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Series Code: TDYL
Program Code: TDYL220033A
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00:00 ♪ >> I want ♪
00:47 >> I >> want to ♪ 00:56 ♪ ♪ >> Hello, friends. My name is 01:09 Ryan Day and you're watching 3 A B and Thursday night live and we want to welcome you. 01:14 That's right. This program is live. We're coming to you live from Thomson Illinois, West 01:19 Frankfort, Illinois. We've got to say that because we're 3 bands literally in the middle 01:24 of a cornfield. As you guys know. And now in the middle of nowhere between the small 01:28 towns of West Frankfort and Thomson Illinois. But I promise you, the spirit of God 01:33 is in this place. We're excited about what we're going to be discussed tonight. We've 01:41 got salt outreach in the Yeah. So we've got we've got Eric. We've got will. And we've got 01:46 Jennifer here and we're going to be introducing Bill in just a few moments and we're going 01:50 to be talking about the amazing things that God is doing through saw outreach 01:55 ministries. and I just I love this minister, brother. I'm excited about what God is 01:59 doing through you guys. And we're going to talk in depth about this tonight. We've got 02:04 2 hours with these brothers. And so I just want you guys to know get your family's around. 02:09 Gather the crew gathered, the enemy's your friends, co-workers, anybody that gets 02:12 around, you're not going to miss this because tonight I'm just going to tell you tonight 02:15 we're going to be looking into what it truly means to be a servant of the Lord. What it 02:20 truly means to serve your neighbor and to fulfill the gospel commission that God has 02:25 commissioned each and every one of us to do. And if you want to know what that really 02:30 looks like from a biblical perspective and a truly see it on display will be talking 02:35 about that tonight. So that being said, we are said to be going to be so blessed right 02:39 now with some incredible music. This being brought to us by my good friends, Vanessa 02:45 of Donna and been Jenkins and of course, my good friend Tim Pardon. It's going to be at 02:48 the piano as well. And there in the house and we're excited that they're going to be 02:53 bringing us one of my favorite songs, your grace still amazes me. So let's go to that right 02:56 now. 03:13 >> My >> We >> knew sees 03:34 >> numbs me >> my >> I 03:52 >> stand in >> you know >> me. 04:03 >> You know, and >> and to be. >> e. 04:21 >> Stan >> me. >> to 04:53 >> and >> eyes >> I know 05:06 >> Only 2, >> is me. >> You 05:20 >> was be. >> He's going >> Good 05:36 >> thing. Still is >> it >> is 05:54 >> he a Strong. ♪ ♪ 06:08 ♪ >> And ♪ 06:36 >> 2 ♪ ♪ 06:52 ♪ ♪ >> wow. 07:03 >> Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. My brother Danny Shelton would say that's a 2 and are 07:08 right I love the music. Thank you, Vanessa and bin. A good front him for bringing us that 07:14 beautiful, beautiful song. Your gray still amazes me. Where would we be without the 07:19 grace of God and man and certainly not sitting here tonight right but to praise 07:23 the Lord that we want to thank you at home again for joining us. If you're just now tuning 07:26 in, you're watching 3 A B in Thursday night live. And we have solved outreach in the 07:33 building with us tonight were so excited about having these brothers joining us because 07:37 we're going to be talking about what God is doing through their ministry. And 07:41 you know what I know for a fact. Let me tell you something. And we have a lot 07:46 of interviewers here and interviewees and all we have a lot of interviews will just 07:49 say that an and we have a lot of incredible ministries and we're so thankful to have all 07:54 of our guests that come through here to 3ABN. But just have same in salt hold a 07:58 special place in my heart because I have of watched you guys and see what you guys 08:02 have done over the years. And I tonight, we're just going to scratch the surface really as 08:08 to what God is doing through them and what he has done through this incredible 08:13 ministry. But let me formally introduce we have Eric saying that Want to make And you are 08:23 the president and CEO of Salt out regions, right? I'm going to come back to you in just a 08:27 moment introduce to the 2 guys going come back in and let you guys, you know, tell us little 08:32 bit about yourself where you're from and we're going to get into the details of salt. 08:35 >> But next to you, we have will month alittle month. Alittle, too. That's their 08:43 right to all The Lord, it's a blessing to have you here. My brother and we've got Jeffrey 08:47 Saint Hilaire. Yes, you're with us as well. And it's a it's a blessing to have you, 08:50 my brother. And so what I'd like to do with this moment our guests may not know you 08:53 guys and Eric, you've been here. Kuz is this is your tooth for first time ever 08:58 here. But this is what have you You have been here before. Really? I'm I'm I'm a little 09:07 yeah, Rick, I know you've been here several times. So tell us a little bit about where 09:10 you're from, who you are for the guests who may not have ever seen before. Yeah, yeah. 09:15 you know, was born Raised You know, we ended allows. >> Held at gunpoint. One time 09:22 walking home from school. So my family was like, you know, we've got to get a Chicago. 09:27 was just in. Chicago owns the craziest thing. saw this like banner I had like year to 09:33 date. How many murders there have It's it's getting it's getting worse and worse. but 09:39 but yes, you know, my family's like let's move to Florida. You know, I haven't had an 09:41 uncle here and there in Florida and then I spent the rest of my my life there 15 09:50 and became a Christian. When I >> 2022. I opened up a 5, 1, day is going through a down 09:59 time. My So I had bought me a Bible for Christmas prior and about a month or 2 layers like 10:04 January of 2010, I I was flipping through and the Bible had uses words and read right? 10:12 I had the most right. I saw was at the sermon on the you go. I started to read the 10:17 sermon on the Mount and it starts to give me a sense of peace, a purpose it that that 10:25 feeling of emptiness that I felt just just was melting and then from there, I just I 10:33 couldn't put the Bible down and my mom thought it was going crazy for a second. You 10:36 know, I wouldn't or drink. I was just in my bed reading and and then, you know. I called 10:44 up 3 groups of friends that were Christian an to add to the group's happened in 7th 10:48 avenues Christians another group of my close friends were, you know, on another 10:52 denomination. And so just learning from the different schools of thought the avenues 10:58 truth just just click. 