Larry-Joe Smith
Open Doors Street Mission director | larrysmith@secondcc.com
For over 14 years, Larry-joe has dedicated his life to walking alongside individuals navigating homelessness and hardship. As the owner and operator of the mobile Open Doors Street Missions, his heart is to meet people right where they are-offering practical help, dignity, and the love of Christ.
He graduated from Berean Bible College and retired from many years working in the skilled trade of trim carpentry, a background that taught him the value of hard work, patience, and building things that last. Today, through a powerful partnership between Open Doors Street Missions and Second Chance Church, he tackles the difficult, everyday challenges faced by unhoused neighbors, bridging the gap between immediate physical needs and lasting community.
What is Open Doors?
Open Doors Street Missions is meant to bridge the gap between isolation and community by providing essential care, dignity and a pathway forward for the unsheltered. “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10.
Operating in partnership with Second Chance Church, our mission focuses on meeting individuals directly through personal connection and practical resources - such as our “On the Way” journey kits - to help people get through another day. Beyond immediate physical relief, we are committed to building leaders and participators for God’s Kingdom by training followers of Christ to serve with compassionate action and enduring truth. “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’” Luke 14:23
Services provided
On The Way Journey Kits
Hot meals and non-perishable food
Blankets
Clothing
Testimony - Antonio Caughlan
After many years incarcerated, I started my transition back into society at Hendricks county work release. I was initially able to grow my relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ with support from Pastor Hal Hutton of the Brownsburg Church of the Nazarene. They accepted me and made me feel like real family. They put me in contact with Larry Joe from Open Door Street Missions.
When I left work release and moved into my modest, empty apartment, Brother Larry Joe's organization Open Doors Street Mission along with several other members of Second Chance Church lifted a huge burden off my shoulders by helping me furnish my apartment and supplying me with the stuff I needed to get started. Completely removing the stress of starting over with nothing but a car and a few outfits.
Brother Larry invited me to Church, I went and once again found arms wide open. People not wanting to judge me based on my past, but to spread love and joy and the Good News. People that I'm proud to call my Church Family. Men and women that I had never met, but want nothing more than to see me and my fiance grow and thrive in our relationship with the Lord and in Life. Pastor Dave and his wife made a point to invite us to Lunch...just to talk and to get to know each other better. His messages are very well put together as well. The worship time is perfect and prayer is always welcomed and encouraged. I'm proud to call SCC my new home church!
I obtained gainful employment at Integrity Rotational Molding in Plainfield, where after putting forth some serious effort I was able to get a management position.
My fiancé, Madison, has remained by my side for over a decade and in the last two years her relationship with the Lord has really started to develop.
And if I just look back at how my Life used to be I am nothing but Amazed at how far God has delivered ME. Trusting that no matter how difficult the past was, GRACE makes a brand new beginning possible.
Can I get an AMEN!?!
INTERESTED IN SERVING OR LEARNING MORE ABOUT OPEN DOORS STREET MISSION?
Contact Larry Joe Smith via email at: larrysmith@secondcc.com