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The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Death in the Streets


A couple of weeks ago, I met Geraldo, a pastor of Haitian descent. His build was average for an older man, and his face was lit like a man who had seen Jesus. His ministry was different than any others I have seen in my travels. The hub of his ministry was on a compound surrounded by stone walls and barbed wire. From the front, the compound consisted of two buildings protected by twenty-four-hour security wielding a pistol-gripped twelve-gauge shotgun. On the left was a church filled with joy that trauma and tragedy couldn’t take away, and on the right, an old folk’s home with what appeared to be 20 beds. The beds looked like hospital beds that you may see in an old war movie. No frills. Just metal framed beds with thin mattresses. Geraldo led the church and the home.

I couldn’t understand why Geraldo would have this type of ministry in a city. He loved these people, and they loved him, but why a ministry with a population connected to the end of life. I understood that this pastor’s compassion was fed off the spring of a horrid past. His parents lived in Haiti, and the area where they lived had no provision for the elderly. That primitive society saw no value in their old, leaving them to die of exposure and starvation. Years ago, Geraldo witnessed atrocities and decided to make a difference. Hence, the church and old folks home started behind compassion of stone and grace.

Geraldo was remarkably humble and passionate. He spoke with conviction but with the heart of Christ, and his voice echoed throughout the church only to be drowned out by the signing of his congregation. Compassion led this man to change his course and begin to care for the spiritually and physically infirm. Geraldo’s compassion compels me to be a better man, but isn’t that what happens when we surround ourselves with good men? I met Geraldo, and I saw Jesus.

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:22-23, ESV

 

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