Good Samaritan Ministries

Most of us have heard the tale of the good Samaritan at one time or another.  We all know the meaning of it:  loving our neighbors, helping those in need, going beyond ourselves, serving.  Each of us can do this in our own lives, with our own neighbors and those we see hurting.  One organization doing this on a daily basis is one we are also proud to say is a client, Good Samaritan Ministries.

Founded over 30 years ago, the international organization makes its home in Portland, Oregon with offices throughout the northwest and the world.  They are 100% supported by donations, the majority of their staff are volunteers, and their services are offered free of charge.

Their Mission: Empowering people to live and love as Good Samaritans 

Our Vision: To develop relationship worldwide that demonstrate the love of Jesus in Action

Through our months of working with this ministry we have witnessed them living out their mission and their vision.  Daily.  Purposefully.  Intentionally.  Founded by Betty Mitchell after a trip to Nineveh in 1976, Good Samaritan Ministries continues to live out her vision to change the world, loving one person at a time.  Led by their current Executive Director, Marty Miller, the organization is growing and reaching more people.

For a glimpse of what they do every day, here’s an excerpt from their website:

Through 1000′s of loving volunteers in over a dozen offices in the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID), Good Samaritan Ministries (GSM) provides services to men, women, professionals, families, children, and really anyone in need of heartfelt healing, encouragement,or empowerment. As a 501C3 non-profit organization all Good Samaritan services are provide through donation support and volunteer effort.

GSM offers similar services internationally. Located in over 30 countries, our centers touch the lives of those in need by providing encouragement through service such as widow and orphan programs, care for the elderly, counseling/mentoring, empowerment classes, education for children, and MUCH more

Last year GSM extended scholarships to over 8000 students and provided support to over 70 schools and hundreds of classrooms worldwide. GSM provides programs for food, nurseries, micro credit, orphanages, life skills, agricultural and vocational training.

More than 95% of the GSM’s funding comes from private, individual donations. The activities in each country are sponsored by a “Satellite.” A satellite is a connection of family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who organize themselves to raise money in support of GSM leaders in their adopted country while building lifelong relationships.

The list of classes they offer at their main headquarters in Portland is extensive and they have many volunteer counselors who donate hundreds of hours each month to counsel those who walk through their doors.  If you or someone you know may be in need of counseling or want to take a class, visit their website and call today.

 

If you want a refresher on the Good Samaritan parable – here you go:

The Parable of the Good Samaritan  Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”