Hands of Hope ministry giving the homeless ‘a chance to live’

Holmes and Wayne counties and the surrounding area are filled with people and organizations ready to lend a hand and help those in need.

However, when it comes to getting down in the trenches and walking with those who are experiencing life at its darkest, Hands of Hope Outreach Ministry is taking Christ’s example of reaching out to the most destitute literally, extending a hand to those dealing with homelessness and addiction.

“We basically provide hope for those experiencing hopelessness,” said Robert Fry, Hands of Hope founder. “Our goal is to provide a second chance and hope for people who don’t believe they have any. Sometimes good people struggle, and they just need a chance. When do we stop loving? When do we just throw lives away? Jesus taught us to reach out to those struggling in compassion. Our vision is to go out in boldness in the name of Christ to serve the purpose of the church, which is to reach out to the needy.”

Hands of Hope will host its inaugural Set Free Rally June 21-22 at Second Creek near Holmesville, where there will be two days of hope presented through personal testimonies, music, food and a church service.

The event is designed for the whole family with plenty to do for the kids including a giant bounce house, face painting and cotton candy.

On Friday, June 21, a time of meet and greet will begin at 6 p.m., with a music concert slated for 7:30 p.m. On Saturday morning the day will begin with coffee and Danish, followed by a prayer meeting.

The time of personal testimonies will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch. Testimonies will continue at 1 p.m., with a family-style meal slated for 5 p.m. That will be followed by a church service at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m., with story time around the campfire and s’mores at dark.

There will be a $20 freewill donation as part of the service, and people are asked to bring camping chairs and blankets. Baskets of hope will be up for auction at the event, and there will be a 50/50 fundraiser raffle. The event also will include a bike blessing and a bike ride, and there will be a food truck available.

Hands of Hope is an organization that serves as an outreach ministry to struggling individuals at the end of their rope who feel as though they have nowhere else to turn. While they focus on the homeless, they also serve those dealing with an assortment of life’s problems.

Fry understands the struggles and trials of the homeless and less fortunate, not because he learned about it in school, online or in the classroom, but because he lived it. His life is a living testimony of a man who has been at the end of his rope.

Faith and the help of people reaching out to him brought him back to life, and now he and others in the organization want to extend that same hand of love and compassion to others in similar situations.

Thus, his ability to empathize with and understand the homeless comes from a very heartfelt place.

“I found Jesus and people who cared because there was a lot of sin that needed to be removed from my life, and I’ve experienced the lowest of lows,” Fry said. “But I’ve experienced God at work through people, and I challenge anyone who thinks God isn’t real because I know me and there’s only one way I came out of my life, and that’s through God’s grace and people willing to step into the darkness to give me hope.”

Fry and others have been purchasing hotel rooms for people to provide temporary relief. Their hope is the community will come alongside and provide financially to help offer that and many other items that can benefit someone in need.

“Jesus met people where they were, and we have some incredible organizations reaching out to help others,” Fry said. “I’m not here to bash anyone. Our goal is to get down in the trenches where a lot of people don’t want to go to touch lives and give hope.”

Hands of Hope is currently seeking financial donations to help its outreach ministry, which is the purpose of the June 21-22 rally, but also it is in need of items like flashlights, first aid kits, small cooking stoves, propane bottles, water, hygiene items, tarps, sleeping bags, nonperishable food and other items that can benefit the homeless.

Second Creek is located at 9238 County Road 245, north of Holmesville. Anyone with questions can email handsofhope2911@gmail.com or call 330-347-6393.