The Street Corner Commission
11/27/21
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Ephesians 4:21-22
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.
Colossians 3:10
Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:24
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6
It is very easy for someone who is homeless to allow the sinful nature to control them because of all the difficult situations they face constantly.
But the Bible warns us who have homes, clothing and food that it is just as easy for us to allow our sinful nature to corrupt our life.
Today we set up the awning and everyone huddled under it to stay out of the rain.
After worship and the sermon we shared a Thanksgiving lunch with the street community.
An older man that was visibly angry, told a minister that he just needed to tell Satan to get behind him.
As people were being served, one person walked up and the minister asked if he would like some soup. He yelled, “Yes of course” so loudly he could have been heard half a mile away. He went on to speak some very demonic things as he took his soup and walked away. It is so very sad to see someone controlled by an evil spirit.
Please join us in praying that God would deliver him.
One younger man was going to walk by but a minister called him over. After having some hot soup, one of the ministers started listening to his story. This younger man shared that he was searching out other religions, even though he was a Christian. He also shared some of the things that were going on with his family. After listening to him, the minister started to pray for him and as he prayed the young man repented from chasing after other religions. By the time he was ready to leave he was telling the other ministers that he needed to start going to church again! Amen. We will continue to pray that he would allow the Holy Spirit to control his mind.
A lady who likes to get some clothes and then takes off before the ministers can pray with her was surprised when one of the ministers started praying for her while getting some of the items that the lady needed.
During the prayer times one man shared that he had just got into the mission at night. He said he needed to control his anger so he didn’t get kicked out. He was thanking God that he had gotten into the mission, so the minster told him when he started feeling the anger rise up in him to replace the anger with a grateful heart for all God had done for him, like getting him into the mission.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Ephesians 5:1-4
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please pray that hearts would be broken over their separation from God and that the people that have put their trust in Christ would put away anything that would keep them from knowing Him better.
Love,
Steve and Donna
11/20/21
In late summer and fall we were able to go a few places we hadn’t been in a long time. We took a walk around the Nisqually reserve, a short hike at the experimental forest in Eatonville and a drive along the Columbia River. We were mesmerized by the beauty of God’s creation.
Since the beginning of time, people have been drawn to the beauty of what God created. As believers we can feel even closer to God because we glimpse aspects of His character in the amazing things He has created, from the tiniest insect to the tallest mountain and how it all fits perfectly together and even more amazing we are a part of that beautiful picture as we work together to glorify God.
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see-such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16
And having chosen them, He called then to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory.
Romans 8:30
With all the rain we have had lately, as we drove to the street corner we were thanking God that it was supposed to be dry so that the street community wouldn’t get drenched as they listened to God’s word.
During the prayer times one man went over to the coffee table and grabbed the box of wipes that we keep to clean the table. The minister told him he could have a few but we needed to be able to clean the table. The man started to fly into a rage but thankfully he seemed to get ahold of himself. This man does more harm to himself when he flies into a rage and gives himself over to be influenced by Satan. We will continue to pray that he would understand how much God loves him and has a better path for him to take then losing his temper.
One lady that shows up most Saturdays on the corner wanted some things off the bus. After the minister helped her get some of the things she needed, the minister shared with her that the fulfillment she was seeking in things that she didn’t really need but just wanted could only be found in seeking out Jesus. This lady has put her trust in Christ but until she has a clear revelation of a relationship with Jesus, she will continue to seek out fulfillment in other ways. We will preserve in prayer for the Holy Spirit to give her that desire.
One man who just happened to go up the street while we were there stopped to see about getting a few things off the bus and as he waited a minister prayed down holy fire on him. His countenance change after the prayer and he left without getting anything physical but seeming to know that what he had received was so much more important.
As we see the beauty of fall, we also see the beauty that God has placed in each person, especially those He has called His own.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that you would know that you are beautifully created to bring glory to the King!
Love,
Steve and Donna
No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God - His plan that was previously hidden, even though He made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 2:7-12
God has revealed the greatest mystery in human history to followers of Christ that Jesus lived, died and was resurrected.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2
God has placed us in a country of opportunity and a time of great need. So many people in this country don’t know their greatest need, Jesus they don’t understand that He is what life is about. Let’s encourage each other not to be distracted by the cares of the world and give up the greater for the lesser.
Thank you to everyone that was praying for one of the ministers who had covid. He is completely healed and was back on the street with us today!
Today was a difficult day. No, not because someone was carrying demons or just someone having a difficult time. Today was difficult because there weren’t many people there, not that we wouldn’t go for that one person because we would, but the people that did show up were people that have put their trust in Jesus and yet, there seems to be very little interest in the Savior.
During the prayer times one lady asked for a Bible which she was given. This is probably the fourth Bible she has been given this year. But it seems that she isn’t interested in actually reading it herself. We will continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to cause conviction that would lead her to that closer walk with God.
One man shared during the prayer times that he no longer wanted to be at the rescue mission because they don’t have the Christian TV station on and just play movies. This man has times where he seems to draw closer to God but he hasn’t grown in his walk with Jesus. We are praying that he would really want to know Jesus.
One of the ministers sat down with one younger man and read Scripture to him during the prayer times. Please join us in praying that this younger man would retain what was read to him and it would minister to his heart and draw him closer to Christ.
God has given His children the greatest and most important mission on this earth. The only mission that can bring fruit that will last into eternity. Don’t give up, we as children of God have the message of reconciliation with God, the only message that matters.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the Holy Spirit send you encouragement by opening your eyes to see all the ways that Jesus is working through you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/30/21
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Hebrews 11:13
Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so they would not reach perfection without us. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 11:36-12:2
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13
Out on the street we are blessed to see many people put their trust in Christ. There are many more people we pray for that haven’t made that choice but we remain hopeful that there will be a day when they acknowledge that they will be brought to that place of faith in Jesus. So we keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to share the awesome Good News that believers have been entrusted with.
Please join us in praying for God’s healing for one of our ministers who has covid.
As we were preparing for Saturday, we kept watching the weather reports and knew that it was going to be cold and started loading up warm clothing on the bus.
The Thursday before we headed out, we had some wonderfully warm donations come in that we put on the bus!
Last night the temperature dropped into the twenties. We were thanking God that we were taking out a hot meal as we headed to the street corner.
As we started the worship music one minister showed up that we hadn’t seen in a long time with donations. And right after he showed up the man that started a ministry in Olympia stopped by to drop off donations. God cares so much about the needs of each person and He never forgets the homeless.
Each person that needed warm clothing or blankets was provided for and of course most importantly, we shared that Jesus loved them and had a plan and purpose for their life.
During the prayer times one man shared that he was reading his Bible and had put his trust in Jesus alone for his salvation. Even though we didn’t get to witnesses him asking Jesus to save him, we rejoiced with the angels to know that he has trusted Christ! He went on to talk about some of the verses in the Bible and really seemed to have a good understanding of what he was reading. Praise God!
One lady who we have been praying for a long time, needed some warm clothing. As the minister helped her with clothing, the minister kept turning the conversation back to Jesus and what He has done for us all. The lady continued to talk nonsense and bolted during the prayer time. We will keep praying for her.
Another lady who we have only met once before needed a first aid kit and warm clothing. She also was talking nonsense as the minister tried to share the Gospel with her but she stayed for prayer and we know that God’s word doesn’t go void.
A younger man showed up toward the end of the day. He was curious why we were there. When the minister told him, he went on to say that he had recently left the new life program at the mission. He said he didn’t want to go back because people would think that he just wanted to be inside with winter starting. The minister shared the story of the prodigal son with him and told him that Christians feel the same way about welcoming someone back who has stumbled. We are praying that he returns to the program and that the Holy Spirit would give him the strength he needs to finish.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that God would strengthen each of you to run the race with endurance during these challenging times!
Love,
Steve and Donna
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:1-18
After the worship and sermon a man from the street community wanted to read Romans 12:1-18 to the ministers. After reading this Scripture, he stated, “This is what this ministry does.” What a blessing!
During the prayer times one younger lady who we don’t see very often needed some clothes. As much as the minister tried to direct this lady’s attention to what Jesus has done and the deeper need she had for Christ, the lady walked away as confused as she came. We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would descend on her in power and bring her to faith in Christ.
A man that we don’t see very often except when he is in need of clothing showed up. This man placed his trust in Jesus a few years ago and walked in faith for a year or so but it seems he has stumbled. We will continue to pray that God would pour out His mercy on him and he would find the straight and narrow path God has for him.
