Relief Bus Volunteer Training Curriculum-Leaders Guide

LEADER’S GUIDE
OUTREACH TRAINING
CURRICULUM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Day 1
5
“A Day in the Life of the Bus” 5

“History and Mission” 6
Bible Study – “God’s Heart for the Poor” 7
Sharing My Story 11
Day 2 13
“Street Ministry 101” Part I 13

“How To Do Effective Street Ministry” 14
Bible Study – “Growth Through Service” 16
Day 3 21
“Street Ministry 101” Part II 21

Bible Study – “Evangelism to the Poor” 23
The Agreement Principle 26
Day 4 30
The Relief Bus Schedule 30

Bus Kitchen 31
Security Tips 33
Information & Clothing Tables + Prayer Booth 34
Pages to Review 36
How To Get More Involved 58
Bibliography 67
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Introduction
Dear Team Leader,
The Relief Bus Training Curriculum is designed to prepare your team for a fun and life
changing experience in urban missions. The materials will educate your team on what The
Relief Bus is, who we are and what we do. They will also help your team to understand
God’s heart for the poor and the outcast. Through scripture they will see how important it
is to minister to those in desperate need.
The training is broken up into four sections that can be covered in four meetings that will
take approximately one hour each. It is an interactive curriculum with group questions,
discussion time, fill-in-the-blanks, homework and group exercises. In the Leader’s Guide
we give you all of the answers to the questions and examples to make you look smart!
The video footage will give your team a good picture of what kind of activities they will be
doing and what the people look like that they will be meeting on the streets. This is all to
alleviate culture shock, mentally prepare them for urban ministry and get them excited.
The video segments are humorous and fast moving so that no one will fall asleep!
The Street Ministry 101 segments are invaluable for those who have never done
evangelism and may be nervous. They lay out a simple strategy that anyone can follow
regardless of age or experience.
The Bus Training segment prepares your team in practical issues such as health code
requirements, security issues and our recording systems.
There are plenty of leader’s notes to guide you through the training in your Leader’s
Guide. The enclosed CD includes your team workbooks in .pdf format so you can print
them out. Also on the CD are Powerpoint slides that allow you have visuals to use in your
teaching, as well as answers to fill-in-the-blank questions and teaching points that you will
be sharing. There are intros in your Leader’s Guide for each section with handy tips to
help prepare you for that session. Most of the work is done for you. Just walk through the
materials.
It is our hope that these training materials will not only prepare your team for an amazing
missions experience, but that it will also be a significant point of discipleship that stretches
your team, causing them to grow spiritually and draw closer to God.
Our staff is at your disposal and if you have any questions, needs or comments, please
feel free to contact us. We are happy to serve you and glad to have you working with us!
Sincerely,
Juan Galloway
Urban Missionary
Director of Outreach Partner Development
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DAY 1 LEADER TIPS
1. Preview the video segments A Day In The Life Of The Bus and History and
Mission, so you are familiar with them. Make sure you have a helper to play
DVD segments and advance Powerpoint slides in your meeting.
2. When you hand out the applications, try and stress that they bring these
back at the next meeting because you need to mail them in as soon as
possible.
3. You can introduce the A Day In The Life Of The Bus video by just letting
your team know that the video will show them what a typical outreach day
looks like.
4. As an extra challenge, you may want to have your team memorize Isaiah
58:6-12 to further plant the reason for this mission trip in their heart. You
could have team members recite the verses at the next meetings.
5. During the Bible Study, God’s Heart For The Poor, try to include personal
stories and examples from your own life that will personalize the teaching
and really drive the message home.
6. During the time of prayer, assign people to pray and make sure everyone
participates over the various sessions so that all your team members gets a
chance.
7. Assign the Sharing My Story homework and let the team know that they
need to bring it completed to the next meeting for an exercise that they will
be doing.
8. If your team is fundraising individually for their trip to work on The Relief
Bus and you haven’t already done it, you may want to encourage them to
use the Support Letter Template that is provided. You will have to email or
give them CD’s with copies of the file so that they can enter their personal
information in the letter and print them out at home.
(see last page of this guide for example)
9. Remember to print out a copy of the team member's guide to follow along
with your team's version and to reference page numbers as they are
different from the leader's guide.
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TRAINING CURRICULUM – DAY 1
DISTRIBUTE VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS

(COLLECT ON DAY 2 – SEE BACK OF PACKET)
VIDEO - “A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE BUS” (5 min)
QUESTIONS (10 min)
What did you see in this video that impacted you the most?
Why are you going?
How do you hope to grow?
What are your fears and anxieties about going on this outreach?
What else?
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VIDEO - “HISTORY & MISSION”
Isaiah 58:6 “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the
chains of injustice and untie the chords of the yoke, to set the
oppressed free and break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:7 “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide
the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe
them, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
“Go to those people in need and connect them to resources.”

(Richard Galloway)
MISSION STATEMENT
“We exist to connect the poor, oppressed, and addicted with a path
toward help and hope. Through outreach partnerships, we seek to be
a bridge between human need and resources to meet those needs.
These things we do…that others may live.”
Review fill-in-the-blank.
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BIBLE STUDY (30 min)
God’s Heart For The Poor
COME ALIVE!
In An Unstoppable Force – Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind, Erwin
Raphael McManus states,
“The life of the church is the heart of God. The heart of God is to serve
a broken world. The serving that we are called to requires direct
contact. You cannot wash the feet of a dirty world if you refuse to
touch it. There is a sense of mystery to this, but it is in serving that the
church finds her strength. When she ceases to serve the world around
her, she begins to atrophy.”
It is in SERVING that the church finds her strength! It’s what we were designed for
and what Jesus modeled for us!
In Isaiah 58, God talks about what really matters to him and what will make us
come alive.
Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
QUESTION: What are some examples of social injustice

in America?: Human Trafficking (immigrants taken advantage
of), Born infected/addicted, Abuse, Trapped in cycle of
poverty, etc.
QUESTION: What are “the cords of the yoke?” (types of

oppression) Addiction to Drugs, Prostitution, Violence,
Alcoholism, Poverty, Victims of abuse, etc.
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In other words, God is saying, “I don’t want a sacrificial religious ritual from you.
This is what I really want:”
Isaiah 58:7-10 (NIV)

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
QUESTION: Who is “the poor wanderer” in our cities?

Immigrants, homeless, those caught in the cycle of poverty, etc.
Isaiah 58 cont…
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
QUESTION: How does “the pointing finger and malicious

talk” apply to the poor?
They are looked down upon, outcast from society, told to “get a
job,” judged, despised, etc.
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Proverbs 14:20 - The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have
many friends.
Amy L. Sherman writes in Sharing God’s Heart for the Poor, Meditations for
Worship, Prayer and Service,
“The word translated “spend” in verse 10, connotes the idea of

issuing forth. It’s the idea of pouring out. The King James Version
talks of “drawing out” your soul to bestow a mercy upon the recipient.
We use terms like these when we talk about water. We talk about
pouring out water or drawing water from a well. And what we are
being told to spend in these verses is our heart and soul, and we are
to pour it out, to issue it forth to water others. But isn’t it our feat, that
by pouring ourselves out, we will become empty and dry? What holds
us back from spending our lives on the poor, from pouring out that
which is inside of us? Isn’t it a fear that we won’t have anything left?
That if we pour it all out we ourselves will be dry?”
Isaiah 58:11-12 (NIV)

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
9
Amy L. Sherman goes on to say,
“And that is the promise of Isaiah 58:11. We take ourselves and our
“water” and we pour ourselves out in a sun-scorched place, among
people who need the water. And we ourselves do not run dry because
God pours Himself and His provision into us so that we become “well-
watered gardens.” This is the wonderful paradox of the Christian life.
When we pour ourselves out we do not become empty; instead, we
become full. As we give ourselves out, God pours Himself and His
provision in. Through our enriching entanglement in the lives of the
poor in the places of pain and drought, we become, by the hand and
faithful provision of God, a well-watered garden.” *
THEN our light will shine, THEN we will be like a spring whose waters never fail,
THEN God will satisfy our needs, THEN the Lord will make us strong.
QUESTION: Can you think of an example of when you ever

helped someone in need and got more back from God?
Maybe you got closer to God spiritually, blessed in a material

way, encouraged, ect.
PRAYER (10 min)

LEADER – Have each of the participants pray for the following:
Pray for your trip(s) on the bus.
Pray Isaiah 58 and to have a heart to follow

it.
Pray for those on the streets.
* See also Psalm 68:6; 107:1-20
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SHARING MY STORY
Why share my story?
Matthew 13:10-15 - The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?"
He replied, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom. You know how it
works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them.
Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings
flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.
That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward
receptive insight. (The Message).
BEFORE I MET JESUS

List challenges, sins, battles, major events, and pain you experienced.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
AFTER I MET JESUS

How God helped and changed my life.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
MY LIFE WITH JESUS

