“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.” – John 12:24
As we head into Easter, I am reminded of Jesus’ words that were a forecast for what was about to happen and what would set the tone of Easter for generations to come. “Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.
Jesus’ death is still one of the most difficult things to imagine. A man who had never sinned and loved all people with a love greater than even the greatest we have ever seen had to die a gruesome death on a splintered cross. Yet it was never about that for Jesus. It was about what would be produced. It was what His death would bring about for the world. Jesus willingly went to the cross because He knew that it would produce a harvest of hope, a harvest of salvation, a harvest of love, a harvest of purpose, and a harvest of new life! This year at Easter, we invite you to celebrate with us the amazing fact that we celebrate, not only new life because of Jesus, but a “plentiful harvest of new life”.
This year, we are eager to give praise and honor to Jesus for all He has done at the mission:
- Because of Jesus, we have seen a woman who was formerly living in the destruction of a homeless encampment transition into a home, working, and serving at multiple HUBs. Her impact is producing many new kernels as she is thriving and growing, and beautifully serving the community she came out from.
- Because of Jesus, we have an amazing female HUB leader launching out with bold faith to care for the poor and beginning to enlist her friends from the streets to walk in light and service beside her. This same leader has now expanded her ministry to serve at 3 HUBs and leading her homeless friends to be involved at several local churches.
- Because of Jesus, we are witnessing a power-packed couple run 4 HUBs with the full scale of River of Life Mission’s mobile model and utilizing many resources to care for the poor. Doing ministry into homeless encampments, all the way to serving alongside many service providers at a core HUB. Pouring out their lives daily in service of the homeless community, in their own community.
- Because of Jesus, we have a veteran staff member who has never taken his eyes off “town”. He continues to carry the torch in “town” to see the mission decentralized and multiplied in the surrounding areas of where we were established in 1987, right here in Chinatown. He passionately leads the charge with many people, churches, and HUBs continuing to serve the area of biggest need right here on the streets of Chinatown and surrounding communities.
We all have so much to celebrate this Easter! And thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you too. Even Jesus in the verse above talks about the seed that is alone. And we know that we cannot walk in this ministry alone. Working and walking with the homeless has to be one of the hardest ministries in the world. And we need you! We need your prayers. We need your support. We need your encouragement. We need your willingness to serve. We have truly found, it is always “better together”. Thank you for all the things you do to make sure River of Life Mission does not walk alone!
And no one knows what it is like to be alone more than those who are living on the streets. People need Jesus like never before, people need a path away from the streets like never before, and along with you, we are all here to help.
Jesus went into the earth, buried and died – to “produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.” What a celebration Easter truly is, and we celebrate it all with you, even in this powerful moment.
Blessings to you this Easter and thank you for all you do to support the powerful work God is doing in and through the mission.
God Bless!
Pastor Paul Gates
Executive Director