SAVING LIVES IN THE DENVER AREA
When I accepted God’s invitation to be Commissioned as Pastor of Discipleship May 6th of 2012, I entered understanding that I am called to be a Disciple maker. That was, and is, my passion to this day.
In June of 2012 I attended a county meeting that would lead me on a path of personal spiritual discovery and revelation. Severe Weather Collaboration was asking the question: “How do we invite churches to open their doors to the homeless community on life threatening winter nights?” I was one representative of five different churches around the table that day. Together, across denominational lines, we gathered to answer that question.
As I write this brief article in March of 2019 I am astounded by all that God has done through this ministry that provides emergency shelter on life threatening winter nights. We are meeting and engaging more than 350 individuals each year and hearing their stories. Gaps in city and county services are being elevated and I find myself becoming more and more of an advocate and a mobilizer on our guests behalf as I meet with leaders in all branches of the local government, leaders in the social service industry and leaders in the Church community.
This was not my dream when I accepted the call to be a Commissioned Pastor in the Reformed Church in America. No training or class equipped me to do and be what I have become as a leader. Instead, I find myself digging harder into Scripture and asking myself these questions:
How did Jesus build and sustain His identity and relationship with the Father?
What were His life patterns and habits that allowed Him to sustain the work to which He was called?
What does it look like to be a follower of Jesus Christ who willingly denies myself, daily takes up my cross and follows after Him?
I am confident in this; I cannot lead where I have not been. I cannot equip others with what I have not practiced. I cannot keep my eyes and my spirit focused on the Kingdom goal unless I constantly seek the face of the One who calls me Daughter and sends me out with His authority and power.
I know that I am serving Him through Severe Weather Shelter Network. Every shelter night I look into the face of Jesus. Sometimes the eyes looking back at me are bleary with alcohol. Sometimes they are bloodshot with the effects of other abused substances. Many times the arms that reach out for a hug have not seen a shower in more than a week. Always, the smile that comes when they hear their name reminds me that each heart longs to be known.
I lead others by taking them with me. I lead by asking them the same questions I ask myself and encouraging them to listen intently for His voice and direction. As we serve together it is an opportunity to encourage, to correct, to remind to whom they are ultimately accountable.
Our key passage, to which we refer often, and on which our ministry training is built, is Matthew 25:34-40. This passage reflects the heart of the Father. Meet first the immediate need as you identify and see it. Welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked. Relationships become possible after that. Care for the sick, visit those in prison. We can only care and visit once we know not just the face, but the name and heart of the one whom God has inscribed on our own hearts.
Again and again I have seen new volunteers grow from those who follow to those who lead others. Isn’t that really what we are all called to be? A sheep who follows the Good shepherd and has other sheep following behind us. I believe the nature of leadership to be one of personal submission and elevation of others. Always pointing to Jesus as the perfect example. Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.
Lynn Ann Huizingh is a Commissioned Pastor at Faith Community Church in Littleton, Colorado. She is also the Executive Director of Severe Weather Shelter Network serving in Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties. Lynn Ann is married to Murry Huizingh for 35 years and together they have 3 adult children, a 15 month old grandson and another grandchild on the way.