Our Purpose
The Bonner Gospel Mission is motivated by a desire to help people in trouble. The purpose of this outreach is two fold. We are believers in the Good News (Gospel) that Jesus Christ brought us. And we are witnesses to the fact that He makes the difference in a troubled life.
Purpose number one is to meet their spiritual needs. In the past years we have seen that the greatest needs for the homeless are help in areas of finance, substance abuse, rebellion, and/or laziness. These are what we call areas of spiritual blindness. What does the Word of God say about these things?
Purpose number two is to help with the natural needs of those who come to the Bonner Gospel Mission, such as shelter, food and clothing. What does the Word of God say about these things?
What is the problem? Sin. What is the answer? Repentance (change of mind). We find the answers in the Bible…Phil. 4:19…”And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
The three groups of people that we see as most needy at present are:
- Those passing through town.
- The homeless on the streets of Sandpoint.
- Those who have been incarcerated.
I. Those passing through town, that may or may not have heard the Good News, have a need for something to eat and a place to stay. They are showing up at different churches throughout the township. This Mission will put them up for five days with the understanding that they are expected to abide by our rules and schedule.
II. Those that find themselves homeless for one reason or another are welcome. We provide a helping hand while they work toward providing for their own needs. They will be expected to abide by our rules and schedule.
III. Those that have been incarcerated when arriving back in Sandpoint, sometimes find that they no longer have a family, a job, or a home. We show them the way they can get back into society and be productive. They will be expected to abide by our rules and schedule.
All three groups of these people have more than likely gotten themselves into a homeless situation because of poor choices and/or rebellion. We hope to provide both practical and spiritual help by ministering biblical standards. Matt. 6:24-34; John 14:6. It will be their choice if they want to stay at the Bonner Gospel Mission. Anyone (all) who choose to stay will follow the rules and schedule.
There will be timely evaluations at the Director’s discretion for guests to determine their continued eligibility to participate in this ministry.
The new believers will be encouraged to make their place in a body of Christ where they will grow spiritually, which will challenge them to move ahead in Christ, and convict them of their sins. This ministry’s belief is that this can only come about by the preaching, anointed by the Spirit, of the uncompromised Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.