I had yet to spend time in West End until I was part of an inner-city mission trip in Dallas. That weekend I was exposed to the brokenness present here. I was given the opportunity to use my gifts and talents to remind people that there is hope and life when we trust in Jesus. I have learned that everyone has a unique story to tell. God has a plan for us and wants to be a part of our story. The Bible is clear that apart from God there is no life. We are all a few decisions a

Imagine you built your dream home. Then, after its completion, an aggressive infestation of poisons, burrowing bugs made this home uninhabitable. I hope you would not easily abandon your dream and walk away from the house. Some people would. After all, extermination would be costly and the structure may need repair. It surely would no longer be the pristine dwelling that you poured your time and resources into. But, would you give up on your dream, even if it isn’t quite how

“I came to know the Lord when I was 8. I grew up in a great Christian home, but it took me a long time to truly understand what it means to surrender my life to Christ. I tried to live a double life, living for God while trying to be like the world. It wasn’t until I went to college that I really grabbed onto my faith and began to learn how to lay down my life for the will of God. I came to West End a few years ago with a friend and was terrified. I didn’t really know how to

"It's so easy to look at individuals who are homeless and blame them for the situation in which they find themselves. So often, we dehumanized them and treat them as if they're different from us, but they weren't always in that situation. They probably never imagined they would be living on the street. I’ve realize how important it is to take the time to talk to someone. Sometimes just knowing that someone cares about you and what's going on in your life can mean so much." We

"I've been wanting to go to school for years. I'm grateful that I'm finally in a good place in life to begin. I had been so tied up with so many vices in the past. My first day went great! I was also able to buy a computer from a lady at the shelter. I'd like to graduate with a degree in computer science. I'm focusing on my basics, and in August, I'll be taking math and English." West End Stories | Kenric 005

"He's a sweetie for the needy, And a sweetie for the greedy, cus I can't get enough of him. You can't pay me to pick up the snake no more. It took God to heal me of that bite, and he brought me out of darkness. He specializes in all things impossible. I went to AA they couldn't help me. I was locked up in the penitentiary, and they couldn't change me. Even lived in a halfway house. and they couldn't do nothing for me. Oh! But when I came to Jesus!!!" West End Stories 004 |

At a young age, a love capable of refusing egotism, capable of forgetting self-interest for the sake of others was demonstrated to me. It was through the noble sacrifices of my mother that I perceived that the human being is capable of loving without scruple and indiscriminately. It was through an entire life before my own that I surmised that earthly glories, though pleasing, render themselves insatiable in light of the eternal. It was the devotion and submission of my fathe

"Sir, can I ask you a question, will God forgive any sin?" -- A beautiful metaphor emerged just yesterday as we held a feast for 100 people in West End. Incidentally, so too was the number of sheep a Good Shepherd had, and upon losing one he leaves the 99 behind to find it. Ladarius arrived drawn by the crowds with questions yet received an irrefutable answer to his doubt, "What is the worst sin you have ever committed?" He replied, not looking to heaven with tears in his eye