The ministry started through prayer in 2014, when Tim Stanley asked that God show him where and to whom to minister. God placed those who feel lost, empty and hopeless in nearby Paterson, NJ on Tim’s heart.
Tim initially took a few guys from Hawthorne Gospel’s Bible Study to go into Paterson with him. God led the volunteer servants to a homeless camp under a bridge where many people were living and getting high. These people had been rejected by their families and society, and truly felt lost, empty and hopeless. Desire 4 Hope met them where they were. We brought fresh cooked meals, offered friendship and most importantly the Good News of Jesus Christ. We returned every Sunday morning with fresh-made breakfast sandwiches, clothing, Bibles, and prayer.
Initially, we ministered to only a few people, but week after week the numbers increased. When Tim realized he could no longer cook for this many people at home, he began to cook right on the streets with our mobile kitchen. Many real relationships were built, and the team began bringing those who wanted to break the chains of their addiction to detox and faith-based long-term recovery centers.
Today, the ministry is still in Paterson; but, now volunteer servants travel to Paterson 2 – 3 times a week to feed, pray for, and befriend approximately 500 people and families per week. We continue to help those who would like to break the chains of addiction. And we continue to bring hope to those who feel lost, empty, and hopeless by meeting people where they are in the streets of Paterson, bringing fresh cooked meals, offering friendship, and most importantly the Good News of Jesus Christ.
