We shall not be moved! Hear more from Ashley by going to page 6 Training Programs to Help the Learn how to Homeless Continued on page 6 go to pages 4-5... go to pages 4-5... Page One
Cry Justice Now Street News Vol. 1, Num. 3 A WAREHOUSE IS NOT A SHELTER! TAZED WHILE SLEEPING Since New Life Evangelistic Center ( NLEC) closed, the City of Saint Louis is warehousing homeless men in a real warehouse! I guess this is what the City thinks of Carl us by placing us in a warehouse which was once used to kill rats and pests. You can still smell the toxic chemicals. The managers often crack doors open to give us fresh air. It does not help. Then there is no air conditioning! No fans! No indoor plumbing! We are forced to use port-a-potty s and the stench from them fills the air almost suffocating us. There is no food. Just snacks. You get one cot with one sheet. It is just bad. I was part of the staff at NLEC. I liked it. I got a chance to help others. And I am praying NLEC re-opens. Because I would be right there! Page Two The police treated me like I was hardened criminal! I was sleeping. Sure it was outside because there is no other place for me to go. All of sudden I was awaken by someone screaming at me. Get up NOW! Then I felt hot flashes burning all over my body. I opened my eyes to see police officers tazing me! What do I do now? They closed down New Life. It was the only shelter that cared about the poor and homeless. What a shame! Politicians only care about money not people. Shame how they all treat the homeless like hardened criminals.
I have stayed on the streets. I have stayed in the New Life shelter too. Working to help when people are hurting on the streets Call Ray and Street Team 314-421-3020 for Help! Ray from the NLEC Street Team and Eddy Since the closing of the NLEC facility at 1411 Locust Street, Ray Redlich and the NLEC Street Team, travel the streets of Saint Louis City and beyond to provide help and hope to the homeless. This week in our travels we stopped by to help Eddy who lives in a vaco (vacant housing or building). He told me he has lived there for over 4 years with two other homeless men. With no running water, electricity or gas Eddy was using a kerosene heater. We ordered a new wick for his heater, gave him food, blankets, water and prayer. We are getting lots of requests from the homeless (especially when you consider all the rain we have experienced lately) for clean clothing such as tee-shirts, pants, underwear and socks. The homeless could also use sleeping bags, blankets and sheets. Care kits containing toothpaste and brush, deodorant razors, blades, soap, shaving cream and lotion are needed. And of course non-perishable foods such as granola bars, canned meats, fresh fruits and water. When you have these items prepared, please call me at 314-421-3020. (If I m out in the field, ask the phone operator to give me a message.) We need your prayers and support as we continue to reach out to the homeless with help and hope. Ray Life is hard out here and Larry Rice has been there year after year helping Calvin us. When I stayed at NLEC they helped me with bus tickets to look for a job, gave me food and clothing and I attended Bible studies. Even though the 1411 Locust building has been closed down Larry has not given up. He and the NLEC staff keep fighting on. Now they travel the streets of Saint Louis giving out aid and they have a training program to help us. I am seriously thinking about the broadcast training program because I love to talk. My family has given so much to this country thru serving in the military. My Uncle, who is a veteran, is now living on the streets of Saint Louis. He served this country with honor and now we dishonor him by closing down Larry Rice. It was a place that my Uncle depended on for food, clothing and shelter. Those who closed New Life will have to answer to God for what they have done. Page Three
Cry Justice Now Street News Vol. 1, Num. 3 The NLEC Leadership Training Program in New Bloomfield, Missouri Develop skills through the Renewable Energy Training Program such as how to make a solar cooker, and much more! Also NLEC features an Agricultural Training Program where you can learn how to take care of livestock, grow fruits and vegetables and so much more! Radio Leadership Training Program in New Bloomfield, Missouri Becoming an experienced DJ at KNLG-FM 90.3 is an opportunity that is available to those who join New Life Evangelistic Center s 2 Year Leadership Training Program at the New Bloomfield Renewable Energy Center and Farm in Missouri. Mathew has been working at the station in New Bloomfield for 8 1/2 years. I have always felt called to do something for God. I know I am fulfilling what God wanted me to do with my life Christian Radio. Not only did I learn radio but I have a chance to get closer to God. In this program with the basic necessities taken care of you have a chance to really focus on your life and God. With most of my blood relatives out of state and my parents deceased I needed a new family. I found it here with my Christian brothers. I would tell you if God is calling you to join do it. I did. And I am full of joy and peace and love. Matthew Page Four
Cry Justice Now Street News Vol. 1, Num. 3 NLEC Leadership Training Program Benefits Free Room and Board (Know you have a bed to sleep in every night!) Free Spiritual Guidance to discover God s path for your life. Free Job Training in one of our many areas: Broadcasting, Renewable Energy, Office Skills, Retail (Free Stores), Livestock and Farming, and more. Training Center Locations St. Louis, MO call 314-421-3020 for wide variety of services. New Bloomfield, MO Renewable Energy Center, Agricultural Services, FM 90.3 Marshfield, MO Training Center for men and women, Renewable Energy Center, Free Store and KMRF-AM 1510 Springfield, MO Large Day Shelter with a wide variety of services for the homeless. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives Bill is a graduate from NLEC Leadership Training Leadership Training Graduate Gains New Skills Where is home? That is a question that each of us must ask. From the richest man on earth, to the victim of hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire or flood, to the destitute on the street, each of us must ask it: Where is home? I began asking that 4½ years ago, at the beginning of October, 2012, when I knew that I was going to be what is generally known as homeless. Where is home? That is when I found myself at the New Life Evangelistic Center in downtown St. Louis. After my own brother refused me help, they took me in. I went through the transitional housing program, and graduated the Leadership Training Program and am now on staff. Rev. Chris Rice saw me using my laptop, right out in front of everyone, and when the television part of the ministry needed a man, he remembered me. Now I do camera work, directing, producing, editing and leadership and Need more info regarding the Leadership Training Program? Call 314-421-3020 Page Five
Cry Justice Now Street News Vol. 1, Num. 3 Page 6 I lost my job, then... lost my apartment. I was at NLEC, but then the the city official shut the doors and made everyone leave. I stayed at the city rec center for a few Ashley nights, but now I am on the streets. I have nowhere to go. I'm afraid to sleep at night afraid that I will get mugged or raped. It's scary at night, trying to find an alley to sleep in. I'm stressed out, I can't sleep, I can't eat, I am exhausted emotionally and physically all the time. I can't find a job because I can't find anywhere to take a shower, to get clean and presentable for a job interview. I could do that at New Life Evangelistic Center. I keep praying to God, but have no hope. New Life Evangelistic Center needs to open again. It would save my life. the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their HOPE in His unfailing LOVE. Break the cycle of homelessness! Go to pages 4-5 What is happening to the homeless since NLEC is closed? To help answer this question and many more, NLEC conducted two surveys of the homeless. Below are the results: After surveying 157 homeless men and women on we discovered over 70% of the homeless stated they were staying at New Life before it closed on 4/2/17. Over 65% said they had been harassed by Police on the street, the Public Library or in a city park since NLEC closed. Many of these persons found it hypocritical when the same police who directed them to sleep on the sidewalks adjacent to New Life while it was open were now ordering them away from NLEC upon it s closure. About 50% of the homeless were spending nights at the Biddle House, Weed Control Storage Facility and Garage, and the 12th and Park Rec Center. The other 50% had no where to sleep. Regarding the question if these homeless man and women had completed an intake form (VI-SPDAT) through St. Patrick Center or Biddle House to qualify for rapid Housing or Permanent Supportive Housing, the results are : Yes-58% No-42%. 66% of respondents said they had not been assigned a case manager by city shelters. Only 25% said they were assigned a case manager with 9% as unsure. Other comments recorded by the homeless were their frustration over the lack of available beds, food and clothing since the city ordered NLEC to cease and desist. Several stated they were victims of increased harassment from police who ordered them to Leave or be arrested.
