New evangelizism idea. My wife thinks I'm being ridiculous

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If you’re going to hand out any type of prepared food you may need a food servise lisence depending on your town. I would also recommend atleast one food saftey course if not certification in “serve safe”. There are alot of bad things that can happen to food rather quickly. Especally ham & cheese. This will als protect you from liability incase a homess person gets sick calls “news 5 now” gets a probono anti-christian lawyer and sues you for trying to poision him.

Sadly that happens.

I would also stay away from the actual food truck…while you may minister to homeless it may make tony down the street who is trying to feed his family nervous. For that reaso i would team up with a legitimate ministry to get the lay of the land first.

They now have wonderful coolers and hot boxes that can be installed in any car. You could still do hot dogs…you’d just have to “cook” them first.
 
I’ve got a few more backers. A couple of folks I went to high school with who now attend a local Baptist church and run a ministry called “Bridge”, which is similar to what I’m trying to do have jumped on board willing to help me out. I’m pretty stoked about it all.

Just wishing I could find some tracts through CA or OSV that would go with what I’m trying to put out there. Most of it is dealing with communion or the sacraments. None of it is back to the very basics of the Christian Catholic faith, which is what I need. You don’t learn calculus before you learn arithmetic.
 
dsmantz said:
I’ve got a few more backers. A couple of folks I went to high school with who now attend a local Baptist church and run a ministry called “Bridge”, which is similar to what I’m trying to do have jumped on board willing to help me out. I’m pretty stoked about it all.

Just wishing I could find some tracts through CA or OSV that would go with what I’m trying to put out there. Most of it is dealing with communion or the sacraments. None of it is back to the very basics of the Christian Catholic faith, which is what I need. You don’t learn calculus before you learn arithmetic.
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I really think you need to be very careful getting involved in ecumenical ministry. it can take you down a path you don’t want to go on - and no catechesis and teaching Catholicism 101 does not work the way you described which is why you may need more education before jumping in otherwise you may get pulled out more quickly than you will pull anyone else in.

Have you read “Coworkers in the Vineyard” yet? This is the USCCB statement. If you are truly motivated you will read it.
 
joanofarc2008 said:
I really think you need to be very careful getting involved in ecumenical ministry. it can take you down a path you don’t want to go on - and no catechesis and teaching Catholicism 101 does not work the way you described which is why you may need more education before jumping in otherwise you may get pulled out more quickly than you will pull anyone else in.

Have you read “Coworkers in the Vineyard” yet? This is the USCCB statement. If you are truly motivated you will read it.
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Being drawn in is not an issue. I spent years studying to become a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and have spent quite some time learning about the Catholic faith, and intend to continue in my learning. Straying away from anyone, of any faith, who wishes to join me in charity is not an option, nor is it charitable. The two that care to join have no intention of “taking me to the other side”, nor would they be able to. There’s no part of Calvin’s theology that sits with me, but even still, it’s not about theology.

I’ll give Coworkers in the Vineyard a read, and will take it with full heart. But to deny others the chance to serve Christ simply because they’re not Catholic is not my way of living. Not to mention I see it as two more people, zealous for the Lord, that I could bring home to the true faith.

I attended this church many years ago with some friends of mine, and I can say they’re Baptist in name only. I don’t think a single person understood any part of the doctrine, and were there to worship Christ in the way that they had been presented. You can’t fault a person for being lured in to something they limited knowledge of. Same way I can’t fault my JW family members, who have a true love for God. They are slowly coming around, but worship him in the only way they know how.
 
dsmantz said:
So I was watching some youtube vids posted by my old Methodist pastor on Facebook, and got a wonderful idea. In my line of work, I only work 14 days a month (although my workday is 24 hours), so that frees up a lot of time. Now, obviously my idea won’t happen tomorrow, since I haven’t the money or resources, but it’ll get up and moving within 3 years.

I want to buy a food truck. Like a “roach coach”. Ya know, burgers, hot dogs, sodas, water bottles, all that good stuff. And I want to drive around and feed the homeless and lower income areas in Houston and the more rural areas surrounding my town. My goal is to use this food truck to not only offer physical nourishment but to pass out pocket NT’s, pray with people, talk to them, and show them the love of Christ in every way possible offered by the ministry to give them spiritual nourishment.

