EPISODE 015: An Ordained Minister on Why We Become Homeless, Finding a Calling, and Taking Action
In this week’s episode, ordained minister Josh Stephenson, leader of the homeless outreach ministry, Dirty Hands, opens up about who he is as a person, his goals in life, his faith as a foundation for life, and the concept of home.
In this candid conversation, Josh discusses how he “intends to be about his father’s business,” how he’s grown in faith over the years, and how he realized his calling of serving the homeless. We discuss how people can be not only physically homeless, but also spiritually or mentally homeless too and what home is to Josh.
Tune in to hear how the Dirty Hands Ministry came about, how you can get involved, or how you can donate. Want to start a homeless outreach ministry of your own? Josh’s example of the steps to take can help you get there.
LISTEN
HIGHLIGHTS
Josh grew up with a city life and describes what makes him tick.
Josh is a self-described man of God.
How making people smile is one of Josh’s goals and how I saw it in action.
God is the most important thing in Josh’s life.
How Josh started going to church more often.
Faith as a foundation and anchor.
The concept of “home,” the importance of home, and having more than one home.
Josh turns the table on me and asks me to define home too!
What it means to be homeless.
Finding identity as part of being at home.
Diving into working with the homeless.
“A lot of the people I talk to who are physically homeless are also spiritually homeless or mentally homeless.” - Josh Stephenson
What it means to have a servant’s heart.
Learning what gifts you have.
How to recognize having a calling and the signs - the path isn’t always clear at first.
How seeing homelessness first hand changed Josh.
How the Dirty Hands Ministry came about.
The concept of surrendering and letting go can be scary, uncomfortable, or unsettling, but the benefits and growth can be great.
How it feels to be on the right path.
Josh tells uplifting stories of people on the homeless outreach ministry route who have gone on to improve their lives. He highlights one particular favorite person (anonymously).
Personal lessons learned from the ministry.
Being grateful.
How people become homeless, based on real interactions and learning from the homeless folks Josh ministers to.
TAKE AWAYS
“No matter how good you started or how bad you started, it’s about how you finish, and if you finish, and what you did to finish.” - Josh Stephenson
One small positive thing, added up together, can overcome.
“Having something to put faith into is important because that’s your foundation.” - Josh Stephenson
“Home is where you help fuel life.” - Josh Stephenson
“Through my actions and deeds, I can show you God’s love.” - Josh Stephenson
If something keeps coming up repeatedly, it may be a sign of your next steps toward a calling.
Telling someone that they are not forgotten and not a burden can really alter someone’s life.
Use your past adversities to help someone going through it now. Be an example.
ALL THE COOL THINGS JOSH MENTIONS
EPISODE 001: How Repeating Patterns Help Break the Cycle of Abuse
The Dirty Hands Ministry through Christ Community Church
If you want to get involved, reach out to Josh on FB.
Josh and Dirty Hands are actively taking donations of new women’s underwear and socks to take to the Women’s shelter by March 16, 2019.
If you want to donate to the ministry, they are extremely helpful. Click the Give tab to complete financial donations - specify its for Dirty Hands. If you want to donate items, you can reach out to Josh on FB. Examples of donations needed include clothes, single-use items, and non-perishable food items, such as:
Handwarmers
Gloves
Hats
Pop-top meals and canned goods, such as beef stew or ravioli.
Granola bars
Fruit cups
Ziplock bags
Baby wipes
