From the Streets to the Pinnacle of Academia: Once Homeless, He Now has a Ph.D

Shelter founder tells his story in new book 'A Sheltered Life.'

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 18, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The man who founded and runs New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter was once homeless himself.

However, in 2006, Joy Junction Founder and CEO Jeremy Reynalds completed an earned doctorate in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles.

The British-born Reynalds shares his fascinating story in his newest book, "A Sheltered Life."

It tells that how after coming to America from Britain at age 20 (where he had lived a very "sheltered" life), Reynalds became homeless through unfortunate circumstances, then went on to found one of one of the Southwest's largest homeless shelters.

Reynalds reminds readers that even relatively affluent people can sometimes be just a few steps away from homelessness, and that everyone needs to have compassion on all homeless people regardless of their status.

"Homelessness is a tragedy," Reynalds said. "Most times when driving through downtown Albuquerque, I see a parade of people pushing shopping carts or toting what looks like backbreaking backpacks. Each of us is responsible to do whatever we can to help the needy."

In addition to Reynalds' story, "A Sheltered Life" also tells the stories of a number of individuals assisted by Joy Junction.

With no government funding, Joy Junction shelters as many as 300 people each night, and with meals served on its mobile feeding unit "The Lifeline of Hope," serves more than 16,000 meals a month.

To learn more about Joy Junction go to www.joyjunction.org

"A Sheltered Life" is available at major online retailers, including Barnes and Noble at www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sheltered-life-jeremy-reynalds/1115109261?ean=9781449790202&itm=1&usri=9781449790202

It is also available at www.givingtons.com/search?q=reynalds&submit

Givington's is a new online retailer with a simple premise. Its website reads, "Offer the products you are already going to buy at the price you would pay across the web and give to the cause of YOUR CHOICE with every purchase. Up to 50 percent of the profit from each sale goes to a non-profit cause you choose."

Christian Newswire

Police Officer Sings I Can Only Imagine at Funeral of Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

Police Officer Sings I Can Only Imagine at Funeral of Officer Killed in the Line of Duty from untilweflyaway on GodTube.

Simon Cowell Made Fun of This Gospel Singer And Then Was Blown Away

Simon Cowell Made Fun of This Gospel Singer And Then Was Blown Away from believe836 on GodTube

Boston Churches Respond to Boston Marathon Bombing

BOSTON, April 16, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Churches in Boston are responding to provide support for victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing through a website called BostonMarathonSamaritans.org. The website is set up as a partnership of TechMission, the Emmanuel Gospel Center and the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston who partner with hundreds of churches in the Boston area.

The goal of the site is to enable Boston's church community to connect with and offer help to victims. The site enables people to people to post availability of housing, meal delivery and other needs. One professional counselor has already offered to donate free trauma counseling.

Andrew Sears, Executive Director of TechMission, explained his motivation for setting up the site: "As a father of two young boys, I went to bed crying last night about the pain that the Richard family and others must be feeling. In the morning I cried again as I was reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan helping someone who had been beaten up and left for dead, and I thought 'That is what Christians should be doing right now.' So within a few hours, we had a website up and partnerships with church networks across Boston to help the victims."

One of the main goals of the site is to help churches provide the long-term care needed for the families that were victimized by the Boston Marathon Bombing.
TechMission is a Christian nonprofit organization that runs ChristianVolunteering.org as well as a national AmeriCorps program. For more information, visit www.techmission.org, www.BostonMarathonSamaritans.org and www.ChristianVolunteering.org.

Christian Newswire