Compassionate Transformation
Luther Eatman believes that every person has value, and that even the most physically and spiritually bankrupt person can be transformed through Jesus Christ.
Luther believes this because of his own despair and brokenness. His compassionate ministry flows out of experiencing personal devastation by addiction. Apart from God’s miraculous intervention in his own life, Luther would have been written off as hopeless.
His salvation experience was dramatic and quick-in a crack house of all places! Luther is one of the 15 percent or so of believers who have "Damascus Road" conversion experiences. In the midst of his dark sin, fear, and paranoia, God broke through and spoke truth into Luther’s heart. In an instant he was saved, walked out of the crack house, and two blocks further down the street dedicated his life to serving the Lord.
That was 17 years ago, and today Luther is an ordained minister who allows his past of drug dealing, pimping, and crime to speak with compassion and authority to those who are walking in their own devastation.
Meeting Earthly Needs
Luther planted the Bridge of Hope Community Church, which connects the world to Jesus Christ. They believe in taking care of any earthly need as best they can, and then leading people to the truths of Jesus Christ. "Our main priority is to cultivate a relationship with Christ," said Luther.
They do this by providing transitional housing situations (Healing Houses) for those who have nowhere else to turn. "We help people come from the streets, jails, treatment centers, and detox centers," Luther explained. "We help them get treatment, and then place them in our transitional facilities for as long as they need help." People can stay as long as they want (some permanently), but the average stay is two years.
The Healing Houses consist of four homes for women, two for men, and an apartment complex for women and children. When people come to the Healing Houses, they are bankrupt in all ways. The staff helps them with medical issues, transportation, job searches, and any other physical and spiritual needs. They work with people to help them get their families back. If possible, (with the help of donors and partners) people are moved beyond transitional housing to purchasing homes and building new and transformed communities.
Bridge of Hope Community church also has a congregation of about 125 attendees each week in its Sunday worship services. Eighty percent come from spiritually bankrupt situations, while another 20 percent of the congregation has chosen to come alongside the people and minister to them. Luther sums up all of their ministry strategies as "compassionate transformation."
Contextual Church Planting
While in seminary, Luther’s advisor gave his name to one of the EFCA Midwest District leaders. Luther "fell in love with the EFCA doctrine" and decided to plant a church that is now seven years old. The denominational church planting ministry understands there are unique contextual needs in the urban community, which frees Luther to partner with like-minded ministries to help fund and resource the Healing Houses. Because the church offerings average only about $400 per month, Luther has to raise funds for his salary.
But in the context of urban ministry, Luther has a leadership team that understands what it means to be shunned by society. All of Luther’s key leaders come out of the same spiritually bankrupt background.
"We know their pain and we don’t judge them," said Luther. By showing the compassion of Christ, they help individuals know how valuable they are to God-and that they can be assets instead of liabilities to society. Thousands have come through the doors of the Healing Houses, and as Luther says, "We embrace them when they come and we don’t judge them-just like the prodigal."
"We can see the change in their whole demeanor," he adds, "and that motivates us to go out and do more."
