It is Happening Right Here

Hearts are being changed and ministry focus is expanding as the orphan care ministry call reaches the local churches. We are so excited about the involvment of a number of local churches who are responding to a specific call - the plight of local youth aging out of foster care.


Responding to the need right here in our local community of Dayton, Ohio, our church, the Shelter Community Church has joined the Salem Church of God and 10 other churches who are coming together to ask and answer a question  - what can we do to help teenagers aging out of foster care who have to where to go and no one to go to?

For the next 30 days, our pastor, Ryan Riddell and two others will live homeless on the streets of Dayton. Their goal is singluar - raise awareness of the plight of foster teens and raise funding to provide homes for those aging out of foster care with no where to go and no one to go to.

A homeless youth on a city street somewhere in the United States...This should never be!
Here is a brief summary of what Ryan has written

I cannot help but believe I have to do something. When anywhere from 20 to 45% of kids who “Age Out” of the system go homeless, I am drawn to act. For 30 days in January, with God’s help, I will be homeless. I plan on living downtown in Dayton, sleeping out of a van. I will not report to work, and spend as much time possible touching those who are without.

By the way, I would not be doing this if Beth, my wife did not share in this burden… She is with my boys who I will see different times through the week while on the journey… the hardest part about this, is not being with them… I pray this will be a testimony to my boys that Faith without works is dead.

My mission is simple:
1. Raise awareness by giving an inside vantage point of what it is like to live without a home.
2. Bring renewal to my own spiritual life, and to the lives of those who follow.
3. Raise support for New Family Tree Ministries who are providing and furnishing housing for kids who are “AGING OUT” of the system and have no where to call home.


Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? James 2:15-16


I am asking people to give and support this effort by contributing as much as they possible can in order to bring relief to this issue.


WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Each year thousands of vulnerable youth across the nation turn 18 and "age out" of the foster care system. While their peers look forward to prom night, graduation, furthering their education and have hope for the future, the "aging out kids" are faced with a harsh reality. They are now alone and solely responsible for determining where they will live, what they will eat and how they will survive in the world.


www.30dayshomeless.tv needs everyone to help get the word out so we can help bring relief to children in our backyard who have no family, home, or way to transistion from a foster care into the real world.

THE SHELTER CHURCH and the SYNERGY NETWORK want to do something to fill the HOLE in "OUR" Gospel.

I LOVE MY FAMILY AND MY CHURCH. May God bless this and may we see God do a mighty work in our midst.

Ryan

For more information about this effort - you can visit  www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-Homeless/132614696797310


Ryan's journey will be updated daily and their is information also on how to support this life sustaining, God called effort.