Two months ago, on Palm Sunday, Pastor John Alarid and his wife Hannah stopped on their way to church to talk to a woman who was panhandling a block away from CityReach Church Springfield. They gave her some money, shared a few words of hope, and invited her to church.
“Thank you for acknowledging me,” she said.
The next Sunday, on Easter, Melinda came to church and was surprised by what she found. “She couldn’t believe that a church wanted her there,” Hannah said.
Melinda kept coming to the church for the Sunday services and soon responded to an alter call and surrendered her life to Jesus. She quickly became a part of the church family.
“She came in drunk as a skunk the first time she came to church, but we loved her. She was amazed that we accepted her just as she was.”Pastor John
The pastor and church members frequently stopped at her panhandling spot to give her food and encourage her. Wanting to share the hope and peace she had found in Christ, Melinda began inviting her friends to the church and asked the pastor for fliers to hand out. She ran out of fliers and asked for more.
This past weekend, Melinda’s health took a turn for the worse and she ended up in the ICU. Early this week, she passed away.
“I am honored that the Lord would entrust this beautiful soul to our church community. For her last two months on this earth, she was surrounded by a community that loved her and believed in her,” Pastor John shared.
Hannah and other church members had the opportunity to visit Melinda in the hospital before she passed away.
“Melinda taught me a lot about humanity and the importance of community to a soul. She loved this church and we loved her.”Hannah
CITYREACH NETWORK exists to reach the one who is far from God and together become passionate followers of Christ. Our vision is to aggressively reach cities with the hope of Jesus. Help us in our mission: Acknowledge someone today. Say a kind word. Give a hand up. Share your story. Tomorrow is not promised.
Comments from friends of Melinda at CityReach Church Springfield:
“The Sunday she came in, I was heading to the restroom and I spoke with her and welcomed her. I told her I was glad she came and she said, ‘I can’t believe someone like you would speak to the likes of me. Look at you and look at me.’ I replied, ‘Jesus loves us all the same. He loves you just like He loves me.’ Tears began to fill her eyes and she said, ‘You know, that Jesus is really awesome.’”
“She was one of those lost coins of great value.”
“It is wonderful that CityReach drew her into God’s forever family. She had a taste of heaven before she got there.”
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