Raymond Bennett
Christ Central Ministries
took care of me
My name is Raymond Bennett. I am 55-years-old and reside at Christ Central Ministries in Allendale. Six years ago the company I was working for moved out of town which left me without a job. Not having any savings, it was not long before the landlord asked me to leave. I slept under bridges, in the woods, or anywhere I could find a warm place. Then one day someone told me about a homeless shelter that provided food, counseling, clothes, and a bed. Once I moved into Christ Central, things began to come together: One of the pastors involved with the shelter helped me get a job at a chicken farm and before I knew it, I had my own trailer and was back on my feet. Christ Central had taken me off the street and introduced me to Jesus and helped me put my life back together. Once I left, Christ Central became an important part of my life as I wanted to be apart of something God was doing.
However, a terrible nightmare came my way and my wife whom I loved died. There was no way I could deal with the loss, never mind trying to find the resources to give my wife a proper burial. I turned to the only people I knew would help–Christ Central. They again came through for me by finding someone who would provide the entire burial expense. I will never be able to say enough for this. But without my wife I didn’t care about myself, work, or anything else. The only place I felt loved was at Christ Central so I asked to come back until I got over the loss of my wife.
I have never found an organization that cared like Christ Central. They have given me back my life, a reason to live, salvation, and friends who are real and always there for you. I wish everyone everywhere had the same opportunities I had at Christ Central. I really believe that if every community had one home like this, homelessness would become a thing of the past. If you really want to know true Christianity, find a Christ Central home and get involved.
Raymond Bennett
Resident
Christ Central Ministries, Allendale
Written in March 2005