It began with a tennis coach, one broken leg, and an unexpected trip to summer camp.
Mike Myers, founder, director, and pastor of Beautiful Feet Ministries in Fort Worth, knew his plan: To be a veterinarian in his home state of Mississippi. Until he got a call.
“A local summer camp called me up and said their tennis coach broke his leg and needed me to fill in,” said Mike. “I was in school to be a vet, but I went ahead and said yes.” He left that summer enamored with the Ozark Mountains, a renewed faith and a call to ministry. “I went from pets to people,” he laughed. Then he ended up in Fort Worth.
“I came to Fort Worth to go to seminary,” he said. “I met Johnny Buckner there, who shared a passion for helping the homeless.
We began walking the streets of Fort Worth and going to the Water Gardens, just giving out donuts, hope and the message of Christ.”
That outreach soon grew into Beautiful Feet Ministries, a thriving ministry that has touched thousands of lives since that day, Oct. 4, 1981.
“We’re often asked the meaning of our ministry name, Beautiful Feet,” said Myers. “It comes from a Bible verse, Isaiah 52:7, which says, ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who brings good news of happiness…’ Our mission is to bring good news and happiness.”
Myers, his wife, Sarah, support team and hundreds of volunteers serve tens of thousands of meals annually, distribute clothing to thousands more, and provide free medical and dental services. The ministry also offers laundry and shower facilities, children’s and youth programs, and discipleship opportunities for individuals seeking a new direction in life, and more.
“While we were out walking the streets and giving out food, the relationships – and numbers of homeless–kept growing,” said Myers. “Many of them started asking about a place to go to church. That’s when we found an old building on East Hattie Street.
The building’s first floor housed a soup kitchen run by Franciscan Monks, with a small medical office overseen by a physician, Dr. Capper, and volunteer nurses,” said Myers. We took the upper floor. In 1986, Beautiful Feet officially opened its doors, becoming a source of community support, physically and spiritually.
Like most non-profits and ministries, Beautiful Feet Ministries seeks volunteers and support. They need working hands and feet, volunteers and helpers, and financial support, especially during the holidays.
“What you can expect to see and experience will change your life,” said Myers. “Walking the streets, talking with men, women and families who have nothing, it changes your life as much–or more–than those you’re helping.”
Myers’ challenge for all of us? Get involved. Get out of the church pew. Experience the beauty of giving to people–and communities.
“You will be moved by the experience,” said Myers. “It flips your views of life, the church and Christ. Doing this type of ministry will ruin your view of the world. You start to see through the eyes of God, not the eyes of yourself, your church or faith.” Ultimately, he says, your life is transformed.
“The risk for us all is that I can go to church every Sunday, I can feel pretty good about myself and be put on a pedestal,” said Myers. “We’re good with our churchianity. Working with the homeless changes you and me. I’ve learned more from the homeless than I did from seminary–or church.”
The ministry is full throttle as the holidays approach. “Of course, we invite people to volunteer and be a part any time of the year,” said Myers. “Currently we have two events happening in December.”
See this link for complete details. Here, you help prep and participate in having 50 to 60 hay wagons that go through inner-city neighborhoods. The ministry gives out bikes, and gifts, prays and engages those they meet. Primary needs: Trucks and trailers, bales of hay, new unwrapped gifts for all ages, gently used or new bikes and Bibles. You can sign up on the website, under the outreach tab.
See this link for complete details. We seek families and churches to sponsor (provide Christmas) for at-risk families. Doing this allows hundreds of children to receive Christmas presents and dinner. Volunteers adopt, purchase, and deliver gifts, food, and clothing to these needy families. Be a sponsor and/or be a driver!
