by Matt Kumar
Lori Matthias moved to San Francisco in 1993. Having spent years as a medical missionary providing primary healthcare to individuals in the developing world, it was pretty clear to Lori that she did not have a calling to cities. But as a missionary in love with Jesus she felt Him say to go to San Francisco and fill in the need for a leader at YWAM San Francisco.
YWAM San Francisco has gone on a journey with God, and it is thanks to the stewardship of those who came before us that we are still here. Our forerunners took what God placed before them and lived sacrificially in order to bring about the betterment of all that God entrusted them with.
In celebrating all that we've grown to be, we wanted to acknowledge Lori Matthias as she is the founder of 357 Ellis Street, the reason we are in the space we are in, in the neighborhood we are in, and have lasted for as long as we have. Listen in as Lori shares on the importance of stewardship in settling.
The space God has provided at 357 Ellis Street has been monumental in our pursuit to live in obedience as a ministry. It's stood as a safe place for us to see what it looks like to offer haircuts to the homeless, to show teenagers that God has empowered them, and to seek to disciple the same kinds of people that make up this city.
It's given us the chance to draw in skaters, baristas, coders, surfers, musicians, writers, bankers, chefs, and everything in between, so that they might be sent out able and ready for God to call on them. For all these reasons and many more we can't help but continue to thank God for our space.
Looking towards the future, we've felt called to stay planted here in the Tenderloin neighborhood, and in obedience to God we've sought ownership of the ministry space He has lead us to. Over the past three years we've continued raising funds and paying down our mortgage, and are so thankful for all the support we've received in this process. The remainder owed on our properties is currently $1.83 million.
Would you consider giving towards our building fund as we continue to pay down our loans and engage San Francisco with a Loving God?
For Lori Matthias' full talk on settling YWAM San Francisco click here.
For more on YWAM San Francisco's history and growth click here.