ONOMA Community Outreach, Paterson.

09/07/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
It was a beautiful morning in Paterson this past Saturday, with over 100 people coming through and about 20 volunteers serving alongside us.

There were a lot of encouraging moments. I learned that two people recently found jobs, others shared positive steps they're taking, and several people asked for Bibles or Scripture. There was prayer, conversation, food, clothing, and plenty of opportunities simply to be present with people.

As I thought about the morning, I kept coming back to something Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world.”
Matthew 5:14

Light stands out.

In many ways, that's what we're trying to do at ONOMA. In the middle of some very difficult circumstances, we want to show up consistently with the love, compassion, and hope of Jesus Christ. We want people to know they are seen, valued, and cared for, and ultimately to point them to Him.

One of the things I also love is seeing new volunteers experience this for themselves. There's something about stepping outside of our normal routines and serving others in the name of Jesus that can change us too.

We're grateful for Rockpoint Community Church for providing the lunches this week, Threads of Grace for continuing to provide clothing, and all the volunteers and supporters who make these Saturdays possible.

Grateful for a safe and encouraging Saturday, and grateful that, Lord willing, we get to go back and do it again next week.

09/03/2026

This past Saturday was our first week back after taking three weeks off, and it was good to be back.

Well over a hundred people were there, many of them waiting for us when we arrived. What stood out most, though, was how many people told us they had missed us. A few said it had felt like a long three weeks without ONOMA there.

We missed being there too.

Honestly, about 15 minutes into the morning, it felt like we had never left. People were eating, talking, praying, catching up, and reconnecting. We just hit the ground running. And I think that's what encouraged me most. I was actually a little nervous heading in not knowing what to expect.

Over time, this has become about so much more than showing up with food, clothing, and supplies. Relationships have grown. People know us, and we know them. We look forward to seeing one another.

We're grateful for the many volunteers who helped make our first week back go so smoothly, including teams from Grace Church, Rockpoint Community Church, and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Grace Church also helped prepare the sandwiches and lunches for the morning.

Now we're getting back into our weekly rhythm and looking forward to Saturday.

Please pray for us as we head into another outreach. Pray that needs would be met, relationships would continue to grow, and most importantly, that people would experience the love, compassion, and hope of Jesus Christ.

Socks and body wipes continue to be especially needed and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Thank you for praying, giving, serving, and continuing to walk alongside this ministry.

It's good to be back.

08/03/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
This past Saturday was our last outreach before taking a short summer break. Lord willing, we'll be back on August 29.

As I look back over this season, I'm finding myself reflecting on God's faithfulness.

I'm thinking about the people we've come to know by name.

I'm thinking about the conversations, the prayers, and the trust that's been built one Saturday at a time.

I'm thinking about the people we've had the privilege of walking alongside as they've taken steps toward housing, employment, recovery, and greater stability.

I'm thinking about those who have asked for prayer, those who have asked for Bibles, and those who have simply come by because they wanted to spend time with us.

One person told me this week that coming to ONOMA makes him feel like he matters. I'll be thinking about that for a while.

Moments like that remind me that while food, clothing, and other essentials are important, people also long to be known, encouraged, prayed for, and reminded that they have value.
That's what I love about this ministry.

Week after week, God has simply allowed us to keep showing up.

I'm also incredibly grateful for the many churches, volunteers, donors, and ministry partners who have made this season possible. Whether preparing lunches, serving on Saturday mornings, providing clothing, donating needed supplies, or faithfully praying, each person has played a part in what God is doing. We truly couldn't do this without you.

This past Saturday, Rockpoint Community Church provided the lunches, and we were grateful to serve over a hundred neighbors once again.

As we take a few weeks to rest and reflect, thank you for walking alongside this ministry. Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your faithfulness.

We'll look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday, August 29.

As always, socks and body wipes continue to be among our greatest needs and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
(Galatians 6:9, ESV)

07/27/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
When you see pictures from one of our Saturday outreaches, you usually see people waiting in line for food or clothing.

What those pictures don't show are the conversations.

This past Saturday I spent some time talking with a family who is currently living out of their car. Through a series of difficult circumstances, including the loss of a loved one, they're trying to figure out what the next step looks like.

I mostly listened as they shared some of their story. We talked a little about their goals, some possible steps, and what life has been like for them lately.

As I drove home, I kept thinking about that conversation.

It reminded me how much can change when you take a few minutes to listen. Conversation has a way of changing how you see someone. Once you know even a little of someone's story, it's much harder to see them as just another face in the crowd.

That's one of the things that happens on Saturday mornings.

Yes, we serve breakfast, offer lunches, provide clothing, and meet practical needs.

But we also have the opportunity to know people by name, hear a piece of their story, encourage them, and, as God opens the door, point them to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

We're grateful to River Vale Community Church for serving with us this week. Thank you to Grace Church and Melissa Cadicina for preparing the sandwiches and lunches, to Perry's Bagels, Bam Bagels, and Knead a Bagel for their faithful bagel donations, and to Threads of Grace for providing clothing for our neighbors.

Please keep this family in your prayers as they grieve, seek stability, and work toward getting back on their feet. Pray that God would provide for them, guide them, and continue drawing them to Himself.

As we prepare for this Saturday, we're especially in need of new men's socks and body wipes, both of which can be found on our Amazon Wish List. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for praying, giving, volunteering, and walking alongside us. Your support helps make these Saturday mornings possible.

07/23/2026

📢 **Volunteers Needed This Friday!** 🥪

We're looking for a few more sandwich makers this Friday from 6:00–7:00 PM at Grace Church in Ridgewood to help prepare lunches for our Saturday outreach in Paterson.

It's a simple way to make a real difference in someone's day. We'd love to have you join us!

Register here:

Serve with ONOMA Community Outreach!Friday Night Prep OverviewHelp us prepare to serve the homeless community in Paterson by joining us for Friday night sandwich making and care package prep. Your behind-the-scenes service helps us meet real needs on Saturday mornings.Time: Fridays, 6:00–7:00pmLoc...

07/21/2026

07/21/2026

I almost didn't write an update this week.

If I'm honest, I left Saturday feeling discouraged. There were a few difficult moments that stayed with me, and for a couple of days, those were the only things I seemed to remember.

Then my daughter sent me some photos from the outreach.

As I looked at them, God gently reminded me that I hadn't been seeing the whole story.

I saw people praying.

I saw volunteers faithfully serving.

I saw food being shared.

I saw conversations happening.

I saw churches working together.

I saw the Gospel being shared.

I was reminded that while I had been focusing on a few difficult moments, God had been at work all morning long.

We're grateful to the women's group from Redeemer MTC Church, Kim DeYong, and a local book club for providing sandwiches and lunches. Thank you also to Knead a Bagel in Ho-Ho-Kus, Bam Bagels in Mahwah, and Perry's Bagels in Paramus for generously donating bagels.

We were a little short on volunteers, but everyone pitched in, and together we were able to faithfully serve our neighbors.

The more I reflected, the more I realized something.

Every Saturday, countless seeds are planted.

Some through a meal.

Some through a conversation.

Some through prayer.

Some through simply showing up and reminding someone that they are seen, known, and loved by God.

Most of those seeds we'll never see grow. That's the Lord's work.
Our calling is simply to show up faithfully, love our neighbors well, share the hope of Jesus Christ, and trust God to do what only He can do.

The outreach wasn't perfect.

It never is.

Some Saturdays are smoother than others. But faithfulness isn't measured by whether everything goes according to plan. It's measured by continuing to show up, loving people in Christ's name, and trusting that God is working, even when we can't always see it.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, donated, served, and supported this outreach. We truly couldn't do this without you.

As we prepare for another Saturday, we're especially in need of new men's socks and body wipes. If you'd like to help, those items can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Please continue praying that God would use this ministry to help our neighbors know not only that they are seen and cared for, but that through Jesus Christ they can find lasting hope.

07/13/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
This past Saturday was a full morning in Paterson, with over a hundred neighbors coming through the outreach.

We're grateful to Crossroads Summer Camp at Rockpoint Community Church for providing sandwiches and lunch bags, and to Freedom City Church of Fair Lawn for providing bagels and egg sandwiches as a special treat. Both churches also sent teams to serve with us throughout the morning.

One thing that stood out to me this week was the comments and how thankful people were for the food.

I was excited and happy that we had so much to serve, but often I forget how important that meal can be for someone.
People look forward to it. And for too many, the food they receive at ONOMA may be the only thing they eat that day. I’m reminded how easy it is to take our next meal for granted.

Throughout the morning, we served, talked, prayed, and shared the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We're grateful for every church, volunteer, and supporter who helps make these mornings possible. The food matters. The relationships matter. And most of all, we want people to know the love, compassion, and hope of Jesus.

As we prepare for this week, we are especially low on men's socks. If you'd like to help with this need, they can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for continuing to pray, give, and serve alongside this ministry.

06/30/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach

This past Saturday was another full and encouraging morning in Paterson, with well over 100 neighbors coming through and more than 20 volunteers serving throughout the outreach.

We're grateful to Grace Church, Sycamore Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus, and the Magna family for providing sandwiches and lunch bags.

We'd also like to thank the teams from First Reformed Church of Hawthorne and Freedom City Church in Fair Lawn for serving with such enthusiasm throughout the morning. They were a tremendous help.

One moment especially stayed with me.
A man came by and said he didn't need anything.
He just wanted to stop in, say hello, and spend some time with us.

That may not seem like much, but it was encouraging.
It reminded me that little by little, something deeper is taking place. People aren't just receiving practical help. Relationships are growing. Community is growing. People are finding a place where they are known, welcomed, and cared for.

Throughout the morning there was conversation, prayer, encouragement, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. Those continue to be the most meaningful parts of Saturday mornings.

We will not be gathering next Saturday July 4th. We'll look forward to being back the following Saturday.

As we prepare for the weeks ahead, socks and body wipes continue to be our most needed items and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for continuing to pray, give, and serve alongside this ministry.

06/23/2026

This past Saturday we were grateful to be joined by the CAST team from Grace Church, who came out ready to serve and were a tremendous help throughout the morning.

A special thank you as well to Restore Church in Midland Park and St. Bartholomew's Church in Ho-Ho-Kus for providing sandwiches and lunch bags for the outreach.

It was a busy morning, with well over 100 people stopping by and 15–20 volunteers serving together. More importantly, there were many opportunities for conversation, encouragement, prayer, and connection.

We're thankful for everyone who gives their time, resources, and prayers to make this ministry possible. Week after week, we're reminded that simple acts of kindness can help people feel seen, known, and cared for.

Please continue to pray for our neighbors in Paterson and for the relationships that continue to grow through this outreach.

As always, socks and baby wipes remain two of our most-needed items. If you'd like to help, please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish List. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?