Elizabeth & Matt are based with InnerCHANGE’s Outer Circle Team in San Francisco California! From this base we work with folks who live in Golden Gate Park, disciple people locally and remotely, practice lots of hospitality, lead pilgrimages, seek justice for those who have been marginalized, and equip the work of the global church.
Here’s a little more about our work with the Outer Circle…
MINISTRY CONTEXT
As people who love fun, peace, conversation & have oft relied on others’ generosity, we’re entering a world where little trust & hospitality remain: the world of traveling youth & adults. The road is tough for a traveler & few of our friends left their home lightly:
- 88% reported physical, sexual, or emotional abuse prior to becoming homeless – a percentage that decreased after leaving home
- 55% had their safety threatened within the past 30 days on the street
- 25% of homeless youth reported having a supportive local adult
Source: San Francisco Homeless Unique Youth Count & Survey 2015, ages 18-24
MINISTRY VISION
God has given us a vision of home. We believe that whether called to a season of travel or a season of stay, each person ought to have a place where they will be known & received. In our minds, home is free of addiction, abuse & is full of support & grace.
Our team invites the lonely, the outcast, & the wanderer into restoration of their entire being by drawing them to Christ, giving them what we have, bringing them into community, and being their friends.
MINISTRY IMPACT
Over the last year we have made countless pancakes, had dozens of conversations about God and God’s work in the world, led several people who don’t identify as Christians in experiences with Jesus in prayer, discipled local leaders and interns, helped a houseless friend obtain a surgery that had been repeatedly cancelled by the surgeon without explanation for several months, prevented a child from entering foster care by providing temporary housing for him and his father, hosted a mom and her child while helping her develop life-skills, and welcomed dozens of people into our home for showers, meals, and laundry.
We are currently working with two leaders from the park (one of which Matt will soon baptize) who have received a vision of ministry from houseless people to houseless people. They are starting an organization called Bridges and are building significant partnerships with local churches and homeless outreach organizations.
WOULD YOU PARTNER WITH US?
There are many ways to partner.
Prayer is one of the best ways. Text moraffpritchard to 301-888-5589 or sign up here to receive regular prayer requests and life updates. If you’re not already getting our postcards, share your address here.
Another way to partner is financially.
You may give to the Kingdom Experiments account under Village Church (a tax-deductible donation). This is the most flexible way to give towards the totality of our work with the bonus of the ability to transfer to InnerCHANGE as needed. By Paypal: