Hands of the King

By Marcia Troup

Our church at Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship in Osceola, Ind., has many outreach programs that extend heartfelt help to our neighbors, such as our monthly Community Meals and the Paper and Hygiene Products Pantry. But we found as we prayed for these individuals, and as we got to know them and we built relationships, that there were greater and deeper needs in our neighborhood. We also found, as we attempted to assist, there were not any programs built into our ministries to specifically help people outside the church congregation. Our resources were focused on the body, but not those unconnected.

So we began a new ministry, which we deemed “Hands of the King.”

Hands of the King ran as part of our missions program for two years, but we found it demanded more time, energy, and care than our team could spare. Four committed volunteers have now taken it on as a committee and spend hours each week dedicating attention to any neighbor, any need, any friend, and any stranger the Lord puts in our path.

They have stated their purpose as this:

“To follow the example of Jesus Christ: to love our neighbor, invite the stranger, nurture the orphan and the widow, and to walk alongside the sick, hurting, and lost. We commit to respond as God calls us to the needs of our neighbors relationally, spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally. ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25:35-36). ‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…’ (James 1:27).”

The support we’ve offered has looked like face-to-face visitations, as well as phone calls with the lonely and hurting. We pray with individuals, have faith conversations, offer biblical encouragement and communion. We spend time in hospitals and homes. We have helped with odd jobs, store runs, moving, rides to appointments. We have connected these neighbors with area organizations to assist where we couldn’t, recommending community resources dealing with evictions, bills, and rideshares. We have covered unexpected financial emergencies, rent, bills, funerals, materials for projects, appliances.

Just as importantly, we have provided the ministry of presence–of listening, empathizing, and encouraging these neighbors as they have endured trials, setbacks, and the darkest moments of their lives. We show up for them–something not everyone does. Sometimes this ministry also means saying no, setting a limit, or offering an alternative, but we have dedicated ourselves to “helping without hurting.” This means navigating true relationship with each person so we can understand their deepest needs and cure the diseases, not just treat the symptoms.

This ministry is entirely donation based. Finances, time, and resources come completely at the generosity of others, and approved grants. Yet every time we hesitated and stepped out in faith, the Lord provided just enough or more to handle it, affirming to us over and over that if he led us to it, he would lead us through it. Our job is simply to listen, obey, and trust. As our characters have grown, we serve in less fear, with his ever-increasing wisdom.

We are honored to partner with God in his ministry to our neighborhood. It has been challenging to say the least, and humbling to take his love outside the church and to walk alongside those who have not known him or who have not experienced that love in quite some time.

Please pray for us and our perseverance to seek and to serve, always, as the Lord leads.

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