RESTORATION MINISTRY MEMBERS STILL HEALING FROM CRASH (2/8/15)

     They have a congregation that is spread thinly across the city, at busy street corners.  These church followers are not pushy.  No one of their group will ask you for money, although passers-by who now know the group have upped-efforts to give them monetary support.

     They are known by their yellow or blue fliers, each about four inches, that offer counsel to anyone on the street.  The group offers restoration alternatives for people effected by homelessness and drugs. 

     Fame can be a tragic thing, as was the case in early January when nearly half of the Atlanta congregation, 19 members, were involved in a van crash.  No one in Atlanta had really paid attention to the church group until the crash.  Two members were critically hurt, but no one was killed.

     Atlanta media and news outlets were quick to update the city on the accident, with reports going deep into overnight hours.  The scene was horrific, with hundreds of scraps of blue and yellow papers from the ministry spread across the highway.

     The group had been heading to Ft, Lauderdale for another street ministry when their van flipped on a Florida highway.  RM Pastor Vincent Jones was not on the trip, and received the call about the accident immediately after it happened.

     "Our ministry is like a family. We help people with drugs, alcohol, prostitution, gangs and prison life," said Jones.   "We try and help them get their life straight," Jones said. "And that's what we do and that's what we were going down to Florida to do."

     It was determined that the left passenger-side tire popped and the van flipped around 5pm, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 
   
Jones said the accident was a test of faith and urged his congregation to stay strong.   ""I heard screaming and hollering and I couldn't understand what was going on because it was so frantic," he said.
     Atlantans who want to donate to the group, funds would certainly help buy new tires for the van, and give them money to print more fliers.

     “By the grace of God, thank you Jesus, everybody's alive, everybody's going to be OK,” Pastor Jones said.  "We thank the good people of Atlanta who have come to our aid and support."

     To reach the ministry, go to www.restoringatl.org
 
-----Ray Macon