Atlanta Blanket Outreach 2005

Hundreds given blankets and fed homemade soup

January began with a winter thaw in the Deep South with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s. However, winter returned the weekend of Jan. 15, but Love In Action was ready to respond. With a volunteer team of 27 people from seven different churches in Alabama and Georgia, Love In Action distributed blankets, coats and jackets to hundreds of homeless men and women in Atlanta. Love In Action also served hundreds of the homeless homemade beef and vegetable soup.
Most importantly, 30 of the homeless accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior following a heartfelt message from Love In Action President Mike Shroades. Mike told them that "they had been beaten up enough," and he wanted them to know that "they are precious to God." The photo above shows the men and women standing up in response to Mike's message. They all came forward and gave their lives to Jesus Christ. They will receive discipleship and more help from Love In Action's partners in Atlanta, Eagle's Nest Ministries, who has a church in the inner city. Love In Action thanks everyone from throughout the nation who gave so generously making this outreach possible.

Love In Action provided blankets and coats for hundreds of the homeless in Atlanta on Jan. 15. Here, Joyce (pictured in the center wearing a white jacket), of Eagle's Nest Ministries in Atlanta, helps hand out the blankets. Joyce was once homeless on the streets of Atlanta. Eagle's Nest Ministries reached her, and she gave her life to Jesus Christ. Ever since then she has been working with the ministry reaching people who are living like she once lived. She's a great example of what can happen when you reach out and help those who can't help themselves.

This homeless man wanted to praise God with Love In Action Praise & Worship Leader Brad Garrett's guitar. Brad gladly allowed him, and this man had everyone clapping and praising God along with him. There are many talented people living on the streets. All they need is to experience the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ, some encouragement and a hand up, then they can overcome their situation.

The Word of God was preached by Eagle's Nest Pastor Larry Arnold (above) and Love In Action President Mike Shroades (left) on Jan. 15, in Atlanta. Following the message, 30 homeless men and women accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Love In Action Praise & Worship Leader Brad Garrett leads worship during the outdoor service the afternoon of Jan. 15, in Atlanta.

This homeless man asked Brad if he could pick a song or two and Brad gladly let him. It was a fun day out on the streets of inner city Atlanta.

Pictured above, Love In Action team member Martha Tuck warms up a large pot of homemade soup. Pictured to the right, Pastor Harold Smith of Eagle's Nest Ministries pours a 5-gallon bucket of homemade soup into a pot to be warmed up. In all, Love In Action made 20 gallons of soup for the outreach. The homeless thoroughly enjoyed the hot soup on a day where the temperature didn't make it out of the 40s.

This is Calvin. He is a man who was homeless in Atlanta. Love In Action has been ministering to him for three years. He has had his ups and downs, but right now he is living for the Lord and will soon be married. Here he enjoys a hot bowl of soup, and in the photo to the right he is handing out Christian tracts and ministering Jesus Christ to a homeless man. Keep Calvin, and all the homeless in your prayers.

The husband and wife team of Ken and Martha Tuck, along with Ken's mother, Susie Tuck, work together to give blankets, coats and jackets to the homeless. Martha (center wearing green) and Susie (to the far right) are pictured above handing out coats, while Ken is pictured to the right sorting through all of the coats and blankets.

It was a day of showing the love of Jesus Christ to the homeless in Atlanta. To the left, Love In Action volunteer, Mickey Tuck of Wax Baptist Church in Rome, Ga., leads a group prayer for a homeless couple. Pictured above, Love In Action volunteers serve hot homemade soup.
Thanks to the generosity of those who pray and financially support Love In Action, the ministry is able to "proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion."