Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

This Church is about 45 minutes from my house.
I've been there a few times on Friday nights for what they call O-HOP (Oxford House of Prayer) which is a time of worship and prayer and a chance to be ministered to individually by the prayer team


Journal-News.com

Congregation donates shoes off their feet
By Kaitlin Schroeder, Contributing Writer
10:08 PM Sunday, November 21, 2010

OXFORD — While Bob Hostetler, a pastor at Cobblestone Church, did not ask his congregation to give the shirts off their back, he certainly came close.

Explaining to the 150 people in the pews that the Kehr Road church would be partnering with Soles4Souls until Christmas, Hostetler on Sunday morning, Nov. 21, surprised churchgoers with an unexpected turn in his sermon.“Every person in this church came in wearing shoes,” he said. “See where I’m going with this?”

There was a little murmuring and nervous shuffling at this request to take the shoes off their feet, donate them to Soles4Souls, and go home barefoot.

“I know you’re thinking ‘Dang, I’m wearing my favorite pair of shoes’ but I can’t think of any better way to share the gospel than to leave this church barefoot,” said Hostetler. “I was actually praying for snow today.”

Debra Gardner said she decided to donate her footwear “Because God blesses me every day.”

By the end of the service there were four neat rows of shoes of all shapes and sizes lined up across the front of the church.

Aaron Hostetler, a member of the band, donated his pair of shoes that he said he wears almost every day. “I felt God was tapping me on the shoulder, and I felt him talking in that direction,” he said.

Donating the shoes off her feet held special meaning for Jo Nuskey, who said she was glad to let someone in need have her shoes because there was a time when she could not afford to buy them.

Mostly, members seemed to agree that donating something as important as their shoes was a good way to practice living selflessly.

“I thought it was a good exercise,” said member Brett Strickland.

Soles4Souls is a charity that collects shoes and donates them across the world to areas where shoes are a luxury for the poor. The Cobblestone Church will be collecting shoes from now until Christmas.

Last year, the church raised money during the Christmas season to build nine wells in other countries. In comparison, Hostetler said that he knew this year’s surprise charity request was riskier, but he was moved by the response.

“You know, I’ve been going to church for 52 years now,” said Hostetler, looking at the pile of shoes. “And this is about the most beautiful thing that I’ve ever seen.”

Find this article at:
http://www.journal-news.com/news/ham...t-1010037.html

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Fantastic!

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

I wonder what percentage of those who were there that morning walked out shoeless.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Good question.
What a golden opportunity to act like Jesus.
If it would've happened today where I live...the pastor would have got his wish and people would have gone home with snowy tootsies!

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Oh, my goodness. You can tell it was a MAN who came up with this idea. :blink

I SO admire them for being charitable. :D

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Sorry to be the wet blanket here, but any good Podiatrist will tell you not to wear a pair of used shoes. I would never give someone a pair of used shoes.

The worst shoe of all - one that is worn every day. They could damage the feet of the new owner. Every person puts pressure on different areas of their shoes. That is only asking for problems and is not a blessing in my book. It can lead to a sore back, knee problems, straining your feet, joints and back.

Donate NEW shoes!

Thank you! This is a public service announcement by PO and I approve of this message. :D

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

I'm sure my agreement here is partially self-serving. :rolleyes2 If given a heads-up, I would gladly donate a new pair of good-quality shoes. Better yet, buy a pair of Tom's.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

My thought was that (besides being used) church shoes may not be the most practical to donate to someone who doesn't have any.

Agreeing with PO, please donate new shoes.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

I get it, though. It was a Public Service Announcement for that particular charity. It could have been thought out a little, but still - kudos to the church and pastor for giving back to the community. :thumbsup

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

If someone really needed shoes they would accept them used. I have bought them at Thrift stores before and had no issues. My Father told me when he was being raised in Eastern Ky in the 1930's that he did not have a pair of shoes until he started school.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Looks like a publicity stunt to me. Sure, some people, out of necessity, have purchased used shoes, but for a church charity - not the charitable thing to do, IMO. I don't kudos this stunt in the least.

"Here needy person, I love you so much I'm going to give this pair of used shoes. But, don't feel bad, I'm going to buy me a new pair, so you can have these." :nah

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Their act was more for making themselves feel better than for helping the needy.

Of course, their act may also inspire many others to give and that is good.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

This was a charitable work they did last year, from the article:

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

At least they gave.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Yes, the intention was probably good. I may be very biased because we have a family podiatrist. I have six sisters and one brother. We love our feet! LOL!

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

I would rather give new shoes. What if someone had a skin condition or something? UGH

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

This isn't about what people would accept. I agree that if you're going to be charitable, you should give quality things and not just your unwanted castoffs. That may be the pastor's point - he probably assumed the shoes people wore to church were their good ones. I appreciate his point, but I think it could have been thought through.

I do agree that this was an inspirational act of kindness, and I don't think anyone who took off their shoes that Sunday morning was doing it for selfish reasons. Absolutely kudos to anyone who gives sacrificially.

For me, it would make more sense to have the pastor say - "Everyone bring a new pair of good-quality walking shoes still in the box to church on Sunday in your size." Then apprise the congregation of the purpose after they arrive. Same hype; same charity; same inspiration; just better execution.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

I would be totally embarrassed to say that I gave someone a used pair of shoes. That is not going the extra mile.

This is reminding me of a neighbor we used to have. She redecorated her house, at least, once a year. He daughter would bring over things they didn't want anymore. Some things were very nice. I still have a really nice painting she gave me.

However, one day the girl brings me some panties. LOL! First of all, they were white granny panties - strike one! Second, she said she had never worn then and upon closer inspection, because I knew her to be a liar, they had been used. :toofunny :vomit Did I give them to Salvation Army - NO! I threw them away. :thumbsup

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

GROSSSSS! :vomit THAT is not charitable; that is abusive!!!!

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

That they were used or that they were Granny Panties?! Right, I know - both! :toofunny

Anyway, that's how I would feel if you gave me a used pair of shoes.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Good grief.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

OMW, I just don't know what to say about that. Good grief.

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Both!

Yeah...I like the Tom's idea better. :)

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

Well, would used granny panties be as bad as a used thong?

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

awesome...I am so touched...wish I could personally say thank you to everyone there...

Re: Congregation Donates Shoes Off Their Feet
 

speaking of donating:


"I just got a phone call from a Charity asking me to donate some of my
clothes to the starving people in the world. I told them to forget it.
Anyone that fits into my clothes is not starving." Maxine