Towards the end of the day a car pulled up right in front of the bus. A man came up who we hadn’t seen in a long time. This man came out to minister with us about eight years ago and God placed in him a burden for the homeless. He wanted to share that he is now running a ministry in Olympia that takes an old aid car out to reach the homeless! Thank you Jesus!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the lost everywhere see in God’s people Romans 12!
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/16/21
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet Him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles-as he often was-he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw Him, ran to meet Him, and bowed low before Him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are You interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg You, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged Him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of 2000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. Mark 5:1-17
The people of this region were more concerned over their livelihood (money) then they were with a man that was created in the image of God. We know this still happens today.
But there are many people today in our country that know their Savior and are giving up their careers and source of income to stand with God and this should encourage all of us! There is a coach, a florist, a baker and the list goes on.
When we see so many dark clouds on the horizon, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and lift up the saints that are standing against evil and remember that there might come a time that we might face the same choices.
Today at the street corner one lady was tormented. Sadly as two ministers lifted her up in prayer without even going near her, she ran off. This lady is created in the image of God and is created with a purpose for her life. We are praying that just like the demon possessed man in Mark, she would submit her life to Jesus and be set free.
One older man who is there most weekends was having a difficult time. He was waving his hands around and swearing under his breath. During the prayer time the minister shared with him that being angry doesn’t help him at all and that it is Satan lying to him. At this the older man remembered that he needed to put Satan behind him and not lose his temper because he knew that nothing good came out of his anger. Amen. We’ve seen God bring so much growth to this man we are praying that he remembers all God has done for him.
One younger man shared how he had just started working. He is staying at the mission and was so grateful that God had provided him with the opportunity to work. We are praying that God would guide him to a permanent living place but most important we are praying that he would continue to stay close to Jesus.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God give us eyes to see the image He has placed in each and every person.
Love,
Steve and Donna
10/9/10
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to You that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
His disciple came and asked Him, “Why do You use parables when You talk to the people? He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. Matthew 13:10-13
Today on the street corner one minister shared that this month is pastor appreciation month.
Each pastor is called to teach the congregation God’s truth and being called to do that they are gifted to be in the place that God has put them. They will also be judged more strictly because of teaching God’s truth (James 3:1).
Pastors spend many hours preparing to share the Bible, not just their mind but their heart as well. As well as all the other things that each pastor does through-out the week for the congregation.
On the street corner there are so many different distractions that come against the time of teaching from sirens, horns and like today someone screaming down the street.
(In a church building there may not be the physical distractions but what about the mental or emotional things that keeps us from hearing God’s truth.)
God has something to say to each individual through the pastor.
Let us all show our appreciation for our pastors by quieting our soul and really listening to what the Holy Spirit wants to speak to us through the pastor. Thank you to our amazing pastors!
As we set up on the street corner today one minister had the street community help to set up. Some of them do most Saturdays but today almost all of them pitched in to help. It was wonderful to see them take some ownership and it was evident that it had an impact on their taking to heart why we are there.
After the minister shared about quieting their souls to really hear what God was speaking to them, the street community seemed to listen attentively to what was preached.
There are always the exceptions and as one person started talking loudly during the sermon one of the ministers went over and stood by him so he would quiet down.
For those of you who were praying for Skippy since we had to call an ambulance for him the last Saturday we were out, thank you! He was back on the street corner serving coffee today. He still needs healing and for the doctors to find out what happened but he desires to serve whenever he can.
One man shared that he and his wife were going to be getting into housing next week. We pray that will happen and that they will stay clean and sober so they can keep their housing once they get it but more importantly they can continue to draw closer to God.
One younger man who listened closely to the sermon shared that he had just recently believed in Jesus. The minister was excited to hear this as the last time they saw him he believed that he could make up his own religion and it would all work out. We are praying that he would stay close to Jesus.
One lady who is staying in the mission shared how she had started a Bible study with some of the other women staying at the mission. Praise God!
A lady that joined us to minister on the street corner today is only able to come out about once or twice a year. Today she was surprised to see how the street community sat down, joined in worship, listened to the sermon and then she was able hear from them the things that God was teaching them. Thank you Jesus! Being there on each Saturday we don’t always recognize the growth that God has provided.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
God give us the ability to quiet our soul and really listen to Your truth.
Love,
Steve and Donna
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Just a short letter today.
For those of you who know Skippy, today as he was serving coffee his left arm dropped and he couldn’t move it and he started feeling dizzy. So the firetruck showed up and then the aid car and took him to the hospital. We are praying that God would bring healing to him and that even in this difficult time, Skippy would be able to share Jesus with someone.
The Holy Spirit drew many people to hear the sermon today. People that the world might reject, have a hunger for God’s word.
Two of the people that were there for the sermon had never been at the corner before and they were excited to be with God’s people.
One person who asked Jesus to save him last week was there and the change in him is so amazing! Praise God!
We can’t wait to see some of the street community using the passion that God has placed in them to reach others for the kingdom!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please keep Skippy in your prayers.
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
9/18/21
Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to His own town. Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “be encouraged, My child! Your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:1-2
On the street corner there are many needs. Some of the physical needs we try and meet with food, clothing and hygiene items.
There are other needs like mental health and physical health that we rely on God to meet by way of prayer.
But the greatest need is for someone to meet Jesus. To know that their sins have been forgiven and we have the awesome privilege of sharing our Savior with them!
We had another amazing day sharing the love of Christ on the streets of Tacoma. It was suppose be raining the entire day but God held back the rain and we even saw the sun peeking through the clouds until the drive home when it started to rain again.
During the sermon two people that have some mental difficulties were talking loudly. A minister stepped in between them without saying a word and that was enough to help them to listen to what was being said. Faith comes by hearing.
One man showed up during the sermon and was very distraught. The minister prayed with him and he left but then came back. He said he believes in Jesus but it seemed he was having a difficult time mentally. We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would comfort him and bring him mental clarity.
During the prayer times one lady kept trying to hug one of the men from the street community but then she would start yelling at him the next minute. Finally a minister had to separate the two. The lady then just started laughing demonically. She wouldn’t let the minister pray for her but what she doesn’t understand is that everyone that comes to that corner is going to get prayer whether they know it or not.
Several people that had moved their tents away from under the bridge because of violence were sharing how even with moving many blocks away the violence seems to be growing where they are now. We will continue to pray for their safety.
A man that has shown up a couple of times before showed up at the end of the day. Once again he was acting and speaking in a hideously demonic way. The minister asked him if he was ready to be set free and he said he wanted that. After hearing the Gospel the man asked Jesus to save him and the difference in this man was so incredibly visible! Thank you Jesus that You forgive sin!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. What an awesome God we serve!
Love,
Steve and Donna
9/11/21
You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives the light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. If you are filled with light with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:34-36
There are many times when we are out on the street corner there is such a great contrast between the light and the darkness.
Right before we headed to the street corner a younger man asked if we knew where he could take a shower. We pointed him to the Tacoma Rescue Mission and then asked if he needed any food. After handing him some food we told him that we heading to the street corner and how to get there. He said he really needed a shower. As we pulled away we saw him sit down to eat the food we had given him and more importantly he picked up the daily bread that was in the care package and was reading it. We are praying that he would put his trust in Jesus.
Today during the sermon the street community really seemed to be hanging on to every word that was spoken.
One lady during the prayer times shared that she was ill and came just for prayer. We will continue to pray for her healing and that God would bring her into that closer walk with Him.
One man shared that he had his clothes and sleeping bag stolen. Even with having lost everything but his tent he was thanking God for all God has done for him.
During the end of the day one man was invited over for some coffee. He got some coffee but stayed somewhat away from everyone. One minister notice that he looked like he had been sleeping in the mud he was so filthy. We are praying that he would come back and come to know the love and mercy of Christ.
At the same time the man that was filthy came up, two other men came up. After the minister shared the Gospel with one man he said, I’ll put my trust in Jesus next week, I promise. The minister shared with this man that at the end of the day when things seem to be going wrong and it seems as if life is collapsing around him to call out to Jesus to rescue him.
The other man that was with the first man after hearing the Gospel told the minister that all he wanted was wisdom and that wisdom came from the devil. The minister tried to point this man to the truth of the Bible but he started riding his bike away in anger and yelling. The minister prayed as he rode away that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction on this man that would lead to repentance. As the minister prayed the man yelled even louder.
