It all started back in the summer of 2003. Andy met someone that had an idea about ministering in the Maxwell Guest House. The place was described as a run down Hotel often the first stop for people being released from prison.

There was also a lot of illegal activity going on there as rooms could be rented for $25 per night with no questions asked. The idea was that we could start a ministry that would reach some folks that we did not touch through our programs in the jail and at the Discipleship House. It was sort of a wild idea, one that God would have to definitely be in for it to go anywhere at all! This place seemed like a stop Jesus might make if he was in town.

We prayed for a while about it and eventually Andy contacted the owner, Jim. Jim was a very pleasant and kindhearted man. He is interested in the things of God and the people living there. Jim graciously agreed to let us clean out a corner of the old basement, bring in some furniture, and set up shop there. We got 4 or 5 volunteers together to “be there” on different days of the week. My time was Wednesday night from about 6:30 to 8:00. I was pretty anxious as I went the first few times. People looked at me strange and no one came down to visit or study the Bible at all, despite the nice signs we made. This turned into just a nice prayer time for me and I was OK with that. I had faith that my prayers were doing some good and that this was exactly what God wanted for now.

The other team members started dropping out, as it was pretty slow. A few residents stopped by, but it was hard to see anything that even resembled “fruit” coming from it. After a couple of months my shift on Wednesday night was the only time during the week our presence was there. Sometimes it seemed to be more about God and me than anything else. Quite a few volunteers that were interested came and joined me for a week or tw.

Andy suggested bringing in cookies or cake each week and this actually drew quite a crowd. Now we sit in the kitchen, talk and share our goodies with people before going downstairs for Bible study. Most of the people do not come down, but some do. We build relationships and plant seeds with the rest.

It was a true blessing when Al and Marilyn Leske volunteered to bring in a meal once a month. I was not sure how it would go but it turned out great! People that I had never seen before came out for dinner each week, some even come in off the street! More people come to Bible study on the dinner nights, too. People seem touched by the love of God they see in Al and Marilyn as they buy, prepare, serve and clean up each dinner.

One of the biggest miracles I have personally experienced is that God has started to give me a real love in my heart for these people. This is amazing considering how I felt when I first came to the place. The house is smoky and has other odors at times. Some of the people are not always well kept, and some are not always kind and gracious either. This proves to me God can do anything, even in my heart.

What have I learned?

A few things come to mind:

• It is about being faithful to what God has called you to do. He will both bring the results in His own perfect time and judge what the real results are in the end.
• It is about consistency and commitment. After about 6 months people saw that I was going to come every week and they started opening up more to me.
• It is about relationships. There is a mix of people that stay or visit there. Some have lived there for years (one man for over 30 yrs), others just for a night. The one thing they seem to have in common is that they have been hurt some how in the past that makes them keep to themselves. They are unwilling or unable to come out and build real relationships with others. Real relationships are full of trust, caring, and love. Andy says, “Our greatest need is for intimacy.” These folks are starving for it!

How can you become involved at the Maxwell House?

• You are all welcome to come and join us for Bible Study on Wednesday night or sign up to host a Bible Study on a different day of the week.
• There may be some small group type service projects that would minister to the people living there.
• We can all pray:
  • Pray for the future of the Maxwell Guest House ministry. The owner is over 80 yrs old, the building is old and run down. Pray that the Lord would see fit to continue to give us an avenue to share His love with these people.
  • Pray for the people living at the Maxwell Guest House. Pray that their hearts would be open to receive Jesus as their savior. Pray that they would be moved to join a Church and become involved in others lives. Pray that they would not be thrown out on the street!
  • Pray for the Church. Pray that we would be one and move together to minister to, and involve ourselves in the lives of these people inviting them in and welcoming them with the love of Christ.