David Apple
In my many years of experience, I have had two philosophies of ministry: 1) There is no mercy without the gospel--we must provide an alternative to what the world offers; 2) Don't work harder than the people coming for help--encourage independence, not dependence. These philosophies are seen plainly in his work with poor and homeless persons, drug addicts, incarcerated adults and youth, nursing home residents, separated and divorced men and women, and others.
I have served in diaconal and mercy ministry for forty years--first a Northside Chapel and Madison Ave. CRC in Paterson, NJ and, since 1988, at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. I am author of Not Just a Soup Kitchen: How Mercy Ministry in the Local Church Transforms Us All.
