Charles Chapman

Executive Director
chapman AT livingministry DOT org
412-302-1678
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Born and raised in Baltimore, I have always felt a calling from the Lord to help neglected people. In the 7th grade I went on a missions trip to Washington D.C. where I worked with the homeless in soup kitchens and in street evangelism. For the past 8 years, God has blessed me with talents and gifts of being able to understand and have a heart for people that get overlooked by society. This ministry to me is not something I do because I feel guilty, or because I want to impress people. The reason I do what I do is because I am compelled by love. Not just the love I have for people, but the love that my Heavenly Father has so graciously lavished upon me. It is because of that love that I can do anything. It’s that love that motivates me to serve. There is no greater love.

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Jen Hong

Fundraising Manager
hong AT livingministry DOT org
412-973-0982
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In the spring of 2009, I encountered The L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry at a non-profit job fair. I was attracted to it because of its charity work and gospel vision. As a young Christian, I wanted to use my development and organizational management skills to further His Kingdom. The ministry’s vision drew me to want to know more about it.

Soon after I applied for an internship, Mike Gallo called me and a position was offered. I was very excited to apply the skills I once learned in school in a Christian environment. Also, the staff’s encouraging attitudes and passion for Christ drew me nearer to the heart of caring for the homeless.

I was also given the chance to meet guys at Light of Life and the labor halls, and women at Bethlehem Haven. As I worked, chatted, and played games with them, I realized that I was no different than the people I was serving. Any one of us could be homeless someday, and all of us need Christ. Sometimes our lives can become so detached from the need and hurts of others. I have enjoyed their company and appreciated their willingness to share their burdens with me. I believe God has put me in this place to serve and to be friends with them.

The L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry may not be the most noticeable or famous of homeless ministries in the world, and they may not even reach the most people. But as scripture tells us, The L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry is bearing the fruit of love, kindness, gentleness, joy, and patience to the men and women we serve—our friends the homeless. In my mind, there is no other vision

Jenna Burdette

Volunteer Coordinator
burdette AT livingministry DOT org
610-751-1967
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Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2005 I have grown to know the LIVING ministry and their work serving the neglected groups of Pittsburgh quite well. So when Charles planted a bug in me about a possible new position at the LIVING Ministry I was obviously intrigued and excited. One year, almost to the date, after graduating from Pitt I officially accepted the offer to join the ministry as the volunteer coordinator – a position that allows me to plan, organize, and talk to more people than I can count, otherwise known as a match made in heaven.
I believe that all people, regardless of where they do, or perhaps don’t live, are created to be treated with respect and dignity. Paul says much the same thing in Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”. For years the LIVING ministry has given me countless opportunities to serve, and I am thrilled to get the opportunity to daily express my own faith through loving service to the people of Pittsburgh.

Josh McKinley

Director of Discipleship
mckinley AT livingministry DOT org
412-980-0496
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Since moving to Pittsburgh in July 2007 to do campus ministry, I’ve worked with the L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry by bringing college students to workdays, clothing sorting parties, and ALIVE. The more I got involved, the more I saw the redemptive and transformational work that God was doing and the dedication and commitment of the staff. Seeing all of these things, I couldn’t help but support what L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry was about.

I believe wholeheartedly that we are to treat everyone with dignity and respect. As Galatians 3:26-28 says, “You are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ , for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew, nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

I’m blessed to have the opportunity of joining the staff as the new Director of Discipleship here at L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry. My position focuses on facilitating and encouraging spiritual growth and formation in the homeless through Christian outreach, engagement, and one-on-one discipleship. I work closely with Project L.I.F.E. which is a program that helps develops spiritual, emotional, and social growth within men and women who have been previously homeless or without shelter. I will also be responsible for helping the community engage in service opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations.

Liz Chapman

Bookkeeper
lchapman AT livingministry DOT org
412-818-7452
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I came to Pittsburgh in 2002 to attend Pitt as a chemistry major. Growing up in the suburbs, I had never encountered much homelessness, and as I began to volunteer with the L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry, I was exposed to a diversity of people and experiences that gave me a different view of what homelessness truly means. Through events such as ALIVE and serving at the Labor Halls, I was able to interact with people who were at a difficult time in their lives.

Throughout college, though, most of my time was spent volunteering with Young Life, an outreach to high school students, and Urban Impact Foundation, which reaches out to urban youth. I’ve always had a heart for teenage girls, and my direct ministry work was mostly in that area.

My work with L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry is mostly behind the scenes, keeping track of the finances and assisting in fundraising efforts. This position suits my organizational skills and allows me to support the staff members who interact more directly with the homeless. I truly value our amazing ministry team!