2 just made sense. Took the whole Bible into context. A look at 11:02 the Hebrew in creek and on. And I'm like, you know, I knew from church so cool. The 11:10 church I walked into the church. And so the first person I saw, I said, I want 11:16 to be baptized. walking past a >> And he's like what happening here. And and I 11:23 remember, you know, I just thought like I was reading the book of acts and this happens 11:28 all the time. You know that as we have a normal thing for But yeah, anyway, he called the 11:35 pastor a star Bible studies with him month later, this is now in May of 20 tunnels. Bow 11:39 ties. >> Yeah. Praise the Lord praises or rather. That's 11:43 that's a powerful, powerful, powerful testimony. We're going to back just a moment 11:45 and talk about >> salt in general. But I want to get onto my brother will 11:50 here will tell us who you are, where you're from a little bit about yourself. And mom with 11:53 But the one that will float >> All right. Puerto Rican families with Puerto and 12:06 >> was was one of 4 a lot of the Florida. But we moved to Massachusetts when I was like 12:12 one. Well, and we moved to City Colin, a very bad growing up. There was a lot of like 12:22 gang no or very drug-infested game, right? Right. my my brothers were just And you 12:31 know, something happened drastically to one of my brothers likely still life. 12:37 Yeah, it was the wake up for my mother to be like, hey, we need to with 4. Very similar 12:45 to wow. I so that we need to. We need to, you know, move. And so, you know, we took a 12:55 vacation to Florida. All right. That's right. You know, and so while we were in 12:59 Disney, they were looking for a home, right? And so when we, >> you know, move back. Are we 13:04 go back to Massachusetts to like they were moving as we move down to Florida at the 13:11 time going >> My my grandfather was a pastor of church in Puerto 13:17 Rico. But my father comic did his own thing. Okay. And he brought back. You know, that 13:25 moment to the church, you know, the lord one of my uncles and one day he was 13:28 like, hey. This is an advantage home. Now, you know, haha but phrase, he's got got 13:39 And although the cautionary. >> The caution, you know the is just make sure you're 13:47 raising your household in Christ and not just in church. That's him, brother. Yes, you 13:51 know, love as I what happened. I was raised in church but not in Christ. a lot of it was 13:55 kind of like. You know, a checklist going through the motions going through 14:02 lifestyle, the rules. But you knew the rules. But you didn't know the ruler with play. And 14:10 so I eventually says not knowing the ruler just knowing the rules. I like the rules. 14:14 so I kind of just ventured out into mound and star living, you know, just just while now 14:21 is the other right I was like, is they just living that life, right? You know, the night 14:26 life doing what I wanted and eventually akin to a point where it was like man, like, 14:31 is this life is this all that has to offer? Because it does? It kind of s****. Kind of see 14:38 pass, OK, are you here? Would doing these things here? What's the purpose of the 14:43 right, right, And just everything I did just left me empty until one day. I was at 14:49 work one of my brothers have 4 brothers and working with. One of them and he just acts like 14:54 do you? You want to what having? was like, you with the sun beating my eyes. I look at 15:05 him and I was like, that's a dumb question, of But then again, you I that moment I 15:10 didn't feel like. Number one, if haven't existed right? Would I even be there? Right? 15:17 Because I know I'm living, you know, but that one question really sparks just the Word of 15:24 God. You know, I don't know where you begin to remember stories about island this 15:30 time. And, you know, to Sampson, you know, it was, you know, he's pretty games, you 15:34 these things and, you know, just like it, then I start to feel like a hunger. All right. 15:38 For like knowing the word of God. So the Holy Spirit was working on your own either. 15:43 That seed was planted another holy spirit moving said, okay, this is the opportunity deaf. 15:47 And that's that's that's the mystery of the work of the spirit of God you is that, you 15:50 know, we're in one place in our life. And and it always working on us. But then 15:55 >> just the slightest little change, something happened. And then it's like this is 15:59 moment. And it's it's it's a mystery how the Holy Spirit works sometimes. But 16:04 definitely when you got your just because my mother had given me a Bible. That tossed 16:07 aside, you know, a couple years back and I went right back to it. I opened it. She 16:12 actually wrote in it. I thought about to this is rough conditions used but said the 16:23 symbol of SUV when was just like. And this is like I know in time. You'll come back. 16:26 when you do, >> You have this brother and and has it's been a journey, 16:35 says them. And after that, literally one day I want to bow ties and they're like, but 16:41 pray column. I've gotten praise God God bow was able to go. Then venture off. But Iran 16:48 Thomas? Eric, we talk about as around the same time that April days you guys know each 16:55 other that I know not that Time and then maybe like by the end of that year or the 16:59 following year. And they're going to oak with the miss to fuel a Jeep Rase And this has 17:05 been a journey since So that's awesome. And that's a miracle story, brother. I mean, 17:10 because a lot of people share that similar story, but they don't. 17:12 >> They don't have that happy ending. You know, they stay trapped in the in that prison. 17:17 Yeah, you know. And and wow, man, praise the Lord. Jeffrey Moment. Yeah. Yeah. All right. 17:22 So it's a little bit about yourself where you it will take a little differently. 