The contrast of light and dark was extremely visible and we are praying that the light of Jesus Christ would draw these people back to the corner that are smoldering with the fire of hell and they would come to know the joy of knowing Jesus.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May your light shine brightly for our Savior!
Love,
Steve and Donna
Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3
The Bible is God’s word. When we trust in Jesus one way we learn from Him is reading and studying the Bible.
Today during the sermon a couple men sat down and stayed for the sermon and we could see that they were in agreement with what was being said. After the sermon they got up and left before we could get a chance to meet them. When God’s word is going out it draws His children in, we just can’t help it! It is the bread by which we live.
During the prayer times one man was praising God for all that He had done to repair the relationship with his sister. God loves restoring relationships.
One lady shared how she is continuing to read her Bible and wanting to learn from what it says. Another man shared some of the Scriptures that had been taught on the last couple of weeks and how he had been reading and studying them on his own.
One lady who lost her husband about six months ago was disoriented. She has begun a relationship with a man that isn’t a believer and we are seeing the effects of this relationship in her life. We will continue to pray that Jesus would convict her.
One older man shared that he believed in spiritual things and he seemed to think that he believed in Jesus but he said didn’t believe most of what was written in the Bible. The minister tried to explain to him that if you pick and choose what you want out of the Bible and add to it, you are creating an idol. That isn’t the God of the Bible. That isn’t Jesus. He wanted to argue about this and left as lost as he came. We will keep praying that he would come back and take to heart the truth of God’s word.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the peace and joy of the Lord guard your heart.
Love,
Steve and Donna
8/21/21
After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country-a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.” But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. "We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:25-31
The community of the Israelites heard the bad report and allowed the bad report to discourage them from trusting God. There are many bad reports going on today. Will we be the ones to listen to the bad report or trust completely in Jesus? Do we say, “What can one person do?” or do we say, “This is what our God can do through one person!”
As we drove to the street corner today there didn’t seem to be too many people walking up and down the street. But as we pulled up to the corner there were people waiting for us.
One of the ministers who had been sick with covid was able to rejoin us today and we were thankful that he and his family had recovered.
During the prayer times one person shared how last weekend’s prayer had been answered. He was beaming as he shared what God was doing. Thank you Jesus!
Another man shared how disappointed he was with the mask policy that would go into effect on Monday and how he had just seen things getting somewhat normal. This man has just recently been able to get back working and was hoping to keep working but isn’t sure with everything that is going on if he will continue to have a job. But even with all this he said he is trusting God!
One man shared how he was looking for his lost dog. The minister shared how much God loves animals also and then went on to share the Gospel. After the minister shared the Gospel this man he made the most important choice of his life, to trust in Jesus!
A man that only shows up once in a while was there today. He shared with one of the ministers that some lady had what he thought was a Bible and started praying for him. He said he immediately felt like someone trying to push down on his head and crush it and then it felt like someone was trying to gouge out his eyes. He stated that it was demonic and that a lot of demonic things had been going on in the street community. The minister shared with this man that a believer in Jesus Christ has the authority to rebuke Satan and his demonic attacks. The man said that nobody could prove the Bible was true and he didn’t believe it. We will keep praying for this man that the Holy Spirit would cause conviction that would lead to repentance.
A lady that showed up to the street corner and partly joking said, “Where do I sign up?” Many ministries have people sign in. So the minister said, “Right over here.” But instead of her signing a piece of paper the Holy Spirit put His seal on her and she is now a child of God!
At the end of the day a man came up and stated that he loved Jesus. He also said that he was a Seventh day Adventist. He stated that he knew everything about the Bible. The minister asked him to at least read Romans 10:9-13 and to pray and ask God to give him insight on it. (Some of the Seventh day Adventist deny salvation by grace alone) We will be praying that he takes this Scripture to heart.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Praying God’s strength for you all for the times we are heading into.
Love,
Steve and Donna
LORD, look down from heaven look from Your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might You used to show on our behalf? Where are Your mercy and compassion now? Surely You are still our Father! Even if Abraham and Jacob would disown us, LORD, You would still be our Father. You are our Redeemer from ages past. LORD, why have You allowed us to turn from Your path? Why have You given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear You? Return and help us, for we are Your servants, the tribes that are Your special possession. Isaiah 63:15-17
As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against Him. But after that, He will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The LORD will bring me into the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:7-9
There are days on the street corner that it can seem as if God has lost His passion for the homeless. Days of chaos from sirens and people threatening other people. This isn’t just on the street corners but throughout the country that evil seems to have the upper hand in all that goes on.
When it seems that evil in the world is winning and things become hopeless, that is the very time that as believers we should surrender to God’s will in greater measure. God wants our life to be filled with Him, every moment.
God forgive our stubborn hearts, return and help us for we are Your servants. We will wait with confidence for You to hear us and bring us into the light. As darkness grows so do the opportunities for believers to shine brightly!
The last Saturday that we were out on the street there seemed to be an eerie calmness, like the eye of a storm. Well today the storm was back. As we set up for the worship and sermon sirens were blaring as fire and aid trucks headed down to the area under the overpass where there is a large tent city. The fire trucks and sirens continued throughout the worship and sermon.
The area down there has become more dangerous each week. Please join us in praying for the fire fighters and the people living in that area.
As we set up for coffee and prayer, one person shared that he was going into treatment on Monday. He had been living under the overpass but as it became increasingly worse he moved his tent up several blocks. We never want to see people in these awful situations but God used the danger to motivate this man to seek out treatment for his addiction. Please join us in praying for this man’s friend, whom we know also, he has been missing for a day. They usually stay close to each other.
As we continued to pray for people, a car pulled up about fifty feet away from where we were and a man came over to get some coffee. As this man headed back to his car a man on a bicycle pulled up alongside the car and started yelling at the girl in the car threating to kill her. As he continued to yell someone that was carrying a baseball bat ran over to help the man that was doing the yelling. As the ministers prayed for that situation, while still caring for the people on the corner the man yelling finally left.
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord want you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray for all believers everywhere that we would surrender our will in greater measure to Jesus and He would shine through us all to bring about a holy revival.
Love,
Steve and Donna
The LORD said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon Me and break My covenant that I have made with them. Then My anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding My face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’ At that time I will hide My face from them on account of all the evil they commit by worshipping other gods. “So write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it, so it may serve as a witness for Me against them. For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors-a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous, eat all the food they want, and become fat. But they will begin to worship other gods they will despise Me and break My covenant. And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know the intentions of these people, even now before they have entered the land I swore to give them.” Deuteronomy 31:16-21
Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:23
Abundance comes in many ways. God was going to prosper the Israelites in a land flowing with milk and honey. God knew that this was going to harden the hearts of many of the Israelites (as it has many Americans) but He still told Joshua to lead them into the land.
For many people that have addictions there is an abundance of drugs coming into the country. The ease of getting drugs makes reaching this group of people even more difficult. The drugs give them the sense of fulfillment when in all truth it poisons their minds, bodies and soul.
But God has commissioned His children to reach everyone, not just those people we might believe deserve salvation. Joshua could have thought that the Israelites didn’t deserve to go into the land but it wasn’t his choice. No one is righteous, not one, we all need the mercy of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for us as we share Jesus Christ with the street community. God is so very good and faithful and wants to reach each and every one of these precious prisoners.
As we drove into Tacoma, the sky was overcast and the streets quiet. During the worship and sermon the city still seemed quiet compared to most days with only a few people down the street shouting.
During the prayer times one man became overwhelmed at how God was providing for his physical needs. Last week this man was being encouraged in his walk with Christ and we will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would draw him into that deeper relationship.
One lady that we hadn’t met before asked for prayer for her family. We could tell that she was happy to be around other believers and knew that she could trust them to pray with her.
Another lady that we hadn’t met before wasn’t interested in Jesus and seemed to want to move away as quickly as possible from anyone that had anything to do with Him. We pray she will come back and find out how amazing our God is.
One younger man that we have tried to reach with the Gospel for about three years, asked Jesus to save him! Please join us in praying for this man that he would come to know and trust the Savior that he has submitted his will too!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May God’s grace lead you into those difficult places that need to hear about the Savior!
