Anton Kapusi – Pueblo, Colorado … Angels of Kindness ministries at Pueblo First Church started out of love and care for the homeless in our city. Ernie and Carol Reynolds were inspired to provide hot meals, warm clothes, water, and toiletries to those on the streets or other underprivileged in Pueblo.
From the very beginning, the vision was that this ministry would be supported by individual donations from church members and willing hearts. After acquiring the necessary permits for the use of Mineral Park, the ministry began, and for the last sixteen years, it has been running strong, serving as many as a hundred and twenty individuals a day.
Covid19 considerably interrupted the ministry of the Angels of Kindness, but, under the new leadership of Mike Marquez and Joey Perrin, the ministry not only revived, but expanded into a new area of the city. Bessemer Park, in the downtown area of Pueblo, has become the second area of outreach for the Angels of Kindness. The new area allows for meeting new people and impacting even more lives. The new leadership has also purchased a twelve-foot-long enclosed trailer and incorporated the ministry with that of Adventist Community Services (ACS) while welcoming more volunteers and willing donors.
Presently, the ministry is at Mineral Park every second Saturday and at Bessemer Park every fourth Saturday of the month. As lines form and people wait, the volunteer staff serves not only a hot meal and a sack lunch, water, toiletries, socks, underwear, blankets, sleeping bags, and tents, but also engages in conversations, prayers, and even Bible studies with those in need. As some staff serve, others sit down at tables and eat with the guests listening to their stories as they open up and get ready to receive Christ.
Speaking of judgment day, Jesus expressed in one of His parables how the King (God the Father) will measure one’s faithfulness: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ ” Matthew 25:34-36. While the primary goal of the ministry is to feed and care for the homeless, it can’t shy away from sharing the bread and water of life that is Jesus Christ. This is another victory for Christ and His Kingdom, as we serve our neighbors while serving God.
—Anton Kapusi is pastor of the Pueblo First Adventist Church. Photos supplied.
