About a month ago, I wrote about Navigator Heidi Gleghorn, and her heart for the poor. If you missed it, it’s worth the read. Right after I published that blog, her husband, Rob, wrote a touching tribute, Married to a Modern-Day Mother Theresa.

Rob and Heidi Gleghorn

The article tells their whole story, but I want to highlight the parts about her ministry to the poor – nothing glamorous about it. (I:58, from Isaiah 58.10, 11, is The Navigators’ ministry to the poor.) Her husband writes:

In the last few years, Heidi finally found her God-given niche within I:58 and has coined a new idea she is calling, “Helping Oppressed People Everywhere (HOPE).” As she is fond of saying, “Everyone is worthy because everyone has worth, even the least of these.” Heidi has no problem literally scrubbing the lice off homeless people, caring for those with severe frostbite, holding the hands of those about to pass, or hauling all the urine-stained bedding to washing machines. She doesn’t just talk about compassion, and she doesn’t just memorize verses on mercy. She actually does dirty work. And I mean really dirty.

Heidi cares for a homeless person suffering from frostbite.

Heidi has been working in Colorado Springs with the homeless for the last five years now. She volunteers at The Sanctuary Church in Old Colorado City serving hot meals, running showers, giving out clothing, distributing food from their pantry, and taking random calls for help at the front desk. She has also worked at the Springs Rescue Mission as a volunteer to bring art into the program. Heidi also helps with Hope COS, volunteering at the warming shelters during freezing storms to help over 400 people simply stay alive. In addition, she started going down to several of the local parks, bringing food and warmth to even more people in need. Wears me out just writing about it! Recently, Heidi has begun to introduce college students from differing states to opportunities to love and serve our under-resourced population in a practical, hands-on way. As a result, she is currently building an I:58 team in Colorado Springs under the HOPE banner.

“She doesn’t just talk about compassion, and she doesn’t just memorize verses on mercy. She actually does dirty work.” It’s a worthy ministry, and if you have margin in your missions budget, you might consider supporting Heidi’s ministry. I do.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25.34 – 40, ESV)