17:27 Both of their did they learn it? So my middle name is actually job for you. And I go 17:35 by that for the most part, first Girard. Okay. So I've I had that kind of Jacob 17:43 experience OK through the years you're on a not a certain had this kind of 17:49 wrestling with God and the Times going get a name now. But just to take it back to 17:54 the I was born in Brooklyn, New York. Kind of raise. They're a little bit. my 18:01 family's from Trinidad and Tobago and like me, shot out to our friends in Trinidad and 18:08 Tobago. We've got we've we've got some some some good people. They're oh, actually a 18:12 man out there. Ministry of 3ABN. >> very strong treated at a 18:17 and is already mean interruption Like many of. >> A few fun. I like the 18:22 Caribbean island. Stuff like Brooklyn is like a I guess a hub, So we were there at some 18:29 aunts, uncles, cousins, whatever kind of grew up Brooklyn Brooklyn's Brooklyn 18:40 >> That what I look back, I I I look back on >> And I saw a lot during 18:44 those few years. Strum. But my mom had some health ailments. So we ended up moving to 18:49 Florida. Where does this place for you? in the Florida and on South Florida? All so kind of 18:57 grew up there. And, you know, through the years grew very nominally, you know, nominal 19:06 Venice. Sure, I'm Christian. You know, I'm like you're saying earlier about knowing 19:12 the rules, not You have to keep the Sabbath, but you didn't know the Lord of the 19:15 7th. You I got you. Wasn't wasn't a hard work type of thing. down. All that kind of 19:22 leads into. Me, I guess going off, course, a little bit not that I was ever on You're not, 19:30 know, but we end up moving into this place called Palm Bay Florida, which is like a 19:35 small. A small area. I'm not a city like South Florida. Answer. So when you're in 19:41 smaller cities, there's not a lot to do, So my sister and I were just kind of on ourselves 19:46 doing things that we like never did in the city, which is weird because like the city 19:51 has more, I guess, vices, if you will, by closer to you, right? I don't get it like it 19:58 was Smaller plays are doing all this stuff like Church people. yes, so that just 20:05 follows me, you know, partying all that type of into so much so that and joining like a 20:12 fraternity while I was an OK college. Yeah. All right. Ended up almost losing my 20:18 life. pledging hazing Do that. Haha. >> Yeah. 20:26 >> You know, you just you just so captured by the enemy and all of his good any streets 20:31 that you don't really, spiritual, you know, you're you to the holy Spirit 20:38 calling, you know, yeah, you don't consider the things that you I guess you've grown up 20:41 and you know, thank God for those church mothers. you know, my parents to family, 20:44 all those people that have just, you know, spraying full helps you connect Praying for 20:50 kids through a threat of prayer. You know, haha. So yeah. Even through that 20:57 experience alone, almost lose my while in at a public you know, I still decided to comma 21:04 go back into the devil's playground. And the crazy thing is that. 21:08 >> Like how God, I think kind of reach to was really interesting because so on 21:12 public campuses, you know, there are there are groups that you'll find, you where 21:21 you might find people. They're like, you so at least at some of the schools we have like a 21:26 Foreign Minister, Kristian polishing, right? whatever we call it 7. Same thing. 21:30 >> Basically advantage people in his public and the front, you so. You know, even though 21:35 we would meet together and still do our thing that I might go out on Saturday night 21:40 to the party, whatever, But on Friday night I was there. You know, action so that the crazy 21:45 kind of one leg and in the involved in the year, you know, leg in the in the world, 21:50 right time Friday was like the norm. Right so I had gotten into some things on campus. So 21:56 I got issue. I lost like everything. One moment a man lost like my housing price. 22:04 >> Everything you know, is that all these activities involving all these 22:08 organizations and I just had to get out of those. So. I ended up living on some 22:13 staying in my car for a little bit thin state and some buddies. They're someone's 22:16 couch. You know, happening some frat brothers in the crazy things that like, hey, 22:20 man, let's get away party weekend, right? So we went to the other town. It's a party 22:28 at the University of Florida. There have like a party weekend for the FA turned out. 22:31 Wasn't right. But, you know, I can get all that Friday night Friday to go out to a Vesper 22:40 De And so I wanted to I want to get to this like the kid, the campus avenue over there 22:44 with like the fraternity letters on his fraternities on college campuses. For those on 22:49 it's a big like a Absolutely. You >> So I walk into the air and 22:53 like this guy walks up to me and he gives me like the secret handshake for the 22:57 fraternity that I wasn't. And he was like, I'm not with anyone and with anymore. I was 23:05 like, We'll talk after. I don't know. But I just know that we had a discussion 23:10 after. Looking back at that moment. We were just sitting there saying that there was a 23:15 beam of light missed. They have. That was saying his is my moment. that right. 23:22 >> From that point it was just as rerouting, you know, raise Cobra that had been Blau. We 23:30 spread. It is staying in. You know, ups and downs, valleys hill. Since no, I've been God 23:38 Scott's hand, you know, since that moment. So and then I think thank And so you have. 23:41 >> You know, this is what we've been doing up to this point is here in these guys, 23:45 the story that might mean be a little different than what we normally do. We have a 23:49 ministry like this small as a powerful. Yeah, because what we're getting to know, you 23:52 guys and we're about to get into salt and what salt is doing with salt has been 23:54 doing. And I've got as guys but to hear your individual testimonies to see where God 24:00 has brought you from and to see where you are now. That's a miracle. miracle of 24:05 salvation powerful. greatest miracle of God is a change like yes, yes, yeah. 24:11 Absolutely. So now you guys with salt come back to 2, too willing offer in just a moment 24:14 regards to your your involvement in salt. But I want to come back to Eric. 24:19 You're Eric. Tell us what in the world of soccer we've been saying that I know someone 24:24 homes like, OK, salt is what I use when I when I eat my dinner, my breakfast or might 24:28 you know, it's a little bit of something I put on my on my food. in this case. 24:33 >> Salt outreach. Tell us a