Love,
Steve and Donna
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastics 3:11
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. Matthew 25:46
God has planted eternity into the human heart. When sharing with someone who has never heard or really understood the Gospel, a good way to start is to tell them that they are an eternal being. They will live for eternity somewhere.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasure of living with You forever. Psalm 16:11
We try to share with people that eternal life doesn’t begin at physical death it starts as soon as someone put their trust in Jesus Christ. God has place a desire in every person to know Him and the only way to fill that desire is to ask Jesus to fill us with Him. Many from the street community try and fill that desire with drugs. But until we fill that desire with God’s presence we won’t have have joy, peace and love, true fulfillment.
During the prayer times one lady shared that she wanted wealth. This lady put her trust in Jesus some years ago and yet it seems that it is taking her a long time to retain some of the simple truths. The minister shared with her that if she would seek after Jesus with all she is, He would provide for the things she needed, things that are so much more important and eternal then wealth. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would help her to understand these things.
Another lady that we hadn’t met before was listening intently to the sermon and during the prayer times made the most important choice of her life, to trust Jesus as her Savior! Thank you Jesus!
During the time that the minister was sharing the Gospel with the lady that had been listening intently to the sermon another lady started walking out into the street and yelling. A man from the street community walked out into the street to bring her back to the sidewalk but as soon as he did she walked back into the middle of the street talking to herself.
During a prayer time a minister was encouraging a man in his walk with Christ. As the minister did this another man that had never been there before kept interrupting and saying he was in a hurry. The minister finally told the man that was in a hurry that if he was in such a hurry he should probably just leave and do whatever it was that he needed to do. To the minister’s surprise, the man didn’t leave but stayed and after sharing the Gospel with this man he put his trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins! Thank you Jesus! After asking Jesus to save him, he continued to stay until we loaded up the bus and left.
During the time that the minister was sharing the Gospel with the man in a hurry, the lady that kept walking into the street walked back into the street and started yelling at the top of her lungs. Another minister was able to get her out of the street for a short time. We are praying that she would come back and that the Holy Spirit would bring a conviction that would lead to repentance and freedom in Christ.
At the end of the day a younger man showed up. He shared that he came from a ‘spiritual background’. He said his mom was into astrology. The minister shared that they didn’t know much about astrology but that astrology and any other religion doesn’t transform a person’s life. The minister shared that only through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit living inside can someone be truly fulfilled and have joy and peace. The minister shared that every human being has this space in them that they try to fill with everything else but it can only be filled with God’s Holy Spirit. The young man listen and seemed to receive what was being said but wasn’t ready to make the choice to surrender his life to Christ. He did say as he left that if he did decide to make that choice he would be back. Bring him back Jesus!
Busy, fruitful day! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the joy of the Lord strengthen you!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/17/21
It even challenged the Commander of heaven’s army by canceling the daily sacrifices offered to Him and by destroying His Temple. The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion. So the daily sacrifice was halted, and truth was overthrown. The horn succeeded in everything it did. Daniel 8:11-12
The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven but after half-this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him. Daniel 9:27
Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to You,” he said, “If You will kneel down and worship me.” Matthew 4:9
Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed-the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Satan desires to have people worship him. He knows that he can’t get God’s children to worship him so he tries to keep them from worshipping God.
It’s interesting that the ‘rulers’ from many different countries are trying to accomplish the same goal, keep Christians from gathering together to worship our Savior. But what Satan has intended for evil, God will use for good!
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
As we drove to the street corner today there is an area that people camp under an overpass. The police were there and had a huge area tape off. We aren’t sure what happened but please join us in praying for the safety of the street community.
After an amazing sermon we spent time praying with people.
One man that hadn’t been there before said that today he was sitting in his car and picked up his Bible and started readying for the first time in a very long time. He said he had moved from the east coast and had quit going to church and then he had stopped reading his Bible. He said that his life had been getting darker for the last year and he knew that he needed to get back to God. As he was reading someone told him that the church bus was just around the corner. It seemed to him to be the confirmation that he needed to turn his life back over to Jesus and stop running. Praise God! We will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would minister to him while we are gone.
Another man that we hadn’t seen in a long time, was sharing how the virus had caused chaos in many of the places where he use to find help with food and clothing. The very evil that brought about this virus to try and bring trouble to people was the very thing that was bringing this man back to Jesus.
One younger man that we hadn’t met before stated that all people should go to heaven. The minister shared with this young man that the Bible states that ‘all have sinned’ and that it is only by believing in Jesus and the perfect sacrifice that He made on our behalf that we can have a relationship with Jesus and will be in heaven. This young man decided to make the best choice of his life and trust in the Savior! Please join us in praying for him that the Holy Spirit would guide and protect him while he starts to grow in the knowledge of God.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Thank you Jesus that we can gather together and worship our Savior!
Love,
Steve and Donna
7/10/21
You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 4:35-36
We have a small strawberry patch in the backyard. When we have a few minutes we go out and pick strawberries. That’s what happens most years but this year has been different. After picking the strawberries this year we tossed them into cold water to wash them off and they turned to mush. What has been different this year is the heat.
It’s usually about seventy in the northwest in June so there is never any reason to rush out and pick fruit as soon as it starts to ripen.
We believe a harvest is coming but are we prepared to rush out and pick the fruit before it turns to mush?
We prepare for so many different things like work, vacations, and disasters. How much more should we be prepared for the harvest of eternal lasting fruit?
We should be able to tell a Jehovah Witness or a Catholic that are trying to earn their way to Jesus, in a loving way, (Romans 10:9-13). Or what about learning how to speak to a person who doesn’t believe in right or wrong and point them to the truth of God’s word?
There is a harvest coming whether we are prepared or not. God is going to use the evil that Satan intended for harm, for the glory of the Kingdom. Will we rejoice bringing in the sheaves? Or will we be caught in the cares of this world?
We realize most of the people that read this, are prepared for the harvest and already working diligently for the Kingdom, but let’s pray that the Holy Spirit would bring to our attention those opportunities that we might otherwise miss.
After having a wonderful time of worship we set up for the sermon. A lady, who was there and has been given over to the demonic, was being somewhat quiet during worship. But as soon as the sermon started she started trying to interrupt and be disruptive. But the ministers were praying and silencing the demonic from speaking.
During the prayer times one man shared how difficult it was to do God’s will while being homeless.
Another man shared with a minister during the prayer times that he had studied the three different words for love in the Bible. This man has sincerely been studying God’s word and following Jesus. He has been working and we are praying that he is able to find affordable housing soon.
A man that we hadn’t met before shared with a minister that he wanted a new life. In his voice there was a disgusted and hopeless sound. He said that he felt like jumping off the overpass bridge. The minister shared with him that there was good news for him and that he could have a new life if he would surrender his life to Jesus. This man asked Jesus to save him! After spending sometime sharing with this man some truths of God’s word, the man left and as he was leaving he stated that he could tell that something was different’ in him. Thank you Jesus for your mercy!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that the Holy Spirit would encourage us all to be more prepared for the coming harvest!
Love,
Steve and Donna
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5
One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then He asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When He gives a command, even the wind and waves obey Him!” Luke 8:22-25
In the boat the disciples took their eyes off of Jesus and started looking at the circumstances around them.
And now O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, Your servants, great boldness in preaching Your word. Stretch out Your hand with healing power may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31
When Peter and John were confronted with the evil that was working in the leaders at that time, they didn’t focus on the leaders, they spent their energy focused on Jesus.
With the increase of demonic manifestations it could be easy to spend a lot of time in warfare against the darkness. And this needs to happen, but unless we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the authority that the Creator of the universe has, we miss walking in the power that God has given us. Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
Another day filled with spiritual warfare. Right when we stepped off the bus a man who was under the influence of drugs and evil started sounding off. It wasn’t clear what he was saying most of the time but there were instances that were clearly demonic. One of the ministers started praying and bound the demonic speech. During worship this man seemed to settle down a bit but as soon as the sermon started he went off again.
And then the speaker started cutting out. Along with all this there were sirens going and a motorcycle blasting really foul music. One minister started praying at the back of the group and one started praying at the front of the group and again God’s peace settled over the area.
During the prayer times one man shared that he just came to receive prayer. He was going to have hernia surgery and was scared. We don’t see this man very often and even though we were glad he knew where to get prayer, we are praying that he would show up each weekend and learn to pray about everything so that the peace of God that transcends all understanding would guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
One lady shared that she keeps coming to the street corner because she use to have a lot of confusion but now she doesn’t, thank you Jesus. We will keep praying that the Holy Spirit would continue to bring healing to her mind, body and soul.
