The Catholic activist Dorothy Day said once that her biggest battle was with Pride. I understand that. I have a lot of people telling me what an awesome thing I am doing in my work of building relationships with very broken people and teaching others how to do the same. I have spoken at universities and churches and I get calls everyday, wanting my opinion or advice on how to do ministry to the poor. It can be very ego-boosting.

After someone has just spent 15 minutes boosting your ego, it is a very difficult thing to tell them that you are uncertain, or you are not sure, or that you are scared. After a while, it becomes hard to ask for help. As if asking for help diminishes the value of what it is I am out here doing. As if I were not just a broken guy, very much in need of grace.

So, here is the deal. I am officially asking for your help. Not just help for my “flock”, but help for me as well. Here are four things you can do today.

Pray for me & for Love Wins Ministries.

I really mean this. The world I work in is very dark. I can only survive in this environment if I have your prayers behind me.

What is going on out here is nothing less than spiritual warfare. We are doing battle with the systems and powers that would oppress and damage those God loves. And those powers and systems will not go gently.

Go here to sign up for a twice a month email prayer letter that will tell you how best to pray for both me personally as well as for Love Wins Ministries.

Give to us

I have no idea what you think our finances look like, but this thing is held together by hope and prayer. We are $700 a month away from being able to pay me the same salary a full-time employee at McDonald’s makes, minus the health insurance and snazzy uniforms. We need office space, storage space and business cards. We recently had to tell people we can’t buy them any more boots until August because our primary donor had unexpected expenses. We need your financial help. Go here to learn how to be part of our support team.

Talk about us.

A basic belief of our ministry is that following Jesus calls us to have authentic relationships. This is why we won’t cold call churches or send unrequested info packets - it just is not relational. What we need is for you to do is:

Talk about Love Wins Ministries with your friends.

Tell your pastor about what we are doing out here.

Take me (Hugh) to church with you and introduce me to your pastor and friends.

Get your small group or congregation to invite me to speak.

Put a link to our website on your blog.

Follow us on Twitter.

Join our cause on Facebook and invite your friends.

Forward our newsletter to your friends.

Love.

Loving someone who has less stuff than you do can change your life - and theirs. Last week I sat with a small group and talked about ways they could reach out to their community and build real relationships, using their unique gifts. I would love to have a similar conversation with you or with your small group or congregation.

Pray. Give. Talk. Love - Always, Love.

‘Cause Love Wins.

Hugh Hollowell