The Merchant

Seven years ago, three of the original members of the Tulsa Boiler Room stumbled upon an idea that has profoundly impacted who we are as a community. They didn't set out to found a ministry or mobilize the Church. They simply reacted to a need out of compassion and grace, and then followed through in obedience to the clear but quiet leading of the Spirit. Their act of compassion turned into a fun, family-style cook-out for a group of homeless men. Their continued obedience developed into the ministry of Thursday Night Light, a weekly gathering that brings together people from various churches and different walks of life, for the purpose of providing a meal for the hungry, the gospel for the lost, and friendship for the lonely and hurting.

As a group of friends who have been serving the homeless and the poor together, we are excited to announce that we have the opportunity to rent a full-time space with which to carry on this needed work. We are calling this building The Merchant.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” -- Matthew 13:45-46

Paul and Debbie Schmidt were part of a group that provided a meal one Thursday night, more than five years ago. Like Peter jumping from the boat to race to the risen Jesus, they dove in head first. Since that time, Paul and Debbie have been shaping their lives around this service of the Lord -- whether adopting people into their family, or just walking with someone for a short season. From the beginning, the Schmidts' vision has been bigger than what they have been able to do alone. Since they didn’t have a location for their friends to come to them, Paul and Debbie went to the streets. If one of their friends needed clothes or food, they relied on their own resources, or found someone else willing to lend a hand.

We believe that it is time for Paul and Debbie to have a building; a place where they can easily be found by those in need. They, and we, envision a place of worship that will genuinely welcome, accept, and fight to draw their friends into the deeper level of relationship they need from the Body of Christ. They need a place to store clothes and other commonly needed items; a place to bond with folks regardless of the weather; a place of relationships and healing; a place where someone can have a hot shower and do their laundry; a place of training, where others can be equipped to minister to the poor. This building can also be a shared place, allowing other ministries access to the facilities to build friendships and make disciples.

One exciting aspect of this space is that it will include a 24-7 Prayer Room. Our aim is that this prayer room in the heart of our city will be used not only for deeper healing for our friends downtown, but also to gather people to pray for Tulsa and beyond. It will be a tool to bring together the body of Christ, and a physical reminder of the union between prayer and action, as people will be coming for prayer and worship in a place of active ministry and engagement.