In order for us to accomplish our mission, it takes partnerships. We advocate for wise and discerning collaboration with Christian churches and other like-minded individuals and organizations for the purpose of working in partnership.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.” Later it goes on to say, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
But I should say that we don’t partner with others just for the sake of sheer numbers. It is important to us that we work with like-minded folks who are seeking the best interest of our clients, staff and volunteers in a Biblical way. Proverbs 14:7 warns, “Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.”
One often overlooked benefit of working together is that we get to see the Body of Christ, the Church at work. Individuals operating in their strengths and spiritual giftedness adds to the overall success of accomplishing our mission. We also present opportunities for believers to exercise their gifts and be blessed in the process.
I could give numerous examples of this, but the one that comes to mind most often is our Dinner Groups. For many of our evening meals, groups from churches, businesses and even families prepare and serve the meal. Some are signed up for the same night each month and have been doing it for years. We even have some church groups who bring their pastor or another teacher who speaks in chapel before the meal. This is a huge blessing for our staff because we get a break from the kitchen, we enjoy the fellowship of someone new in the dining hall and it save us money in our food budget. Folks from these groups tell me all the time that they get more out of it than they give. I think that’s because they are with the people they are serving, face-to-face and it bring home the fact that we are all just humans helping humans.
We couldn’t do what we do without our partners. We work together with the Medical Community, Law Enforcement, Mental Health providers, the Wichita Falls ISD, the Housing Authority, Workforce Solutions, Work Services Corporation, the Food Bank, Health and Human Services and on and on I could go.
It is a beautiful thing to watch our community come together to help our homeless neighbors. Thank you for doing your part.
