Three men, two houses, and one heartbeat.  The Timothy Initiative is a ministry for homeless men to be able to break free from their addictions, re-establish themselves and regain a sense of purpose.  George, Matt and Will spend their time getting to know the stories behind the faces of the homeless people we drive by everyday.  They build relationships with them through various events from the Underground Church to community meals to an open mic night called the Conscious Party.  Once a relationship has been built, support is offered to help these hurting homeless men break free from any addictions they are struggling with.  The Timothy Initiative currently has two houses that provide these men with a safe and supportive environment to help them get back on their feet.  Initiative Prints is a small t-shirt printing business run by these men so that they are provided with the tools they need to stand on their own two feet.  This is definitely not a program based ministry but rather one based on relationships because every person who comes through this ministry is unique and has their own individual story. 

    While The Timothy Initiative wants to help hurting homeless men get back on their feet, the ultimate goal of this ministry is to help them begin and develop a relationship with Christ.  This is the priority because no matter what happens to these men down the road, the one thing that will outlast the food given them, the house that provided shelter, or the business that gave them a skill to earn a living is a relationship with Christ.  This ministry is named after Timothy in the New Testament.  Timothy was a young man, discipled by Paul the apostle, and then sent out to change the world.  Modeling this idea, The Timothy Initiative helps hurting homeless men get back on their feet, find Jesus and deepen their walk with Him and then ultimately go out and change the world.

    Doing full-time relational ministry has its joys and its challenges.  Will has witnessed the transformation of Rico whom he met a year ago behind a Salvation Army.  Will developed a relationship with Rico and discovered he was a skilled guitarist but lacked a guitar.  Will let Rico borrow his guitar for a Conscious Party and Rico blew everyone away with his talent.  Rico would have never come to the other events such has the community meal, but when he could do what he loved, the doors opened.  He started attending church with Will and eventually gave his life over to Jesus.  Rico has gotten on his feet through The Timothy Initiative and is now enrolled and attending classes at HCC.  It’s people like Rico and mixing your passions (small business management and pouring into people) with what you are burdened for (hurting homeless men who are often overlooked because they are not a single mother or do not have a family) that keeps Will going from day to day.  Some of the challenges of this kind of ministry is knowing what will help someone but them refusing to accept the help; or if they have accepted the help, making important decisions in their best interest when things get rough.  Being involved in this kind of ministry has its influence on your lifestyle as well.  Will grew up in the suburbs but realized that effective ministry needs to be alongside people and not done from a distance. 

    The Timothy Initiative has taken off this past year.  The original budget was planned when there was only one staff member (George) and no houses.  Since that time, Will has joined on as staff and two houses have been opened to provide a place to stay; therefore there are many financial needs that have risen.   Also, if you are in need of t-shirts, please use Initiative Prints for your t-shirt silk screening needs!  All monies raised from this business go directly towards The Timothy Initiative.  If you want to be even more involved, they are in need of solid Christian men who would be willing to give an hour a week to mentor these recovering men.  If you would like to support The Timothy Initiative financially, get more information about t-shirts, or are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Will Barrett at wkbarr@gmail.com.

    “Jesus is the only answer.  It’s the only thing that will last no matter what happens to someone.”

                                                                - Will Barrett