From the Desk of Larry Rice... In spite of the shut down of the 1411 Locust building, the staff at New Life Evangelistic Center are continuing to see the work of God move forth in direct assistance to the hurting and homeless. Every week the NLEC Staff and myself are gathering with 150 homeless men and women providing them with metro tickets, food, water and personal hygiene items. Presently over 1,500 metro tickets a month are being distributed to the homeless in downtown St. Louis. This helps them get to their jobs and doctor appointments along with taking the necessary steps so they no longer will be homeless. I am excited about the employment program New Life now has in cooperation with Paul Kruse and First Steps Back Home, Inc.. This special program places the homeless in jobs and motel rooms. In the Wentzville area we are finding a multitude of jobs that are now helping many break the cycle of homeless. The NLEC Veterans Coming Home Center in Springfield is helping over 150 homeless people every day. At this center at 806 N. Jefferson the homeless are receiving meals, laundry assistance, property storage, internet service, showers, free store and other direct assistance. New Life Evangelistic Center s wide range of training programs that offer the homeless numerous opportunities include New Bloomfield, Marshfield, Potosi, Joplin and Van Buran, MO where those who were previously homeless are learning radio broadcasting skills. Each training center, including Columbia, House Springs and Overland, MO offer opportunities including television, renewable energy and the management of free stores. For further information As we continue to help the poor and homeless we should not be surprised when we are persecuted for doing such. Today we live in a society that is increasingly hostile to the poor and homeless. Rules, regulations and ordinances are constantly being created that are making it increasing difficult to house the homeless and feed the hungry. How many future saints have been lulled to sleep by television and computers, which take more priority in their lives then meeting the needs of the starving and homeless? Jesus was not persecuted as long as he was in the carpenter shop. Stephen wasn t stoned until he started doing signs and wonders. While Peter was fishing he wasn t beaten and put into jail. It was only when followers of Christ (Christians) started putting a passion for the things of God before what was fashionable in the world that they got into trouble. At such a time like this we must have our eyes opened and pray and pray some more. As we pray we must be passionately seeking God s will for our lives. Prayer is the language of the poor. In Psalms 26:1 we read, Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Then Psalm 34:6 declares, This poor man cried and the Lord heard him. Repentance and earnest prayer resulting from a burning passion for the things of God will bring forth a mighty awakening in the midst of this sinful mess St. Louis is in. This involves caring people who will get down on their knees in intercessory prayer and engage in push prayers. PUSH prayers mean Praying Until Something Happens. Please continue to send your push prayers to heaven in behalf of New Life Evangelistic Center. Please engage in push prayers that the Missouri Court of Appeals will rule that New Life Evangelistic Center does not need to get signatures from hostile neighbors to reopen its shelter at 1411 Locust. Please also pray that the Court of Appeals will rule that New Life s religious rights are being violated by this St. Louis City Ordinance that is preventing it from following the mandates of scripture to provide shelter. Your prayerful support at this time is absolutely essential. 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 25:35-36 Page 7
Pastors and Believers, The time has come for us to meet, pray and seek God for solutions to the bi-state homeless crisis. Since the closing of 1411 Locust there is now no place that a person can come to when they suddenly lose their place to sleep late at night. Police officers from throughout the bi-state area now have very few places they can take an abused woman or others they find in need of shelter in the middle of the night. Nurses who work at hospitals that previously sent patients to New Life Evangelistic Center now tell us they are having to release patients without addresses to the streets. This winter many of God s hurting and homeless will die alone without homes unless we as Pastors and believer s come together to seek God for solutions on how to shelter the homeless. When it comes to providing for the homeless, we cannot expect the city of St. Louis or any other municipality to do what God tells all of us in the Scriptures to do. Please call (314) 421-3020 and let us know when it is convenient for you to meet with Pastors Larry Rice, Ray Redlich and Mark Glenn to pray and discuss how by working together we can address the critical needs of the homeless in our community. Let us seek God together asking Him to show us how to provide for those in need with more than just the necessary food and shelter but also the opportunity to be a part of a caring Christian Community. New Life Evangelistic Center 2428 Woodson Road Overland, MO 63114 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 1457 A Public Call for Pastors and Believers to gather to Pray and plan for solutions to