A JESUS STORY

HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS

A story by: Jim Hoopes of Christ Fellowship Church

Harford County’s Hope for the Homeless Alliance exists to reduce homelessness by breaking the power of hopelessness in our community. For more than a year now, CFC has partnered with this vital ministry, sharing not only meals and shelter but also the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

This winter, CFC will begin hosting guests from the Alliance once a month on Saturdays, offering warmth, food, fellowship and the hope of the gospel during the coldest months of the year. In addition, many of our amazing team of CFC volunteers serve regularly at partner churches across the county—preparing meals, setting up spaces, and embodying gospel compassion.

One memorable story from this past winter, as CFC prepared to host many in our church facility on a Saturday that forecasted a heavy snowstorm. Our team prayed and moved ahead, and thankfully, those prayers were answered—the guests arrived safely with only a light dusting of snow on the ground.

From the moment the doors opened, warmth filled the building. Volunteers prepared and served a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Guests relaxed in the lounge watching movies, reading, working on puzzles, painting, or simply sharing conversation with new friends.

Before lunch, a short teaching from John 3:16 reminded guests of God’s never-ending love and grace shown through His Son, Jesus Christ. I got to share a story about the sacrificial love of a father—a story meant to illustrate the depth of God’s love demonstrated in the cross. Following that, a testimony was shared, and guests were invited to trust Jesus personally.

During lunch, one guest approached me with tears in his eyes. He explained that years earlier, he had lost his own son and had struggled with deep depression, even attempting suicide. The message of God’s love had “deeply touched” him, and he wanted to make sure he was right with God. Together they prayed, and he put his faith in Christ.

As the day went on, volunteers learned that this same guest had previously run a towing company. Immediately, several CFC volunteers began networking on his behalf—connecting him with church members who had leads on jobs in trucking and automotive services. Within a few days, he received offers for immediate employment.

What began as one cold winter Saturday turned into a day of spiritual warmth, restoration, and new beginnings. Members of other host churches later shared that the guests spoke highly of their experience at CFC, describing how welcomed and cared for they felt.

On that snowy January day, the love of Christ shone brightly through every meal, conversation, and prayer. Through Hope for the Homeless Alliance, our church lived out the gospel in tangible ways—meeting both physical and spiritual needs. As Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” One weary man found that rest, and many others glimpsed the heart of God through the faithfulness of His people. Well done, CFC family. The Lord is using your generosity and compassion to bring real hope to Harford County —

one person, one meal, and one story at a time.