Talk about challenges you currently face. Share current temptations and struggles
and how God is helping me through.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
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DAY 2 LEADER TIPS
1. Collect the applications and mail them as soon as you can. Thanks!
2. Preview Street Ministry 101. Make sure your helper is ready to pause the
video at the times listed in your guide.
3. In the first group exercise, the team is asked to get in small groups and
practice confessing their sins to one another. Challenge your team to share
their weaknesses and character flaws that they face every day. Give them
examples such as: self-control, hurtful words, selfishness, pride. It may be
uncomfortable at first, but if they can get used to it with their team then they
will be prepared to do it on the streets. Most people block out their personal
flaws and weaknesses and aren’t used to articulating them, but this can be
a powerful tool in relating to and reaching others.
4. In the Bible Study, Growth Through Service, explain that the Matthew 25
scripture is presented in a fun paraphrase of scripture known as The Street
Bible. Encourage them to read it on their own in other versions as well and
meditate on it.
5. FYI: In the Bible Study, Growth Through Service, there are portions of text
for you to read that your team won’t have in their manuals. Also note that
the fill-in-the-blank answers are on the Powerpoint slides.
6. Again, during the Bible Study time, try to include personal stories and
examples from your own life that will personalize the teaching and really
drive the message home.
7. During the time of prayer, have people pray Matthew 25 and learn how to
anchor their faith the Word of God. Have them pray over the lessons they
learned about confessing their sins and sharing their testimonies.
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TRAINING CURRICULUM - DAY 2
COLLECT VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS AND MAIL THEM

TO NEW YORK CITY RELIEF C/O THE RELIEF BUS
VIDEO - “STREET MINISTRY 101” Part I
Ministry - attend to the wants and needs of others, to give

service, care, or aid.
LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY
“The poor are not a problem to be fixed,

they’re a people to be loved.”
PAUSE VIDEO after 0:52 seconds.
We don’t want to overwhelm people with our intellectual superiority or

intimidate them with our debating skills. We don’t want to force or
scare someone into coming to God or manipulate them in any way.
Our goal is to love unconditionally. The poor are not a problem to be
fixed but a people to be loved. We should love them like Jesus did
unconditionally whether they want to be a Christian or not.
The greatest proof of the love of God is for us to tangibly show care for them when
they are still pre-Christians. As St. Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the Gospel at all
times and when necessary use words.”
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Physical care and even simple friendship skills like inquiring into people’s life and
attempting to learn from them about their experiences speak volumes. It’s how
we treat people that makes the difference.
QUESTION: What are ways in the past you have ministered to

the needs of others?
Bought someone lunch, served on a missions trip doing

construction, visiting the sick, taking care of a family member,
etc.
RESUME VIDEO
“HOW TO DO EFFECTIVE STREET MINISTRY”
1. Get to know the person. Approach with a smile and use open and casual
body language. Ask how they are doing, where they are from and show
genuine interest.
2. Listen.
Use active listening: when listening to someone, repeat back what they
have said so that they can tell that you are really paying attention.
Go three questions deep. When someone answers a question, ask them

another question that goes farther.
For example: Do you live around here? Yes, down the street. How long
have you lived here? For 5 years. Where did you live before that? Over in
Brooklyn. Why did you move here? I got kicked out of my mom’s house.
Wow, that must have been tough. Why did she kick you out? I got involved
in drugs. I’m so sorry to hear that. Has it been hard to quit using drugs?
Yeah, I’ve tried many times.
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3. Confess your sin.
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed.”
Rather then impress people with our morals, spiritual laws, and grasp of
scripture, our method is to be: Humble, Vulnerable, Willing to expose our
shortcoming.
PAUSE VIDEO after 3:55 minutes.
REVIEW fill-in-the-blank answers with your group.
Moral superiority only intimidates people and causes shame and

withdrawal. A good example of confession is: “I’ve made some really
bad decisions myself like the time I……… ” “I want to change, but I
keep messing up in the area of ……” The person may not be
forthcoming at all about their own life, but as we let them know our
own failures and pain they will drop their guard and be open to share
their own mistakes.
GROUP EXERCISE (10 min): In groups of 2 or 3 (men with men

and women with women), practice a confession exercise. Don’t think
of this exercise as confessing your deepest darkest sin. Instead,
think of what you are challenged with! Take turns sharing the stuff
you struggle with weekly or daily. Just be real! Afterwards, pray for
one another in your areas of struggle.
FINISH VIDEO
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4. Show empathy and compassion for their pain.
Compassion means, “To suffer together with”.
I.E.- “That must have really felt….”
5. Share your testimony. Out of the relationship you start to build, tell the
person about your spiritual journey and what it has meant to you.
GROUP EXERCISE (10 min): In groups of 2 or 3, practice
”SHARING MY STORY.”
(try not to look at your sheet – take 5 minutes for each story)

Growth Through Service
Matthew 25:31-46 (28, The Street Bible)
“When I come back demonstrating my power and I bring my angels with me I’m
going to take over control from my seat of power. The whole world will be brought
before me, and I will separate the acceptable from the unacceptable, just like
when you sort through the fruit in the produce aisle to find the good stuff. The good
stuff I’ll put on my right, the stinky stuff will go on my left.
“Speaking from my authority as king of the universe, I’ll tell the folks on the right,
“You paid your dues and now it’s time to get your reward that I have been planning
on giving you before the earth was even created. You did a great job living for me.
When I was starving, you bought me lunch. I was parched and you gave me some
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iced tea. You didn’t know me from Adam, but you treated me like your best friend.
I needed some decent clothes and you got me a new wardrobe. I was puking my
guts out and you nursed me back to health. I was locked up in the pen and you
came on visiting day to see me.
“Then the ones who lived for God will ask, ‘Chief, when did we do all this stuff’
We don’t remember you being hungry, thirsty,
being a stranger, out of clothes, sick as a dog or locked up in the clink.’
“I’ll say, ‘Whenever you did all these wonderful things for people you encountered
in life, you were doing it for me. Great job!”
It was in the messiness of serving others that the disciples broke

through racial barriers, gender barriers, pride, selfishness and
learned how to be like Jesus. It was in the midst of this serving that
he could give them correction when they were acting immature such
as: chasing off the children, calling down fire from heaven, or asking
their mother to persuade Jesus to let them sit next to him in heaven.
1) The kind of serving they did together in the early church was very hands
on.
In America we have come to a place as believers where we don’t

expect to have to get our hands dirty. It’s easy for us to take a class.
That sounds like an attractive intellectual step upward into spiritual
growth and further education. True, but what about the step
downward into humility and self-sacrifice? Could we be missing out
on some of the greatest treasures of the Kingdom?
2) This is where our faith comes alive.
This is where people get outside of their comfort zone and have to trust God to
use them as they encounter real people with real problems who need a friend.
As Charles Ringma says in Dare to Journey with Henry Nouwen,

“Spirituality can only fully develop when we include others and serve
our neighbor. A spirituality that only knows “holy isolation” is most
probably an illusion, and a spirituality that fails to serve others is
more than likely self-indulgent. True spirituality knows both the place
of solitude and the cry of the world. It is concerned about self-
development but sees it occurring much more through serving
another than through pampering the self.”
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3) Servanthood is discipleship, plain and simple. If you want to be a disciple
then get involved in doing the work of God.
Francis Frangipane writes in The Three Battlegrounds, “Is your love

growing and becoming softer, brighter, more daring and more
visible? Or is it becoming more discriminating, more calculating, less
vulnerable and less available? This is very important, for your
Christianity is only as real as your love.”
Love in thought is not complete love until it is put into action. Spiritual growth and
discipleship is developing our outward demonstration of love.
At the NAACP awards, Bono said, “God has a special place for the
poor. The poor are where God lives. God is in the slums, in the
cardboard boxes, where the poor play house. God is where the
opportunity is lost and lives are shattered. God is with the mother
who has infected her child with a virus that will take both their lives.
God is under the rubble in the cries we hear during war time. God,
my friends, is with the poor and God is with us if we are with them.”
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PRAYER (10 min)
LEADER – Instruct each of the participants to pray for the following:
Pray Matthew 25.
Pray for boldness and strength to serve

Jesus by serving others.
Pray that we would learn how to get to know

people better, to learn to listen, to learn to
confess our sins, and to show empathy and
compassion.
Pray for God’s direction to tell your story.
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DAY 3 LEADER TIPS
1. Preview Street Ministry 101 Part 2 and The Bus Tour. Make sure your
helper is ready to pause the video at the times listed in your guide.
2. In the Bible Study, Evangelism To The Poor, remind your team of the
scriptures covered in the last two Bible studies, Isaiah 58:6-12 and Matthew
25:31-46 as examples of why we should target the poor with the gospel.
3. Again, during the Bible Study time, try to include personal stories and
examples from your own life that will personalize the teaching and really
drive the message home.
4. There are lots of opportunities for team members to read during this Bible
study, so try to go around the room and have everyone participate in the
reading portions.
5. During the time of prayer, encourage people to pray Luke 14. Ask them to
pray over the lessons they learned about The Agreement Principle and
ministering through gentleness and kindness.
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TRAINING CURRICULUM – DAY 3
VIDEO – “STREET MINISTRY 101” Part II
6. Look to connect. As you get to know the person better, stay clued in to
any needs they might have that we can help with. If they came for clothes,
let them know that we have information on other sites in the area with more
clothes.
QUESTION: What impacted you the most from this section?
RESUME VIDEO
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7. Never argue.
II Timothy 2:23-26
“Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you
know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel;
instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those
who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant
them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will
come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken
them captive to do his will.”
Arguing isn’t love so refuse to argue about doctrine, theology, religion,

