Breakthrough Center

I wanted to go check out the Breakthrough Center today. I wanted to go in and see why Pastor John is so enthralled with the place. I wanted to go see for myself.

I wanted to.

I got into my car, programmed the address in to my nav system and let it guide me to the front door of the center. There were many cars there, three people outside, but plenty of parking. I drove on past.
 
I wanted to stop, park, go inside. I wanted to talk to those that are managing the organization. I really wanted to query them - find out how long they have been in the community, if they knew more of H.E.L.P. beyond the building they currently occupied. I WANTED to see if they realized that the services they offer are almost exactly the same services that H.E.L.P offers or if not to understand the differences as they see them. I wanted to like the place, I really did.

I wanted to.

But I drove around the block again and did not stop.

There are only three possible outcomes here: 
1) the two organizations will work together mutually to the benefit of the community
2) the two organizations will vie for resources, draining precious support from the community and both will fail
3) one organization will triumph and the other will self-sacrifice for the good of the community


H.E.L.P. is a faith-based organization supported by member congregations, schools, businesses, civic clubs and organizations in conjunction with the area cities.  Together it has made great strides in providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, a winter shelter program, food, financial assistance to those in need, life skill training and job placement for the homeless, and free healthcare to those without medical coverage.


The Breakthrough Center exists to unite local fellowships and congregations desiring to reach out together to the community. It is an expression of the love of God in practical, helpful, and supportive ways. All of their services are offered free of charge to the general public. They currently offer a clothing center, an emergency food pantry, basic computer classes, Grieving Together sessions, and a support/prayer ministry.


I'm pretty sure that H.E.L.P. began with such a simple vision when it was founded in 1982. Over the years it has become so much more. What will be The Breakthrough Center be like in 28 years? It has lofty dreams, a big BIG vision that include the acquisition of abandoned city elementary schools for shelter for the homeless. How it will obtain the support for such a dream? Will it even survive that long?

I wanted to walk in through those doors and yes judge the place. Maybe that is why my fear overwhelmed me and I never found the courage to stop, park and walk through those doors. I drove around the block yet again.

I wanted to see why our True North minister, Pastor John, is so infatuated with the place ... why this facility, this organization, has his blessing and H.E.L.P. is the bastard step-child.
 
I wanted to.
 
I drove home, stopped, parked my car, and went inside where I sat and pondered and wrote. 


Maybe God protects his own - I cannot judge what I do not experience. Maybe it is for the best that I am otherwise occupied both on Thursday (the only other day the facility is open this week) and Saturday (the day of the big Breakthrough Center Community Day and Festival). Maybe I just need to let this all just slip from my brain and quit pondering ... for now.