For St. Pauls UMC in St. Pauls, NC, ministry is possible in the most unexpected places. Pastor Bruce Skipper can sit at his office window and see drug deals and prostitution in the alley behind the church. He is also acquainted with the homeless who sleep under the highway bridge a small distance from the church. He could choose to ignore these situations or he could choose to see a mission field. He chooses to see a mission field.
The church provides food and clean drinking water to anyone who expresses a need. Pastor Bruce talks with them, prays with them, tells them about Jesus, and invites them to come in for worship. He has even slept under the cold noisy bridge with them.
“Jesus went where the people were; Jesus spent time where the people are and that’s what we are called to do. We need to recognize the people under the bridge just like we recognize the people in the church.”