little bit about what it's all the background history, how 24:35 you got involved and then we'll get we'll go from there. Yeah. So salt is an acronym 24:41 for service and love together. We're on a mobile drop-in center for people experiencing 24:47 homelessness. So normally drop-in centers are buildings where people someone 24:51 experiencing homelessness might go to to get a shower case. Management, laundry 24:54 storage mail, whatever. So we've been able to create that model. But on wheels which has 25:02 been able to get past a lot of red tape in local a government sent in in the and so right 25:10 now we're operating 5 days a week in downtown Orlando. We're serving upwards to 200 25:13 people per day. With 12 different So and a lot of our services we offer mobile form 25:20 actually have a video. I can we can play just kind of get yes, you are as a visual of 25:26 what it looks like. You can kind of keep going from there, OK, OK? So let's go to that 25:30 video right now. We'll come back and talk about this a little bit more. 25:34 >> I this sell-off has ♪ ♪ 25:43 ♪ ♪ ♪ 25:58 ♪ ♪ ♪ 26:13 ♪ ♪ ♪ 26:28 ♪ ♪ ♪ 26:50 ♪ ♪ ♪ 27:08 ♪ ♪ ♪ 27:23 ♪ ♪ ♪ 27:38 ♪ ♪ ♪ 27:55 ♪ >> Praise kind. I can get down with that kind of you need to 28:10 share with love it. I love it. So explain to us a little bit more in detail what we just 28:14 saw on that video and what you guys are doing. Yeah, yeah. So so you know, that was actually 28:20 a video of a friend. Richie was experiencing homelessness right now at the moment. But 28:23 he he agreed to be in this video to kind of walk through the different services that we 28:29 offer. and and it didn't all start that way. If it grew gradually over time. And 28:33 that's that's kind of. You know, 3 ABN. We've been here, you know, from the beginning. 28:40 Sure. And and and and as we've come on. >> Every year, every 6 months, 28:43 Scott is doing something different. Yes, and like right now, I mean, we have, you 28:51 know, 35 you know, we're serving 200 people day 5 days a week. I mean, it's it's 28:55 grown a lot, but it started with 2 people feeding 10 to 15 people Dench and in downtown 29:03 Orlando. And he's a lawyer and that was back in 2011 and the 2011. And I'm really what 29:10 helped grow this organization and make it become what it is is God inspiring the idea to 29:15 do surveys with our friends because we you know, I think when people experiencing 29:20 homelessness a lot of the time, we like to assume what they need right now. Ye, we're 29:26 like, oh, well, they don't have anything, this and that, you know. But but we really 29:28 just need to ask, you know, and so we did surveys and went. And so we started, you 29:33 know, it grew to hundreds of people feeding 2 to 300 people on a biweekly basis. And by 29:38 2013, by 2016, our survey showed that clothing and hygiene was a big need so we 29:45 raise to 4,000 were for clothing trailer. would call changed. We distribute from 29:50 there. We continue the surveys and found out that over half of the people are serving. 29:54 We're actively looking for work. But those same people haven't showered in 3 to 7 29:58 days. Some of them had a shower in 3 months. It was a guy. I remember him. I would I 30:04 would I was getting to know. And every time I go out there, we're doing the food share 30:08 every other week high and he'd be like Erica got another. And if you know, pray for me, I'm 30:13 like I got pray and then the 2 weeks later head and get that one by got another one. When I 30:17 did his survey, he was one of the guys had showers over 3 months. And and it's like no 30:22 wonder the skies and getting a job. He can't. There's no place to shop you. Now. And so 30:27 that was 2018 or watch the shower trailer and at that time, that's when we launched 30:32 really the concept of a mobile drop-in center. But we're only offering 5 services at that 30:36 time showers, clothing, hygiene, haircuts, and food. And and so, you know, we're 30:42 doing that just once a month. And then 2019 was twice a month in 2021. To 3 times a 30:47 month. Then COVID hit when COVID hit. That was when there was a huge growth spurt. I 30:55 guess you could say, you know, God really just infused some some funding and things like 31:02 that. And because at that time, all the organization serving the unsheltered 31:06 stopped operating, you know, they either where you know? And it's because the answer to 31:12 the virus. So it sort of makes sense, you know, but we're much young people weren't 31:19 outside operation. And in March came, we prayed and we're like, you know what we 31:22 just we've got to keep going. We can't leave them. There are no services, you know, for 31:27 that. And so because we did the city of Orlando actually gave us a grant of that you 31:33 that year. They give us about $200,000. And then we had raised about 160,000 or so hit 31:40 the post. But just interrupt, you, visit the bomb. But this is powerful because I've had 31:44 so many people ask me over the years, especially when I'm done. 31:47 >> Evangelistic training because I travel sometimes to different churches. Invite me 31:50 out and I'll do an evangelist to training on how to help churches adopt and evangelism 31:57 cycle in their church. But the idea is often the concept is it would become so Bible 32:01 study, Central or Bible study focused, which is great. We got to have the Bible studies. 32:07 I often tell people do you start with war now? What do we start go to the people in your 32:13 go to your mayor. Go to your you, though, the leaders of your community and ask what it 32:19 is they need. And I love that you guys are doing that because now you've got the 32:22 city behind you, bro. Yeah, it is to sit those power. The crazy thing is we start a 32:25 relationship with them back in the end of 2018. >> And so going to the mayor 32:32 going to their Yeah. Beating with Creating relationship an and by that time when COVID 32:37 hit because so in 2019, we actually had put out some proposals were like, look, 32:43 we're operating twice a month, but we believe in God has put on a heart that we need to 32:46 operate at least 3 days a week. Meet this need. And so we put our proposals for 32:51 $100,000 to the city into other areas. And every time we get to that one level, 32:57 present. They're like, OK, we go to the next place next place. But we get to the top. 33:02 It never get. Didn't get approved So when COVID hit and we're continuing