politics or anything else. If a person insists on arguing, find a way to break
away gently.
8. Affirm the person. No matter what a person believes or doesn’t believe we

need to affirm their worth by saying things like, “I respect your opinion”,
“Thanks for sharing. Tell me more.” When we honor a person by the way
we show respect, they will in turn show honor and respect for us. What we
don’t want to say is things like, “You’re wrong”, “You’re in a cult”, “You
should…..” Although it may be true, if it isn’t received then it’s just a waste
of time and could in fact push someone farther away from God because it
comes off as judgmental.
9. Offer salvation. Ask God to guide you in conversations with people on the
streets. Try to stay sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let God
speak through you.
When you approach someone on the street, your goal is to first get to know
them and listen to their story. After this, doors will open up to share your
story and confess your own sin and challenges. Then after establishing a
relationship, you have the opportunity to share salvation with the person.
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Evangelism To The Poor
Why Target The Poor?
Why target the poor with the message and demonstration of the gospel? The
answer is simple: because God does.
Luke 5:4-11 Peter and the other fishermen were out fishing all night
and caught no fish. Jesus directs them specifically where to throw
their nets and immediately there are more fish caught than can fit in
the nets. Jesus than tells Peter that he will make him a fisher of men.
Peter, James and John then leave to follow Jesus full-time. In the
following verses (v.12-30) Jesus ministers to a leper, a paralytic and
then a tax-collector. These “fish” are eager to jump into the net.
When we target where Jesus directs us to specifically throw our nets to catch men
we will be highly effective. If we follow in his example we will target men and
women who are sick, poor and notoriously sinful. The other option is to do lots of
unfruitful fishing that leaves us fatigued and frustrated.
In Luke 5:31, the religious leaders asked why Jesus was targeting
such an unsavory crowd with his ministry and Jesus answered them,
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Jesus attends a dinner party and takes the opportunity to give

strategy and how to focus our energies on what matters to him:
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Luke 14:12-14
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner,
do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich
neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be
repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled,
the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot
repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Who does Jesus say to invite into our lives? Who should we invest
our resources in? Who should we spend time with? -The poor, the
crippled, the lame and the blind. He then goes on to tell a parable to
reiterate his point. A man invites the well to do, business people to a
banquet (the Kingdom of God) and they won’t come. He gets angry
and sends his servants (that’s us) out to invite the poor, the crippled,
the blind and the lame. He does want everyone to come, but only
certain people actually show up because the others are too caught
up in their lives and possessions.
Jesus details out his calling and mission while on earth:
Luke 4:17-19 – The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
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Some translations of the Bible use the word “afflicted” instead of
poor. Regardless, Jesus says that he specifically comes to bring
freedom, healing and life to those who are downtrodden and
disenfranchised. The “year of the Lord’s favor” is the year of Jubilee
which historically was a time when all the debts people had were
forgiven. It’s our mission to tell people that their opportunity has
come for all of their sins to be forgiven. They will owe no penalty,
interest or fines because God is letting them start over with a clean
slate and giving them a new life.
How do we actually do all that?

Ask God to guide you in conversations with people on the streets. Try to stay
sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let God speak through you.
Each person we meet is unique and special so it is our goal to become “all things
to all men” and approach them in such a manner that works for them. We seek to
connect through love.
When you approach someone on the street, your goal is to first get
to know them and listen to their story. After this, doors will open up to
share your story and confess your own sin and challenges. Then
after establishing a relationship, you have the opportunity to share
salvation with the person.
Use key questions to approach the subject of their spirituality.
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On a scale of one to ten, how close do you feel to God right now? Do
you want to be closer?
Do you feel as though you are following God's ways and doing what
He wants you to do?
Listen to their answers to these questions and hear their heart.
THE AGREEMENT PRINCIPLE
Try to find foundational common ground by using the agreement principle on the
streets. Ask questions that you know most people will agree with so you have
something to build on such as:
Instruct different team members to read the following sections:
1) I used to think I could go to Heaven if I was just a good person

and didn’t kill anyone, but I found out I could never be good enough.
We’ve all made bad choices and mistakes right?
2) This bad behavior is hurtful and destructive toward us and others.

Since we have all blown it one way or another, we can’t earn our way
to Heaven by performing good acts. We’re human and will never be
perfect or even good enough. Our dumb choices and wrong actions
separate us from God because God is perfect.
Do you believe God is love?
26
3) Because God loves us, he couldn’t stand to be separated from us so he sent his
only son, Jesus to create a bridge back to him. This bridge was the cross. The
cross was where Jesus willingly gave his life and took the penalty for our bad
behavior. By accepting what he did for us on the cross, we cross that bridge to
come close to him and escape destruction. Now we can learn from God and how
to follow his ways which lead to life.
Do you want to be close to God?
4) Choosing to give your life to God is the most important decision you could ever
make, because it’s an eternal decision. But it’s not about just going to Heaven; he
wants to help us in our daily lives.
Do you want his help?
5) Do you want to give him total control of your life?
If it’s okay with you, I’d love to pray together with you right now to draw close to
God and let him do what he wants in your life.
FINISH VIDEO
10. Don’t use Christianese . For example: sanctification, redemption,

justification. Speak in normal terms that people can understand.
11. Pray. Whether someone wants to commit their lives to Christ or isn’t
interested at all, offer to pray for them right there on the spot. Pray for their
needs and that God would reveal himself to them and pour out his love
upon them. A great idea is to ask the person to in turn pray for you in your
area of need especially if they are a pre-Christian.
27
Pastor Bill Hoffman once paraphrased a quote by Sri Lankan
theologian D.T. Niles when he said, “We’re just beggars, showing
other beggars where to find the bread.”
PRAYER (10 min)
Pray Luke 4:17-19 – That God would anoint

you to do His work.
Pray that God would help you use “The

Agreement Principle” as a tool to share the Gospel.
Pray II Timothy 2:23-26 – That you would

have a gentle spirit when you interact with
those you witness to.
28
DAY 4 LEADER TIPS
1. Preview Bus Training. Make sure your helper is ready to pause the video at
the times listed in your guide.
2. We strongly encourage your team to enter in during worship and prayer on

the bus. Assign a worship leader to connect with the Relief Bus Outreach
Director. Bring your own worship music, lyrics, devotions or other creative
forms of worship. Emphasize the importance of worship during the ride into
the city as you position yourselves for praise, worship and to hear what God
is saying to your team.
3. If you are riding back on The Relief Bus, consider a time of debrief with your
team. You could also debrief later that night wherever you are staying with
the team. Ask them questions. What was their experience like on The Relief
Bus? How did it impact them? Did God speak anything to them during the
outreach?
4. Review the materials with your team such as the brochures, fliers, tracts,
brief sheet, etc.
5. Consider the information on the More Ways You Can Help page. There are
many ways your team could minister to the poor listed there such as:
raising funds for the operation of The Relief Bus, collecting Bibles, clothing
or hygiene products to be given out on the streets. As a team, you may
raise more funds than you need for your expenses. Why not put the extra
funds towards the cost of a day or week’s worth of soup on The Relief Bus?
6. Feel free to share the outreach schedule with church leadership and
parents of teens who will be praying for your team during your trip.
7. Have the team pray big prayers for miracles in the lives they are reaching
out to and the team themselves.
8. If your team would like to further support The Relief Bus, they can buy a T-
shirt and have it waiting for them when they arrive for their date of
scheduled outreach. Collect the funds from your team, and write one check
to New York City Relief for the order.
29
LEADER’S GUIDE
TRAINING CURRICULUM - DAY 4
VIDEO – “BUS TOUR”
THE RELIEF BUS SCHEDULE
TIME ACTIVITY
7:30AM Arrive at The Hope Center. Pray together.
7:35AM Begin soup/drink preparations, bread pick-up,

stocking and loading the bus, and kitchen clean-up.
8:55AM Gather for ministry responsibilities and prayer.
9:00AM Ride the bus to the location. Fellowship, worship and

prayer.
10:00AM Arrive at location. Group is briefed by bus leader.

Leaders set up kitchen, tables, and garbage cans.
10:10AM Group is divided into teams.

Team 1: Begins kitchen training.
Team 2: Begins street training.
10:15AM Teams begin to serve from the kitchen, tables and

hand-out flyers.
10:45AM Clothing distribution begins.
30
11:00AM Teams are rotated to a different outreach station.
12:00PM Teams are rotated to a different outreach station.
1:00PM Teams are rotated to a different outreach station.
1:45PM Teams clean-up kitchen, fold up tables, pick-up

trash, tie up trash bags, and organize the bus.
2:00PM Leave bus location. Teams debrief with leaders.
3:00PM Arrive at Hope Center. Teams are instructed to clean

the bus, kitchen and containers.
3:45PM Dismissed from the Hope Center.
VIDEO – “BUS TRAINING”
“BUS KITCHEN”
The Relief Bus kitchen rules:
1) Keep work area clean.
2) No eating in the kitchen.
3) Wear hairnets/hats.
4) Change gloves – if you touch parts of your body or the floor.
5) Don’t fill a container or cup from outside of the bus.
6) Keep soup covered.
7) Limit the amount of bread.
31
8) Follow instructions of kitchen leader.
9) Don’t feed the birds!
QUESTIONS
1) What should you do if someone hands you a container from

outside the bus?
Politely say, “Hold your container, and I will fill it with soup
cups.”
2) What should you do if you are working in the kitchen

and you scratch your face with your hands?
Change your gloves.
RESUME VIDEO “BUS KITCHEN”
32
SECURITY TIPS
1) Don’t wander off.
2) Don’t go to the bathroom alone.
3) Don’t give out money.
4) Use wisdom with physical affection.
5) Don’t give out personal info.
6) If someone is angry, go to Bus Leader.
7) Dress appropriately – modestly, no open toed shoes, no
expensive jewelry. Wear work clothes.
8) Ask permission to take photos.
9) No cell phones – or i-pods, video games, texting.
Review fill-in-the blank.
QUESTIONS
1) What kind of clothes should you wear on The Relief Bus?

