This will be the third time that Ryan Duerk, CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries, will sit on a bench for 24 hours to raise awareness for homelessness. The past two times Miracle Hill Ministries hosted the event out front of the Greenville Rescue Mission in downtown Greenville. This year they’re changing benches and moving the event to Anderson, in front of the Anderson County Library from 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 to 3 p.m. on Friday, October 9 on the eve of World Homeless Day on October 10.
Duerk said, “3 in 4 individuals experiencing homelessness in Anderson are unsheltered.”
Pastors, leaders, students, and all community members are invited to come join the conversation about homelessness. Throughout the day and night, Duerk will sit on a bench, answer questions, and listen to other’s express their thoughts on the needs in Anderson. At 9 a.m. and noon on Friday, there will be a guided time of prayer. At the event, they will also be receiving hygiene product donations to give to local organizations, and there will be a table with information to help those who are currently homeless. The event will be livestreamed for anyone who wants to watch on YouTube or Facebook.
Yolanda Pilarte, Public Relations Manager for Miracle Hill Ministries said, “That is why we’re coming to Anderson, because we want to hear not only the people experiencing homelessness in the area, but we want to hear the municipalities, the people in positions of power. We want to hear the churches. We want to hear the students of Anderson University.”
The concept of Conversations on a Bench originated with CityGate Network, an organization that brings together hundreds of ministries across North America in collaboration. Their mission is “advancing the influence and impact of gospel-centered ministries and organizations in order to alleviate poverty, eradicate homelessness, overcome addiction, reduce mental health challenges, and empower life transformation.”
When asked what Miracle Hill Ministries’ heart is behind participating in this nationwide event, Pilarte said, “I think it’s hope. We know for sure that we don’t have the answer to every question, but we do know that when believers come together and pray—that moves the hand of God.”
She continued, “And what these people are in need of, yes, there are physical aspects of it, but it’s salvation in Christ. So, I think underneath it all, this is just a way of sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus, which is the ultimate life changing step to independence and stability. And we’ve seen that in Greenville. We want to see that in Anderson as well.”