Every first of the month, each Raven teams stay back and pray for the needs of the ministry and for God to touch our hearts as we go out and minister to the homeless.

This summer we will be doing cardboard testimonies in the park. The
cardboard testimony is a powerful tool God has used in showing a life we
lived compared to now that we are believers. Some of us struggled with
doubt, fear, lies, anger, spirit of religion, drug addiction, etc. Now that
we met Christ he has given us love, peace, patience and freedom in him and
his word has touch our hearts.

We were once prisoners of our sins. Now we are prisoners of Jesus Christ.

For a year we prayed for the ministry to receive favor from Whole Foods to donate food to us. I am here to say God answers prayers. Whole Food’s called inviting us to begin picking up donations from their Columbus Circle location. Apparently, another donation company is not consistent in their pickups and as a result, a lot of left over food remained. With this situation, they asked us if we could use the food.

God is good and HE is worthy to be praised…

Psalm 22:26 “The poor shall eat and be satisfied”

On Saturday December 6, 2008 I went to do some Christmas shopping at Walmart at Five Towns, NY.

After some time at the check out line I discovered my wallet was missing. $1550.00 in cash and credit cards was gone. My pocket had been picked.
After the initial shock I managed to call the police.

I told my wife that I was not just going to lie down and let the Devil take my stuff. I said I am putting the Devil on notice, he can not have my wallet. On the solid rock I stand because all other ground is sinking sand.

I PRAYED.
Father you said whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven. Also whatever I lose in heaven is loosed on the earth. I declare and command you Devil to return my wallet in the Name Of Jesus. Father I thank you that by the authority given to your children through your Son, Jesus Christ, I can expect the return of my wallet. I declare it so in the Name above all Names. Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord.

On January 10, 2009, I received a notice in the mail of a package to be picked up at the Post Office. When I arrived, a white envelope with out postage demanded payment before receipt. Since it was addressed to me I decided to pay the due postage. Upon my delight when I opened the envelope I found my wallet. Although the money was missing, all my credit cards, my job ID, and all other personals were there except one debit card. Praise the Lord, Our God answers prayer.

From Raven Member

Trader Joes

This year (2008) Trader Joes provided us with food to distribute among the homeless and the people in need in our church. We receive food from them twice a week and God has been good in that department.

Brooks Brothers

We have also received clothing from Brooks Brothers and they provided us with shirts, khaki pants and some undergarments.The Raven Ministry leader shared this with me; he said for the eight years he has been a leader, God has always provided for the ministry. He kept saying Jehovah Jireh my provider. I remember he once told me that God’s heart is for the poor and defenseless. As I saw the clothes and food that was given to us, it proved that God really is true to his word.

God called him to lead the Raven Ministry and he has provided the necessary tools for him to carry out his task. When I say tools I mean wisdom, discernment of spirit, patience, favor from the right people, etc.

What has God called you to do? Has he called you to sing in the choir? To witness at your workplace? Start a ministry? Help feed the homeless? If you don’t know, go before him, seek him, ask and wait. He said in his word, “Seek and ye shall find, knock and a door shall be opened.”

We would like to thank Brooks Brothers for the clothes donation and Trader Joes for the food donation. God bless you.

The Thanksgiving Banquet was a day of rejoicing for me from beginning to end. The residents began to pour into the beautiful banquet room and fill up the empty seats that were so lovingly placed for them. They were our honored and special guests. Their faces were glowing and I knew that they sensed the many warm welcomes and an outpouring of love by many of us. More than anything, my prayer was that they would get a revelation that they have the opportunity to feast and partake with the Lord at the banquet table He has prepared for them (Revelations 3:20). As our guests began to depart, it was evident that the Lord had touched their precious hearts through the love that was poured into them, shared testimonies, and a very powerful drama. For me, it deeply moved me in my own personal heart to witness how much Jesus loves them and it provoked me more than ever to love those who have been considered “unlovely” and “unappealing” to our world.

There was a young man from the Bellevue Shelter who shared that he felt accepted and loved as a result from the banquet. He added that when he attended other churches they rejected him because of his appearance, causing him to dislike churches. On the day of the banquet, he said he felt accepted and loved for the first time. He expressed that he would like to return back and make Times Square Church his home church.

From Raven Member

I am on the Raven Ministry’s Thursday night team. I volunteered for the Thanksgiving banquet. I have a sister who is an actress in the entertainment business whom I have ministered Christ to over the course of 10yrs. She has preconceived ideas about who God is and how to serve Him. To my amazement she offered to volunteer and serve at the the banquet. I knew that God began to minister to her heart and she was very humbled serving. One thing she said to me was that she was touched to see all the effort that was put into the banquet. She also added how lavish and beautiful the banquet was set for our guests. I pray that God will continue to stir her heart and also that a seed was planted on this day.

From Raven Member

I was walking across the banquet room and I heard, “Miss! Miss!” I turned around and to my surprise I saw a familiar smiling face. It was one of the men from the Bellevue Mens Shelter who I had not seen for a few months now. He looked so happy. He said God helped him get his own place and that he was doing well. He told me he loved the singing, drama, and the delicious food at the the banquet. He added that I will be seeing him at church very soon.
Praise God!

From Raven Member

Praise Report

4 Men that attended the event called the church looking for Christian programs to join as they would like to live and grow in the knowledge of the Lord. Praise God