Modest clothing that can get dirty, such as work clothes. No sandals
or inappropriate content on clothing.
2) What is the protocol for taking photos?

Ask permission first.
3) What do you do if someone asks you for personal information?

Politely say, “I’m sorry, I’m not permitted, but if you would like to stay
in contact with me through The Hope Center, you can give them your
information.
33
FINISH VIDEO
INFORMATION AND CLOTHING TABLES + PRAYER BOOTH
Instructions:
Record the names and personal prayer requests of

individuals that receive items from the table (something they
need/someone in need/something they are thankful for) on the daily
log sheet (see pg. 49 for example).
Before people leave the table, ask them if you can pray right now
with them. Suggestion: Pray with your eyes open, and ask to put
your hand on their shoulder.
Look to connect – if someone is showing a need, connect them to

a staff member and especially connect them to the office that Steve
talked about in the video.
OFFICE
From our Bus office we can place people immediately into various
programs with the help of our cellular phones and database of
resources. We have developed strong relationships with many
service providers. Our years of experience on the streets help us
make sound referral decisions. We have seen many people receive
new hope and direction right in our bus office.
34
END OF THE DAY BUS CLEAN-UP
Kitchen team straps empty containers to the wall and
cleans up the kitchen.
Pick-up trash around the bus.
Fold the tables up, place them on the bus.
Organize and put away resource box, literature and clothing.
35
||
PAGES TO REVIEW (5 min)
Volunteer Application (pg. 38)

Make enough copies for your team. Applications are filled out on
day 1, returned to the leader day 2, and mailed to The Hope Center.
Staff Testimony Tracts (pgs. 39-42)

Sample stories of real life change in our staff. Available to
help minister and relate to those struggling on the streets.
Street Talk Stories (pgs.43-44)

Sample stories of lives changed at The Relief Bus. Available to
Help minister and relate to those struggling on the streets.
Street Flyers (pgs. 45-46)

Sample flyers we hand out to those in the community during
outreach. Informs people of the help we offer and our bus locations.
Bus Brief Sheet (pgs. 47-48)

Sample brief sheet the bus driver explains before serving on the
bus.
Daily Log Sheet (pg.49)

Sample brief sheet the bus driver explains before serving on the
bus.
T-shirts Flyer (pgs. 50-51)

Pre-order T-shirts today! Your group will receive T-shirts when
they arrive at The Hope Center.
Book & Media Resources (pgs. 52-53)

Recommended reading for urban ministry and videos for further
missions training.
Staff contacts (pg. 54 Leader‘s Guide only)

Who can I contact if I have questions?
Feedback form (pgs. 55-56 Leader‘s Guide only)

A form to fill out after you’ve completed this training material.
36
REVIEW THESE DOCUMENTS FROM THE SIDE POCKET
The Relief Bus & Hope Center brochures

Informational brochures for our ministries.
Homeless Harry/Lonely Lady tracts

Sample comics designed to relate to prostitutes and the
homeless.
Return Envelope for Leader Feedback Form (Leader’s Guide only)

Use this envelope to mail us the leader feedback form on pgs. 55-56
NYC Official Visitor Guide (Leader’s Guide only)

During your stay, you may want to visit New York City for
recreational purposes too! This guide gives you maps, transportation
and accommodation info, dining, shopping, and much more!
37
1181 E. Broad Street • Elizabeth, NJ 07201 • Tel (908) 352-8778 • www.nycr.org
Date: _________________________ Assignment (for staff): Relief Bus #1 Relief Bus #2
Name:___________________________________________________________ Age:_________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _____________
Tel:_________________________(Home/Work/Cell) Email: _____________________________
Church Name (optional):_________________________________________________________
How did you hear about New York City Relief:________________________________________
Is this your first time volunteering with New York City Relief: Yes No
Would you like to be on our mailing list? Yes No
Which area would you be interested in volunteering in the future?

Relief Bus Short-term Missions Receptionist Data Entry
Construction Bus Driver
Tell us briefly about yourself:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
We thank God for your willingness to serve with us today. Please keep us in your prayers.
PLEASE SIGN THIS RELEASE BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER. THANK YOU!
I hereby grant New York City Relief (NYCR) the full right to use my participation in NYCR in
part or in full, audio, video, published and/or produced in any form, in any way that NYCR
deems useful.
I hereby release NYCR from all responsibility for any injury or sickness contracted during
the time I am volunteering with NYCR.
Sign your name_______________________________________ Date_____________________
Print your name_______________________________________
If you are under age 18, we also need your parent or legal guardian to sign the release form
below and to submit it before you can volunteer with us. Thank you.
Parent or legal guardian’s signature________________________________________________
38
A WALK ON
er and deeper in relationship to him in the midst of everything I go

through. Now I am walking out a wild life that is really FULLY ALIVE
with God. I finally found the intimacy I always needed and wanted
THE WILD SIDE
with my best friend Jesus, the lover of my soul.
If you want to know God and truly be free, start by praying this
prayer:
“God, I need your help. I want to give up my control and my Brought to you by
power. I only want You to control me now and have your power
work through me. I pray that You would make me a new per
son. Jesus, I want You to be the Lord of my life and my best
My name is Steve. I was born in 1969 in
friend. Teach me to be like You, and fill me with your love. I
South Amboy, New Jersey into a dys
invite You to be the number one influence in my life. Take over
functional family. Tragically, my mother
completely and do whatever You want. Help me to become
had a nervous breakdown on Christmas
fully alive and enter into the wild side of trusting You with ev
Eve when I was five-years-old. The
erything. Amen”
experience was confusing and devastat
ing to me as I was sent to live with my
To talk to me about this decision you made, find a church or get
grandparents. I suffered terrible feelings
prayer, call me at (800) 736-2773 or email me at stevep@nycr.org.
of abandonment as my father worked
Through The Relief Bus I can also assist you in finding help in the
two jobs and my mother was away in a
areas of addiction, shelter, job training or food. hospital. At this young age the seeds of
insecurity were planted deep in me, as
Steve I struggled with a learning disability and
was bounced from school to school.
Even when my mother returned, she was

on heavy medication and very distant. The affection and comfort I
needed wasn’t there and she wasn’t much a part of my life. She was
filled with anxiety and as a result was overprotective and overly strict.
It was very had for me to have friends to
_______________ play with or even leave the house. There
was much stress in my home because
of my mom’s mental condition and our
“In high family’s financial troubles. I remember my
father choking my mother and even put-
school I ting a knife to his own throat, threatening
Web: www.reliefbus.org began to to kill himself.
Email: hope@nycr.org
Phone: (800) 736-2773
walk on the In high school I began to walk on the wild
Address: 1181 E. Broad Street wild side.” side: getting drunk, smoking marijuana
and getting in fights. My senior year I
Elizabeth, NJ 07201 ______________ began working for an alcoholic, heroin
39
addicted gambler and became the chauffer for
his petty theft operation. I would drive my boss I eventually went back to doing carpentry and was
to New York to pick up stolen credit cards which making a lot of money working overtime. I spent the
he used to buy merchandise that he could sell money as fast as I made it, getting drunk regularly.
quickly. Then I would drive him down to Atlantic Because I thought of myself as a tough guy, I began
City to gamble away his profits. working as a bouncer at go-go bars and rock clubs.
I ended that career after a huge man broke a bottle
After graduation I entered the carpenters union over my head, pulled my shirt over my head and
and enjoyed learning and working in the trade stabbed me repeatedly with the broken bottle. Miracu
for several years. Life seemed to be stabiliz lously I jabbed him in the throat with two of my fingers
ing, but then I began and escaped with my life. What I remember during
drinking and partying _______________ this time period is being lonely, empty and feeling like my life was be
again. I was heavy ing wasted.
into weightlifting
Senior high school photo and bodybuilding,
“I became While on the picket line one day with the _______________
and martial arts, addicted to carpenters union, a fellow union brother
which boosted my began talking about Jesus. I mocked him
confidence. Unfortunately, this led to street violence.” and made some snide remarks, but when “Now I know
fighting and road rage. I became addicted _______________ my job ended this same man helped me
to violence. If someone gave me a bad look,
get more work. While on the new job I my real
I would beat them viciously. Even I was
scared of what I was capable of doing to someone who crossed me.
began attending a Bible study that was purpose.”

