If you asked to see my scars, I would not roll up my sleeves and show you my arms. I would ask you to reach inside and pull out my heart, holding it in your hands, to see the knicks and cuts. Some of them have healed. Others have calluses. But my heart is full of regret, pain, sorry, and in need of redemption, restoration, and forgiveness.

These words were spoken by a son who became an addict; a husband who left his wife; a dad who abandoned his family; a man who lived in shame and guilt for choices he made in his life and, by his own account, lived a life of wrong choices.

The streets of Skid Row and the poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Coachella are full of men with scars. But this type of suffering is not limited to those living on the streets or in projects. It affects men and dads in high rises on Wilshire Boulevard or mansions of Bel-Air as well.

Hurt, pain, and bad decisions are no respecters for man.

A few weeks ago, I was at a food distribution event in Thermal, California. We were handing out family food boxes consisting of whole chickens, fresh produce from local farms, milk, eggs, butter, and enough food to feed a family of five for a full week.

Before distributing these essentials, I shared a message of hope to those lining up in their cars. Using modern technology, we obtained a portable radio frequency to transmit my message to each vehicle in proximity to our stage. Remaining socially-distanced, I shared the hope of Jesus with all those in attendance.

At the end of my brief message, I asked those who prayed to receive Christ as Savior to “honk their horns.” Normally, a honking horn is extremely annoying. But, on this day, it was a beautiful sound to hear multiple car horns blare!

Toward the end of the outreach, I was told a man wanted to speak to me. As I approached his vehicle, he rolled down his window. With tears in his eyes, he thanked me, but not for the food boxes and clothing, even though I knew he was grateful for them. He thanked me for sharing the message of hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.

We smiled, fist-bumped, and he went on his way. I don’t know all of his circumstances, but I know he had scars. He may have had years of bad choices. But, on this day, all those bad choices were erased as he received God’s forgiveness and salvation. I pray that man continues finding eternal peace and hope in Christ that he was always searching for.

2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

As Father’s Day approaches in a few weeks, we are preparing a special day just for dads. You might say, “Why celebrate men on the streets of Skid Row and in the Coachella Valley?”

$25 | $50 | $100 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500

It does not matter to me the circumstances surrounding these men and dads. No matter what they have done, who they have lost, what their situation is (whether caused by Covid, incarceration, job loss, abandonment by family, or substance abuse), they need to know there is hope! We are not here to judge but help.

Will you help me today help those with the greatest needs?

I am a son, husband, and dad. I have made some bad choices in my life, yet I know I can trust in the God of 2nd, 3rd, 100, and 1,000 chances. “If not for the grace of God, there go I!”

During June, we will continue clothing, feeding, and serving all those in need from Skid Row, to the surrounding communities in Los Angeles, to the Coachella Valley. Additionally, I want to bless and help dads, give them a hand up, and encourage them with a message of hope.

Please, give your very best gift today. It is greatly needed and appreciated.

God Bless,

Joe Jordan

President/Senior Pastor