The Overflow

Just got this note from Anthony Wood – full time evangelist for River City Ministry. I’ve written about River City several times before having spent a good part of my growing up years being influenced by this ministry. My dad, Jim Woodell, currently serves as the Executive Director there, and my brother-in-law filled that position before him.

River City Ministry is a mission to North Little Rock, AR’s, poor and homeless population with facilities located in a pretty rough part of town.

Free groceries, shelter, clothing, showers, toiletries, medical services, prescriptions, eye and dental care, daily meals, and a host of other services are provided by the good people at River City.

But there’s one more thing: they also have a full-time evangelist on staff whose sole purpose is to share Jesus with those coming there for other services, and check out these results.

Here’s the email I just got from Anthony Wood – River City’s evangelist:

Hey guys, here’s the latest in God’s work to save souls. Praises go to God. Thanks to all for the great teamwork we share and enjoy that glorifies God. It is a pleasure serving with you.

We at RCM believe each person’s response to God, whether for the first time, or a return to God, is precious. Please take time to pray over this list that each person may come to know Christ and make Him known.

Blessings,
Anthony

 2009 River City Ministry Baptisms:

1. 1/12 Alfred T.
2. 1/14 Randy T.
3. 1/15 Pamela M.
4. 1/20 Ray T.
5. 1/20 Teraz H.
6. 2/9 Tony M.
7. 2/10 Ricky B.
8. 2/12 Clara H.
9. 2/17 Gracie H.
10. 2/24 Alonzo P.
11. 2/26 Oliver S.
12. 3/2 Lee B.
13. 3/2 Loretta D.
14. 3/10 Krystal W.
15. 3/10 Darren B.
16. 3/11 Bill K.
17. 3/12 Ronnie T.
18. 3/18 Vicki B.
19. 3/24 Frederick F.
20. 3/30 Tawana H.
21. 4/1  Claude A.
22. 4/6  Tim S.
23. 4/6  Jackie G.
24. 4/6  LaVonne T.
25. 4/8 Tony B.
26. 4/9 Freddie W.
27. 4/14 John G.
28. 4/15 Rachel M.
29. 4/15 Buford B.
30. 4/22 Ken P.
31. 4/23 Frieda R.
32. 4/27 Norman S.
33. 4/28 Quartez S.
34. 4/29 Chris H.
35. 4/29 Bryan S.
36. 5/6 Christy C.
37. 5/7 Shawn C.
38. 5/12 Mary B.
39. 5/13 Cleophus B.
40. 5/18 Brian T.
41. 5/21 Mike R.
42. 5/27 Adam M.
43. 5/28 Helen D.
44. 6/1 Kristopher S.
45. 6/8 George B.
46. 6/8 James T.

 
2009 River City Ministry Restorations:

1. 1/6 Billy B.
2. 1/8 Mack Y.
3. 1/8 Rita W.
4. 1/12 Geraldine L.
5. 1/13 Aaron J.
6. 1/20 Carlton W.
7. 1/21Cherry W.
8. 1/22 Lilly W.
9. 1/25 Donald B.
10. 2/3 Brian S.
11. 2/3 Wesley B.
12. 2/4 Sharon H.G.
13. 2/4 Gary Z. W.
14. 2/4 Anthony S.
15. 2/4 Michael Y.
16. 2/5 Dan S.
17. 2/11Adam M.
18. 2/11Stephen S.
19. 2/17 Alonzo M.
20. 2/17 Willie L.
21. 2/17 Ron M.
22. 2/17 Earl M.
23. 2/17 David R.
24. 2/17 Ronnie K.
25. 2/19 Billy B.
26. 2/25 Oliver S.
27. 2/26 Donald J.
28. 2/26 Marcus T.
29. 2/26 Joanna S.
30. 3/2 Manuel O.
31. 3/2 Desmond A.
32. 3/4 Adrian B.
33. 3/4 Wiley C.
34. 3/4 Christy S.
35. 3/9 Robert B.
36. 3/10 Marty R.
37. 3/16 Earle M.
38. 3/17 Bryant R.
39. 3/17 Barry M.
40. 3/18 Albert B.
41. 3/24 Terrence C.
42. 3/25 Gary M.
43. 3/30 Gastivus H.
44. 4/1  Lloyd P.
45. 4/1  Oliver S.
46. 4/1 Tochelle W.
47. 4/6  John G.
48. 4/7 Larry H.
49. 4/7 Kay M.
50. 4/7  Ruth J.
51. 4/13 Joe K.
52. 4/16 Jeremy R.
53. 4/20 Michael F.
54. 4/21 Yolanda C.
55. 4/21 Keith M.
56. 4/22 Shantana M.
57. 4/26 Sara B.
58. 4/29 Danny P.
59. 5/4 James W.
60. 5/4 Calvin C.
61. 5/6 Odell D.
62. 5/7 Samuel T.
63. 5/11 Willie J.
64. 5/14 Mike H.
65. 5/18 Kenneth H.
66. 5/20 Ricky N.
67. 5/21 Steve K.
68. 5/26 Jay A. G.
69. 5/27 Ed D.
70. 5/28 John G.
71. 6/1 Robert G.
72. 6/5 James T.

What an encouraging update!

I’ve heard Anthony often refer to River City as a well just like the one Jesus was sitting by in John 4. The Samaritan woman came there for one thing (water), but she found something else (Jesus).

Anthony says, “Our job is just to find the wells, Wes. River City is a well. People come here for our goods and services, but they find something else. They find Jesus!”

The “well” for me is the university campus that sits a few hundred yards from my front door.

I think I’ll go sit there a while … I wonder who God will send me …

P.S. – Anthony will be speaking at the 2009 CMU Workshop July 9 at Harding on how evangelism to the poor can equal evangelism to a university campus. Should be good stuff – I’m looking forward to it. Here’s Anthony’s bio for the event.