the least of these

These Change-Your-Life actions that “the least of these” can take are a resource that servant leaders among them, and volunteers, can use as a proven ministry to help neighbors transform their lives. Churches, Ministries and Service Agencies can broaden their services by enrolling and supporting “the least of these” in the actions.

The “least of these,” Jesus said, were “hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison.” Matthew 25:44 He also said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Luke 10:2

Who are the people who transform poor neighborhoods?

Robert L Woodson‘s book, Lessons From The Least Of These, describes “healing agents” in poor neighborhoods. They help their low-income neighbors transcend conditions and obstacles. Here are some excerpts.

solutions are usually found among those closest to those suffering the problem
people must be agents of their own uplift
neighborhoods … need mentors from within who invest and stay
indigenous healers, quiet heroes work within our inner cities, transforming lives one by one through the redemption of Christ and fellowship with one another.
talk to those who have made the ascent and find out what routes they took
If we want to tackle child poverty, we have to tackle fatherlessness. We have to rebuild the culture of marriage.
God never uses big shots; he uses broken people.
perhaps low-income people can offer solutions to people in the upper classes as well
you cannot gain anything from studying failure
love is necessary for an individual to undergo healing, growth, and development
How do we find these healing agents?
- ask people who they turn to in times of trouble
- they will direct you to others like themselves
the power of change is in the people affected by the problem
look for leaders already doing what you want to do
- What worked for you? How did you do it? What kept you going?
inner transformation lasts a lifetime
bring in capital, training, guidance and expertise
help to take their “product to market”
love the lowest of the low, embrace the worst cases, and meet people right where they are
recognize the capacity people possess
what lessons can be learned from people suffering from the problem?
“Freddie said that his addiction ended when he accepted Jesus Christ“
Those impoverished … have the capacity to rise, if provided with support, guidance, and opportunity
Eliminate barriers to access and serve all who suffer
A bloated bureaucracy absorbs 70 cents of every dollar designated to address poverty
we are all chasing the same thing … true meaning and purpose for our lives
The same holds true in inner-city neighborhoods and wealthy suburbs.

What training and guidance can help “the least of these” be their own agents?

Robert Woodson says “people must be agents of their own uplift” and it’s necessary to “bring in capital, training, guidance and expertise.” Change-your-life actions are a source of “training, guidance and expertise” and do not require capital.

A leader within a poor community can encourage neighbors to take Change-Your-Life actions to transform their lives and join the action along with them. The actions help the leader in his or her challenging role as an essential change agent. See more under Mentor.

Churches, Ministries and Service Agencies also serve “the least of these” in

Prisons
Halfway re-entry houses for second-chance citizens
Detox, rehab, recovery and sober houses
Street outreach
Meal centers
Unplanned pregnancy centers
Homeless and emergency shelters
Addiction recovery meetings

Leaders in these essential service centers can introduce and support individuals to take these Change-Your-Life actions to transform their lives.

Example of a church and pastor who used these actions to serve “the least of these”

The pastor was fresh out of seminary and started at New Commandment Baptist Church with 18 members in the middle of the block that he soon learned from police had the most drug activity in Washington DC. He started, as a co-founder, a Jobs Partnership. Classes for the least of these began in his church in June 1997. They grew to help 3,000 get jobs. The church grew to 400 members on that block. In 2009 those classes became the model for Work & Learn Inc Change-Your-Life classes.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Tucker has recounted his episodes to clean up the block and survive. He was not trained how to handle these encounters in seminary. His short inspiring book is IN THE WILDERNESS, Episodes in Urban Ministry, here on Amazon.