^{Beacon of Hope Bancroft}

^{We are very excited to introduce you to our new downtown street ministry we are calling Beacon of Hope Bancroft. In August 2010, the Lord laid in it on my heart to start a new street ministry in downtown Saginaw. The passion and vision was sparked after I spent 10 days in Galveston, TX. in July 2010 partnering with a street ministry there called Streetscape Ministries. I invited a pastor friend of mine who leads a highly missional church in Wisconsin to come and spend a couple days with me, and help me launch a new ministry. We had no idea at that time what it might look like. After spending the first day prayer walking the neighborhoods, and just spending some time talking to people, it was clear to me that God had directed our steps to the back parking lot of an apartment complex called "The Bancroft Building." We handed out several lunches, served several cups of coffee and bottles of water, and prayed with a number of folks. As the weather turned colder, our ministry moved inside the lobby of the same building. We now spend Saturday afternoons serving food and coffee, and giving away clothes(when we have them) to the residents of the Bancroft and other people in the area. As weather begins to turn nice again, we will be back outside, as well as continue to serve inside. The Lord is slowly opening up doors for this ministry and creating more opportunities to share the message of Jesus Christ with these people as we build relationships with them. We will continue to serve where God is moving, and continue to be the salt and light as Christ has called us to be.}

^{The theme statement I am using for this new ministry is from a line in a new Josh Wilson song, and it goes like this, "I could choose not to move, but I refuse." God has called us to something way bigger than ourselves, and I just refuse not to follow him where He is leading. I invite you to take part in this new ministry, and give yourself away to the mission and love people on God's behalf. All you need is a servant's heart and a desire to be used by God to change someone's life. No need to be a member of our fellowship or any other. Come and join the work that God is doing in downtown Saginaw.}

^{Pastor Dan}

^{relevantministries@sbcglobal.net}

^{Matthew 25:35-40}

 ³⁵For 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, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

 ³⁷"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 ⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

^{Matthew 20:28} 

Just as the son of man did not come to be serve, but to serve, and give himself as a ransom for many.

From these verses it's very that the church ought to take seriously its obligation to serve others and help those in need. At Beacon of Hope, we believe that’s the reason we exist. As supported by our mission statement, we strive to equip people to face the many life challenges that they are presented with. We believe the most effective way to achieve this is by building relationships with those outside of our church family, by serving others, and by hosting outreach events. In addition to these things, we also support many other ministries that are effectively reaching people in our community, as well as people all across the globe. If your desire it to be connected to a church that understands the Great Commission, and looks to serve outside the four walls of the building, then I encourage you to come and visit us. Our church has left the building so to speak.