So, what do you guys think about it? I’m aware of the certifications and such needed for the food truck, and I’ll be completely legal doing this. I’ve never embarked on such a missionary thing. The most I’ve done is minister to strangers on the street and the prisoners at the unit where I work.

So, any opinions?
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I think this is a great idea. It’s nice being a firefighter, eh? 😉
 
dsmantz said:
Being drawn in is not an issue. I spent years studying to become a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and have spent quite some time learning about the Catholic faith, and intend to continue in my learning. Straying away from anyone, of any faith, who wishes to join me in charity is not an option, nor is it charitable. The two that care to join have no intention of “taking me to the other side”, nor would they be able to. There’s no part of Calvin’s theology that sits with me, but even still, it’s not about theology.

I’ll give Coworkers in the Vineyard a read, and will take it with full heart. But to deny others the chance to serve Christ simply because they’re not Catholic is not my way of living. Not to mention I see it as two more people, zealous for the Lord, that I could bring home to the true faith.

I attended this church many years ago with some friends of mine, and I can say they’re Baptist in name only. I don’t think a single person understood any part of the doctrine, and were there to worship Christ in the way that they had been presented. You can’t fault a person for being lured in to something they limited knowledge of. Same way I can’t fault my JW family members, who have a true love for God. They are slowly coming around, but worship him in the only way they know how.
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Granted and that sounds all fine and good but ministry comes with responsibility to teach the faith correctly and that means not using these other sources. It also means being Catholic in nature and authorized by the Bishop. This is by definition - again same document I have already directed you to.

If what you want to do is simply pass out sandwiches and tell people God loves them then by all means feel free but call charity - not ministry.
 
dsmantz said:
Being drawn in is not an issue. I spent years studying to become a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and have spent quite some time learning about the Catholic faith, and intend to continue in my learning. Straying away from anyone, of any faith, who wishes to join me in charity is not an option, nor is it charitable. The two that care to join have no intention of “taking me to the other side”, nor would they be able to. There’s no part of Calvin’s theology that sits with me, but even still, it’s not about theology.

I’ll give Coworkers in the Vineyard a read, and will take it with full heart. But to deny others the chance to serve Christ simply because they’re not Catholic is not my way of living. Not to mention I see it as two more people, zealous for the Lord, that I could bring home to the true faith.

I attended this church many years ago with some friends of mine, and I can say they’re Baptist in name only. I don’t think a single person understood any part of the doctrine, and were there to worship Christ in the way that they had been presented. You can’t fault a person for being lured in to something they limited knowledge of. Same way I can’t fault my JW family members, who have a true love for God. They are slowly coming around, but worship him in the only way they know how.
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What you are doing is a good and wonderful idea.

St. Vincent DePauw is a catholic organization on the diocesian and parish level which
provides for the poor. They are a good source of ideas and food and would know the areas where you may be neede the most.

Your parish priest may well have a parish pantry for the poor. He may give you a few names of parishoners who would help you.

Protestant ministers nearby may offer a hand. Some are very good about this.

Catholic parishes downtown would know places to start, places not to go.

Spiritual ideas are great because they need hope, love, and faith. Prayers along these lines would keep it simple. I think you and your two friends could make up your own.
The three kinds of street persons usually are: homeless, addicts, mentally ill or slow.
A prayer for each on a prayer card would be good, maybe.

“Have mercy on me O Jesus”
“Jesus, help me to want to quit.”
“O Lord bless me, fill my heart and soul.”
"O God You said nothing is impossible, I hope in You. "
“Jesus, you cured the blind man, please cure me.”
And of course the Our Father.

They are hungry, and with your enthusiasm, your “mother Theresa wagon” will do just wonderful things for the suffering Christ.
 
Personally I think this is a great idea. I’d recommend checking out the Missionaries of Charity to see if they have any houses near you. I’ve heard of them doing exactly this sort of thing for others, and they always need extra help. I’m sure they’d be happy to have you be a part of their ministry.
 
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