He woke up in the morning at 4:00 a.m. trembling and feeling pain all over his body, in the roach infested room. He began feeling the effects, and needed to get out. So out into the cold he went through the back door and down the stairs to the alley below. He realized he had left his little .22 caliber stashed behind the urine stained mattress. He said, "I don't need it. I gotta go." After jumping the fence, he began looking around. Coughing and breathing the mist that comes from a cold morning, he began thinking what to do next. He began walking toward the house he had been casing the last few days. He needed a fix, and he needed it bad. He was strung out. So before he made it to the street the house was on, he noticed a lady at a bus stop a block away. She fit the profile of a responsible and dedicated woman. She fit the profile of an easy pigeon. At this moment he didn't care who she was or how she would feel. He was on a mission. Going a little further, he realized she hadn't saw him in the dark. He concentrated on her like a hawk, her purse by her side, he managed to get a little closer, ever so discreet. A couple of cars passed by distracting the lady as she waited for her bus, around the corner. Then he thought to himself, "When another car passes by I'll make my move." Just then an orange colored van passed by used by a local paperboy. As the lady watched the van go from house to house. He ran towards her and without warning, grabbed her purse, and fled. He felt, "Hey, don't you understand? I'm not going to be denied. This purse is business as usual. Ain't no different from any other time. Forget that lady!" He ran that morning like a junkyard dog ready to attack. For he needed to get well and bad. The lady seeing what had happened so quickly, began to scream with a shreaking yell that pierced the morning dawn. With tears in her eyes she cried out, "My purse, My purse! Help me, My Purse!. Come back, Please!" In her purse she had carried all of her personal effects, cell phone, keys, wallet, and the money she had saved for the rent the next day. Yet scream she did, to no avail, as one light after another began to come on, in the second and third storied projects. So there he went, running into the dark alleys, clutching that purse. The only means possible for his medicine for the time being. The dogs were loud with their barking, as Rogelio ran towards the connections housed, in the dark drug infested alleys. Yep, this is just another normal day of the mean streets of yet another city in the big U.S. of A.
Why The Ministry of Christian Homes?
1. Because the government is crying out! The government has no cure, no answer.
2. Because homes are falling apart.
22 million Americans are addicted to alcohol; They spend 90 billion a year on alcohol. every 30 min. someone is killed in the U.S. in an alcohol related accident. There’s over 600,000 heroin users. Which they spend between 150 - $ 200 a day for their habits. In the last 30 days, 19% of High school seniors. have tried crack or cocaine. 3 people die every second, 180 every minute. Not to mention the families broken and destroyed due to drugs, gang violence and crime.
3. Because we have a mission as Christians to reach the hurting.
4. Because the cry of the hurting has gone up to heaven. Exo. 3
5. Global cities is where Jesus said to "Go!"
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Samaritans were the most hated people. The call to the apostles was to get rid of their hatred, many in their society previously had. It was a call to put away prejudice and show real love to hurting populations.
2. Because homes are falling apart.
22 million Americans are addicted to alcohol; They spend 90 billion a year on alcohol. every 30 min. someone is killed in the U.S. in an alcohol related accident. There’s over 600,000 heroin users. Which they spend between 150 - $ 200 a day for their habits. In the last 30 days, 19% of High school seniors. have tried crack or cocaine. 3 people die every second, 180 every minute. Not to mention the families broken and destroyed due to drugs, gang violence and crime.
3. Because we have a mission as Christians to reach the hurting.
4. Because the cry of the hurting has gone up to heaven. Exo. 3
5. Global cities is where Jesus said to "Go!"
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Samaritans were the most hated people. The call to the apostles was to get rid of their hatred, many in their society previously had. It was a call to put away prejudice and show real love to hurting populations.
In Luke 15 Jesus tells a story of a young man who wanted his inheritance. After basically telling his dad, he wanted his money, and making a statement, "I don't care if I lose my right as your son, or even being called your son. Give me my money." Going off into a far city, many commentators have said was Rome or Antioch. He began living like any other worldly young guy, which means to party, frequent the local prostitute joints, and hang out with deadbeats. After getting to the lowest point of his existence, he remembered his dad. Attempting to make his way back, he repented and came to a change of heart, mind and will. His Dad, looking for him everday, the same as our mothers and fathers looked for us and could not sleep, till we arrived. Saw him, and came rushing and running toward him, with tears in his eyes. The boy, tells his dad, "Father, I'm not worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your slaves." The dad not having it, commanded his servants to go kill the fatted calf, then clothed him with the family robe and sandals, and a ring on his finger. All which represented, honor, sonship, power of attorney, and reconciliation. And there was great celebration in the air. So it is, when sons and daughters give their hearts to the Lord. When they become restored by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a restoration I have seen firsthand, in my 20 years of full time ministry.
What do Christian Recovery Homes do?
1. They produce a different grade of disciple.
They produce people who’ve been tested and learned the intensity of Christian ministry. In the home, they learn the word of God. They learn to pray and build their relationship with Jesus Christ. They learn what it means to be a disciple. They learn to be obedient and stand in trials. Jesus was in a type of home. He lived together with His disciples. They had a mission. They learned at His feet. They prayed. He sent them two by two's. He taught them concerning ministry in many settings. The results are found in the book of Acts. 'These me who have turned the world upside down." Or in Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
2. It is what makes our ministry unique. There are many dying churches in the U.S. today. One reason is they have become as a frog in the kettle. They have stubbornly refused to change. As the world has passed them by, they have continued to adhere to the old methods of evangelism or philosophy of ministry, albeit with good motives. Listen, values or biblical principles never change. Only our methodology does. In our movement, it's imperative to reach out to drug infested communities. It is our vision, and call. To us, it is beautiful (Not the crime. But the potential of changed lives with the gospel of Christ). Thank God we are a body, where every part serving and fulfills its role. 1 Cor 12.
They produce people who’ve been tested and learned the intensity of Christian ministry. In the home, they learn the word of God. They learn to pray and build their relationship with Jesus Christ. They learn what it means to be a disciple. They learn to be obedient and stand in trials. Jesus was in a type of home. He lived together with His disciples. They had a mission. They learned at His feet. They prayed. He sent them two by two's. He taught them concerning ministry in many settings. The results are found in the book of Acts. 'These me who have turned the world upside down." Or in Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
2. It is what makes our ministry unique. There are many dying churches in the U.S. today. One reason is they have become as a frog in the kettle. They have stubbornly refused to change. As the world has passed them by, they have continued to adhere to the old methods of evangelism or philosophy of ministry, albeit with good motives. Listen, values or biblical principles never change. Only our methodology does. In our movement, it's imperative to reach out to drug infested communities. It is our vision, and call. To us, it is beautiful (Not the crime. But the potential of changed lives with the gospel of Christ). Thank God we are a body, where every part serving and fulfills its role. 1 Cor 12.
3. Gives the worst of the worst, hope.
Victory Outreach International is a leader in inner cities worldwide. The first promise God has given our International minstry is found in Isa. 45:2-3 “I will go before you and will level the mountains, I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, The God of Israel, who summons you by name.” The second is found in Isa. 45:2-3 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendents will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”
Victory Outreach International is a leader in inner cities worldwide. The first promise God has given our International minstry is found in Isa. 45:2-3 “I will go before you and will level the mountains, I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, The God of Israel, who summons you by name.” The second is found in Isa. 45:2-3 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendents will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”
I was in the home for 3 long years. I have 10 years full time home directing. Being in a Christian Recovery home was one of the hardest things I've had to endure in my life. The first 6 months I wanted to leave everyday, like a chicken through a cornfield. After getting over that time, I began to see the vision God had for my life. I began noticing the change He was doing in the life of our residents. And seeing the success of the life they had after graduating to the next level. There was a time when many ministries (I won't name many of them. For you have all heard of them) judged our vision (Though they'll never admit it) due to the fact, we had a heart to reach drug addicts, gang members, and their families. They called us the Addict ministry. They made their holier-than -thou innuendos and sarcastic remarks. Now what do you see? You see many ministries who came to their senses and have said, "Its true. Jesus dealt with the rough and tumble people. He was on the streets. This is the wave of the future. Inner cities are growing and we must show compassion." Victory Outreach is the largest Christian Recovery Homes ministry in the U.S. under the leadership of Pastor Sonny and Julie Arguinzoni. It is recognized throughout the world, including taking part in President Geroge W. Bush's Faith -based Intitiative. As long as people have breath, they have hope. The hope of a better and changed life in Christ Jesus. And so you ask:
What is a Christian Recovery Home?
- It is a River of cleansing. God cleanses away our sin. He cleans up our bad habits.
- It's a spiritual Army base. We are in a spiritual war. We're called to be God's soldiers.
- It is a Holy Ghost hospital.
- It is a Bible college. Men and women learn the word of God, meditate on it, apply it, and preach it to the world.
- It is a Home. Many individuals come from broken homes. Many have never had a home. Others, were properties of state ran orphanages. While others are some who simply knew their step dads or moms. Many times living in drug infested motels. It is a home. God's home.
What I Learned As A Director?
I can’t treat everyone the same.
What are the types we work with? Glad you asked.The rejects of society; The burn outs; The tweakers; The jail house lawyers; The drama queens; The spiritual eggheads; Religious grasshopper; and so on and so on.
There is no easy way for discipleship.
It is not easy to work with people who have have been a certain way for many years. Many could say, 'Yeah, but God forgives, and saves.' Yes, Its true. But its a process. It doesn't happen overnight. There are many so called Christian homes, who have a time set. After two to three weeks they can go and find employment. Do you see the trouble the certain ministry is causing their lives? An addict is a certain way many years. After two weeks they still have that itch. Then they go, as a dog to its vomit. And so there they are the same way as before. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Right after, He said, unravel him. And so it takes unraveling for a person to learn and be discipled. Its Ok , because that's our call. But, oh', the joy when they become disciples. Praise the Lord!
Learned It is God’s Home.
That being in a center, or a home cannot change anyone. Man made formulas do NOT work! Just think about the recent deaths of super stars, who tried self help methods or entered those centers. Only God changes lives. Many drug rehabilitaion centers charge thousands of dollars. They come up with their, 'Scientific treatment' that focuses on the symptom and not the true cause. The heart is the cause. The change in the heart must take place.
The one’s you least likely suspect are usually one’s that catch it.
Those individuals, who apply what the word says. Those many steroetyped as the least likely to succeed, are usually the ones who make it in Christ and make an impact. Just ask King David. Or the many multiple men of women of God in the Bible. 1 Cor 1:27
What Results Take Place?
God does miracles in men and women. He heals our minds and hearts in the home; He puts character in their soul; He gives them spiritual backbone to stand in God; He restores families; He gives vision and hope for people. Kids recieve new parents, moms and dads; Parents receive new children; They become a post card for their parents; Spouses get new husbands and wives; Society gets better productive citizens; The church receives growing disciples and future leaders; The gospel's influence goes into the G.G.G. mode. It Grows. Goes a lot further. Reaches its Goal.
We're talking about . . .
- Treasures out of darkness.
- Trophy of God’s Love
- Testimony of God’s Grace.
- Teller's of God’s word.
- Transmitter of God’s vision.
I'm very thankful for the ministry that was humble enough to allow God to use it to bring a change in my life and literally to millions. If I would not of endured the pressure, the pain and the process. I would not be talking to you here. It's what I needed at the time. It was where God healed my many annoyances, strongholds and habits. It's where I was exposed to full time ministry. I'm thankful for the Lord, and my pastor who gave me an opportunity. To the director God used in my life. 1 Tim 1:12 Be resolved! Be used of God in this day and hour!
Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Leave a comment if you can. If not, talk to you next week. Keep laughing with God's joy!
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