to operate, 33:07 those people were present. The 2 were like, hey, let's revisit that proposal. Wow. 33:13 And and and so and that the crazy thing about it is even though we were denied in 2019, 33:18 we knew it was still in a heart, you know. And so we said we're going to keep going 33:22 because even if we can't get the funding immediately right away. Got is put on our heart 33:27 somehow he's going to help us grow. To the point we can do this. That's powerful because 33:30 a lot of people would would that door would close and many people get discouraged. So, 33:37 you right, right? Dogs 9 behind isn't. So, you know, maybe we should just let it go 33:41 and figure out to do something else. But you guys said no. >> This is, you know, we're 33:45 commission to do this. It's very clear in God's word that this is what we're supposed to 33:47 be doing And so, you know, we're going to pressing for that dorm out of clothes. But 33:52 God is going make a late and got up there smiling, like, you know, what? Yeah, going 33:56 because I've got a plan next year. Something coming. Yes, system you know, the story of 34:01 Jesus when he's like to all the teachers, how to pray. And he's like, well, there's a guy 34:04 who's a home. kids sleeping. Midnight guy comes looking for like I can sugar or something. 34:14 So you maybe but he's knocking on the door. That's right. He's like, did he get up 34:16 because he's good friends because the guys purses is not yeah. He's like that. He's 34:21 like knock. It will be open to Noah and actually it's in the original Greek right? There's 34:26 a map 7, 0, knock and it actually says in the original Greek keep Keep asking, Yeah, 34:35 keeps sinking because that persistence, it opens up a world of of of greatness that 34:39 God can do through you if you persist and may not be his time at the moment keep going 34:44 because that time will show up and he will work a marvelous working it you know, it's it's 34:48 mind blowing to me because if we did not continue to to move forward in faith, even though 34:53 we didn't know how we're just going to gradually build up, you know, when and where to 2 34:56 times a month of 2019, raise a little more mind with OK, let's go to 3 times a month in 35:02 2020 and then at and in February of 2020, we said, OK, well, want to go to once a 35:07 week now. So we need to hire 2 part-time staff. People. >> So we start to build the 35:11 infrastructure to to be able to have staff right and get all the insurance we need and 35:15 all all that played out and then March COVID hit and, you know, we get this influx of 35:21 funding. If we did not build the infrastructure before that we would not have been able to 35:26 take that grant and we would not be where we are today we would have had to stop 35:30 operating. Wow. And so if we because we continue to move forward in faith, that's 35:36 right. Got we open the capacity for got to be able to blast in that way. And and he 35:41 did it, you know, and unfortunately, obviously it was a it was a earth changing 35:48 as a pandemic. It was new was a horrible experience, you know, but but God, God 35:53 definitely use that experience to to to help us to be able to help the community even more, 35:59 you know, coming at us. >> That is amazing. That is that some parents and put 36:03 incredible so let's talk about it. >> We're so since so 36:10 obviously. >> What were some of the What are some of the challenges 36:16 during COVID that you guys experience during that time because I know they had to be 36:19 tough when you're doing during such a time, it seemed like maybe everyone was flocking 36:24 toward you guys since you were the only ministry. Did you see a an increase or we remain the 36:31 same kind of die off. What was your experience that we are an increase before that 2019? 36:35 We're serving about 50 people in the event >> and it will end when COVID 36:40 hit were offering 3 days a week. Now. So, you know, 3 times a month to 3 days a week 36:45 and now we're serving 80 to 100 people a day. And so we have to include we hand 36:52 washing station masks sanitizers. You know, things like that. It was it was 36:55 difficult. I mean, we we made the decision to pay hazard pay to our you because they're out 37:03 there and you know, they could potentially get sick. And still there's uncertainty 37:09 there. Sure. you know, we even I remember one night, my wife and I were so worried about. 37:14 You know, our staff being out there. And and, you know, some of them have vulnerable family 37:17 members in the beginning. So one night we just felt the strong impression and I know 37:22 it's the spirit sane, the message, the Hilton At 12, 30 at 12, 30 minute like 12, 30 37:34 at night. >> I send the message the Hilton might look, we have 37:38 this is what we're doing. We have staff out there. They're having to go home to their 37:42 family immediately after this outreach. >> They don't know if that the 37:44 virus or not their frayed. Can the Hilton support? You know? And for 3 or 4 days later, 37:53 they message back. got a call. We get on a call there like air. The weirdest thing is 37:57 we're actually housing the National Guard here to do all the testing. So we actually 38:02 have extra rooms that we can put your staff. They gave us up to. They gave us up to 38:10 $100,000 worth over over area. So 2 of our staff members were able to go there and and after 38:14 their shower. >> Clean up. If they want to go home, it could or they 38:18 could stay there to make sure if they had it. They have to go home. Don't don't tell me 38:22 there's not a Yeah, I mean, because again, this is no disrespect. Praise God for all 38:28 the different. >> Types of of amenities out their regards to hotels, 38:31 motels, things like that. But you know, it could have been like in and get no disrespect 38:37 here, but it could have been like, you know, motel 6 days in, right for some, you know, 38:43 for lack of a better term. Some broken down old place down the road. God said call 38:47 Hilton. The last person in the world last place in the World Youth something like that up 38:54 to Alton, which is one of the facility. Ennis. >> Yeah. And I drive like 39:01 world, course there. Yeah. And you know, one of one of the people staying there was one 39:07 of our friends ex was experiencing homelessness. Name is Pat he was a he was 39:12 someone. We met him in 2019. you know, in 2019, you know, he he was so grateful for the 39:18 shower, want to clean the shower. After each person, the showers were yeah, let's do 39:22 that. You know, became part of the family. 