Churches on the Streets

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

Thursday nights in Alton have been so good! ❤️

This week was another beautiful night of serving our community. We were able to provide a meal, thanks to our incredible volunteers, and distribute so many wonderful clothing items, thanks to all of you who generously stepped up and brought in such a great selection of nice things for us to share.

We were blessed with a great word from Ashley, along with lots of one on one ministry, encouragement, prayer, conversations, and simply being present with people who need to know they are loved and not forgotten.

The camaraderie and friendships that are growing among our team are such a blessing. Seeing the incredible effort from so many people, both on the scene and behind the scenes, is truly beautiful. Every week, more and more love is being poured into the people we serve.

Since we've had this regular location every Thursday night and people are finding us, our numbers are most certainly growing. As that happens, our team is becoming more established, more organized, and more efficient. We are getting into a rhythm and developing routines that will allow us to serve more effectively and, most importantly, love people well.

There is something really special happening in Alton, and we are so grateful to everyone who is helping make it possible.

Thank you for showing up, giving generously, serving faithfully, and helping us build something that is making a difference, one person at a time.

Churchesonthestreets.com

09/06/2026

"Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."
Psalm 7:14-17 NKJV

09/05/2026

Thank you to Ashley Drake for sharing the message at our Alton street church outreach Thursday night.
She is a tremendous blessing to us and those that we serve.
She is certainly tenacious in her love for Jesus and sharing his Word with everyone she comes in contact with!

09/05/2026

Help Us Create Blessing Bags for Our Unhoused Neighbors!

Would you, your family, small group, business, civic group or church consider putting together Blessing Bags using the attached checklist? Simply fill a gallon zip lock, backpack or drawstring bag with as many of the suggested items as you’d like, add a handwritten note of encouragement, and we’ll distribute them during our weekly Churches on the Streets outreaches to those experiencing homelessness.

Creating a Blessing Bag is a meaningful, hands on way to share the love of Christ while meeting practical needs. Every bag provides essentials, encouragement, and a reminder that someone cares.

Thank you for partnering with us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Together, we can bring hope, dignity, and compassion to those who need it most.

Questions or to arrange a drop off? Email [email protected] or send us a message.

09/04/2026

Please share and make sure you let anyone know about these resources who is in need of a place to cool off in this extreme heat.
This link has several cooling site options in Madison County, Illinois and surrounding as well.
I would call the location first just to confirm. It's nationwide.

Get help paying bills, finding food, and locating other resources near you. Call 211 now for confidential help from a caring expert.

09/04/2026

💛 GREAT NEWS! Y’ALL REALLY CAME THROUGH! 💛

Since last Thursday night, when I shared that we were completely out of summer clothing to help those in need, you all have responded in such an incredible way! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

Because of your generosity, it looks like we will now have enough summer clothing to help carry us through the month of September, even with these warm temperatures continuing!

So for now, we do not need any more large donations of summer clothing. If you still have some beautiful, brand new or gently used summer clothing you’d like to donate in smaller amounts, we are absolutely happy to receive it.

And if you’re able to hang onto what you're planning to give, especially larger donations for a couple of weeks, that would be wonderful too. I’ll post another update around the middle of the month and let you know where we stand with our needs.

Now our incredible organizing team is working to sort and get it in order. We were able to give out lots of great items last night as well!

From the bottom of our hearts,
THANK YOU! ❤️

You saw a need in your community, you responded, and you gave generously. Because of you, people who are struggling will have clean, quality clothing to wear and know that the community cares about them.

Y’all really came through! We are so incredibly grateful for every person who donated, shared our posts, prayed, or simply helped spread the word.

Thank you for continuing to love and serve our community so generously! God bless you all!

Churchesonthestreets.com

09/03/2026

‼️ALTON, IL ‼️
Accepting TONIGHT in Alton!
DM to make arrangements for drop off.
CHURCHES ON THE STREETS
NEEDS LIST:

• T-shirts /long sleeve shirts
- Shorts & long pants
• Socks
• Boxers / underwear / bras
• Hoodies / sweatshirts / jackets / warm ups
• Tennis shoes / sandals until end of September, boots
(practical / comfy)
• Blankets / sleeping bags
• Tents / tarps
• Backpacks / totes / suitcases with wheels
• Non-perishable food & bottled water
• Shampoo / conditioner / dry shampoo
• Bars of soap / waterless soap
• Deodorant / body sprays
• Feminine hygiene
• Toothpaste / toothbrushes / floss
• Hairbrushes / combs
• Towels / wash cloths / wet wipes
• Insect repellant / sunblock / hand sanitizer
• First aid items
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, over the counter pain relievers, cold meds, etc.

You can also give a financial gift online and we’ll do the shopping for you.

➡️ ChurchesontheStreets.com
Click DONATE button and follow prompts.

"Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14 :31

09/02/2026

I want to take a moment to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Eric Brokaw for coming out a couple of weeks ago to share the Word with us on Thursday night in Alton!

As always, Eric brought a powerful and inspiring message that encouraged, challenged, and reminded those we serve that there is still hope. We were doubly blessed to have his wife, my sweet friend Cyndi, who joined us as well. She jumped right in and served alongside our team, and we are so grateful for both of them!

Our team was absolutely phenomenal, as always. They served so many people in need, ministered one on one, listened to people’s life challenges, prayed with them, and helped individuals find clothing and other practical resources in the sizes they desperately needed.

Our Thursday night outreach in Alton is about so much more than providing physical necessities. It is about restoring hope, reminding people that they are seen and valued, and showing them the love of Jesus in tangible ways.

Every week, lives are being touched through someone sharing a testimony, the Word of God, taking the time to listen, offering encouragement, meeting a practical need, or connecting someone with additional resources.

This is what our ministry looks like; people loving people, serving people, and pointing them toward hope. This is church.

Eric and Cyndi, thank you for giving your time, sharing your hearts, and investing in the lives of those we serve. And to our incredible team and every person who donates, gives financially, prepares food, volunteers, prays, or supports this mission in any way; THANK YOU!

You are not simply supporting an outreach. You are helping us make a lasting difference in the lives of people who desperately need to know they are not forgotten and that there is still hope.

We are incredibly grateful for every person who helps make this ministry possible.

Churchesonthestreets.com

09/02/2026

‼️ UPDATE:
My goal has been met! Thank you to those who gave and to God!

🚨 A LIFE CHANGING OPPORTUNITY!

I have been given an incredible opportunity to bring Human Trafficking education and rescue awareness to several groups next month; and I am looking for a few people who truly believe in this mission and would be willing to help make it possible.

The total travel cost to make this opportunity happen is $700.

This isn’t simply an educational presentation; it is an opportunity to open eyes, equip people, recognize trafficking, protect vulnerable individuals, and potentially change lives.

For years, I have poured my heart into Human Trafficking education, awareness, prevention and rescue efforts. Every opportunity to educate someone is another opportunity to make a difference.

Would you consider sowing into this mission?

If you believe in what we are doing and would like to help cover this $700 opportunity, you can donate through our website:

🌐 churchesonthestreets.com
Click DONATE and follow the prompts.

Your donation is tax deductible.

You can also mail a check to:

COTS
P.O. Box 602
Wood River, IL 62095

If you are willing to help, please send me a private message and let me know.
I am hoping to secure the funding as soon as possible so I can move forward and lock these educational opportunities in.

🙏 Would you help me open doors that could ultimately change someone’s life?

Together, we can educate.
Together, we can recognize the signs.
Together, we can protect the vulnerable.
Together, we can make a difference.

❤️ Thank you for believing in this mission and standing with me.