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Taking the Church to the Streets
Since 1990, Starlight has equipped and empowered the Church to build life-changing relationships with those struggling with homelessness. Starlight trains church teams in the classroom as well as through hands-on ministry venues. These opportunities equip churches and those struggling with homelessness with tools needed to build communities where all can experience personal transformation through Jesus Christ.
Get involved
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COME to a classroom training
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PRAY about how the Lord would have you use the knowledge gained through training
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EXPERIENCE change through one of Starlight’s ministry venues
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REACH OUT to your own community by launching an outreach program through your church
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GIVE to Starlight! Your gifts of money, in-kind donations, and time are all welcome
Jesus desires us to put our faith into action! The biblical mandate is clear: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40
For more information, contact Brian Gearin, director, at bgearin [at] egc.org.
The need
Starlight believes the main cause of homelessness is the lack of support systems. Loss of permanent housing is only a small part of homelessness. Folks struggling with homelessness typically lack strong family connections, work and career ties, and, without this support, lack the hope that things can change. While some may access housing through government programs and agencies, they often still find their community on the streets. But the Body of Christ can meet this need for community. Starlight believes that the Church is called to be a safe place for those who find themselves on the fringes of society. It’s not just that the Church should “do ministry” or “do good deeds,” but that we also may be transformed through meaningful relationships with those who are different from ourselves.
Our response
Starlight desires to empower the Church to effectively embrace those struggling with homelessness in their own communities. Starlight equips the Church to do this in three main ways:
Classroom Training
Starlight offers quarterly trainings each year. While best taken sequentially, participants are welcome to join us for any of the trainings at any time. Classroom trainings are a great first step to breaking through stereotypes and fears, and to learn practical skills.
Trainings include topics such as:
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Understanding the Causes and Issues Pertaining to Homelessness
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Effective Engagement Principles and Practices
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Mental Illness and Homelessness
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Addiction and Homelessness
 Experiential Training in Hands On Ministry Venues
We highly encourage the participants of our classroom trainings to take the next step and put their knowledge and faith into action. Starlight encourages church groups to come and be trained at one of our hands-on venues to begin ministry opportunities within their own congregations.
Starlight currently offers the following ministry venues:
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Breaking Bread
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Bible Study and Lunch
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Boston Common Outreach
Outreach Coaching
Starlight offers a variety of programs in which to train churches in effective outreach. We are willing to coach and mentor groups that want to start an outreach which fits their skill sets and the needs of their local community.
Starlight finds pure joy in teaching others to serve! With 20 years experience in direct service, we can offer outreach coaching in the following areas:
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case management
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relationship building through haircuts
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clothing distribution
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visitations (hospitals, single room occupancies)
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facilities outreach (including shelters and agencies)
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conflict management
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self care and boundaries
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conversation 101
The impact
In 2009:
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Starlight trained more than 72 individuals from 9 different churches.
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shifted leadership from our Harvard Square outreach to Hope Fellowship. Hope Fellowship then started an outreach program called Hope Café on the last Saturday of each month.
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had positive, encouraging interactions with more than 700 folks who are struggling with homelessness.
Read more about Starlight
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