As the ministers spent time talking with and praying for people, a car started thru the intersection. Another car that was at a red light came around the corner and went into the other cars lane. At this, the person in car that almost hit the other car started swerving all over and yelling curses at the person he almost hit almost like if he yelled hard and long enough nobody would know that he was in the wrong.
As one of the minister started praying, he felt God speaking that if the man in the car that was yelling was asked whether he was a Christian, he would probably say he was. And he might even be at church the next day. We are praying that if this is the case or not that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction upon this man.
At the very end of the day after everything was loaded back on the bus, a man showed up and asked if we were all done. He said he had been to the corner before. A minister asked him if he wanted a bottle of water and after handing it to him one of the ministers asked him if he knew Jesus. He stated that Jesus wouldn’t have anything to do with him. The minister asked if he felt unworthy of Jesus. At this the man became angry and stomped off saying no he didn’t want anything to do with God, as he waved his fist in the air.
We are praying that with every sip of that water that the Holy Spirit would come upon this man and bring a conviction that would lead to repentance!
A hot, sweaty day to be out sharing Jesus, but God has given us eyes of faith to see that this is going to be a season of mountain moving!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission!
Please join us in praying for a Holy Spirit breakthrough for each person that comes up to that street corner.
Love, Steve and Donna
6/19/21
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devils trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Illegal drugs open a door to demonic influences and the more drugs that pour into our cities the more demon possessed we see.
During the prayer times a man shared how bad it had gotten where he and his friend pitch their tent. It seems that a street up town had been cleared of the homeless and so they moved down to where this man is living. The garbage is piling up and this causes the rats to multiply. This man believes in Jesus as his Savior but is still struggling with addiction. We will continue to pray for the freedom that God is willing and able to pour out on him.
One man shared that he had been a part of a church but they were doing things that he didn’t think was right. The minister shared with this man that as believers we needed to follow Christ’s example and not allow what others were doing to keep us from doing what God would have us do. And so he needed to have forgiveness for those that he disagreed with and pray for them.
A man that we hadn’t seen for about a month was at the corner when we arrived. He was angry and was scratching all over constantly. During a prayer time a minister shared with this man that he needed to forgive the people that he believed had hurt him. He seemed to receive this. We will be praying that he truly forgives in his heart. We were able to provide him with clean clothes and we are praying that he would be able to get rid of the lice.
One man that we had never met before hung out towards the back of the group during the worship and sermon. As we started praying with people and helping with some of the physical things they needed, this man walked all over and around and acting really strange. It can be difficult to explain to someone that has never witnessed a demonic spirit acting and speaking through someone, what it is like. As one of the ministers tried to speak to him about Jesus he started using language that was stomach turning. The minister shared with this man that Satan came to kill, steal and destroy and Jesus came to give life and life abundantly. The minister also shared that Jesus would forgive him of his sins. At this the demon started sneering and the man left. Please join us in praying that this man would come back and be delivered from the demon. Jesus desires that none would perish!
If we weren’t interfering with Satan’s evil, he would probably stay away. Before leaving we gathered to pray and one minister went to check the time and noticed that the screen on the phone looked like it was flying through space it was so messed up. As we prayed and came against any of the schemes of the enemy, the phone went right back to normal. God is good, not that He fixed the phone but that He hears us when we pray!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May Jesus, our Mighty Warrior lead you towards the battle!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
6/12/21
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father who is over all and in all living through all.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing full of love. Ephesians 4:11-16
With summer approaching in the northwest, seeds that were planted in the spring have started to grow. Most of them were planted at the same time after spending time cultivating the soil. But even though they were planted at the same time each seed grows differently.
The same is true for each one of us growing more and more like Christ. We all grow at different times.
Today on the street corner two of the people that we have ministered too for about the same amount of time are growing in their relationship with Jesus very differently. A lady, who has always been nice and polite, seems not really interested in allowing God’s truth to transform her. A man that we have ministered too for about the same amount of time has many times been rude and abusive. But this man has put into practice God’s truth. Today he shared that he had all of his things stolen. He was very upset, but even with being upset he shared that he needed to pray about the situation and forgive the people involved!
We continue to pray for both people that they would take hold of God’s truth and run with it.
A younger man that we have ministered too for about five years had a desire to draw close to God today. There are times that we have seen him make baby steps in faith but today seemed to be a leap. We will be praying that he would listen to the Holy Spirit and draw closer to Jesus.
One lady that usually is carrying a demonic spirit with her showed up today. She wasn’t able to listen to the sermon without getting up and crossing the street to listen but she didn’t leave. For her this is growth. She left before the ministers could spend time praying with her but we will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit would bring her back and cause a conviction in her that would lead to repentance and faith in Christ.
It can be difficult when seeds are planted not to see what is happening beneath the soil but God is at work even when we don’t see the work that is being done!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May your seeds grow into a beautiful, bountiful harvest!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/29/21
Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the LORD is saying!’ So My people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! Ezekiel 33:30-32
For Herod respected John and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. Mark 6:20
But all they gave Him was lip service they lied to Him with their tongues. Their hearts were not loyal to Him. They did not keep His covenant. Psalm 78:36-37
This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes-so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them. Matthew 13:14-15
Let us be diligent as watchmen in those ministries and communities that we are in that the Holy Spirit would open ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand that the people around us would turn to Jesus and let Him heal them.
Today was a beautiful sunny day in Tacoma. After the worship and sermon we set up to share chili with the street community.
One man, who has just recently returned to work, brought bread to go with the chili. He shared last week that he wanted to provide bread and he followed through. We saw this as evidence that this man is putting into action what he is learning about God. Thank you Jesus! Please join us in praying that his living and working situation would become more stable and he would continue to grow in Christ.
A lady, who has been coming to the street corner for about ten years, shared during a prayer time that she has been spending more time reading the Bible we gave her. We are praying that she would put into practice what she is learning as she draws closer to God.
While getting some clothing from the bus, an older man shared that he just wanted to be gone from this earth. He said that was the only thing that he wanted. But when he said it, he used more colorful language. This man prayed and asked Jesus to save him about three years ago so we are trusting God that this would be his rock bottom and he would want Jesus to take complete control of his life. Please join us in praying for his safety until that day comes and that Satan would not be able to tempt him in any way.
During a prayer time a younger man shared that his ex-girlfriend had been talking trash about him. He claimed that he didn’t do the things she said but if he had been high it’s likely that he just doesn’t remember. The minister share with this man that what he needed to do was draw closer to Jesus and pray for his ex-girlfriend to draw close to God. And that she might see the difference in him and stop talking bad about him but, even if she didn’t stop talking bad about him, he needed to spend more of his time getting closer to Jesus and that what his girlfriend was saying would become less important to him. We will continue to pray that he would show up at the corner more often so he would learn how to apply the truth of God’s word to his life.
This was an amazing week of watching God work. We had been getting really low on men’s smaller jean sizes so we prayed. When we went to the Goodwill we were able to pick up some jeans which they don’t always have the smaller sizes. The next day we received a phone call from a friend that ministers in young life. He shared that they had a garage sale and all the clothes that were donated, they were giving to us. When we went through the donations there were all these smaller men’s jeans in them along with other clothing items that were such a blessing! And then as we were getting ready to head to the street corner Saturday morning after spending time in prayer, a couple ladies gave us some clothes that they had went and bought for someone, but that person had left the area before they could get the clothes to him. And then one of the ministers that met us at the street corner brought a bag of clothing! God is so good to us! Thank you Jesus!
We pray that you would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. He is willing and able to provide!
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/22/21
Or suppose I were to pour out My fury by sending an epidemic into the land, and the disease killed people and animals alike. As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved by their righteousness. Now this is what he Sovereign LORD says: How terrible it will be when all four of these dreadful punishments fall upon Jerusalem-war, famine, wild animals, and disease-destroying all her people and animals. Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” Then this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, how does a grapevine compare to a tree? Is a vines wood useful as the wood of a tree? Can its wood be used for making things, like pegs to hang pots and pans? No, it can only be used for fuel, and even as fuel, it burns too quickly. Vines are useless both before and after being put into the fire!
Ezekiel 14:19-15-5
God sent His message through Ezekiel that people would repent of turning away from God and relying on idols. God was putting Israel and Judea through a refining fire that should have brought about repentance.
