Rich Simms is living out LOUD for Jesus with REACH Ministry and Hope is Alive church in Pioneer Square in Seattle.
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
When you think of Seattle, you might think of words like darkness, drugs, homelessness. But thanks to Rich, my dear friend from Reach Ministry and his amazing team and family, you’re going to start thinking words like Light, Hope, Jesus. Rich, welcome back to Spirit 105.3. You guys were on the streets of Seattle the other night and you ran out of Bibles. Wow.
Rich Simms:
Yeah!
Erica:
So what happened?
Rich Simms:
Well, Wednesday we went to Servings. Sometimes people donate us boxes of Bibles or we’re able to buy Bibles. They’re quite an expensive purchase, but we fed two to 300 people, probably closer to 300 people on Wednesday, and there was people that didn’t even want the food, they just wanted the Bibles. And they were just going so fast and we end up giving out our personal Bibles a lot of times. We just don’t have enough and it’s just there’s such a hunger for hope. People see the volunteers, they see the joy, they see the happiness and the boldness, and a lot of people are in desperate need of hope and they want the Word of God.
Erica:
I just feel so hopeful hearing your report. So, what is it you’re seeing on their faces, Rich? What are they going through right now?
Rich Simms:
They’re not happy with where they are going through transition in life. Everyone has hard times. They want hope. What I hear a lot is people are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They want a change, and not only did people take Bibles, but they were opening them right there and just reading them right there on the spot. It wasn’t like they were forced to take the Bible, or say, feel obligated. It was like they were taking ’em and opening it up right there and start reading the word.
Erica:
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus called himself, he said, I am the bread of life, and people are saying, “I’m hungry for it”. That’s just so beautiful to me.
Rich Simms:
They want something that not only the practical needs and the food we bring physically is going to help a little bit, but it’s not going to help the living Word of God.
Erica:
Amen. Where else are you seeing hope right now on the streets of Seattle Rich?
Rich Simms:
Well, we’ve been in Pioneer Square with Hope is Alive. We’re working on our third year Reach Ministry is coming into our seventh year. Pioneer Square is completely changed from where we are. We have a huge heart for Third and Pike, and that’s where we spend a lot of our time and we just see that it’s just so ripe. People are so desperate for need. It’s a very dark area. And so, I’ve been in prayer for the last two years about hopefully planting up a church there, or outreach post, so we can start doing services there for that community because there’s nothing close to there.
Erica:
Rich, we’re so thankful for you. God bless you and your team and your family, and may God do big things through you in 2024.
Rich Simms:
2024 is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to see what God is going to open up. I’m ready to receive and to be obedient to whatever He wants.
Erica:
Same much love to you and your whole team, so appreciate you.
Rich Simms:
Thank you so much, Erica.
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