31 Jan 2023 Men on a mission
By Judy Riley
“What’s love got to do with it, got to do with it?” Those words were made famous by the voice of Tina Turner, and love has everything to do with Mission Machine, an outreach for people experiencing homelessness in White County. For Mike Phifer and Joshua Stewart, these acts of love for their fellow man took on a whole new dimension. Mike came at his motivation through having walked the walk; Josh from being a sustaining friend of Mike through his trials. According to Mike, Josh followed a path he should have taken: Army, college, marriage and family. Meanwhile, Mike hung around the wrong crowd, one that included substance abuse. He found himself homeless, living in an alley in Bald Knob. But that would all change, partly because his childhood friend never abandoned him.
Mike’s family connected him with a 14-month drug rehabilitation program called Adult Teen Challenge. The first four months were in Hot Springs and the final year in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He spent half days in Bible study, the other half doing manual labor for the program, and at times helping kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Part of his training included writing letters to all those he had wronged or let down through his difficulties. One of those letters went to Joshua, thanking him for being the solid rock in his life. Mike said he felt like God wanted him to do more, to share his history of overcoming obstacles. He wanted to help others not follow his path. These two friends embarked on a path to do something positive for others.
The Van, an outreach for homelessness, had branched out from Little Rock to Searcy in 2011. Seth Simmons began the van ministry at that time, driving around Searcy and other areas where people stayed, offering rides and food when available, but generally getting to know the people where they were. Mike is quick to say, “I feel like making a connection with people in need is important to help them to grow because it gives them a sense of belonging.”
Mike and Joshua began riding with Seth, locating folks in need and taking meals. Ultimately, when Seth moved to Northwest Arkansas, they took the handoff and the project became Mission Machine. They quickly realized if they were going to keep it sustainable, they needed to incorporate, to form a volunteer board and to acquire all the necessities to achieve nonprofit status. These needs did not deter them. They quickly give credit to those who helped and are still helping. George Carder, an attorney who is now deceased, helped them develop articles of incorporation. The newly formed board put together their mission statement. “To love our neighbors experiencing homelessness the way Christ would have us to do, giving immediate shelter and establishing life-changing connections.”
The “immediate shelter” is a tent and a sleeping bag. Joshua adds, “We want to help all those who have no other place to stay. By providing just this basic shelter, it answers the need and helps us know we are targeting the most vulnerable.”
Drs. John Henderson and Ron Baker were instrumental in establishing a free health clinic in Searcy. They offered to share space in their clinic when it was not being used. Nancy Choate, a social worker at Unity Hospital, often works with patients who are homeless as they are discharged from the hospital. “Mission Machine is a godsend for those leaving the hospital with no place to go,” she said. “They have either worn out their welcome with their family or their housing became unavailable, even burned. Mission Machine gets unconnected people connected to the help they need.”
Local churches have stepped up to help. In addition to providing a warming center, First United Methodist volunteers cook meals two nights a week. Food for a third night comes from various civic club members and individual citizens. Volunteers from other churches and the community provide hats, blankets, mittens and nonperishable food items.
For childhood friends Mike and Joshua, responding to this need in this way is their personal mission. It is love for their fellow man, love that is not easy and is not flashy. They are not looking for accolades. Their reward is helping people in need. It is love in action! For more information, contact Mike Phifer, operations manager, at 501.230.9356 or [email protected].
