Firehouse Church in Action
Jim Swinnerton | Firehouse Church
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
These are two of the Bible passages that motivate and inspire the ministry of Firehouse Church on Buffalo’s East Side.
Firehouse Church was incorporated in July 2020 to serve the spiritual needs of the adult (18+) residents of Saving Grace Ministry housing. This includes parolees of the New York State Department of Corrections as well as persons in need of transitional housing referred by Erie County Department of Social Services – i.e. the homeless. With the help of Pastor Terry King and Pastor Leroy Wiggins of The Chapel Cheektowaga campus, we have been able to continue to thrive as a church body, despite the intervening pandemic!
The Church conducts services and activities on the premises of the Saving Grace building at 2025 Bailey Ave. in Buffalo. Gatherings are held in the first-floor chapel which was renovated from an old Buffalo fire station- hence the name, “Firehouse Church.”
Our ministry answers the call of Jesus when He said the words, “I was in prison and you came to me.” Many in our culture don’t realize that, even though a person is released from incarceration to parole, they still are not completely free to come and go as they please. There are many rules and restrictions that they must abide by or face going back to prison. For some, this even impacts the freedom to worship and attend a regular church in the community.
Working with Saving Grace Ministries, Firehouse Church is also serving the homeless community of Erie County who have no other place to go (“I was a stranger and you invited me in” Matthew 25:35). An increasing number of our newer attendees are simply men and women who have fallen on hard times and are in desperate need of both physical assistance and spiritual encouragement. Many of them arrive hungry for more meaning and purpose in their lives.
Pastors Jim and Patty Swinnerton are ordained ministers with Elim Fellowship of Lima, NY. They have a deep love and calling to serve ex-offenders and the homeless in the Buffalo area. Jim and Patty have been working with Saving Grace Ministries since 2015 and are now established as pastors of Firehouse Church.
The church also provides opportunities for other Christian fellowship such as weekly small group bible studies, Christian movie days, volunteer workdays, special dinners, dessert nights at Grace House, and visits by guest speakers.
Like most churches, Firehouse can always use help paying for the physical expenses incurred by a church. We serve food at practically every event in the spirit of “breaking the bread” of fellowship. For many of them, good food and a chance to relieve the loneliness they feel is an irresistible enticement to come to our gatherings. Once there, though, we invite them to eat freely of the Bread of Life, and the refreshing drink that can only be provided by Jesus Christ (“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35)
We also help provide items of clothing and personal care items. Every new arrival receives a welcome backpack stuffed with items like soap, shampoo, razors, toothpaste and a toothbrush, socks, gloves, etc. - and of course, a Bible in every bag. For people leaving prison or someone who has been on the street for a while, these supplies are most welcome and needed.
But by far, the greatest need we have is for human resources - volunteer Bible teachers and worship musicians especially. We are currently trying to increase our small group class options but must have more volunteer teachers to do it (“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few…” Matthew 9:37).
For most of our Sunday worship services we depend on recorded music. When we do get a visiting musician, it is a joyful experience, and everyone is blessed - including the musician(s). You may be asking yourself, “how can I serve the Lord with my gifts?” Perhaps this may be an answer to your question. Want more information? Call us any time at 716-445-2616.
