My name is David Steger. I was raised in Foursquare, and I am a member of Puyallup Foursquare Church in Puyallup, Wash., pastored by Roger and Tina Archer. I oversee a ministry called Matthew 25 Outreach.
I always had a desire to help people, but I thought I was way too shy to do it. When I was 22, I helped out with various churches to feed homeless people. I started helping the South Sound Dream Center when I was 25.
I went with the group to hand out food but would stand behind everyone, because I was so shy. I realized I had to break out of this shyness. Slowly, I began to build more confidence in myself, and I got to do a lot of different things with the Dream Center.
I realized I was constantly driving by places where I felt people could use help also. I could not ignore the need any longer, so on Sunday mornings after church, I would go home and set up a table in my garage, make 30 lunches, and take them out to the homeless and residents in a low-income motel.
Gradually, people began to hear of what I was doing and wanted to help out. So, a group was formed at Puyallup Foursquare Church. I bought a 15-passenger van out of my own pocket to use for the outreach, and I was blessed with wonderful volunteers. We eventually got enough volunteers that we were able to send out two teams.
Between the teams, we now go to eight different locations and serve 260 lunches. We give out diapers and toys for kids in need as well as gloves, socks, candles and other supplies for the homeless. I am a mechanic for a living and have been able to help people by fixing their cars at no cost to them. We all have a skill we can use to help others and to glorify God.
We are getting people connected in the church by shuttling them to services. When we’re out ministering to the homeless, we ask for prayer requests, which we write down and e-mail out to all the volunteers. We also pray for people on the spot when they request it. It’s about being an ear to listen in people’s times of struggle.
My overall vision and future plans include eventually being able to distribute 1,000 lunches each weekend, and to have a Bible study for people in the low-income parks.
I would also love to have a drop-in center, where people could come in to take a shower and get resources for jobs. We would have laundry machines and computers for them to use, and would serve a hot meal. I’d also love to see us be able to provide free medical and dental work, counseling, and have a discipleship home for people to get back on their feet and learn how to be successful in this world.
Another thing I really would love to have is what I would call the Dream Garage. We would be able to help people in need by fixing their cars at no cost to them.
I feel like all the people we serve are part of my family, and I am just taking care of my brothers and sisters. It does not matter what you have done or where you have gone in life, you are still God’s greatest creation, and He loves you.
As they say, you can’t change your past, but you can change your future. So let’s go out and show these people God’s love for them, and encourage them to make right decisions, so they can have a great future in Christ.
