Making Spirits Bright
Story by Ashley Elvington • Reflection Images by Tracy Rowell
“
IT’S WHAT THE CHURCH
IS SUPPOSED TO BE,
A BUNCH OF BROKEN
SINNERS, THERE TO
WORSHIP GOD.
T
he first year was spent inside of a barber shop. “We would rent out the space on
Sunday and have church in the middle of the building, surrounded by barber
collecting things to give to these children they’ve never met so they can learn about Christ.
chairs! The logistics of throwing all of the chairs and other supplies we needed
Talk about the Gospel! The best thing about being a part of this church is watching the lives
into our trucks and getting set up before everyone showed up was sometimes
transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
stressful; but, looking at how God has worked through and blessed the ministry, we would do
While giving of themselves, Matt and his team haven’t run short of blessings. “Each member
it all over as many times as He called us to.” As the ministry grew, Matt witnessed firsthand the
has inspired me. I’ve never seen a group of people with more pride in having a place to wor-
feedback received from the community. “The responses have been 99.9% overwhelmingly
ship. Because of this church, my faith has been strengthened ten-fold. My biggest challenge is
positive. We’ve heard great things from other churches, the community, and even the city.
trying to keep up with all of the absolutely incredible ways we’ve seen lives transformed. I am
There are a few people who don’t understand… and that’s ok, too. The important thing to
honored and humbled to have been given this opportunity.”
remember is that this is God’s church, not ours. Our biggest prayer is that His will is done and that
He is glorified through this ministry and not any of us.”
It is Matt’s wish this Christmas season that the church continues to bring the all-too-tragic
reality of homelessness to the attention of others in the community. “There are a lot of hurting
At Whosoever, it doesn’t matter where you come from. “Whosoever exists as God’s
people. In some respects, the church as a whole has become lazy and turned over a lot of what
church where all are welcome to come and worship without fear of someone look-
it is supposed to be done to the government. But, it won’t work without Christ as the center.”
ing down on you.” But, it’s more than just Sunday worship. “We provide seven meals a
Matt is in the process of moving to Birmingham, Alabama. However, he is leaving Whosoever
week and open the church as a shelter during the winter months and anytime there are
in good hands. “Kevin Hatchell and Chris Franco (the pastors), Kevin Mitchell and Jennifer
extreme weather conditions throughout the year.” All of the church members are volunteers
Stewart (the worship leaders), and Landon Reynolds (the poor guy who has taken my spot)
and all donations go towards food and keeping the church running as a shelter. For Matt,
are the backbone of the church. They continue to follow God’s lead in running Whosoever.
Whosoever is a perfect fit. “It’s real people with real problems who don’t put on a mask when
Two very important men, Shawn and Lucus, have faithfully stayed up most nights and run the
they walk in the doors on Sunday. It’s what the church is supposed to be, a bunch of broken
shelter portion of the church. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
sinners, there to worship God who poured out His grace upon us through Jesus.” Christmas is
As for Matt, this place will always hold a special place in his heart. “Whosoever will always be
an especially memorable time of the year at Whosoever, when sharing Christ’s love is set into
the greatest blessing I’ve ever been a part of. My wife and I feel that God brought us to Florence,
overdrive. “We have groups that have been with us since the beginning that always take time
and we came on faith. Now, He has called us somewhere new.” No matter where he resides,
to make every holiday special. We have a traditional Christmas meal and a Christmas Eve and
Matt will continue to show Christ’s love to those who need Him the most, happy and eager to
Day service. The most awesome part for me is seeing the shoeboxes of items for underpriv-
fulfill each step of the destiny God has planned for him.
ileged children for O