New Life Gospel Outreach – Stepping Stones outreach at Bath's YMCA
Bath's homeless need food for the body, comfort for the heart and food for the soul - Bath's 'Stepping Stones' outreach project at the YMCA ensures they get all three! Aimed at delivering love in action to socially marginalised and homeless people this project is supported by volunteers from 10 churches across the city.
Birthed from the city-wide evangelistic mission 'Life In The Park' and set up in 2008, this project is all about getting to the point of need and filling it with God's love in action.
Project leader, Graham Duke explained: “We come along side and share the love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ over tea, coffee and biscuits. Here folk are welcomed, loved, valued, encouraged and helped to feel part of a church.
We're a multi-church group of Christians from 10 local churches and we share the gospel with local homeless and socially marginalised people.
“'Life in the Park' was so succesful and exposed such a need that it became clear that we needed a room to meet in. Because of the choice of this site, people from the nearby soup-run began to attend too.”
In fact once the outreach began Graham and his fellow volunteers saw numbers of visitors quickly rise. “It became clear they wanted spiritual sustenance too! So week by week we covered we covered the parables and stories of Jesus drawing out from them something of the nature and personality of God in Christ Jesus.
“People were able to have their say and ask questions. Week by week we saw some lives change as many felt able to commit their lives to Jesus.” He said.
Despite some chaotic services in the early days Graham feels that Jesus has had his hand on events throughout.
“ We have seen the Lord move so wonderfully, people have come off main-line drugs and medical substitutes, come off the streets into accommodation and even into work.
“Glory to God for His grace working through His Son Jesus, for He has done it all.” He said.
Do you want to become involved in Stepping Stones or IGO? Contact Graham at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 07749618490