Most often it is in the fire through repentance and dependence on God that we become useful for God’s kingdom work. Because it is in the fire that our faith is show to be genuine and brings us a greater revelation of God’s mercy and grace that He has so generously given His children.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when you faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-9
I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “These are My people,” and they will say, “The LORD is our God.” Zechariah 13:9
During a wonderful sermon on who we are in Christ, a man came up with a box full of pill holders to hand out. This man said he works down there and sees us down there every weekend and thought we could hand these out! What a blessing!
During the prayer times one man shared that he got into a fight with his sister. He said he needed to make sure that he stayed away from her. We are praying God’s restoration would come to their relationship.
Another man shared that he was kicked out of the rescue mission. So he wouldn’t be able to go back and eat there for a couple of weeks. The minister asked this man if he had been drinking at the time. The man said yes and had gotten into a fight and didn’t even remember it. The ministers gathered around this man and prayed for his deliverance. Not long after the ministers had prayed the man asked for a Bible. He said he needed to get back in the Word and needed to start trusting God again. Amen!
One of the ministers was telling one man that there would be hot chili served next week, the man who was just getting back to work asked if he could bring bread to go with it. He said he had some bread from the bakery up the street and it was delicious and wanted to be able to help. Amen!
One younger man came up at the end of the day and just wanted prayer. He shared that he had gone from group home to group home when he was younger and then got involved with meth. He said that he had stopped for a time but was now back at it. He just wanted prayer to be set free so he could be close to God again. We will continue to pray for God to give him the strength to resist temptation.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please join us in praying that the refining fire that the street community goes through brings them to repentance and that their faith would be shown to be genuine.
Love,
Steve and Donna
5/15/21
May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace. Numbers 6:24-26
If you do not serve the LORD your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The LORD will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until He has destroyed you. Deuteronomy 28:47-48
The LORD said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon Me and break My covenant that I have made with them. Then My anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding My face from them and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’” Deuteronomy 31:16-17
You expect to fight the Babylonians, but the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in My terrible anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness. Jeremiah 33:5
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34
Where does that leave our nation? God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. Acts 10:34
Even though many of the leaders in this nation seem to do more evil each year, there are pockets of believers that are standing on the truth of the Gospel. Tacoma is one of those places where many of the believers are leaving behind the comfort of just sitting in a pew and are reaching out to people in the community! Praise Jesus! God has placed us in this nation for such a time as this.
On the street corner today during the prayer times one person shared that he had just gotten out of the hospital. He has gall bladder problems and the doctors want to send him to Seattle to have surgery. He also has a leg that makes it difficult for him to get around. After the minister laid hands on his leg and prayed he was walking a lot better.
One man that has been showing up on the corner most Saturdays shared that he desired to go back to work and have some stability in his life. He shared last week that he was homeless again after having a place to live for some time. This man is should be such an encouragement to others because he trusts God for his every need and knows that God loves him and is with him!
At the end of the day a lady showed up that was under demonic influence. After trying to help her get some clean clothes she walked off while the minister was praying for her deliverance. Please join us in praying that she would come back and receive deliverance and healing from the Savior.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May you see God’s blessing in His mission field.
Love,
Steve and Donna
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance therefore I will hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the LORD’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the LORD forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love. Lamentations 3:20-32
Who can command things to happen without the LORD’s permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead let us examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD. Lamentations 3:37-40
Homelessness and suffering are not unique to our time. Much of the homeless and suffering is caused by our own sins, but not all. We should always examine ourselves and repent of known sin but especially in times of suffering we should make sure that we are lining up with what God desires.
But we also need to remember God’s faithful love never ends and He is our inheritance so whatever happens He is with us and He keeps us!
As worship was ending on the street today one person wanted to keep singing. This man has been clean for ten days and knows that it is God that is helping him through his difficult time and wanted to continue to praise him! Amen! This man is entering a faith based clean and sober treatment this coming week and we will continue to pray that as he draws close to Jesus the temptation of drugs will lose its appeal.
After the sermon one man shared how encouraged he was and that he really missed the sermon when he wasn’t there the last time we were out.
One younger man asked for prayer from one of the ministers. This may not seem like much but this younger man usually accepts prayer somewhat hesitantly. Please join us in praying that he would continue to draw closer to God and to trust that God’s people love him.
One man who has had housing for about six months was back on the street. This man is almost always at the corner and desires to seek God. He has never blamed the people he lives with for him being out on the street but reading through the lines it seems that maybe they aren’t seeking to live for Jesus. We will continue to pray that they would put Jesus first in their life and that from that healing would come to their relationships.
One younger man showed up towards the end of the day needing a change of clothes. He seemed to know a little Scripture but stated that since Jesus died He couldn’t be God. This younger man didn’t seem to want to have a discussion about Scripture, but just wanted to deny its truth. Please join us in praying that he would come back and the Holy Spirit would cause a conviction that would lead to repentance.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Praying that the spring that wells up into eternal life would flow through the city of Tacoma and then into the world!
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/24/21
Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. Leviticus 25:10
Jubilee was a year of restoration, new beginnings and debts were forgiven.
The Sprit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at Him intently. Then He began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:18-21
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is a part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:34-36
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2
We live in the era of Jesus Christ, the era of freedom from the power of sin, the era of jubilee. There are many sins that the people of this nation, as with other nations walk in, but two that plague the street community is addiction and victimhood. If only they knew the power of God that can free them, they would no longer be victims but victorious in Christ!
For the LORD delights in His people He crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
Today was a day of victory. To some the victories we witnessed may not seem like much or they might have missed them all together but in the spiritual realm they were huge!
As we set up for worship and the sermon it was raining and so we put out the awning on the bus. It isn’t a very big area so everyone has to sit closely together. One older man has a difficult time being too close to other people and so he got up and stood in the rain. While standing there for a few minutes he started to fly into a rage. One of the ministers grabbed an umbrella and a chair for this older man and this he calmed right down. During the prayer times the ministers shared how proud they were that he had calmed down so quickly. Jesus has done an amazing work in this man’s life and we will continue to pray for him to draw closer to God.
One person when asked how things had been going for him since the last time the minister had seen him, said with a surprised look on his face that he had to be honest and that he had peace. He went on to share that maybe it was because he had started helping other people. The minister shared with this young man that the reason he had peace was because he had given his life to Jesus the last time he had been there in February. We are praying that he starts showing up more often so that he can learn more about the Savior who he put his faith in and that it is the truth of knowing that God will never leave him nor forsake him that has given him peace.
One younger man was having a difficult day. He didn’t want to wait to get more coffee until others had gotten coffee and just seemed to want to antagonize some of the other people in the street community. After one of the ministers spent some time with him, as the minister put it, pouring clean water into him, he seemed to be much calmer and wanted to share with another minister that he was struggling. This young man usually doesn’t open up about what’s going on in his life and we see this as a step in his drawing closer to Jesus.
One man who showed up the ministers had been praying he would come back. He has a demonic spirit that he carries and he has come by the street corner before but usually he stops for a few minutes, long enough to yell or say something incoherent and then walks off yelling and speaking of very demonic things. Today he stayed and had some coffee and then he waited to get some things off the bus. As he was receiving a few physical things the ministers were pouring clean water into him. Even though he asked if he could be through with the whole ‘Jesus stuff’ we believe that the Holy Spirit was causing a conviction that will bring repentance and faith. Please join us in praying that Jesus would pull this man out of the fires of hell!
With spiritual eyes we can see the awesome victories in these people’s lives.
One person when asked if he would be welcomed into heaven, shared that he had done some terrible things and he was trying to make up for them but he didn’t think God would allow him into heaven. The minister asked if he would like to hear some Good News and he said he would. The minister shared the Gospel with him and he asked Jesus to save him! Amen! Thank you Jesus!
If only every corner had God’s people sharing the Good News of victory in Jesus Christ!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We are praying that this is a year of jubilee for you and for this nation!
Love,
Steve and Donna
4/17/21
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back on to the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:1-4
Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37
No two people are alike and so there will always be tension in some areas of relationships. We can’t change other people’s behavior. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Our focus needs to be on living to please the Spirit.
Last week and this week we spent time helping those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ to trust Him even in problems in with different people.
One person shared that he was having trouble with his sister. Being twins they were close for many years but the last couple years have been a struggle for them both. The minister shared with this man that he couldn’t make his sister act like he thought a sister should act but that he needed to treat her well and do what he could on his part even if this meant staying away from her for some time. We will continue to pray for healing in their relationship.