held during lunch time. I liked it and felt
real peace when I was there. I started at _______________
I began hanging out with people involved in crime who helped me fix tending church and a home group where I
my many tickets for driving violations. I even went into business with grew closer and closer to God. This is when I made a commitment to
one of these guys and ran a used car scam. Along with this con man, Christ that changed my life forever. In my old life I thought I had influ
I became a professional liar and even cheated senior citizens and the ence and power, but it was actually totally false. I had lived a lie. Now
handicapped. At one time I was arrested for writing over $20,000 in I know my real purpose. I was created to follow and serve God.
bad checks to people, but got off because of our connections. I was
on top of the world and felt bulletproof because I had money, drove As part of this new life with God I
expensive cars, had nice clothes and could get away with my criminal decided to volunteer one day to work
activities. on The Relief Bus, an outreach to the
ION
poor and homeless. I got more and
T During all of this I was heavily addicted more involved over time, and today
DIC
AD
to sex and pornography. Sex was like I work full-time as a Bus Outreach
L
UA
a drug to me. It was a release from the ten Director. Now I am able to really have
X
SE sion I felt and an escape. I had many girlfriends,
but each relationship ended badly. I gave up on dating On the streets with The Relief Bus
influence in people’s lives to find help
and hope- the same help and hope I
and just started using prostitutes. I was looking for intimacy, but found. Despite my parent’s troubles in the past, they celebrated their
always ended up with cheap, meaningless sex. I was filled with guilt 40 year anniversary in 2000 and are fully supportive of me today. I
and regret. am still a regular guy who is tempted by bad thoughts, but now I am
not a slave to those thoughts. I am free and God is bringing me deep-
40
from the church to the streets.
From Hillbilly Hellraiser

Although I still have challenges in my life,
God has blessed me with a wonderful fam-
ily. He teaches me how to better serve them
everyday.
Austin and family

Maybe you can relate to some part of my
story and realize that you need God in your
life too. If you want to know God and truly be free, start by praying
To servant on the streets
this prayer: Brought to you by
“God, I need your help. I know that you are the answer to all the I was born in Arkansas in 1977 into a
issues in my life. I have made many mistakes and bad decisions. I very poor family. We lived in a shack
pray that you would make me a new person. Jesus, I want you to with an outhouse out back and used
be the Lord of my life and my best friend. Teach me to be like you, a woodstove for heat. We were hillbil-
and fill me with your love and your power Take over my life com- lies, basically. My father grew mari-
pletely and do whatever you want. Amen” juana for a living and had a large crop
planted across the street from our
To talk to me about this decision you made, find a church or get house. At the age of four my parents
prayer, call me at (800) 736-2773 or email me at austin@nycr.org. divorced and I moved with my mother
Through The Relief Bus I can also assist you in finding help in the to Indiana. We soon moved in with her
areas of addiction, shelter, job training or food. boyfriend who, like her, heavily abused
alcohol. They would often get into
Austin physical fights. Eventually he became my stepfather.
In Indiana we once again lived in dire poverty when my stepfather

lost his factory job. He and my mother began to drink more and
more. Smoking lots of marijuana was common in our home also.
There was no electricity, heat or hot water at our house. My brother
and I would sleep on the floor in between our dogs to stay warm at
night. The cupboards were empty and I learned how to eat at school
_______________ or over at friend’s houses when I could.
It was tough being the poorest kid in school.
“My clothes My clothes were full of holes and I would get
made fun of. I became the class clown and
were full of laughed along with the jokes, but inside it
holes and I hurt and I felt like an outcast.
Web: www.reliefbus.org
Email: hope@nycr.org would get At the age of 13 I went to a youth group at a
Phone: (800) 736-2773 made fun of.” local church and it was really a surreal expe-
Address: 1181 E. Broad Street rience. I couldn’t believe how nice everyone
______________ was and that they came there every week to
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
41
have fun and follow God. One month later I de- was sealed in police tape and the officers wouldn’t
cided to follow God too. let anyone enter. I searched for her all over town,
but couldn’t find her anywhere. I ended up going to
When I turned 16 my life began to fall apart as I check at the police station and found all my family
hung out with the wrong crowd and started private- members there which I thought was very strange.
ly smoking and drinking. I got stoned on pot all the My uncle got to me first and told me that my mother
time and even went to church high. I have always had been murdered. I collapsed in tears and was
been an extremist. I would drink alcohol until I filled with rage, screaming in the police station. I
would pass out. I would roll giant joints and smoke bawled for hours and was inconsolable.
the whole things. At the same time, although my Austin in College
Austin as Senior parents loved me, I knew that I didn’t want to go Weeks past and the police could not solve the
in High School down the same path of a _______________ crime. I went back to college, but was an emotional wreck with all
becoming a habitual drug kinds of feelings balled up in a knot inside of me. This tension was
and alcohol abuser. released as I prayed to God and forgave my mother’s murderer. I be-
“I got stoned gan to walk in a whole new level of freedom.
At the age of 17, when it didn’t seem like While in college I met a beautiful girl who _______________
things could get worse, my parents lost our
on pot all the was a pastor’s kid and so pure. She didn’t
house. I knew how to hustle for money doing time.” want to have anything to do with me, but I
“my mother
various jobs outside of school so I rented my _______________ knew she was the one for me! After some
own apartment. As a senior in high school, conniving on my part we started to date, had been
my place became the party house. There was a constant stream of fell head over heels in love, and eventually
people bringing in acid, mushrooms, crack, cocaine, and lots of alco- we were married. We became youth pas- murdered”
hol. When I was younger I was the one always getting made fun of, tors back in Indiana and later in Arkansas _______________
but now I was very popular and enjoying all of the attention. as well. Eventually we had two handsome
sons.
I lost my job and was too proud to ask anyone for help. While stoned
out of my mind on acid I broke into a junior high school in a nearby I started my own business doing home inspections and working for a
town in hopes of robbing a safe. All I ended up doing was vandalizing construction company for about 4 years, but knew that I was called to
the principal’s office and stealing some cheap junk. While walking full-time hands on service for God. That’s when I made a connection
home I came across a police officer who questioned me. I panicked with The Relief Bus, a mobile outreach to the poor and homeless.
and took off running. I hid in the neighborhood and would have easily
escaped, but something strange happened. From my hiding place in I now serve as an Outreach
someone’s back yard I felt the spirit of God literally pull me out into the Director leading teams to help
middle of the street where I then laid face down. the poor all over the New York
City metro area. I can relate to
I was arrested and confessed everything because I realized that God those who have been victim-
had brought me there to come clean and get right with him again. I On the streets with The Relief Bus ized, are in pain, abandoned,
had just turned 18-years-old and was now facing 14 years in prison. living in poverty, fatherless, on
I told God I was sorry and felt him tell me that this was my chance to drugs, or have served time in prison. My heart breaks for people. I
turn my life around. I ended up serving only 5 months in jail. want to embrace them and befriend those who have no friends. This
allows me to help connect people to vital resources. I also get the op-
After being released I started attending college. One night I went to portunity to train volunteers on how to help others and help them un-
visit my mom and couldn’t get into her apartment building because it derstand what people are going through. I enjoy becoming a bridge
42
StrEetTalk
Tales From The Relief Bus and The Hope Center
Bringing Hope To The Streets of New York and New Jersey
Manuel is a Miracle!
At the age of eleven, Manuel’s family moved Joanne volunteered. He

to Elizabeth, New Jersey. His parents were very decided to go inside and
strict and did not allow him to socialize. Manuel felt see if she was there. Manuel
isolated and sought belonging from every outlet he ended up staying the entire
could. This desire quickly led him to the world of day, and he began to come
drugs and alcohol. back regularly to visit with
the team. As he continued to
At the age of twelve, Manuel was using spend time at the base, the
marijuana daily, and at fourteen his drug use staff allowed him to help with
escalated to mescaline and cocaine. He began various tasks. For the first
dealing drugs to support his own addiction. time, Manuel felt loved.
At fifteen, Manuel found himself on the __________
streets of New York, unsure of where his He says, “As
next meal would come from. In a the team showed
desperate attempt to find happiness, he me love and embraced me, God began tearing
would smoke crack cocaine from the “God has
down barriers. The moments I was spending
afternoon late into the evening, and with the staff were breaking down all the hurt
crash on the floors of friends’ apartments restored
inside of me. God was using that “safe haven”
at night. to work in me.” Miraculously, Manuel quit using
Feeling isolated and rejected

me!”
drugs, broke free of his dangerous lifestyle and
turned his life around.
again, Manuel began to get involved in __________
the homosexual scene. He said, “Once At the age of 19, Manuel completed his
you start using drugs, you become GED, and joined the army. After completing his
someone else. Rationale went out the window and I tour, he began working as a flight attendant
lost all morality.” Trying to fill the void, Manuel found and traveling the world.
acceptance and a sense of belonging in that
community. He began running drugs and working Once a boy craving acceptance and belonging,
as a male prostitute for wealthy businessmen. He now a man confident that God is bigger than his
explained, “I had nowhere to run or go, so I threw my circumstances, Manuel says, “God put his hands
hands up and gave in to the whole crazy lifestyle. in the pit of hell and pulled me out of there. God has
Emotionally and mentally, I was a wreck.” restored me!”
One day, Manuel found himself walking right

