2014 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com November 26, 2014 5
acceptance, and equality that comes from
Jesus,” and says “[the] number one thing is
not programs, but people relationships. The
kids we picnic with on Sundays call us the
church people. That’s alright because that’s
who we are! We want to provide a different
experience of Jesus than most people have
seen before; who comes to where you are,
not expecting you to clean up on the outside
and attend a Sunday service before he will
meet with you.”
In the past several months, “His Hands
Outreach” has been hosting Sunday
picnics at Ray White Park, praying with
people who come to the park, growing
a community garden on Madison street,
giving vegetables from the garden to
neighbors, providing children activities at
a community night hosted by the city of
Lincoln, and installing a new basketball
hoop at the park.
Through the picnics and community
garden, Tibbits and the other members
of His Hands Outreach have gotten to
know many of the neighbors in the area
surrounding Ray White park. A relative
of one of the neighbors has been providing
“gardening tips” and trying to help “locate
property for a community center” according
to Tibbits.
Tibbits says God “has been closing doors
and opening doors. . . We don’t have
money, but we have tons of love and
support.” He notes that “Our big need right
now is a building for a community center.
Winter is on our heels and we have no place
to gather. Building relationships and trust
without a building this winter will require
us to get even more creative and raise the
bar of commitment. We are intentional in
this pursuit of chasing Jesus.” As part of
this pursuit, another goal is to eventually
“plant a non-denominational, non-
traditional worship center with a relaxed
coffee shop atmosphere . . .
[providing activities such as] community
concerts events, plays, youth nights, dances,
karaoke, and open-mic night.”
As we head towards thanksgiving, a
few members of the group expressed
thankfulness for being able to reach out to
others. Don and Deb Hoover, who have
worked with “His Hands Outreach” since
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