As the reluctant Executive Director of HOPE Missions of the Upstate, I confess I am a recovering Pharisee. Prior to 2019, I had plenty of preconceived notions of the homeless population, a term that now makes me cringe. Serving at HOPE Missions, I have seen thousands of faces of those who enter our doors for a free breakfast, for coffee, and, mostly, for fellowship. I’ve seen the despised blossom into beauty. I’ve dined with the formerly incarcerated, who now have thriving professional businesses and growing families. I can introduce you to the formerly addicted who now lead people out of bondage. I’ve been disappointed by many, spat upon, cussed out, and threatened, but I have yet to lose my heart for the least, the lost, and the lonely. All made in the image of God. All worthy of love from the King of kings, the Lord of lords. I count it a privilege to serve the poorest of the poor, and I long for the day when we stop classifying people by worldly wealth.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you are blessed by the devotions prepared by so many loving people!
In Christ,
Dave Phillips