by The Relief Bus’ home office where his friend
CONTACT I N FO
New York City Relief (NYCR) was founded in 1989.
NYCR serves as an umbrella organization for two outeach programs: The Relief Buses of P.O. Box 64 times Square P.O.
NY/NJ and The Hope Center in Elizabeth, NJ.
New York, NY 10108-0064
The Relief Buses of NY and NJ are two converted buses that feed and connect the Ph. 800.736.2773
homeless, substance abusers, and the working poor to resources of help and hope.
Fx. 908.352.6446
The Hope Center is a community outreach center in Elizabeth, NJ that offers support www.ReliefBus.org
groups for substance abuse, emergency food pantry, and crisis counseling and referrals. hope@nycr.org
Wayne Comes Alive
At the age of seventeen, Wayne Jackson was

introduced to alcohol, and immediately became
addicted. He progressed to using marijuana, cocaine,
and then heroin. His addictions gained control of his
mind, and he lost focus for the future.
Wayne lived in his parent’s basement and

worked to support his drug habit. It was not until they
both passed away twenty years later that he was
forced to leave. At the age of 36, Wayne had nowhere
to turn and found himself on the streets, homeless.
During this period, Wayne went an entire year

without showering. He slept in an elevator at the train Wayne and Karen
station, in the woods or just on a piece of cardboard.
He cared very little for himself, and Anonymous meetings. Wayne had no
lived solely for the next fix. He began ______________ desire to attend meetings, because he
getting sick every day and was not still believed it was impossible for him to
eating properly. Wayne said, “I was change.
lucky if I had a dollar for McDonald’s
dollar menu. I used to eat at The Relief
“She Through his experience at the
Bus and that really helped me out”.
believed in program, Wayne finally gained a new
sense of hope. The number one thing he
He finally created a home for
himself, behind a church in Elizabeth, me when I learned was that there was freedom for
the addict who desired change. He began
New Jersey on a bench. It was during
this period that Wayne began feeling didn’t attending two or three meetings a day.
His addiction to drugs shifted to an
believe in
needy and pitiful. Questioning his addiction to changing. He returned home,
self-worth, he became more and more a different man.
depressed.
myself.” May 3rd of this year signified five
Wayne used to come by The
Hope Center for snack bags. He met
______________ years of being clean. In Wayne’s mind,
this is still just the beginning. He moved
with Karen Storz, the Food Pantry into his first apartment at the age of 41.
Coordinator, and spent time talking He has spent the last four years at the same job. He
together. Wayne noted, “Talking to Karen gave me dedicates himself to being the best person he can be
some hope. It inspired me and planted a seed. She for the position.
took the time to tell me her story. The thing I know
about Karen is that she was a positive person in my Wayne is eternally grateful for his life, and the
life. On the streets, everyone was negative. She freedom he has gained by taking responsibility for his
believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” future. He says, “Today, life is a blessing compared to
the hell I was stuck in- just existing, dope sick,
A church paid Wayne’s way to enter a six-month helpless and hopeless. Now I can truly live.”
drug rehabilitation program. A requirement of the
program was mandatory attendance of Narcotics
Please join our monthly support team today for $25, $50, $100 or more so that The
Hope Center and The Relief Bus can continue to help people like Manuel and Wayne
and transform the communities we serve in. All gifts are tax-deductible. Make your
check out to “New York City Relief” and mail in the enclosed envelope.
Thanks for caring.
Soup � Hot Chocolate � Lemonade � Referrals
Sopa � Chocolate caliente � Limonada � Referencias
Have some
FREE soup on us!
� JOB INFO � TRABAJO INFO

� SHELTER INFO � DOMICILIO INFO
� DRUGS & � INFO PROGRAMAS
ALCOHOL PARA REHABILITATION
PROGRAM DE DROGAS Y ALCOHOL
INFO
�REFERRALS �REFERIDOS
�FOOD �COMIDA
�CLOTHING �ROPA
�PRAYER �ORACION
Soup � Hot Chocolate � Lemonade � Referrals

Sopa � Chocolate caliente � Limonada � Referencias
Have some
FREE soup on us!
� JOB INFO � TRABAJO INFO

� SHELTER INFO � DOMICILIO INFO
� DRUGS & � INFO PROGRAMAS
ALCOHOL PARA REHABILITATION
PROGRAM DE DROGAS Y ALCOHOL
INFO
�REFERRALS �REFERIDOS
�FOOD �COMIDA
�CLOTHING �ROPA
�PRAYER �ORACION 45
Bus # 1 Schedule:
Tue./Martes: N. Bronx � 183rd & Grand Concourse
Thur./Jueves: S. Bronx � 152nd St. & Courtlandt

Ave.
Fri./Viernes: Harlem � 124th & Park Ave.
Sat./Sabado: S. Bronx � 147th & Brook Ave.
Bus # 2 Schedule:
Contact:
Thur./Jueves: Bronx � Tremont & Lafontane Ave. (201) 376-0888 (bus #1)
(201) 832-2373 (bus #2)
Fri./Viernes: Manhattan � (Chelsea Park) (908) 413-3116 (bus #2)
28th St. between 9th & 10th (800) 736-2773 (office/la oficina)
Website: www.reliefbus.org
Sat./Sabado: Bushwick � (Maria Hernandez Park)
Knickerbocker & Starr
Bus # 1 Schedule:
Tue./Martes: N. Bronx � 183rd & Grand Concourse
Thur./Jueves: S. Bronx � 152nd St. & Courtlandt

Ave.
Fri./Viernes: Harlem � 124th & Park Ave.
Sat./Sabado: S. Bronx � 147th & Brook Ave.
Bus # 2 Schedule:
Contact:
Thur./Jueves: Bronx � Tremont & Lafontane Ave.
(201) 376-0888 (bus #1)
(201) 832-2373 (bus #2)
Fri./Viernes: Manhattan � (Chelsea Park)
(908) 413-3116 (bus #2)
28th St. between 9th & 10th (800) 736-2773 (office/la oficina)
Website: www.reliefbus.org
Sat./Sabado: Bushwick � (Maria Hernandez Park)
Knickerbocker & Starr
46
OUTREACH BRIEF SHEET
We exist to connect the poor, oppressed. addicted with a path toward help and hope. Through outreach partnerships, we
seek to be a bridge between human need and resources to meet those needs. These things we do...that others may live.
• For your safety and availability, don’t leave the

WHY ARE WE HERE? Relief Bus area alone (stay within the territory of the
ISAIAH 58:6-12 (NIV) bus).
• Tells us how important it is to demonstrate God’s
love through serving the poor. • When you are given a Relief Bus position to serve in
please don’t leave your spot without checking with the
MATTHEW 25:31-40 (NIV) bus leader first.
• Shows that God takes it personal when we serve
others in Jesus’ name. • Do not give out money or carry anything expensive
on you, especially jewelry.
OUTREACH STATIONS
• Avoid getting involved in any fruitless conversations,
1. Street Outreach: Being friendly and sharing religious debates or arguments. Please be careful not
bus information while talking to people on to force God on those not ready to receive Him.
the street.
2. Bus Kitchen: Serving soup, bread, and • Use wisdom when demonstrating physical affection
drinks.
as it can be misunderstood. Try to use only hand
3. Tables: Information (free bibles/lit./street shakes or pats on the shoulder.
sheets), clothing, food, and children’s tables.
4. Office: The staff will provide pastoral • Because it’s possible for some people to be aggressive
guidance, and referrals for detoxes/programs. on the streets. Alert the staff about any situation that
causes you concern.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Always wash your hands before eating and cover any
• As you serve at the outreach stations, be friendly cuts on your body.
and compassionate with people.
• Take someone with you if you need to go to the
• We believe God’s heart is that all of us come to restroom (two ladies should take one male
find hope in Him. God takes everyone through a companion).
process, we can help in that process by giving food,
making a friend, praying, encouraging, and shar- • Never give out your personal information to a
ing with the hurt and needy around us. stranger on the streets. Check with the leader for any
special situations.
• If you plan to take pictures/video of strangers, ask
them for permission first.
• Let others know about the available resources. If any-
one asks you a question in regards to a shelter, detox,
• Please put your cell phones away during ministry
rehab, medical, etc., always connect them to one of
time (no games, texting, music players).
the staff.
For your protection and guidance you will have leaders placed over you, and we request that you follow their
instructions. Authority is needed for order, please allow us to be your covering during this ministry time.
47
ISAIAH 58:612 (NIV) MATTHEW 25:3140 (NIV)
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have 31 "When the Son of Man comes in his
chosen: to loose the chains of injustice glory, and all the angels with him, he will
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
the oppressed free and break every
yoke? 32 All the nations will be gathered before
him, and he will separate the people one
7 Is it not to share your food with the from another as a shepherd separates the
hungry and to provide the poor wanderer sheep from the goats.
with shelter when you see the naked,
to clothe him, and not to turn away from 33 He will put the sheep on his right and
your own flesh and blood? the goats on his left.
8 Then your light will break forth like the 34 "Then the King will say to those on his
dawn, and your healing will quickly ap right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my
pear; then your righteousness will go be Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
fore you, and the glory of the LORD will prepared for you since the creation of the
be your rear guard. world.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will 35 For I was hungry and you gave me

