Teaching churches how to effectively serve the poor & mentally ill homeless
Well-meaning churches often waste resources on “feel good” projects. Pastor Tack’s upcoming book explains how to truly help.
After fifty years serving the poor, Pastor Don Tack developed a unique perspective on the do’s and don’ts of poverty ministry.
As an Evangelical pastor, speaker, professor, consultant and writer, he advised hundreds of churches, colleges, groups and agencies about how to best use their resources to effectively serve the poor and homeless. He decided to share his extensive knowledge and experiences in a book he wrote to show churches how to fulfill the Biblical imperative to help those in need.
A Biblical Response to Poverty in America: Serving Poor People Through the Local Church ~ Upcoming book by Pastor Don Tack*
*Pastor Don Tack joined his Savior in heaven on 12/10/23. His family will still be publishing his book on his behalf.
Tack’s book offers churches advice about creating or improving their poverty ministry.
Pastor Tack shares stories from his 50 years working in poverty ministry and how churches need to play a key role. This new book is a teaching resource for church leaders, members, agencies and groups who want to create or improve their outreach programs. It highlights the Bible’s many imperatives to help the poor and sick - contrasted with modern churches’ lack of preparation to meet those directives. Poverty is complex, but this book helps to educate those who want to provide solutions - in urban, suburban or rural settings.
Don interviewed over 100 pastors around West Michigan about the level of preparation they were given in seminary to help the needy. It became apparent there’s an unfortunate knowledge gap at our Christian universities - and thus church leaders and congregations. He felt led by the Lord to share his insights in order to create effective efforts.
This 10-minute 2009 video highlights our direct street outreach approach to poverty ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“There are hundreds out there, living under bridges, in abandoned buildings, in parks, and in the woods along the Grand River.”
Can your church help?
Churches play a key role in the effort to help those in need. Financial and human resources that are designated for charity can be used to directly save lives. Create, improve and expand your church programs and partner with existing programs.
“We’ve been able to expand on Don’s 50 years of poverty ministry — and his successes helping the mentally ill homeless.”
— Peggy Boverhof, Servants Center Executive Director