During this past Christmas season and winter months, there have been four different ministries we have been able to partner with in outreach

Booth Manor, with Judy Schreiner, is Salvation Army’s Sr. apartment complex.  The folks were so grateful & receptive as we sang Christmas songs, shared the message of hope, and had a wonderful time of fellowship and tacos!  I remember one woman who seemed so somber, but towards the end was tearing up.

Marie Sandvik Center in South Minneapolis we again sang and preached.  We have been working with this ministry for years and those who come to receive a meal and clothing, not only have their physical needs met but also spiritual needs.

Metro Hope Re-hab for drug and alcohol is one of the oldest in Minneapolis.  After serving them a meal, fellowship, and worship the word we shared was “Prepare Him Room”!  The Hebrew meaning of prepare is confirm, direct, establish, order, perfect.A greater work of preparation in 2025 for more of God’s purpose to take place in our lives and for the advancement of His will and Kingdom.

Finally, Mocha Momma’s Coffee  downtown Minneapolis.  Many have asked if we still do a coat give-a-way.  Our winter event we’ve trimmed down to handing out zip lock baggies that contain a hat, gloves, socks, and hand warmers.  Many homeless find temporary warmth in the Minneapolis public library hallway next to Mocha Momma’s.  Jeff Boyer and I have made several trips downtown where our packets are gone in no time.  Many agree to let us pray with them concerning their needs.  Pray for Melanie Leehy, owner and operator of Mocha Momma’s, as she ministers in this strategic location.

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For some sometime now we have been waiting and working on a time for one of the men we mentor to be baptized.  The day finally came and Forerunner, along with Metro Hope Ministries were able to be a part of baptizing James Taylor, aka Jimbo. 

James is on staff at Metro Hope and we have known him for some time, seeing his growth in his love for the Lord.  This was a big event as he publicly realized what Romans 6:3-5 says, “…being baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus”.  A new day and a new life.

Metro Hope staff member Ross was also baptized.  He has experienced a real growth in his walk with the Lord.  Metro Hope is one of the oldest drug rehab centers in the Twin Cities.  We are humbled and honored to be able to minister there at chapels, cooking meals, and special events.

We had a great time getting together on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon, celebrating our years of being together as the guitar and mentorship group of Forerunner.  We ate, had fellowship, and yes, broke out the guitars for a short time of praise. 

God is so good and so faithful in His keeping power over us through the years.  There was a sense of family.  Thank you, our Forerunner friends and family, who have supported and sown into this group and other endeavors of Forerunner. 

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 Happy New Year to you our friends and Forerunner family!  We believe your holiday season was blessed and relatively peaceful.

We had plenty of activity, yet there was a peace and sense of the Spirit of the Lord in our ministry and family events.

We are doing something different with the winter outreach.  Instead of a one-day event, we will be doing several days throughout the winter.  In December, we took zip lock baggies containing socks, hat, gloves, and handwarmers for the homeless in downtown Minneapolis by Mocha Mammas coffee shop.  Jeff Boyer, Jerry McCleskey, and I passed out the items and were able to pray and minister to pretty much everyone who received the items.

Christmas Day, Janalee did an awesome job cooking a meal for around 35 guys at Metro Hope.  There was a real sense of “this is God’s family, His children, His church”.  The guys were so appreciative. 

We sang a few Christmas songs, laughed, ate, and prayed together.  Board member Chris Fleck stopped by and commented that “he saw extravagant love given”.

The past few years during Christmas we have spent some time with our friends at Booth Manor, a Salvation Army apartment complex.  Judy Schreiner sets up and hosts this event.  Again, the joy and Spirit of the Lord was present as we sang, shared, prayed, and enjoyed tacos together.

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This year we are celebrating 10 years of what is called the guitar fellowship/ mentor class. Ten Year ago, I met William Wood, a then resident of Teen Challenge. I was making my rounds and heard William playing his guitar. I stopped in and showed him a few chords. He said something I was already contemplating doing, “we should have a class for teaching guitars”. Thus began the guitar mentor class.

It’s been a time of fellowship, encouraging one another, praying, worshipping, and learning guitar skills. We’ve also done special events like picnics, coffeehouse appearances, bowling, and a baseball game.

One of the senior members, that has been around since the beginning, is Joel Richardson.  He writes, “Ten years ago, in the beginning of the guitar mentorship class, we met at a spot in South Minneapolis that had little heat in the building, and I would have sworn there was a hole in the roof!  It was a good start if our fingers could play in that environment!  God must have had a plan for us.  Later that year my life changed with an addiction.  Mark and the guys gave me the love and support of Jesus that has helped me successfully navigate the hard times and remain sober.  Now we play in warmer surroundings, and I am able to give back to others who want to overcome and play for the Lord!”

John Bartholomew, our gifted graphic and rap artist shared, “This ministry has had a huge impact on both my family and my life.  I needed mentorship to learn how to walk with Jesus.  The ministry has provided that, and I am seeing the fruit of their labor, how God has used them.  God is good!”