As a creative service professional, I take on all sorts of assignments that involve a wide variety of graphics, imagery, design, etc. I problem solve for measurable results. I've spent a career doing this strategic quantitative and qualitative work of mine. Well, a few weeks ago on a rainy Saturday afternoon all of that my skillset was expanded in ways I could not anticipate.
I headed out to a client meeting on MetroLink for the 75 mile trip into the city for an initial client briefing for his nonprofit, Oil Fields Ministry. After about 2 leisurely hours prepping for my meeting through the mountains, into downtown Los Angeles and South Los Angeles, I arrived. What I walked into was a complete buzz of activity with people, food aromas, packaging and stacking, organizing and lots of laughter. At the center of it all was Pastor George, the gregarious leader of this fledgling nonprofit that serves the spiritually overlooked and under served of metro LA.
Members of his group were putting the finishing touches on what turned out to be a mission to rebuild lives. Oil Fields had received a food donation from Fleming's Prime Steakhouse of Beverly Hills. The contribution of premium food items were being packed into 100 containers and loaded into the trunks of vehicles, shepherded by this ‘faithful hit squad.’ They fully intending to touch at least 100 souls in one of the largest homeless enclaves in the nation -- Los Angeles Skid Row.
Within minutes we were deep into ‘The Row’ as I became the official photo journalist with my Samsung S6. I was feet from selfless moments of serving humanity in it’s most raw form -- fulfilling a need ... with provision ... to encourage living. As we made multiple pit stops, residents appeared from under wet tarps that served as roofing for makeshift curbed abodes, constructed of discarded pieces of life.
As rapidly as they began ... they had completed their task. A meal and bottle of water with a little dignity had soothed the pain of being without, if only for a few moments. A soul grinned at the harshness of their reality and was sustained by Pastor George and his band of the faith focused prospectors of Oil Fields Ministries, who themselves were homeless at one time. It was my honor to be present and witness the acts of love that I hope ignites the rebuilding of lives -- of both the served and the servers.
About PASTOR GEORGE SELMAN, Los Angeles, 2016: He's been one of the top fashion photographers in the nation for years. He accepted the calling for ministry in 2008 and committed to serve others with everything he has in him. His intensity is infectious as he touches lives in non-traditional formats all over Los Angeles. His activities include ministering for a Korean ministry, LoveLA, on selected Sundays in the parking lot of The Union Rescue Mission, where he ministers at the URM Chapel as well. Pastor George teaches mid week Bible Study, supports World Impact Ministries retreats at The Oaks in Lake Hughes, CA and now he is endeavoring to find ways to rebuild lives through 100 MEALS 100 SOULS™.
CONTACTS: T 323 472-7625E E GSel100@gmail.com