At Mission Joplin we ask everyone who comes through how we can pray for them. Here are some examples of prayer requests: 
“My friend passed away. I have no job.” 
“Loneliness and making ends meet since my husband died.”
“I need prayer for understanding why the storm hit and prayer for coping. Help to continue my walk with the Lord.”
“My wife is disabled. My 23 year old son is bi-polar and can’t work. My two younger children have issues.”
“I was the telephone operator at St. Johns the night of the tornado. I have trouble with fear and panic. My husband is a disabled veteran and trying to get benefits.”
“My…

Forest Park helped a family at Christmas. Their story that broke my heart. The mom is out of the picture. The dad works around the clock to pay for his 5th grade daughter’s leukemia treatments. She and her 4th grade brother were in Walmart when the tornado leveled it. Their father dug them out of the rubble. Both kids have had trouble sleeping due to the trauma of the event. Grandma is helping raise them. The girl is often very sick from her chemo treatments. This family wasn’t going to have anything for Christmas until a woman at our church discovered their need. She arranged for each child to get coats, shoes, socks, underwear, Bibles, and a few toys. With…

I meet a lot of people who tell me they feel unqualified to serve in a ministry like Mission Joplin. I smile and tell them that it doesn’t take a seminary degree! Unlike the other rabbis of his day, Jesus invited ordinary people to join his mission. Serving as a personal shopper is fun!  You help a family find the things they need and let them know that we care.  Come and give it a try.  I dare you to try it ONE TIME. Some of you will discover that this ministry is a perfect fit for you. Last week we served 110 families that suffered loss in the tornado and 51 other families with needs. We are open tomorrow…

I’m typing this as I’m watching the Extreme Makeover Home Edition show filmed at Joplin. Not only am I thankful for how people from all over America put seven of our city’s families in new homes, but I’m reminded of how many people have partnered with us at Mission Joplin to help ALL of our city’s tornado victims. I wish we could make a television show about all the lives that have been touched through the ministry of our amazing volunteers. The most important thing is that God knows all that you have done. Your compassion has been recorded and will be rewarded! We’ll be open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We need mac n cheese, jelly, queen…

Jesus asked a powerful question to a man who was crying out for help: “‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see,’ he replied.” (Luke 18:41) At Mission Joplin, we LOVE this question. Instead of a “one size fits all” approach, we try to discover specific needs and meet them whenever possible. Sometimes people will ask for a specific item that we don’t have, but God later moves in someone’s heart to donate that item and we contact the family with good news. Right now we need mac n cheese, jelly, queen sheets, tuna, socks, underwear, long john thermals, plus size coats, flour, sugar, dressers, tables, sofas, and other furniture. We are open today…

My wife found a video that tells the story of Joplin’s tornado from the perspective of the storm chasers. It brought back a flood of emotions. It also made me deeply thankful for everyone who has stepped up to help our city. Since December 27 at Mission Joplin, we have served 165 families who experienced loss in the tornado and 87 other families in need. We count it an honor that God is using us. Tomorrow we are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  We could use tuna, jelly, mac n cheese, crackers, soup, queen sheets and really large coats. We could also use furniture, especially dressers. And if you want to watch that video, check it out here.…