June 2020
Volume 27 Issue 3
Explorers: Pursuing God
ON LOCATION
S.O.S. On Location is an exciting summer outreach geared toward reaching kids with the love of Christ. During the school year, our halls are flooded with students and volunteers for our After School Program and Children’s Ministry, however, during the summer, our volunteers take the Gospel to the neighborhoods of our kids and bring the Word of God to the streets. It is an incredible outreach opportunity that has the ability to impact the whole family. Not only do the kids involved get to hear about Christ, but also parents and grandparents as they frequently join the children. This summer is unique as we face the challenges posed by COVID-19. Although some aspects may look different, we know that we are purposed to bring the Gospel to children & families who are searching and longing for hope; a hope that is greater than anything this world can offer in the midst of a global pandemic.
On Location takes place every Monday night beginning July 13th and ending August 3rd in various neighborhoods throughout Bryan and Hearne. We bring crafts, snacks, engaging Bible studies and exciting games to the neighborhoods as we share the love of Christ with kids ages 5-12. Each week, the kids hear a new Bible story, and learn more about how loved they are by both our volunteers and God. It is beautiful to witness the kids begin to trust the volunteers, and experience Christ’s unconditional love for them for the first time. In all of the activities during On Location, the common thread is God’s love, which transcends all boundaries. Differences in race, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status seemingly disappear as God’s unending love is spread and experienced throughout the neighborhoods. On Location is also a great opportunity for our volunteers as they grow established relationships and build new ones with kids and display through their actions the incredible love of Christ. It is the kid’s hunger and thirst for this love and knowledge that keeps us coming back year after year.
This year’s theme is “Explorers: Pursuing God.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, “Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me. And I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!” Our heart for this year is that kids would take ownership of their faith and seek out to know more of who God is. It’s our prayer and heart cry that they would find that He alone is the hope to anything they are facing. He alone is worth our heart’s affections. It is our prayer that they would learn to seek God’s kingdom and run towards Him instead of running to things of this world. We know that He offers grace, mercy, healing & joy and we pray that every child we serve would encounter this kind of love from Jesus. This summer, we believe that God will stir up the hearts of young children and raise up a generation of disciples who seek Jesus above all else & live on mission for the gospel.
This year, we desire to bring the hope and love of Christ to over 180 kids and are looking to impact 6 neighborhoods in the Brazos Valley, including Hearne where we currently hold a weekly Children’s Ministry. We are excited to see how God brings transformation and hope to the streets of local neighborhoods through the hearts of children.
Each year we partner with local churches to reach these kids, and as our reach expands, so must our volunteer base. If you are interested in volunteering for On Location, please email us at allison@saveourstreetsministries.org or contact the S.O.S. Office at (979) 775-5357. If you are interested in sponsoring a portion of On Location, please complete and return the enclosed insert.
SOS BBQ Outreach
On Saturday, May 23, SOS distributed over 500 BBQ meals to people in local neighborhoods who are not typically reached. During this time when many families need help putting food on the table for their families. We, at SOS, want to let them know we are here for them. J.J. and a team of guys worked diligently all day to prepare and cook the chicken and sausage. Numerous volunteers arrived to help us with a variety of tasks including attaching flyers to boxes, filling to-go boxes with food, working the drive-through, delivering meals to the residents, and cleanup. Volunteers were able to connect and serve alongside one another and we were able to bless people in these surrounding neighborhoods. The Lord even blessed us with extra food to give to the homeless in our community. Those who delivered meals had wonderful stories to tell of their conversations and interactions with some of the residents. Here are some stories from the volunteers:
“A lady took one look at Johnny (from the Men’s Home) and said, ‘I like this.’ It was beautiful to witness how God has restored Johnny through SOS so that people he once knew saw light in him and said, ‘I want that for myself.’”
“After explaining [to a woman] that God loves her and we wanted to bless her in His name, the woman stood there with tears running down her face. She said she saw the cross on the SOS van, and she felt the Spirit of God and His presence. That is why she was crying. She told us there is so much darkness and this blesses us. We prayed for her, and we too felt His presence. We are so thankful we get to join God as He draws hearts to Himself!”
“We met lots of grateful, humble people. I experienced the generous heart of God, His extravagant love for the field that is ripe unto harvest, and the excitement of His unashamed Workers that went into the streets for whosoever with hearts full of His love…”
Did you know?
Our local Chick-Fil-A is providing 2,000 BOXED MEALS, which allows us to serve over 200 SOS CHILDREN and their families in May and June. Thank you, Chick-Fil-A!
Volunteer of the Year ’19:
Britani – Hearne Ministry
Meet Britani, the 2019 SOS Volunteer of the Year who currently leads our Children’s Ministry in Hearne. Britani started serving with SOS four years ago during her sophomore year of college at Texas A&M. It was there that her dorm neighbor, who was serving with the Hearne Ministry, introduced Britani to SOS. Throughout Britani’s freshman year, her neighbor would tell her she thought Britani would like it and be good at it, but Britani was unsure she wanted to commit. However, after the summer of her freshmen year, Britani went on a mission trip where a passion ignited within her and she developed a heart for ministry to those who are in need, people who have been brushed aside, or have been deemed hopeless by others. She knew she wanted to get involved and serve in some way when she returned. As her neighbor continued to bring up SOS Hearne, Britani decided to give it a try. She quickly fell in love with the kids and the simple, direct approach of the mission and decided to fully invest herself. She loved her interactions with the kids and it became her favorite part to see the joy the kids had as someone came and cared for them.
Two years into serving there, the SOS Staff told Britani she would be a perfect fit to take over the responsibility of leading the Hearne Ministry. Wanting to see more kids reached with the Gospel, Britani started leading the Hearne Ministry where she is still faithfully serving. Even after graduation, Britani decided to remain in the B/CS area and continue leading SOS Hearne because she recognized the investments she has already made in the community and the opportunity she has to continue doing so. She sees how this is God’s calling on her life; to reach the lost and hurting with the love of Jesus. Even now as she works as a school teacher, she says she is constantly reminded and thankful in this season that she knows she is exactly where she is supposed to be, doing what she was called to do. We are so thankful to have Britani serve at SOS! She is passionate about making sure that every single child knows the love of Jesus. She fights for them in prayer and has a heart to see the lost saved.
Upcoming Events
June 26-27
Women’s Ministry Garage Sale
July 6
On Location Training
July 13 – August 3
On Location (Mondays: July 13, 20, 27 and August 3rd)
July 18
Women’s Arise Conference
Save the Date
Mark your calendar for this year’s 19th Annual Banquet on Tuesday, September 29th!
Come Join Us!
Men’s Bible Study
Tuesday 7:30 p.m in person and on Zoom
Click to join on Zoom
Women’s Bible Study
Tuesday 7:00 p.m in person and on Zoom
Click to join on Zoom
Teen Boy’s Ministry Bible Study
Click to join on Zoom
Teen Girl’s Ministry Bible Study
Click to join on Zoom
Worship Service
Friday 7:30 p.m. in person and streamed on Facebook Live