answer; you will cry for help, and he will something to eat, I was thirsty and you
say: Here am I. "If you do away with the gave me something to drink, I was a
yoke of oppression, with the pointing fin stranger and you invited me in,
ger and malicious talk,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf I was sick and you looked after me, I was
of the hungry and satisfy the needs of in prison and you came to visit me.'
the oppressed, then your light will rise in
the darkness, and your night will become 37 "Then the righteous will answer him,
like the noonday. 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you some
11 The LORD will guide you always; he thing to drink?
will satisfy your needs in a sunscorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You 38 When did we see you a stranger and
will be like a wellwatered garden, like a invite you in, or needing clothes and
spring whose waters never fail. clothe you?
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient 39 When did we see you sick or in prison

ruins and will raise up the ageold foun and go to visit you?'
dations; you will be called Repairer of
Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth,
Dwellings. whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
48
Daily Log Sheet
Date: ________________________
Location: ____________________
t
is
e
ur
hr
at
rC
Relief Bus #:______
er
fo
it
rm
ns
Sh / L
ng
io
Fo
er
ts
e
hi
t
is
ic
ay
ee
s
ac
ot
f.
bl
ec
id
ff
Re
Pr
Tr
Bi
Cl
O
K
D
1.
Prayer Request/Petición:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
TOTAL SERVICES
49
(order form on back)
50
The Relief Bus T-shirt Order Form
Support The Relief Bus and pre-order your Relief Bus T-shirts today! Mail this order form at
least two weeks in advance to receive your T-shirts the date of your scheduled outreach!
CHURCH/ORGANIZATION ________________________________________________________
NAME __________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP __________________________________________
PHONE ______________________
FAX ______________________
E-MAIL _________________________________________________
DATE OF SCHEDULED OUTREACH ____________________________
Size Quantity Total Price
XS ____ X $15 ________

S ____ X $15 ________
M ____ X $15 ________
L ____ X $15 ________
XL ____ X $15 ________
XXL ____ X $15 ________
XXXL ____ X $16 ________
GRAND TOTAL ________
Personal Check or Money Order are acceptable forms of payment.

Please make checks out to New York City Relief.
Mail this order form and payment to:
The Hope Center

1181 E Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
Please note: All sizes are subject to availability. If we do not have your size, we will contact you.
For questions, please call 1-800-736-2773
51
Order from
Amazon.com
today!
Ministries of Mercy: The Barbarian Theirs is the Kingdom: Irresistible Revolution,

The Call of the Jericho Way, by Erwin Celebrating the Gospel by Shane Claiborne. $10
Road, by Timothy J. Raphael in Urban America, by
Keller. $11 McManus. $12 Robert D. Lupton. $11
Order from
The Hope Center
1-800-736-2773
God’s Beggars: My The Street Bible: A New

Adventures Discovering and Interesting take on
God In The Inner City, The Book of Matthew
by Juan Galloway. $12 and The Book of Acts,
by Juan Galloway. $12
Compassion By Command
A faith-based curriculum designed to
mobilize Christians to reach out to the Order from
poor in their communities. Includes DVD. Compassion By Command
$50 1-616-895-5356
www.compassionbycommand.org
52
Lord, Save Us From Your The Global Leadership
Followers: Why is the Gospel of Summit 2006: Bono: An
Love Dividing America?, by Dan Exclusive Personal Interview
Merchant. – Conference DVD.
Book & DVD. Note: One DVD will be sent

free of charge to a church.
See website for details and pricing:
For details, e-mail Willow
http://www.lordsaveusthemovie.com Creek at:
info@willowcreek.org.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hope Center Book Order Form
CHURCH/ORGANIZATION
________________________________________________________
NAME __________________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP __________________________________________
PHONE ______________________
FAX ______________________
E-MAIL _________________________________________________
Book Quantity Total Price
God’s Beggars ____ X $12 ________

The Street Bible ____ X $12 ________
Subtotal ________
Shipping (please call) ________
GRAND TOTAL ________
Personal check or money orders are acceptable forms of payment.

Please make out checks to The Hope Center.
Mail this order form and payment to:
The Hope Center

1181 E Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (800) 736-2773
Please allow 2-3 weeks for your shipment to arrive.
53
STAFF CONTACTS
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Juan Galloway
Director of Communications and Outreach Partner Development
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
1-800-736-2773 ext. 211
Jim Berry
Outreach Administrator/Trainer
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
1-800-736-2773 ext. 206
Volunteer Coordinator
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
1-800-736-2773
54
Leader’s Training Curriculum Feedback Form
Leaders, please let us know how these materials have helped you prepare for The Relief Bus. After
you have completed the training materials, answer the questions below and return by mail with
the enclosed envelope in the side pocket of this curriculum. We need your comments and
suggestions to help us make these training materials more effective!
Your answers will remain anonymous.
1) How well did your team respond to the DVD segments?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
the team member printed curriculum?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
the group interaction/exercises?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2) As a leader, how useful did you find the “leader tips” to be?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
55
the Bible study materials?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
the PowerPoint?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3) Did you use all of the training curriculum sessions or did you choose parts of
the curriculum? If so, which parts?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
4) In what ways could we make more improvements the areas listed above?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5) Other comments/suggestions?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Mail this form to:

The Hope Center
Attn: Juan Galloway
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
56
PRAYER (10 min)
Pray for favor with making connections, so

we can help people with their needs and
connect them to help (detox, rehab, food
pantry, etc.).
Pray for your ministry time in the kitchen, at

the tables and ministry on the streets and that
people will be open to receive help.
Pray for the leadership staff placed over you

for wisdom and discernment for the entire day.
Pray for God’s peace and protection so that

there will be no arguing or aggression from
those we minister to.
New York City Relief

1181 E Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
(908) 352-8778
www.reliefbus.org
hope@nycr.org
57
HOW TO GET MORE
INVOLVED
The following pages will give you more ways to serve

God by serving others and ultimately maximize your
missions experience with us at The Relief Bus!
58
Your church or outreach organization can order hygiene kits
for the homeless! The Relief Bus will distribute kits to the
needy in New York City and inner-cities in New Jersey. You
can also collect hygiene products for The Hope Center!
Female Kits Baby Kits Male Kits

(box of 144) (box of 144) (box of 144)
• Toothpaste (.6 oz) • Baby Bath (2 oz) • Toothpaste (.6 oz)

• Toothbrush • Comb/Brush set • Toothbrush
• Dresser Comb 8” • Pacifier • Comb 5”
• Shampoo Packet (2) • Diapers (4 pack) • Shampoo Packet (2)
• Soap (1 oz) • Soap (1 oz)
• Tissue Packet • Razor
• Sanitary Pad/Tampon • Shave Cream Packet (2)
$157 shipped $157 shipped $157 shipped
Order the kits above, or for Relief Bus donations, make your own kits and seal them in Ziploc
bags! For Hope Center donations, package the bags by product (bag of toothbrushes, bag of
soap, etc.) & ship them to us or bring them with you to the outreach!
We also accept new socks and underwear packaged!
Order Hygiene Kits from: Ship Hygiene Kits to:
Start – Rite, Inc. The Hope Center or The Relief Bus

P.O. Box 148 1181 E Broad St.
Bohemia, NY 11716 Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Phone: (631) 205-1900 Phone: (908) 352 – 8778
Fax: (631) 205-1593 http://www.nycr.org
http://www.startriteinc.com
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
NOVEMBER 15th - February 15th
Blankets, Gloves, Coats and Hats!

‘Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked…’Isaiah 58
‘As you have done this to the least of them, you did it to Me.‘ Matthew 25
It will be cold this winter. You can help ‘clothe the naked’ this season!
• Your church/organization can donate NEW/USED blankets, gloves, coats and hats!
• Assign a person in your church or organization to collect the items and mail them!
• ITEMS MUST BE ORANIZED INTO BAGS BY MENS, WOMENS, AND
CHILDRENS. ALL BAGS MUST BE LABELED.
• The Relief Bus and The Hope Center will distribute them to the streets of New York
City and inner-cities of New Jersey.
• Please limit USED items to be in good condition and CLEANED. We do not have
the means to wash clothing.
• You can also donate new socks and underwear packaged during anytime of the year!
Thank you for your obedience to God’s Word!
Mail donations to:

The Hope Center/The Relief Bus
1181 E Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Help spread God‘s word to the poor, oppressed and addicted in the inner-city!
It‘s quick and easy! Order bibles and have them shipped to us and we‘ll hand
them out to those in need at The Hope Center and The Relief Bus!
Type of What can I Where can I order? What does it

Donation donate? cost?
BIBLE “The Story of ibsdirect.com $58

God” NIV Bible (case of 24)
NLT Outreach bibles.com $72

Edition Bible (case of 24)
SPANISH BIBLE NVI Evangelism ibsdirect.com $72

Bibles (case of 24)
NEW GNT bibles.com $39

TESTAMENT Outreach Edition (case of 50)
New Testament
SPANISH NT NVI Spanish ibsdirect.com $40

Paperback New (case of 50)
Testament
SCRIPTURE NIV Bookazine ibsdirect.com $50
PORTIONS Gospel of John (case of 200)
PROMISE 199 Promises of christianbook.com $40

BOOKS God (case of 50)
KIDS BIBLE My Little Bible christianbook.com $45

(case of 10)
You can also collect used bibles & ship them or bring them with you to
the outreach! For shipments, send to:
The Hope Center/The Relief Bus

1181 E Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
1-800-736-2773
CREATIVE ARTS FOR THE STREETS
Here’s more ideas for your team to get involved at the Relief Bus. Get creative and do a
street drama, street worship or a street dance! Check it out!
STREET DRAMA
VISIT: http://www.ywam.org/books/drama.htm
Each drama kit includes a music soundtrack, training footage, a manual and a box with
necessary props material. The drama presentations do not require spoken words; they
are therefore appropriate for pretty much any language group.
Dramas to choose from:

THE WOMAN: $125.00 THE FAMILY: $125.00
KING OF HEARTS: $180.00 THE REDEEMER: $165.00
DECISION TIME: $125.00 THE CHAMPION: $125.00
Does your team already have a drama? Take it to the streets! We welcome any form of
Christian drama for your team to bring for your ministry at The Relief Bus!
STREET WORSHIP
Bring your own instruments to the streets and worship God with your team and The
Relief Bus!
STREET DANCE
VISIT: http://www.worshipsteps.com
Buy instructional dance videos for your team, choreograph the dance, and bring it to the
streets! View sample video clips and choose from the following titles!
Dances to choose from: $25 a dance

ONLY GETTING STARTED TILL THE WALLS FALL
HERE I AM SOVEREIGN
SHACKLES GLORIOUS
Does your team already have a dance? Bring it to the streets! We welcome any form of
Christian dance for your team to bring for your ministry at The Relief Bus!
Contact us for more questions or how to get involved more!