Another man said he didn’t think he was saved because he wasn’t getting treated by other people the way he thought he should. He said that he was doing good things for people but nothing good was happening to him. Knowing that this man had asked Jesus to save him, the minister went on to remind him why he was saved. It was because Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world and that he had placed his trust in Him. This man came from a Buddhist religion and sometimes thinks if he just did enough ‘good’ he could earn good things. The minister went on to share with him that we can’t trust our ‘feelings,’ we need to trust what the Bible says. And we have a responsibility to seek out Jesus in His word, in church and in fellowship with other people that love Jesus. We are praying that he would spend more time in God’s word.
One lady shared that she was no longer friends with another lady. She said that this other lady said she owed her money. The minister reminded this lady that just because they were having a disagreement didn’t mean that they were no longer friends. The minister then reminded this lady that just a month ago she was saying the same thing about someone else that she had a disagreement with and they are now friends again.
Homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness are such difficult issues on their own and when different situations arise it is easy for the fragile friendships to be broken.
Please join us in praying strategically for the street community that the ones that have placed their trust in Jesus would have empathy and grace for those around them and they would come to realize that they can be part of the problem or they can live to please the Spirit and reap a harvest of blessing.
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ surround your week.
Love,
Steve and Donna
I baptize you with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater than I’m not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire. Matthew 3:11-12
The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ ‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. ‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. ‘No,’ he replied, ‘Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’ Matthew 13:27-29
Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2
Jesus has called His followers to share His message of forgiveness of sin and right standing with God. We are not called to have a preconceived idea of who is a wheat or tare. And so on the street corner we share the Gospel even when someone mockingly laughs or yells at us. We have ministered to people that have displayed this kind of behavior for years and then surrendered to God and become transformed.
Sadly, we have talked to people over the years that have left similar ministries to the street corner ministry, believing that they weren’t seeing any fruit.
We are called to proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and live by faith, not by sight.
Today was one of those days that we have to trust that the rocky soil that was tilled will become a magnificent harvest. As we started setting up for worship one young girl still in braces showed up. She reeked of meth it’s a smell like cat urine but stronger. She was talking about things that we won’t share, so the lady minister went over and shared with her that they would talk after the service and that she didn’t need to share those things with the men there. After the service the minister spent a long time praying with and her and trying to get her to accept some phone numbers from different agencies but she had a reason that none of them could help her. We are praying that she would come back and that she would be delivered from the addiction. It was clear that she hadn’t been on the street long but she wasn’t ready to allow Jesus to transform her. Heartbreaking.
One older man that we have ministered too for over twelve years showed up drunk. All four ministers spent time praying with him. We believe that he is at a good place to reach out to God for help.
During a prayer time an older lady that we hadn’t met before started sharing all the problems that were going on in her life. She talked for about half an hour, but kept going in circles about ‘what ifs.’ The minister let her talk and then tried to help this lady see that she needed to keep her gaze on Jesus. That she could truly lay all her burdens on Him and have peace. After the minister spent time in prayer with her, she went back to talking in circles. We will continue to pray for her that she would trust Jesus to help her in everything.
During the time that all the ministers were praying with people one lady started threatening to punch another lady. One of the ministers interrupted the fight and was prayerfully able to calm the lady down that was threatening the other lady. The minister shared with the lady that was threatening the other lady that she didn’t need to try to fix every wrong spoken against her and that she needed to keep her eyes on God and focus on how she was reacting to others behaviors rather than the other person’s behavior. She took the advice and calmed down and the minister spent time praying with her.
Spiritually and emotionally difficult day but we continue to trust Jesus with the harvest!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Don’t get discouraged, the harvest is coming!
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them, And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
The difference between knowing something and really believing it will always show in our actions. The life of someone who might call themselves ‘Christian’ but don’t really believe, live a self-directed life usually resulting in frustration. The life of someone who believes has put aside their will to yield to the will of Christ, resulting in peace with God’s plan.
Our work in the harvest matters, it is one place that will show the difference between just knowing and actually believing. There are many different fields the workplace, street corners, God pods, your home and yes, even your own family. Your work in the harvest not only displays for all to see what you really believe and who you belong to, it can be the difference between eternal life in Jesus, and death eternally separated from Jesus.
Today we had the pleasure of sharing hot soup and rolls with the street community.
During one prayer time a man who has been going through chemo for cancer told the minister that he kept finding people to buy him cannabis. He went on to say that the ‘experts’ told him that it would destroy the cancer cells. The minister shared with this man that the cannabis might help him feel better but was doubtful that it destroyed cancer. We know this man is going through cancer treatment because we have spoken to the hospital where he goes to have his treatment. But at this time it seemed that he just wanted someone to buy him some weed and that we weren’t going to do knowing his history of drug abuse. We will continue to pray that God would ease the pain caused by the cancer and the chemo and bring physical and spiritual healing to this man. One lady shared with a minister that she was trying to convince her friend to move back onto the street. This friend has a small trailer to stay in but has been having some problems with the owner. The minister shared with the lady that it might be best for her friend to work out her problems instead of running from them. We will continue to pray for God’s will and intervention in the friend’s situation.
While one of the ministers was serving coffee a car drove by slowly and then drove around the block and came back and parked in front of the bus. The man came up to the minister serving coffee and explained that the minister had spoken words of encouragement over ten years ago that had caused him to become a minister himself! He stopped to thank the minister serving coffee even though the minister serving coffee didn’t recognize the man. Amen!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
Praying that you all have a blessed week!
Love, Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
3/20/21
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way it is not My heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose the things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
God pursues a relationship with all people. An how amazing that our Savior, Creator of the heavens and earth, gets great pleasure from His relationship with us!
Today as the sermon started a lady in the car parked in front of the bus started yelling at the man in the car. The door was open and she was really loud. As the ministers prayed she calmed down and quit yelling. After the sermon another lady said that she had been struggling with demonic things going on all around her and decided that she just needed to be at the street corner. She shared that the sermon was just what she needed to hear and was filled with joy after listening. Thank you Jesus!
During a prayer time one man shared that he wasn’t thinking right and couldn’t get the confusion out of his mind. He said that just nine months ago he had a wife, home and even a dog and he had lost it all. The minister prayed Jeremiah 28:11 with him and that he needed to put his focus on Jesus and that God could restore the years that the locus had destroyed. We are praying that he comes back and starts to surrender his will to the will of the Father.
One younger man stated that he is a Christian. But after spending a few minutes talking with him the ministers understood that he had put together his own belief system. He believed that he wouldn’t go to hell because only ‘really terrible’ people would be sent there. He believed that he might make it to a lower heaven because he wasn’t as good as some people. As many times as the minister explained that none of that was in the Bible or truth, he would go on to some other claim that he thought God should do. Isn’t that the problem with living outside the will of God, we think we know better than God? This younger man left as confused as he came but we know that God’s word doesn’t go void. We will pray that those seeds grow and it will bear fruit in this young man’s life.
During the entire time of prayer and helping with the physical needs of some people the lady that had been yelling was would walk up and start spitting and then walk away all the time talking to herself. She left before the ministers could spend time with her but we will be praying that Jesus would intervene in her life and she would come back and find the Savior!
Two men that were there today feel like they have a calling on their life to reach others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please join us in praying that God would pour out His Spirit into their life and embolden them to proclaim His truth boldly!
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission.
We just launched the new website that we have been working on for the last couple of months.
The other one was shut down due to the platform being outdated. So if you visit the website it will look different. It isn’t completely finished yet. Prayerfully it will glorify Jesus!
May Jesus pour out His Spirit in your life and give you strength and joy, for we were created for a time such as this!
Love, Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
3/13/21
And yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are the potter. We are all formed by Your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Being conformed to the image of Christ is not an easy process. Suffering is something that God will use to mold us into His Son’s image. Today before heading to the street corner we were joined by a prayer warrior that we hadn’t seen in some time! As we set up for the day on the street corner, some of the people were mourning the loss of a friend and brother in Christ. We reminded them that the person who went on to be with Jesus was out of the pain and suffering in this world but also that he left a legacy for others that they could use for encouragement in their walk with Jesus. One younger man who was mourning the loss of his friend also had his wife leave him. We are praying that this younger man felt the love and comfort of Christ flowing through the ministers for him in his time of need. We will continue to pray that all of this would draw him closer to Jesus instead of pulling him back into old and destructive habits. As one of the ministers was encouraging a person in their walk with Jesus another younger man started to get angry. This younger man is usually very quiet and stays to himself. As he became really angry, another minister prayerfully walked over and put his arm around this younger man. The demonic spirit fled and this young man immediately calmed down!
