Today we’d like to introduce you to Koedi Nealy.
Hi Koedi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
When I was seven years old, I didn’t understand homelessness. I could not imagine why people slept on the streets, begged for money, and ate from dumpsters. I wondered what they had done wrong? I wondered why no one would help them? I wondered where their friends and families were? Around that time, I also noticed pennies on the ground. I often found myself stepping over them without picking them up. I realized that pennies were everywhere, and I could use them to help save people, particularly the homeless people. As I began to relate the broken and lost people of the world to the tiny coins on the ground, God began to call me into a life of ministry. I didn’t know what that meant or what it looked like, but I was determined to figure it out. I used my little voice to ask every person I met to collect pennies and give them to me so that I could use them to help the homeless men and women… So, Graced Ministry was born. This past year I put my story in a children’s book form, which can be found and bought from gracedministry.org. I see Graced growing in different ways every day. There is either a new book purchase or someone asking about the Ambassador program and how they can get involved. Besides from awareness, I see Graced’s Outreach program expanding. Right now, we currently partner with a church here in Houston where different groups go out every Saturday to the “homeless camps” I have previously mentioned. Graced takes a team on the fourth Saturday of each month to serve the same six homeless camps where relationships are built. I’m currently working on the logistics of having a Graced Outreach where we would serve a different part of Houston and train groups to go out weekly and build new relationships and create new friendships. Something I love about Graced Ministry that I believe is different from other non-profits is that we are intentional with the relationships we build. Life change doesn’t take place without trust and trust takes time. The people who work with Graced are focused on making others feel heard, loved, and cared for and that is our goal at the end on the day- to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The past ten years have not been an easy road whatsoever, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Being so young I had to learn how to work with adults and advocate what I wanted the ministry to look like. As I built a non-profit from the ground up, I* learned how to be patient and work with others. I had to be reminded that it was God’s vision through me, and thankfully he was very specific. I have dealt with heartbreak from homeless friends passing away. I have witnessed addiction ruin lives and hold people I loved dearly hostage. