So what is Walk to Siloam?
What is the purpose?
These are good questions, please read on.
The purpose of the Walk to Siloam is to build up the Church in the context of homeless ministry. The Walk to Siloam Community believes that this ministry will build up the Church in these ways: (1) encouraging homeless individuals to make life-long commitments to following, serving and knowing Jesus Christ; (2) creating communities of disciples in homeless shelters so that homeless persons can minister to and encourage each other as they follow Jesus Christ; (3) breaking down walls of pride and prejudice that keep homeless persons separated from local church bodies; and (4) creating a community where various individuals and organizations that have been called to minister to the homeless can work together to experience Christ.
The immediate aim of the Walk to Siloam is solely to improve the pilgrim’s knowledge of Jesus Christ. The community believes that this is the purpose of OUR existence and is the first priority for improving anyone’s life, even if that person is homeless. God can and will use a homeless person right where they are at to build His kingdom and glorify Him.
The Walk to Siloam is NOT designed to end homelessness, provide the pilgrims with employment, financial or medical assistance. Many other excellent organizations already exist to help in those areas.
Sharing God’s Love, letting these men know that God does love them, giving them Hope is what we are about with Walk to Siloam!
Will you consider supporting this cause by making a donation to Walk to Siloam either in green agape or agape items?
Come to the Saturday night service at 7:00pm on October 2nd at Camp Zephyr at Lake Mathis, and see what a difference your prayers, your agape, and your presence makes in a person’s life!
For I was blind now I see
John 9:25
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:1
Walk to Siloam #19
John 9:25 …One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.
Thursday, February 22nd through Sunday the 25th Tony Reyes, Chip Blackshear, Ryan Barbato and I participated in the 19th Walk to Siloam at beautiful Camp Zypher on Lake Corpus Christi. Tony developed this retreat some 19 years ago and continues to organize the walk each year, Chip served as a Clergy leader while Ryan and I served on the “inside team”.
So, what is Walk to Siloam? The purpose of Walk to Siloam is to build up the Church in the context of homeless ministry. The Walk to Siloam Community believes that this ministry will build up the Church in these ways: (1) encouraging homeless individuals to make life-long commitments to following, serving, and knowing Jesus Christ; (2) creating communities of disciples in homeless shelters so that homeless persons can minister to and encourage each other as they follow Jesus Christ; (3) breaking down walls of pride and prejudice that keep homeless persons separated from local church bodies and (4) creating a community where various individuals and organizations that have been called to minister to the homeless can work together to experience Christ.
My experiences from this weekend are difficult to put into words. Thursday evening 13 Pilgrims stepped out of two vans, nervous and completely unaware of what was in store for them over the next 3 days. In all honesty, the same could be said for myself. We welcomed them with rally towels waving, whooping, and hollering. As a member of the inside team, I was assigned a “new best friend”. I nervously waited for Rudy’s name to be called. When it was, I welcomed him with the love of Christ, took his bag, and helped him to get settled in. As the weekend progressed walls came down and we were chosen for each other, to share in true discipleship. We dined together, worshipped together, went through the low ropes course together, sang together, danced together, learned together, created together, celebrated together, confided in each other, and took communion together. Rudy taught me more than I could ever teach him. I made friendships that will last a lifetime.
Music… We sang and we sang and we sang! Robert our music team leader prepared and led 98 songs over the weekend!
Food… We ate so well! Every meal and in between every meal.
I also experienced Agape love like I have never before. The sacrifices of those whom we have never met to provide for our walk: letters of encouragement, food, clothing, prayers, and all those who showed up for the candlelight service on Saturday night. Thank you to our Church family.
This was a life-changing event. If you are interested in Walk to Siloam #20, contact Tony, Chip Ryan, or me. I hope to never miss one.
God is not done with me or you!
A Reflection on the Walk to Siloam #19
Firstly, I would like to thank all the members of First Presbyterian that supported the Walk to Siloam. Your cookies and letters really did touch all the team members and pilgrims (retreat participants). I was proud to bring so many goodies!
Last year, Tony Reyes gave a sermon on the Walk to Siloam that he had recently been part of. After Tony’s sermon was over, I felt moved to sign up for the upcoming walk. One thing I’ve been trying to work on in my life is to interact and communicate with people I am uncomfortable with. Perhaps this experience would help me become a better Disciple of Christ. Maybe I could be a light to someone or plant a few seeds.
As the walk drew closer, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to put me where I needed to be. I started as part of the outside team- the group that sets up and serves all the team members that work directly with the pilgrims. I was happy- seemed easy enough. I could be on the “outside” and eventually move “inside” the following year, OR SO I THOUGHT! After our third planning meeting, I was informed that I was now part of the inside team. I kept asking, “how do I need to prepare?” I never received an answer. Tony simply said, suave which means relax, and let the Holy Spirit do his thing.
As former military and a current a fire chief, I do not suave very well. I like a general plan, the facts to be prepared. On the day of the walk, I was told that I would have a new best friend, one of the pilgrims, and I was responsible for his care throughout this spiritual journey. I’m not a stranger to a challenge, and I don’t scare easily. But I would be remised if I didn’t admit I was a very nervous. I had zero life experience with interacting with someone who was homeless. But God had other plans for me. What immediately came to me was, John 14:13-14,
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Before the pilgrims arrived, we stocked the kitchen with donated food; we were blessed to have so much that it resembled a mini version of a Sam’s Club with aisles for cases of water, assorted bags of chips and crackers, fresh baked goods, and fruit. There was enough food to feed a group ten times as large. We also set up tables of pants, shirts, shoes, and toiletries for the pilgrims to select from when they arrived. It was amazing to see what God can deliver when his churches work together. The team also participated in a chapel service, and Pastor Chip talked about Acts 2:42-47:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Little did I know we were just about to experience this very scripture. On Saturday night before the candlelight service, the team and pilgrims were all together singing, and praising God; you could feel the agape love in the room. Black, white, brown, young, old, rich, poor, broken people, unbroken people, convicted felons, and a judge were together. Members from the Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and nondenominational churches were together, united in Christ. That night, there was no distinctions, rather there were only united Christians. The room was overflowing with the Holy Spirit, all with one accord, praising God. All who had need were taken care of, all who hungered ate. More importantly, all felt the love of God. I believe that I witnessed a great miracle that night, the answer to a question that kept running through my mind- “what does God mean by one accord?” And that night, I saw it! No distinctions, just simply one love, one Christ. It is true what Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-30:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,and learn from me, for I am tgentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The ultimate lesson I learned came from one word, suave. In order be a strong disciple of Jesus, I need to be suave and let the Holy Spirit guide me. This experience changed my life, and strengthen my faith, my relationship with Jesus and created new friendships in Christi. A Walk to Siloam will change your life! I encourage anyone that wants to have this experience to sign up for next year’s walk. You never know what miracle may be awaiting you.
