b'Hope Gospel MissionREACHEDan estimated 584 million peoplethrough media coverage andpress releases across North AmericaStar Gospel Mission Portland Rescue MissionCalifornia). The team there wove together pre-recordedThis past weekend, I found myself on that very and live segments across time zones, featuring on-the- bench. I was tired, emotional, humbled, and incredibly ground stories, local leaders, and practical perspectivesgrateful, said Amanda Herndon, executive director of In on homelessness, addiction, mental health, and recovery.His NameColleton (Walterboro, South Carolina). The The national stream began at 3:00 p.m. EST on Octoberhours were long, but the stories were powerful. People 9 and continued for 24 hours, giving viewers multiplestopped to share their struggles, their faith, their fears, opportunities to tune in, listen, and engage both onlineand their hope. Some conversations were heavy, others and in person at their local mission.were healing. Every single one reminded me why we do The events impact, measured in bench conversations,what we do at In His NameColleton. I realized that the funds raised, digital engagement, and media reach,bench wasnt just a place to sit.It was a place to listen, strongly suggested that communities were eager for alearn, and love without judgment. more personal understanding of homelessness. Inter- Beyond storytelling, Conversations on a Bench view by interview, they aimed to shift the conversationconnected people with ministries that are addressing from policy debates to concrete stories involving neigh- homelessness, addiction, mental health, and poverty bors, families, and individuals in crisis. Sitting on thewith long-term, whole-person solutions. And the mes-bench with current and former residents reminded me ofsage was clear:When communities come together, listen the wisdom, resilience, and hope that live inside people,deeply, and engage honestly, change becomes possible.said Andrea Pickett (My Fathers House, Gresham,For a complete list of participating ministries, recorded Oregon). Its a privilege to witness God at work in theirlivestream links, and opportunities to get involved, lives as they rebuild their dignity and discover hopeplease visit conversationsonabench.org.again. Before the event had officially concluded, many participants were already talking about how excited they were to participate again next year. citygatenetwork.org 34'