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Ministry Through Shampoo

Written by Emmy Stanley

April 26, 2013

“‘In that day,’ says the Lord, ‘I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast, and those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant and the outcast a strong nation.’” Micah 4:6-7 NKJV

This past week, our Langley Breakthrough Prayer and Outreach Team had the privilege of partnering with three churches that regularly reach out to the homeless and financially challenged of our community. These churches hosted a dinner for about eighty-five guests.

Our part was to show the love of Jesus through practical activities, such as hand spas (manicures and hand massages), free haircuts (a huge hit!), and our prayer tent where we offered “free spiritual encouragement.” Just blessing these folks in these practical ways was wonderful, but the added (intentional) bonus of being able to have conversations with them regarding their spiritual lives was really what it’s all about!

From the very first moment that I met nineteen-year-old Sam, I was impressed with what a beautiful and smart young man he was. As I shampooed his hair, he began to share how his parents abandoned him at the age of two, how he was raised in foster homes, saw his brother shot in front of him, was a reformed drug addict, and was now going to a special school where he could get his grade twelve diploma.

As I finished the shampoo, I asked him if I could pray for him. “Oh, yes please!” was his response. He was so open and so soft that I took it to the next level and asked him if he would like to invite Jesus into his life. Again he was ready and even thankful that I would ask. After I shared a little more about what that meant, we prayed together and he entered into a new life and fresh start.

The very next thing he said was, “I would like to volunteer and help youth at risk.” Praise God for the good plans that He has for Sam!

When you pray for your community, expect God to give you opportunities and a part in bringing the answers to fruition.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV