Caring for the vulnerable
Our mission at Every Arkansan is to see those we serve chase their God-given dream. We exist because of the kids experiencing hunger, the single parent, children in foster care, those below the poverty line, the addicted, the prisoner and those experiencing homelessness in our state.
The most vulnerable in Arkansas are overwhelmed and underserved. Meeting their needs starts by building relationships to plant Gospel seeds.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
The Bible calls us to love big just as Christ loves His people. It is in love that we reach the unreachable and bring healing and life in the darkest of times. Loving others looks like asking, “How can I help?”. This question breaks down relational barriers and allows for trust to be built.
When caring for others, it is important that we remember who we are- broken and desperately in need of Christ’s grace. Sometimes, the hurting are viewed as projects that need fixing. The common ground when caring for the vulnerable is that like your neighbor, you too are broken and in need of the Savior’s love.
Steven Corbett, author of “When Helping Hurts,” says it best. “Until we embrace our mutual brokenness, our work with low-income people is likely to do more harm than good. I sometimes unintentionally reduce poor people to objects that I use to fulfill my own need to accomplish something. I am not okay, and you are not okay. But Jesus can fix us both.”
Jesus can fix us both.
Our mission to see Every Arkansan chase their God-given dream is driven by the truth that Jesus heals and is coming back again to redeem our world and make it whole. Our hearts must break for His people. Our time on earth is short, but eternity is coming and it is long. Our neighbors need to experience a touch of heaven and encounter the love and hope that Jesus’ name brings. His people are called to make disciples, our response is “Here I am, Lord send me.”
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18