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Isaiah 49:13
Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please join us in praying against the spirit of suicide that has come against the youth of this nation.
Your promise revives me it comforts me in all my troubles. Psalm 119:50
Love,
Steve and Donna
www.thestreetcornercommission.org
2/27/21
Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:1-2
So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom. Isaiah 59:9
For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. Isaiah 59:12-15
If Isaiah was alive today he could have written these same scriptures about the world, except that Jesus has come and His light has broken through the darkness for those who trust Him.
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12:46
After a sermon shared in part about a person from a country with no freedom to speak or worship Jesus and how critical this person was of Christians in this country and their lack of seriousness of the Gospel. But only a year later this person had to apologize for criticizing other Christians because he became worse than the people he was criticizing. He said he didn’t realize how difficult it is to live the Christian life under freedom.
It can be very easy to be pulled away from walking with Jesus. But when we repent Jesus is there to forgive our sins.
After the sermon a group from another church brought out delicious pulled pork sandwiches, chips, muffins and water. But even more important than the food they spent time with different people from the street blessing them and encouraging them to walk with Christ.
One person from the street community shared that he had been drinking. He was ashamed to be there and be intoxicated. The minister told him it was the best place for him to be. The man was living with hatred of himself. The minister helped this man pray and repent and ask God to help him with the physical pain that leads him to drink. The minister shared that God could heal him completely or give him the strength to endure the pain without drinking.
One older man, who we have been ministering to for years, was so happy to share that he didn’t get angry while waiting to get something off the bus because of the food being served. He said he needed to keep putting his trust in Jesus to help him with the anger. Amen!
One younger man shared that he had been on the street for a couple of years off and on. He felt his life didn’t have direction or purpose. The minister shared the Gospel with this young man and he gave his life to Christ!
An older man told a minister that he had put his trust in Jesus a long time ago but didn’t believe he would go to heaven. He was carrying guilt and shame over his sins. The minister shared that he needed to repent and prayed with him in repentance. The minister then shared the story of the prodigal son and how the father was waiting with open arms when his son came back. The man was filled with wonder at God’s mercy and said it was almost to amazing to believe. The minister reminded him that when he sinned again because he still had a sinful nature, he needed to repent and ask God to help him leave that sin behind.
Another younger man knew he didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. He said he had a friend who encouraged him to put his trust in Jesus but he told his friend he wasn’t ready. He said he hadn’t talked to his friend in a long time and how he missed their talks. The minister shared that it wasn’t an accident that he was there and that God had a purpose for his life. This young man made the choice to put his trust in Jesus! This young man said he had family that was praying for him but he had burnt too many bridges and they wouldn’t trust him. The minister shared that now he is a new creation in Christ and the old has gone, it could take time but his family would eventually start to see the change in him and know that it was Jesus changing his life. That isn’t a promise of being reunited with his family but God is in the business of reconciliation.
What an awesome day spent with God’s people sharing the love of Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that God would give you the opportunity to share Jesus with at least one person this week!
Love, Steve and Donna
2/20/21
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners’ purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:7-8
Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the LORD.
Isaiah 52:11
“Ever since the days of your ancestors you have scorned My decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to Me and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heavens Armies. Malachi 3:7
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 2 Corinthians 6:17
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are His, and all who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.’ 2 Timothy 2:19
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:6-9
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12
Believers have a real enemy. It’s not a political, social or philosophical enemy. We are at war with evil personalities. There is an intelligent being behind all the evil in the world and unless we fight defensively by having a firm grasp of the Gospel and praying strategically, we will lose ground. But because of our God and King, Jesus, we can not only stand firm but we can advance the Kingdom for the glory of God!
What a beautiful sunny day! After worship and the sermon we spent time caring for the street community through prayer and providing warm clothing. One lady that showed up decided to throw her cup of coffee out in the street. One minister asked her to pick it up. She did and went and threw it away without becoming angry. She, like some that show up on Saturdays, deal with demonic influences. After getting some of the items she needed and was very thankful for, she bolted before the minister could pray with her. She thinks that she pulled a fast one but what she doesn’t understand is that we continue to pray for her whether she stays or not and in fact we continue to pray for her throughout the week. We are looking forward to the day that she stops trying to bury the mercy of God! One older man asked for a sweatshirt that was for a very small lady. The minister told him that there was one that would fit him better. This man started to fly into a rage but before he completely lost control the minister told him that the devil was trying to make him angry and he needed to rebuke the devil and thank Jesus for all the things that He has done for him. It was awesome to watch this man calm down. One man that was new to Tacoma showed up in time to hear the sermon and was thankful to hear God’s truth right there on the street. He is homeless but looking forward to being on the street corner on Saturdays. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. We pray that Jesus would guide and guard your minds and hearts throughout the week!
Love, Steve and Donna
Jan 30, 2021
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the
man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is
the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1Timothy 2:5-6
Jesus gave
His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us
from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever!
Amen. Galatians 1:4-5
For the
grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed
to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil
world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward
with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave His life to free us from every kind of
sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to
doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
With the
darkness growing exponentially it’s easy to become discouraged and to think
that the dark will overwhelm the light. But as believers we need to encourage
each other to live with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God while keeping
our gaze fixed on the wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior
will be revealed and continue to do good.
And they
sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and its
seals and open it. For You were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people
for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5:9
Today after
a wonderful time in worship and an encouraging sermon on seeking God to help us
out of a pit that we might be in, we shared a hot soup with the street
community. After the sermon one man shared how encouraged he was by the sermon
because his friend was passed out in his tent and had urinated all over
himself. This man was trying to help his friend get washed up, but his friend
just wanted to sleep. We are praying for this man’s friend that Jesus would
deliver him from addiction. During the prayer times one man asked the minister
if the virus would ever be over. The minister shared that there was no way of
knowing but they needed to keep their eyes on Jesus and understand that He was
greater than the darkness. After the prayer time the man left with a renewed
desire to know Jesus in a greater way. One lady asked for peace during the
prayer times. She didn’t go into detail but with everything is going on in the
country and in Tacoma she was having difficulty with anxiety. After the prayer
time she left looking like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. One man
who has been coming just to hear the sermons for about two months made the
decision to put his trust in Christ! Thank you to everyone that prays for and
donates to The Street Corner Commission. The darkness will never overcome the
light of Jesus Christ!
Love,
Steve and
Donna
Jan 23, 2021
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. Ephesians 2:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Without Jesus people live without hope. They may, for a time put their hope in different ‘idols’, but they all eventually fail.
Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessing for each of your troubles. Zechariah 9:12
When a prisoner of addiction places their hope in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they may not immediately stop using drugs or alcohol, but the hope that Jesus brings to a transformed heart gives an addict the strength to stop. And Jesus does bless them!
Remember Your promise to me it is my only hope. Psalm 119:49
May all who fear You find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in Your word. Psalm 119:74
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15
Today someone came to the bus so excited to let us know that he use to come to the bus about two years ago. He has now gone through the new life program and has been clean for about two years. He wanted to share how the love and hope of Jesus Christ that he learned about on the street corner helped to change his life. And now he wants to share that hope with others. Thank you Jesus! We remembered this person and what he was like when he would come to the bus. Many times he would seem demonically influenced. But now we see the light of Jesus Christ shining in his eyes. This was a wonderful start to the day especially when one lady showed up that can be very angry and difficult to love. But after hearing this man’s testimony it was much easier to love her and tell her once again about the loving Savior. Hope was the topic of many prayer times today. The ministers continued to point each person back to the source of all hope, Jesus Christ. One lady shared how she and her husband have moved from a tent to a trailer on her son’s property. As they seek Jesus, God continues to bring unexpected blessings their way. One man shared that even with being homeless Jesus restored his relationship with his wife and then restored her faith in Jesus as he brought her to church on the street corner. Thank you to everyone that prays for and donates to The Street Corner Commission. Please continue to pray for the street community, it was a very cold night to be in a doorway, sleeping bag or even a tent.
May God bless you!
Love, Steve & Donna
