to be more comfortable if not capable swimming in their particular stream, they run the risk of missing out on other aspects of the Christian life represented in other waters. Based on the text in Luke’s gospel, this book will point the reader toward a more fully-orbed life in Jesus.
So, get this book and learn how to be more missional, merciful, and worshipful!
The Work with YWAM the Tenderloin
The Tenderloin, San Francisco’s Skid Row, is a spiritual warzone, a pain magnet, and last stop for people who’ve landed there. Most everyone there sleeps in doorways, in overcrowded shelters, or slum hotels. Hope moved out of those streets filled with addicts, alcoholics, dealers, and those plagued with mental health issues long ago. These are not necessarily people whose dreams have shattered. Many of them came into this unkind world with no dreams to begin with.
In 1995 I made my first trek into the fray to assist my street-preaching-former-drug-addict friend Edmond Wong who had devoted his life to the poor and tormented residents there. Though it was overwhelming at first, I did it because it was the right thing to do. But it didn’t take long for the Spirit and the friends I’ve made there to capture my heart.
Not everyone we come into contact with in the TL is exactly glad to see us or happy to listen to our message. Some come for the free lunch, a pair of socks, and maybe a toothbrush; but as far as an interest in our God or his Bible––not so much. If spit on, cussed out, or mocked, we don’t take it personally. Jesus was treated worse, and warned us that it would be so among us. We count ourselves blessed to serve his purpose in such a forbidding mission field, and celebrate all the changed hearts and transformed minds we’ve seen over the years.
In that same year, in order to live and serve incarnationally, YWAM moved into its facilities at 357 Ellis Street, which have become a haven for so many in the neighborhood. They serve over 1000 people a month with a food pantry, life skills training, neighborhood discipleship, showers, recovery programs, Bible Studies, street evangelism, block parties, street cleaning, and more. God has strategically placed them there to love their neighbors, care for the vulnerable, and embody his kingdom.
You can contribute to their ministry and get a pretty good book at the same time!
barney wiget 