Matthew 18:21-22

That began a relationship that was ongoing for the remaining months of the school term. His mom brought him the next morning and asked if he could ‘ catch the bus’ at Shades, then quickly disappeared into the busy early morning traffic. Our daily routine began with the staff preparing a breakfast for him, and welcoming him off the bus with a meal.

We soon learned that he slept at night in a makeshift tent somewhere around the GreenBelt. That is a walking/ bike trail along Reedy Creek. His mom was a single parent, trying to keep together what remained of a family. I admired the fact that at least she made sure he remained in school. Eventually she no longer accompanied him on his twice daily treks to and from Shades. Sometimes his clothes were dirty and our volunteers made sure he showered and wore clean clothes to school.

Summer came, and classes ended. The bus disappeared, and gradually his visits ceased, and he vanished. We often talked about him and other children in harsh living conditions. Life continued, and he was eventually ‘ out of sight, out of mind.’

A couple years ago I was eating in a restaurant near my home in Jonesborough , Tennessee. I heard someone tell across the room, “ Hey Pastor Will.” About three inches taller, I recognized him. The first thing he did was show me his new cowboy boots. The good news of this story is the boots weren’t the only ‘newness’ about his situation. He had a brand new family. He proudly introduced me to a beautiful lady whom he called Mom. He said” Look, I have a new daddy too! And brother and sister.” As I left the building, he was telling them about a church called Shades of Grace.

I don’t remember his name, and may never see him again in this life. But he will never forget Jesus who lifted him out of a desperate place . The only thing we will ever take to heaven is the love and grace we extend to the least of these.

After interacting daily with those with difficult situations, addictions and mental challenges, I look forward to Saturday morning worship. That is a spiritual high point of my week. Even then we are not without hard decisions at times. Through it all, God is faithful. Miracles occur at God’s Living Room. Join us as we celebrate a beautiful time with the family of God. Maybe this is involved as personal holiness.

I tell men and women of all ages it’s not too late to turn it around. They can’t do it alone, but someone still believes in them.

Thankfully, this young man survived homelessness and hopelessness. And his daddy had been praying every day to see his kid again. By the way, you know him as the prodigal son. He only existed on the pages of a story Jesus told. But… you and I meet him every day, as we minister to the least of these.

Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.

One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.

On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.

As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all. Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.

Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.

Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.

The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.

We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!

People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and imaginable lifestyle. They come happy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, satisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.

When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”

God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the name of Jesus Christ. We are the church. We are the people of God. This is the kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace : A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.

“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.

The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL.
As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”

Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.

May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we walk each other home. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!

You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1

Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.