29 and when tweet hearts that more staff in 2020 39:28 because of the funding were like okay, let's hire Pat. You know, so we hard path. But in 39:34 the end, he when we we ended his homelessness immediately because we're able to get into 39:37 the Hilton OEM. And so he was staying in the Hilton for 3, 4, months, but AF after about 39:42 the 3rd Monte start to lend. when he was limping, you know, we're like, hey, go get that 39:48 checked out. He's like, I'm good. I'm good, you know? But eventually the pain became too 39:53 much so low. They tweet to the hospital. the doctor told him he only had a a few weeks to 39:58 live. Only few weeks to live heat. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer had 40:05 metastasized and spread to his hip. That's why he was And so we brought them to instead 40:11 we're going to move into a home after this period at the Hilton were saving up some 40:14 money for him. you know, instead we use that money to get in the hotel downtown, 40:20 seek a stay by his friends. He didn't want to stay in the hospital because of COVID 40:22 restrictions. So we went to a hotel room. He knew his last request was to be baptized. So 40:30 we've got a pastor over and and we're able to baptize him in the bathtub of that room 40:34 next weekend with the hospice. My wife and I went there. We pay within. Talked with him in 40:36 the next morning. He passed away. But, you know, I one is I'm excited that we're going 40:43 to see him again and have and I with a brand new body health his right arm and the other. 40:48 The other thing is God had his last few months on this area in the Hilton. Yeah. It was 40:55 experiencing homelessness, homelessness to the heel to the Hill, the Hill to and he's 40:59 his last last month. And and, you know, I feel like there's so many ways got tie this all 41:03 in together. You know I'm saying even more importantly. >> God used Salt Ministry to 41:09 minister to their brothers needs to bring him to Jesus. And then that's powerful. then 41:17 Oakland thought about something about following through on the prompting of 41:20 the Holy and why sometimes it can seem scary. And you can see why God, are you sure that 41:24 you want me to do that? Because if he didn't follow through on that 12, 30, our 41:29 brother might not have able to experience, you know, kind of a luxurious sweet ending to 41:37 his time here and, you know, on Earth. So well, it's just this is interesting. Sometimes 41:43 when we get those prompting some who know. Absolutely. Yeah, I have to ask you going 41:47 back here because I'm just curious has as yet talking about the surveys. So when you 41:51 guys decided to do the surveys like how did you conduct Alec, why did you did you just go up 41:56 to random homeless people on the street or did you only do it for the people that were 42:00 responding in coming to you? Yes, so we were doing food chain is bringing 2 to 300 42:04 people. So every other week. So we just got some volunteers. We may like a 42:08 little. >> survey on the phone because you're made out of a 42:12 SurveyMonkey. Kind of. Okay. Yeah. And they were just on the phone, ask the questions 42:16 and submit it and then we were able to analyze it later. So that's awesome. That's a great 42:20 way. A lot of people ask, you know, how can I how can I reach the people in my 42:23 community? How do I know what they need last them? And that's one way to do a survey. 42:27 Everyone. I was at APCO. That was a thing before we would ever go out and give a bible 42:32 study or or or even approached them with that trying to get a Bible study with first 42:37 minister to their needs are asked them what it is that they needed. Which brings me. 42:40 I got to share this real quick and we're going to get back to you here. 42:43 >> This is powerful because what you're saying, what you guys are doing, what Salt 42:45 Ministry is doing as you are fulfilling what is called cry Smith it alone. And in fact, 42:51 let me read this is comes from a Ministry of Healing Page one. 43. And this is a famous 42:57 quote with many of us, many of our viewers have probably heard this before. But there's 43:01 someone out there that probably has never heard this before at one sharing it 43:03 because this is called cry Smith alone. this was written in the book of Ministry of 43:08 Pitch one. 43. And this is what it says. This is Christ method alone will give a true 43:17 success. Paused Kriseman what? What's going only bring true success. Price method alone. 43:21 Everybody's got their ideas to how they're going to reach someone that I think he should 43:24 be. or I've got my theory should be this way or this way. This way. 43:28 >> All of us can have theory or own ideas on perspective as to how to reach the human 43:32 heart and draw them Christ the right here. It says Christmas Only that one works. Yeah. And 43:37 so here it is. Christ method alone will give true success in reaching the people. Here 43:41 it is. Tell me if it sounds familiar with what we're talking about here, the savior 43:46 mingled with people as one who desire to their good. Okay. He showed sympathy for them 43:52 minister to their needs and one, their confidence that we're in the Bible study at on 43:59 it's in this latter part. It says after he won the confidence, then he invited 44:06 them. Follow That follow me. Part you know, follow me in to do its part to the scripture. 