The Relief Bus
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
1‐800‐736‐2773 ext. 206 or 211
Help us Reach Kid’s
on the Streets!
Each time we go out on the bus, kids from the community come to hang out with us! We
need your help to pour into their lives. Some of the ways we pour into them is through
fun activities such as crafts, coloring, face painting, balloons and much more!
Here are some ways you can help!
PURCHASE AND SHIP FROM: www.createforless.com

FACE PAINTING
Palmer Paint Pot Set 12pc Specialty Face $15.00 for 3 sets
PURCHASE AND SHIP FROM: www.orientaltrading.com

CRAFTS
Color Your Own! Fuzzy Stickers $4.99 for 12
Faith Bracelet Craft Kit $3.99 for 12
Cross Faith Necklace Craft Kit $5.49 for 12
12 Pairs Of Design Your Own! White Shoelaces $4.99 for 12
COLORING SETS
Sports Coloring Sets $4.99 for 12
Princess Coloring Sets $4.99 for 12
BALLOONS
Mini Micro Animal Balloons with Pump $9.95 makes 100
SIDEWALK CHALK
Jumbo Sidewalk Chalk $3.95 per box
Search for other items from Oriental Trading to order and sort into 1‐quart plastic bags for
gifts: pencils, pens, erasers, stickers, candy, bubble bottles, bubble gum coins, kid’s
stationary, and bookmarks.
You can also collect these items & ship them or bring them with you to the outreach!
Send shipments to:
1181 E. Broad St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201
No glass or cellophane, please! Bring these foods to
The Hope Center when you come to serve or mail them!
Mail food donations to:
THE HOPE CENTER
1181 E. Broad St.
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Consider going above and beyond your trip to The Relief Bus by expanding your
trip budget to include one of the fundraising projects listed! Use extra
money raised above your trip cost to go toward these goals.
This will make further impact in our ministry to the poor!
MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
Adopt a day on the bus ($550) 4-days ($2200).
Buy cups for a week ($160) a month ($640).
Buy gas for a week ($300) a month ($1200).
FUNDRAISERS
Walk-a-thon – Organize a walk-a-thon for people to sponsor $$$ a mile for
team members to walk “x” number of miles for their urban missions trip.
Servant Auctions – Auction a servant off to a urban missions trip! Auction

a servant to mow lawns, babysit, household chores, gardening, special
projects, etc.
Car Washes – Have free car washes, donations accepted!
Dinner and a Movie – Charge “x” amount of $$$ for couple to see a dinner
and a movie. Team members make dishes for the dinner and pick-out a
movie to watch!
Bake Sales – Sell those homemade baked goods!
Support letter – Use the sample support letter on the next page to help
raise funds for your total missions trip cost. This letter is a guideline subject
to your leader’s approval.
Dear (Name of Friend or Family),
Please consider partnering with me to
I am writing to let you know about an help those in need by supporting me for $25,
exciting opportunity I have to go and serve the $50, $100 or any amount. If you choose to give
poor and homeless in New York City. In New I will send you a letter when I return letting you
York City and New Jersey there are over know what happened on my adventure. Please
80,000 homeless people and 13,100 children make out your check to (Name of Church/
sleep in the New York City shelter system. Organization) and mail it to
(Church/Organization Address, City, State,
I will be volunteering with a team from Zip code)*. Church donations are tax-
my church, (Your Church/Organization deductible. If you have any questions, please
Name) on The Relief Bus, a mobile outreach to feel free to write me at my email (Your Email
the needy. The Relief Bus is Address), or give me a call at (Your
customized to serve delicious soup Phone Number).
and bread out of the side. People
appreciate the food, but they also Together I believe that we can
Your picture
receive the opportunity to connect make a difference in the lives of
goes here.
to vital resources such as shelter, people that much of society has given
job training, detox or drug/alcohol up on. Thank you so much for your
rehabilitation. consideration.
The Relief Bus has directly distributed Sincerely,

3,826,581 servings of food and drink to the
homeless and connected 151,097 people to
help and hope. You can see a great and short (Your Signature)
video about The Relief Bus at
(Write personal note here by hand. Example:
www.reliefbus.org.
“Look forward to seeing you this Christmas
Grandma!”)
As I offer food, love and prayer to the
people on the streets of New York, I believe
that lives will be impacted for the better. I will
be traveling to work with this organization from
(date) to (date). In order to complete this *Note: The Relief Bus does not process donations for the cost
mission, I will need help. The cost to participate of this trip.
in this mission of mercy is $ (Amount
determined by your team leader).
Bibliography
Frangipane, Francis. (1989). The Three Battlegrounds. Cedar Rapids: Arrow Publications.
Galloway, Juan. (2004). 28, The Street Bible. New York City Relief.
Galloway, Juan. (2005). Gods Beggars. New York City Relief.
Holy Bible, The. (1986). New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
McManus, Erwin R. (2001). An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in
Mind. Orange: Yates & Yates.
Ringma, Charles. (2000). Dare to Journey with Henry Nouwen. Colorado Springs: Pinion.
Sherman, Amy L. (2000). Sharing God’s Heart for the Poor, Meditations for Worship, Prayer and
Service. Charlottesville, VA.: Urban Ministries of Trinity Presbyterian Church,
Indianapolis: Welfare Policy Center of the Hudson Institute.
67

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LEADER’S GUIDE

“A Day in the Life of the Bus” 5

“Street Ministry 101” Part I 13

“Street Ministry 101” Part II 21

The Relief Bus Schedule 30

How To Get More Involved 58

DISTRIBUTE VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS

VIDEO - “A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE BUS” (5 min)

QUESTIONS (10 min)

Why are you going?

How do you hope to grow?

“Go to those people in need and connect them to resources.”

Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

QUESTION: What are some examples of social injustice

QUESTION: What are “the cords of the yoke?” (types of

Isaiah 58:7-10 (NIV)

QUESTION: Who is “the poor wanderer” in our cities?

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

QUESTION: How does “the pointing finger and malicious

“The word translated “spend” in verse 10, connotes the idea of

Isaiah 58:11-12 (NIV)

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

QUESTION: Can you think of an example of when you ever

Maybe you got closer to God spiritually, blessed in a material

PRAYER (10 min)

Pray for your trip(s) on the bus.

Pray Isaiah 58 and to have a heart to follow

Pray for those on the streets.

* See also Psalm 68:6; 107:1-20

Why share my story?

BEFORE I MET JESUS

AFTER I MET JESUS

MY LIFE WITH JESUS

COLLECT VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS AND MAIL THEM

VIDEO - “STREET MINISTRY 101” Part I

Ministry - attend to the wants and needs of others, to give

“The poor are not a problem to be fixed,

PAUSE VIDEO after 0:52 seconds.

We don’t want to overwhelm people with our intellectual superiority or

QUESTION: What are ways in the past you have ministered to

Bought someone lunch, served on a missions trip doing

“HOW TO DO EFFECTIVE STREET MINISTRY”

Go three questions deep. When someone answers a question, ask them

PAUSE VIDEO after 3:55 minutes.

REVIEW fill-in-the-blank answers with your group.

Moral superiority only intimidates people and causes shame and

GROUP EXERCISE (10 min): In groups of 2 or 3 (men with men

Compassion means, “To suffer together with”.

I.E.- “That must have really felt….”

GROUP EXERCISE (10 min): In groups of 2 or 3, practice

BIBLE STUDY (15 min)

came on visiting day to see me.

We don’t remember you being hungry, thirsty,

being a stranger, out of clothes, sick as a dog or locked up in the clink.’

in life, you were doing it for me. Great job!”

It was in the messiness of serving others that the disciples broke

In America we have come to a place as believers where we don’t

2) This is where our faith comes alive.

As Charles Ringma says in Dare to Journey with Henry Nouwen,

Francis Frangipane writes in The Three Battlegrounds, “Is your love

LEADER – Instruct each of the participants to pray for the following:

Pray Matthew 25.

Pray for boldness and strength to serve

Pray that we would learn how to get to know