A Missouri church is reaching out to the homeless during one of North America’s coldest winters in years.
Church members say their goal is to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Shana McGarrah is the lead pastor of The First Church of the Nazarene in the city of Joplin.
She says God specifically called her to start the city’s first faith-based homeless shelter.
“The Lord just began to break my heart for the folks that would have to endure the cold weather,” Pastor McGarrah said.
During the Christmas season the city saw temperatures plummet and a winter storm batter the region.
The pastor opened her church warming centre and homeless shelter at the start of the year.
Volunteers searched the local streets and parks to find homeless people who had been sleeping in the cold.
As a result hundreds came to the church to stay warm.
Twice a week they can receive hot meals, hot showers, get out of the elements, and get new clothing.
CBN News reports church members have also committed to assist them find work by helping them prepare for job interviews, get the necessary documentation and provide transportation to interviews.
“We just watched God take this and it just exploded,” Pastor McGarrah said.
“People are just excited. We’ve seen God do miracles.”
