Shortly after his commitment to let God lead his life, Keith Clark was given
a vision. The message of the vision, he said, was that he was supposed to
get out in the community and help other recovering addicts come to Christ.
God led Keith in the direction to begin this new ministry at Vineyard Boise.
During the summer of 2000, the REACH Team ministry began and Keith was
appointed leader. REACH, which stands for Reaching Addicts with Christ's
Heart, consists of a group of people from the Vineyard who are extending
God's love to people who are addicted to anything that consumes their life
and takes priority over God.
Keith's life is a perfect example of how
God's love and power can change a person. In 1995, he was facing three felony charges carrying a prison
sentence of seven-and-a-half years. During his recovery at Mercy Medical,
Keith knew he had hit rock bottom and turned his life over to God.
Within days, God began working in Keith's heart to speak to others of how he
had been set free. The recovery from that day on came easily to him. He was
held in high regard by the counselors, staff and other patients.
The day he was to be sentenced on his pending charges, the judge said to
him, "Keith, I should send you away. But instead I am going to put you on
probation for 5 years because I know you will be back to serve your time."
In June 2000, Keith's sentence was fulfilled after he completed five years
of probation and 200 hours of community service at Mercy Medical Rehabilitation Center.
"From my past, I know the only reason I succeeded was because of Jesus,"
said Keith.
During his community service, Keith saw how many lives the Lord was changing
by using him through his testimony.
"My life was hard. I did a lot of drugs and drank
a lot," he said. "It took me a long time, 25 years, to finally turn to the Lord for help. Now, I just
live my life serving Jesus and I love it."
The REACH Team began its first outreach the summer of 2000 in Julia Davis
Park. One Sunday afternoon, during a multi-band concert in the park, the
team members went out and made themselves available to whoever wanted to
hear more about God or to just help those in need of prayer. The response
was slow at first, but there were a few people that day who came forward and
received Christ as their Savior.
From there, the REACH Team started going to the park on Wednesday evenings.
They offered Twinkies, chocolate milk, pop and most importantly their friendship to those who were homeless, addicted and/or needy. The
people they encountered were mostly teenagers. They loved seeing, sharing and
receiving the kindness and free food.
"It's just a great way to show God's love," Keith says.
Since winter, the kids in the park have gone indoors. Many of them have gone
back home where it's warm, but some still go wherever they can to be with
their friends.
Now one of their favorite places to go is The Flame, a downtown nightclub
owned and operated by Christians who are offering a place for the kids to
get off the streets.
Every Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m., The Flame offers the kids a free hot
meal and ministry. The REACH Team has been taking food to help out and
offering friendship to the kids.
"The best part of this is seeing one of them accepting Christ. As soon as
they get Jesus in their heart they are set on fire and it just spreads,"
Keith said. "It really is amazing to see how God draws these kids to him."
The REACH Team also is building a ministry at
City Light, a shelter for
addicted, homeless and abused women and their children.
REACH Team members visit City Light each Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m.
Their ministry is, once again, simply offering friendship and testimonies.
The women are extremely receptive and love sharing their own testimonies,
thoughts and struggles.
Currently, there are two women and one child who want to get baptized. They
will be attending the next Vineyard 101 class. Others attend Vineyard
services each week and show great interest in the message of Christ.
"It is amazing to watch God in action in these
women's lives," Keith said. The REACH Team also helps men who are, in some way, connected with women at
City Light by delivering food boxes and offering prayers and friendship.
"Once spring is here and the weather changes, we will be going back to the
drum circle at Julia Davis Park," Keith said. "We'll be giving out free
sodas, Twinkies, milk, love, etc."
The ministries at The Flame and City Light also will continue.
If you are interested in helping or would like to know more about the team,
call Keith at 327-7798 or Tempe at 377-1477.
The REACH Team wants to thank everyone at Vineyard Boise who has helped get
this ministry off to a great start. Your generous donations, prayers and
efforts are very much appreciated.
