“What I needed was to be rehabilitated. Here we help walk you through some things to help you get back out into the world,” said Pastor Rhonda Langston.
Like the growing numbers of individuals finding themselves homeless, Langston states she struggled trying to keep a roof over her children’s head. She reminisces about how her life was in such disarray, she was unable to be helped and was also asked to leave a local homeless shelter.
According to the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, families make up about 40 percent of the local homeless population. A 2008 report by the Indiana Center for Health Policy adds that an estimated 4,500 to 7,500 individuals in Marion County experience homelessness during the course of a year.
Once Langston got her life in order, she realized what was missing in homeless services and started For God So Loved the World Ministries. This Christian based program housing over 70 men, women and children has been helping the homeless for over 12 years. Langston further states the success rate of her program is high.
Through those years, For God So Loved the World Ministries has grown from Langston’s home, to other properties and now the location on 5353 E. Raymond St.
At the location, Langston houses those in need and with partners like Wishard Mental Health Services, provides aid for needs such as drug and alcohol counseling and job training.
Though Langston’s ministry has helped countless homeless individuals, she and her staff are calling on the community for their help. For God So Loved the World Ministries will be hosting “A Spiritual Praise Marathon” Saturday, May 30 at the Madame Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave. The event will be from noon to midnight and ticket prices are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
“We don’t get grants or assistance from the city. The way we financially support this ministry is through our jobs and very few donations. We put our heads together to come up with means to meet the needs here,” said Langston.
The day will consist of outside activities from noon to 4 p.m., the play “Forreal” at 4 p.m., ballroom fellowship from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and a concert at 7 p.m. featuring Tyscot artist Rodnie Bryant, Krash Krew, Kim Stratton and Kim McCrackin-Brinson and the McCrackin Sisters.
“What we envisioned was a celebration of praising God’s name. I really believe it’s going to be anointed by God’s presence,” said Paul Thomas, producer of A Spiritual Praise Marathon. “This is just a start, the first of many more to come.”
For God So Loved the World Ministries may not be as familiar as other faith based homeless programs, but Langston states her program can really benefit those facing homelessness, drug and alcohol problems among others. She hopes the concert can not only bring joy to the community but also provide help for the program she deeply cares for.
“Homelessness; it can be anybody. It could be you or the person closest to you. The homeless aren’t any different from anybody. We should take responsibility to helping them,” said Thomas.
For more information, call (317) 359-1294 or visit www.4godsoloved.org.
