Last Wednesday, Julie, Jalisa, me and Derek were singing during the lunch hour at the Downtown Soup Kitchen. Derek gave a short devotional from the story of the leprous man in Matthew 8. While he was speaking about the willingness of Christ to take your case, no matter the severity, Nick* spoke up and said, “If God really loves us, why are there so many suffering people?” Derek wanted to address his question, but was encouraged to finish his devotional first. After Derek concluded, he found Nick* and went over to talk with him. He addressed his question specifically of how suffering was not God’s original design, but a product of sin. Through his admission of his own sin and hearing of Christ’s Sacrifice, Nick* couldn’t help but cry under conviction and his girlfriend, Jane*, did as well. They, along with a friend, allowed Derek and I to pray for them. We were thrilled to see them on several occasions including Sunday morning, where they listened intently as the message went forth. We are believing God to bring this young couple to a true born again experience.

We had a record attendance of around 200 homeless people at Hope Church this past Sunday. It was a great privilege for Derek and I to minister in song and then Derek shared a powerful message on “My Name is NOT Legion”. It was a powerful truth of God’s intended identity for mankind. Derek made reference to specific names the devil desires people to be identified by – shame, guilt, outcast, abuse, addict, sinner, etc. But through Jesus, anyone can be made a new creature with a new name and identity. At the altar service, Freda* came to the front with her boyfriend, Mark*. They explained the anxiety from which she had been suffering especially since the murders of two of her children and other family members. She was broken. At the prayer time, she found the God of peace for herself and shared of how much better she felt.

A lady of Asian descent, also responded to the altar call that morning. She shared after dismissal what God had done in her life. From a child, her father had called her, “bad.” Due to her appearance, a Catholic priest told her that she looked like a criminal. She carried those names throughout her life. But that morning, the truth of God’s Word became real to her and she accepted God’s grace to have a name change. Through tears, she told Derek afterward, “You came all this way to tell me this.”

It was a joy to see many that I had met when I was there in the winter months of 2016. One such lady is Mikayla*. When I saw her, she began to share how God had helped her. She has been sober for a year and a half and free from smoking as well. She now has a place to live; attending college in order to help others become free from addictions; and is the mother of 2 beautiful children. God is still in the business of transforming lives!!

Oh, I could share so much more and I possibly will in upcoming updates. God is truly working in Anchorage, Alaska! Thank you for being a integral part!

God bless you!

*Names changed in order to protect privacy

Firsthand Experiences:

It is with great joy that I come to you today from Anchorage, Alaska! My husband, Derek, and I flew into Anchorage Airport on Friday afternoon. We are thrilled to be here with the family and to be involved in the ministry here. Soon after we got in, we volunteered to serve the dinner meal at the Women’s Shelter. It was a joy to see several that I had met when I was here in the beginning of 2016. Being here in person has given me a whole new appreciation for the reports I hear and share on a weekly basis.

Hope Church:

We had around 70 people at Hope Church this Sunday. Derek and I were privileged to join Julie, Jalisa & Joy in the time of worship through song. Afterward, Bro. Martin preached on the facts of the Resurrection and the personal faith we should have in the Resurrection. At the close of the message, 3 people came up for prayer. One of these that came forward was Danielle*. It was her first time at Hope Church. I lead her in a prayer for salvation and she came up later and said, “Thank you for praying with me. I came here heavy, but feel so much better now!”

I talked with Edith* before the service. She shared with me how she was bound by alcohol, but wanted to be free. I talked with her about how we can’t overcome in our own strength, but we must trust God’s power. She thanked me for sharing hope with her.

A precious couple whom we have shared about before, told us how they felt the Lord lead them to Hope Church. I could sense from the time I met them on Sunday morning, they were there to push the service and and be of help in any way they could. Kathy is Julie’s right hand helper in the kitchen and both her and Bill carry a burden to see the precious people that attend Hope Church find the Lord in a personal way. Joy shared concerning them, “They are such a blessing to us!”

Where would Jesus be if He came to Anchorage in person?

As I talked with Bill on Sunday morning after church, he asked me the question above. It has resounded in my heart along with these scriptures.

Matthew 9:11-13
“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

Based on these scriptures, I answered Bill, “Jesus would be here with the broken.”

Thank you so much for your support of the Martin family! I can say by firsthand experience, they are doing a great work here. Looking forward to sharing more!

God bless you!

Joanna Rich, Ministry Assistant

We have a couple weeks of updates to cover in one because of a very hectic week in my life. I do apologize for the absence of an update last week. I want to say how encouraging it has been to hear from some that are reading these updates and enjoying them. We love hearing from you!

Bro Martin has felt that he should lead up to Easter with a strong foundation in the meaning of the Cross. He preached last Sunday on “Your Worst Day can become your Best day” from the story of the thief on the cross whom Jesus told, “This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise”. There was a great response in the altars as souls reached out to Jesus.

On one particular day last week, the family was ministering during the lunch hour at the Downtown Soup Kitchen when Denise* came up. She was an unfamiliar face to the family, but she stood attentively the whole time Bro Martin was speaking. Afterward she spoke up and said, “When I came in today, I was really down. But what you shared has really lifted me up. Thank you!”

Bro Martin ran into Jerry* last week at Bean’s Cafe, whom we have mentioned on another occasion (to read a previous story, click here). This deaf man was thrilled to see Bro. Martin! Bro Martin was informed that Jerry* was in bad health and would probably die soon. However, Jerry* still had that smile on his face and pointed up as if to tell Bro Martin it was okay because he was going to Heaven when he died.

Thank you for supporting Hope for the Home with your finances and prayers!

May God richly bless you!