44:12 Bible study. This is just a key because I love the reason love Salt Ministry as you guys 44:17 are fewer fulfilling Chris Smith a time now to talk to you about ministering, you 44:19 know, bringing about the spiritual. yes, I know. That's exactly what you guys are 44:22 ultimately getting it. But just not a cure out there in the street. You know, good-bye 44:28 a study and those are great deals. There are some people out there like me, if you 44:30 would have been one of those come knock on my door years ago and said, hey, you want to 44:35 Bible studies. I you for me, it didn't really miss necessarily need the 44:40 ministering to my need part but, you know, that's just where I was in my life at that 44:42 time. But I knew I wanted the Bible 90% of the be we're going to reach out to they 44:51 need that personal evangelism perspective. They need you to connect with them on a 44:55 personal level could create a friendship minister to their need and win their confidence 44:59 because people aren't going to, you know, trust you give them the truth God's word if 45:03 they don't know you. Yeah. And that's what salt is doing. I love this ministry because 45:06 they're out there in the community with the people ministering to their needs 45:10 mingling with the people gaming the people's confidence and then comes the spiritual 45:13 need actual so talk to us about the spiritual need. What are you guys doing to question 45:21 ministering to these people's need? You've got these, you know, these mobile units out 45:24 there and helping their physical need. But then now you got DeJesus. How do you go 45:28 about doing that? So go ahead. No to fast-forward. It was because it's crazy. When you 45:34 read that, quote. >> The progression. Yes, right? Yeah, we we to fast 45:41 forward. You know, after COVID that those 2020 2021, we launched a case management 45:43 program January and then in March, when we watch spiritual care program and this diesel 45:50 with you know, Wilfredo and Joffrey represent here because we wanted to make sure I think 45:54 a lot of times the organizations that are could get so bogged down with that 46:00 the spiritual needs to kind of takes a back burner, maybe not on purpose, right? Right. But 46:02 but it it happened. So we felt impressed to start bringing in some people back in spearhead 46:09 the spiritual need. And so and that's what they're doing here. So, yeah, definitely on 46:15 my let them kind of share exactly Cisco you. So let's talk about how you got in, you 46:18 know, involved with salt you personally and then we'll get into how how does it you go 46:24 about developing that spiritual relationship? Introducing on the cross man I 46:28 got involved with salts >> when it was first starting, I don't really back in the 46:36 2011 when they're doing like a preacher's club and you know the feeding stuff like that. 46:40 But then I kind of went my way. I quid, studied. And then after Oakwood, I like the 46:49 next. Yeah. Those those 10 years a Qantas was traveling, right? You know. And and and 46:54 working in construction working with family along the way. My my mother was a. 46:59 Dealing with cancer. Breast cancer. And so like come and then to the treatments and all 47:06 way and they do come back and every time my family at the time was working in 47:15 construction and there are moving pretty much following the jobs right there. Moving 47:19 further west. So along one of those Eric, it's me up and he's like a man like I you 47:23 know, just an idea. Maybe she like, you know, ever come back to Orlando, you know, work 47:28 with salt and, you know, I'm just like at on like, yeah, you know, and it was it was 47:38 interesting because it was always at a time where I was like in a transition right? 47:40 >> He'll bring it up. I couldn't talk to them because you remain friends always, 47:46 you're And so we'll be talking in transition, man about to like do this. And he's like, 47:49 well. You know, just pay If you want to come back to Orlando, you know, this to 47:56 every time I asked them to move to one state you talk I And then in California towards 48:11 the end of so I started minister in California it just happened to be the year 2020 48:17 right. And so I am stepping in, you know, don't know anything about California. 48:22 going to pass you pass position and the world down. trying to like figure out how 48:28 to do all the things. But towards the end of that year, the cancer came back from a 48:32 mother. and they pretty much let us know like a this is timing of this is we don't we 48:40 could. And it's up prayer now, And so I was able to spend the last part of December with my 48:50 mother in the 1st half of she passed 26 of 2021 and that shift in my world completely. 49:00 like, yeah, completely like I had plans and ideas. I never was in the comeback Tour I 49:07 just I never imagined back in Orlando, or not. And so I had certain jobs lined up. That 49:14 would pretty much like, hey, man, you're set for like the next 10 years. You and the 49:19 moment that, you know, you you feel that it changes everything. It changed 49:27 everything can relate. The change. They lost my mother the beginning of 2019 and it's 49:34 changed. >> Everything. Yeah, I like yes. I know what you mean. 49:37 sorry. For the last known same back to you. All know that. I know the feeling feels like 49:41 yeah, man. And so I was like I think when you go back home, you so we we decided to to 49:47 bear in Florida, even though we're in Utah right? we as in you and your family, I mean, 49:54 my we so we went to Utah and then we went after the funeral be back in Orlando. That man 50:00 like this is nice. I realize I had a lot of support in as to the other places I was going 50:07 to go to where I would be financially said I wouldn't be emotionally. And taking a 50:16 drive by 3 times from Utah to Florida. You know, a month, I'm really gave me time to 50:21 think. and with those most I can someone back to Orlando well, join salt. All right. 50:27 I'll join salt and >> we finally got one of the biggest things about it, 50:35 though, is the fact that Eric was there through the whole process? Yes, you know, he was 50:41 a friend first and foremost. And, you know, he was there praying with me in those 50:45 moments, you know, and all these things. And so I'm a I'm working with someone that's 50:49 actually like my brother. cares for me. And so coming back, a member of I come down. 50:54 I drove through the night. And I got in March, it was like a Saturday night Live 02:03AM, 51:04 in the morning and then Sunday at like 7 8. I was at Salt, OK? So it was a first-time 51:09 head of preaching. All right. So that this year or 2020, 21, 21 of last to preach we work 51:19 with We've got away with a lot of churches. You know, one of them has been really 51:24 consistent as a light house, OK, community church they came out. They have portable stage, 51:29 you know, get up and I began to preach and there was no connection. 51:36 >> At Oh, And so one of things, Eric and I discussed. >> Now moving into how he 51:42 minister is that we are doing the Christmas. We're yes, dealing with the Ps, you know, 51:47 is you know, incarnation all ministries like I'm here, type things. You know, let's remove 51:55 the desk as we move soon. I'm here the first encounter that we have we started to was just 52:03 like let's start implementing in this pastoral position in the special care is that we 52:06 are involved in outreach. Yes. cleaning showers. Yes, cleaning toilets, you get your 52:13 hands. Dirty air in there. Yes, you know, we're doing the laundry. You know, we're 52:18 outside. You we're not in a desk, right? You know, where dress when you have the shirts 52:22 with some sneakers on pants, you know, and we're out there and for a good portion of that 52:29 first month. You know, they saw a few timing for each. I'm pretty sure they forgot. But I 52:33 didn't even mention I was a pastor. Wright. I was there. And in interaction of getting 52:40 things ready for it to meet their needs. I'll talk to them, you know, get to know 52:45 that to that it? And then like I do know, is on old bass and I having a couple times. I 52:51 don't have any humans have a couple toward the beginning. Part with the like your 52:56 pastor. like, yeah. And they're like, you know, look like one. 53:02 >> What church is that? What which passed? And I'm like right here. 53:05 >> And then just like what was like, am I right here about mic on? it's right here your 53:11 Yeah, you and it's really redefined with a passer. Looks like not just for them, but 53:16 also for me, not to say that Jesus, Jesus property like a like a You know, their idea of 53:21 a spiritual leader backed it was a fair C guard from head to toe in all of the bullying. 53:27 All the you know that, you know, the fancy clothes and that they were. But Jesus was 53:30 just an ordinary looking guy. Yeah, but but, you know, the son of God and in their midst 53:34 and and so that you're stuck in your following, that example getting out there and 53:40 >> he might not have looked the part but had to following following the 2 players. 53:42 Absolutely never playing the And so we started with that and and that begin to shift I 53:48 because in the next month, you know what? want preach. It was very engaging. Very right to 53:56 the point where all our number one of my friends that's, you know, done a lot like 54:00 ministry, like preaching to our home about friends. He's like I've never seen that 54:07 level of engagement. Yes, no. And the reason is those that I know their names. That's 54:11 right. They know say you're not some stranger. Just given a Bible to extract telling 54:14 them what do with their If you happen to in the my proximity with MPs and I know your name, 54:21 I'm calling you out. It's almost like, you know it, you such looking you know, my 54:27 name. Also start to build that relationship and that's important you. Got it. got a 54:31 hammer that for a moment because >> the idea that we often have 54:35 especially in the churches that we got here, just find some rain will be able to do 54:37 Bible studies. We have. Is it possible to find that? Yes, I would have been one of those 54:41 because I just love truth. All of the Bible. But again, the mud, vast majority of the 54:44 people you're ministering to, they're not going to trust you to 2 and even take you series 54:49 if they don't have a personal connection, a personal relationship with you. What 54:53 you guys are doing is you're getting know them. You out there ministering to them. 54:57 You're getting to meet them them on a daily basis. Have a conversation and you're 55:02 building that confidence in them so that so their confidence in you so that when 55:06 you get up now that the word of God, they're going to take you seriously, they're going 55:09 to be more Definitely. It's awesome. Because low they see is OK, you preach here. But I 55:14 see you preach more with your actions. Yes, yes, I see moon. I see you working, you know, 55:18 and so we started to that plan like, okay. Well, this doing Bible studies. Well, so for 55:22 the one so we can see, you know how it goes and started once a week. And we did that 55:28 for a few months. And begin to grow. I kind of fluctuates, right? It is because like 20 55:36 people write people the next day like 20 that they feel like for like 17. So the main 55:42 thing that we understood was we need to be You know, yes, with a consistent yeah. They 55:49 need to see that. We're always always a representation here. One day. Get about studies. 55:56 They're like, hey, can we do every day? And we're like, oh, yeah, let's let's see. You 56:01 know, let's do to 2 times a Yes, you and so when he came to times a week, you know, and 56:07 then a cap be more consistent, starting a little bit more people coming for, you know, 56:13 they can we do every day again, come up again. So where again meeting the needs were 56:19 not saying like, hey, I think we should do every day for them. It's more like they are 56:25 requesting payment. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 56:29 Yeah. When they see Christ in you, they see what you the scene, the righteousness of 56:34 God in you. Then they're going to hunger for that which And that's what you guys are And 56:39 just that's exciting. And 6, I we have about a minute before going to take a break in just 56:42 a few moments. If you just now tuning in, my man, we've got salt outreach here. If you 56:48 just now tuning in, you've missed an incredible blessing of the last hour. the 56:53 blessings not finished because we have a whole nother. Our with these brothers were going 56:58 to go a little deeper effect. When we come back, we're going to finish. 57:00 >> Up with And we're going to over here that a job for talk about that spiritual need. 57:04 What God doing through you, my brother. But, you know, just got us a minute. This is this 57:08 is so encouraging because oftentimes even as a minister, you know, who plays a 57:13 different role in ministry, often find myself, you hungering and thirsting for 57:17 that experience. You know, that personal experience, one thing to be able to preach to 57:20 a group of people or 2 to get out there and in say certain things in relation to the word 57:25 of God. But when you are serving people, that's where true happiness comes from. And 57:28 that's what you guys are feeling. Salt Ministry doing it right, folks. We're going 57:33 to take a quick break. Don't go anywhere. Okay. an Illinois you may tempted to go to bed. 57:39 Don't go to bed just yet where you are. We're going take a short break. We'll be right 57:42 back in just a minute to continue our conversation. >> With song Outreach. 57:46 ♪ ♪ |
Revised 2022-10-07