By Janella Griggs
 We often ignore them. Sometimes we fear them. We've even been known to judge them. We speed up, walk past, look away… or maybe, on a generous day, drop a dollar in their buckets. They're the homeless. Nameless, faceless humans on the outskirts of society.
Of course we don't mean to ignore or be coldhearted. We'd be the first to help if we knew what we could do to really make a difference. But most of us can't quit our jobs to volunteer every day at a shelter. We can't realistically cart food around everywhere we go, in case we find someone in need. So, what can we do?
According to Southern Baptist missionary Eric Bergquist, director of the Page Street Baptist Center in San Francisco, just asking that question is a good start. "Part of our job as Christians," he says, "is to care for others." Acknowledging that homeless people are more "people" than "homeless" is an important first step.
Recognize the humanity in others
Meet Daniel. He's been in and out of homelessness for more than a decade and is a regular at the Page Street Center. A severe diabetic, Daniel lost his leg because he couldn't care for it properly on the streets. Just like everyone else, he has a personal history that has brought him to this point in life. He hasn't always been poor. When he was a kid, he didn't dream of becoming a drug addict or aspire to living on the streets. Yet here he is.
He was introduced to the Page Street Center through their coffee house ministry, a time set aside each week for people in need to warm up, cool off or just kick back and relax in a safe, clean environment. Even after spending time with Eric while hanging out at the Center, David was surprised to see Eric in his hospital room when he was having complications from the diabetes. "It surprised me that he came. No one else cared or knew I was in the hospital," he says.
The act of caring is what sets Eric apart from so many others in Daniel's life. Eric doesn't see Daniel as a homeless person; he considers him a friend. He sees him as a human being, created in God's own image. That, he says, is the best thing anyone can do to develop a genuine love for the homeless.
Ways you can minister
by Jami Becher
"Homeless people have abandoned mainstream life," says Tobey Pitman, director of the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans. "They have severed relationships with family, most are unemployed, addiction is usually an issue, their health is compromised, many have no support group and their circle of friends only includes others like themselves. Thankfully, the church has earned a reputation for caring for those that no one else seems to care about." Here are a few suggestions for how your church can carry out Jesus' command to care for the "least of these."
Hunger Ministry
Each year 11 million people in the U.S. will experience hunger. A hunger ministry provides churches with a unique opportunity to share the Bread of Life along with bread for living. It's a great place to start ministering to the homeless, because hunger ministry can be as simple as holding a food drive or as complex as starting a daily soup kitchen. Other options for ministry include: food pantries, lunch sacks, bags of groceries, food program worship services or simply giving out vouchers for local supermarkets.
Literacy Ministry
More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth grade level. Tutoring homeless people in reading and writing adds a whole new dimension of hope and possibility to their lives. Not only does reading and writing give them a greater ability to be employed and re-enter society, it opens doors to share the eternal hope of Christ. Tutoring doesn't require major organization, just a few volunteers who are willing to participate in a weekend of training.
Shelter Ministry
More than 600,000 men, women and children go homeless each night in the United States. The best way to get involved with shelter ministry is to find a local shelter and join them in their work. "It strengthens an existing group and demonstrates the ability of the local church to come alongside a strong community organization and to further increase its effectiveness," Tobey says. Churches can volunteer in a variety of ways including serving meals, conducting chapel services, forming prayer groups and providing financial support.
Substance Abuse Ministry
Drug or alcohol addiction is a problem for 38 percent of the homeless population. The simplest thing a church can do to help those who are battling substance abuse is provide space for recovery meetings. To get more involved the church can sponsor the meetings, which usually include a meal, a praise service, a large group meeting and small breakout sessions for a variety of addictions. Some churches that develop a concern for reaching substance abusers operate counseling centers and hire staff to counsel addicts.
Medical/Dental Ministry
Sickness and mental illness, brought on by rough living and often drug abuse, also are problems for the homeless population. This type of ministry is a great way for medical and dental professionals to use their skills to heal physical wounds while sharing the love of Christ to heal emotional and spiritual wounds. Churches can start off in healthcare ministry by participating in short-term mission projects and get more involved by partnering with an existing clinic or starting one of their own.
For more information on how to begin any of these ministries in your church visit www.namb.net and search for "ministry/servanthood evangelism."
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"More important than what you give somebody is that you simply care. It would be better to know someone's name than to give him a dollar. I think that if we're open to God and really care about a person, then God can guide us and use us in a way we've never known before," Eric says.
But how does that relate to everyday life? It's just not possible to personally care for every homeless person we encounter. Believe it or not, Eric says our job is not primarily to care for the homeless-it's to care for everyone God brings across our paths. It's taking time to "recognize the humanity and not just the function" of every person we meet on a daily basis, whether a homeless soul, our neighbor, a retail store clerk or an executive. If we fashion our lives this way, then we will fulfill the specific role we have been given-and we'll make a true, lasting difference.
Meet practical needs
What exactly do homeless people need most? Daniel's answer sums it up. "Whatever any human needs is what we homeless also need," he quips, alluding once again to the feeling of being an invisible object instead of a real person.
David reminds us that food is ?always a welcome sight. "It will always get shared or passed around ?if somebody doesn't want it," he ?assures. But food is not always the most important thing.
It's life's other necessities that are often harder to come by that Daniel and his friends appreciate. He tells of someone giving him socks once and how much that meant to him. Eric agrees. "Imagine what a difference we could make if every Southern Baptist carried a new pair of socks with them and gave them to people in need whenever they saw them," he says. "It borders on foot washing in the Bible; it's personal and very real. It met a real need in the first century, and it meets a real need today."
Be a person of prayer
Praying through the enormity of the homeless situation in America can be overwhelming. That's why, Eric says, we must realize God is working in each life and will continue to work with or without our help. "You have the privilege of participating, but you don't have the burden of doing it all." We have the responsibility to carry the burden in our own hearts… but not all on our own shoulders.
Next time you encounter someone who's homeless, make a special effort to recognize the humanity in them. Risk caring for and about them. Ask if he or she would allow you to pray for him or her right there. And don't only pray that God would bless their socks off… you go ahead and bless their socks on with the stash you have in your car or purse! You'll be bringing a beautiful reflection of Christ's love into a world where beauty and reflection are rare at best.
 Janella Griggs is a writer living in Montgomery, Alabama.
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