David Frankel (right) preached to those who were willing while walking down the streets of North Las Vegas to inform the homeless population that the Kingman Kingdom of God church was providing food. Thomas (left) had once struggled with alcohol abuse and now has colon cancer. This had left him unable to walk, but he has since then regained the ability. Thomas carries the book of John everywhere he goes. Pastor David shares an excerpt of Romans chapter 10 with Thomas. Photo by Noel Mabile
KINGMAN — The Kingman Kingdom of God (KOG) Church travels 100 miles weekly to tend to North Las Vegas’s homeless population. On Friday, November 15, the Kingman KOG church welcomed their youth group to join the event for the first time. “I love that almost all of my youth came. It shows their spirit for service,” admits Tim McCoy, youth group leader for the KOG church. Although the middle and high school-aged children were informed but a day before the event, only two youth group members could not join.
The Kingman KOG church is invited into the Las Vegas Restoration and Recovering Center weekly to set up tables. Barbecuing hot dogs and laying out clothes for those who may need them, KOG encourages the homeless population along the block to participate. This week, Kingman KOG was joined by the 401c non-profit Hot Shoe Hall of Fame to provide people with socks and brand-new pairs of shoes named “Heart Shoes”. Anna J. had been currently living on the streets after being in and out of the hospital several times. “They’re new shoes … It really feels like a gift,” says Anna. Hundreds of homeless civilians will come in search of some light in the darkness.
Pastor David Frankel, who is responsible for the weekly outreach, stresses that the Kingman KOG church hopes to “Earn the right to share the gospel” with the people on the streets of North Las Vegas. The pastor wanted to bring attention to Luke 15 in which he desires Kingman KOG church to help bring the one stray sheep back to the 99. During the event, Pastor David walked blocks down the street of the Restoration Center in search of people who may not have gotten the chance yet to grab food, water, shoes, or clothes. Many allowed him or asked him to pray over them and their situation.
13-year-old Boom Hamilton noticed, “Once they step through the fence, everybody’s calm-it’s like a holy place”.
The KOG church chooses to travel to the Restoration and Recovery Center as many other shelters and outreach centers are located in the area. Catholic charities help fund much of the help that is needed in North Las Vegas as well as the Las Vegas Salvation Army located across from the Restoration Center. The area is in high demand. More than 1,000 homeless reside in homeless shelters on the block, with more than 500 on the streets. Local churches, KOG, and the centers in the area do what they can, but people are still left hungry on the days that these centers are unable to provide.
Lead Pastor of the KOG church, Pastor Bob Peet expresses “They’re gonna be hungry tomorrow.” “The true solution is Jesus.” The pastors of the KOG church urge for any church to join them to bring hope to North Las Vegas. To “… talk to them and give them respect, because nobody else is.”
The youth of the Kingman KOG church had much to say about their first time reaching out to North Las Vegas. 12-year-old Faith Bloomberg explains the impact of seeing teenagers around her age on the streets. “People should get a chance to eat”.
Summer Eaton, also 12, expresses “I like seeing them smile… It shows they’re just as human as we are.” 13-year-old Maranda Raines stated “All of this makes my day … It makes me grateful.”
The head of the Las Vegas Restoration and Recovery Center, Marivelle Nunez, is more than thankful for the efforts of the Kingman KOG church. “[It’s] a blessing to the community. [It] amazes me when someone from another county comes to Nevada. They’ve been a beacon of light.” The center is new to Las Vegas. The restoration center’s building was entrusted to Marivelle by the community as they knew she would use it to do good for the block. The Las Vegas Restoration and Recovery Center has been running for seven months and has recently been fully renovated. They will offer dozens of services such as basic primary care, mental health therapy, food assistance, and substance abuse treatment. To find out more about the Las Vegas Restoration and Recovery Center, call 702-929-8900.
To contact the Kingman Kingdom of God Church, call 928-692-1122.
Noel Mabile
