OUR STORY
It all started with a handful of people that decided that they wanted to make an impact in an area of Lakeland, Florida that most people wanted to avoid. It wasn’t enough just to volunteer with a local charity a few times a year, these folks felt a calling by God to live among those that needed help the most. To love the unloved, to build authentic community with people struggling with obstacles in life and walk with them through those struggles A small run down old building in the heart of the city’s homeless population was rented and Impact! Ministries began opening their doors for folks that had no place sleep or live. They also began to have a weekly worship service and Bible studies. Week after week the small gathering room was packed with people from all walks of life - alcoholics, middle class families, drug addicts, the homeless, wealthy business owners, college students, prostitutes and blue collar workers barely making ends meet. Some that dropped by were looking for a hand out. Some just wanted to get out of the weather. Still others were looking for hope and a place to belong. All of them found a place of hope, love and community when they walked into Impact! Ministries.
Over the past six years the ministry has fed, clothed and provided shelter for over 10,000 people. Through partnerships with other area rehab centers and relief organizations, Impact! Ministries has helped dozens upon dozens of people overcome their addictions, mental challenges and extreme poverty in order to become sober and self-sufficient. In 2018 the ministry began a new chapter in its history by selling the permanent midtown Lakeland buildings and putting more emphasis on going out into the homeless camps, abandoned houses, area prisons and hidden areas throughout Polk County to help people in need. Through the continued generosity of financial donors and the selfless work of volunteers, Impact! Ministries goes where no other local organization goes in order to reach people that no one else is reaching.
Over the past six years the ministry has fed, clothed and provided shelter for over 10,000 people. Through partnerships with other area rehab centers and relief organizations, Impact! Ministries has helped dozens upon dozens of people overcome their addictions, mental challenges and extreme poverty in order to become sober and self-sufficient. In 2018 the ministry began a new chapter in its history by selling the permanent midtown Lakeland buildings and putting more emphasis on going out into the homeless camps, abandoned houses, area prisons and hidden areas throughout Polk County to help people in need. Through the continued generosity of financial donors and the selfless work of volunteers, Impact! Ministries goes where no other local organization goes in order to reach people that no one else is reaching.
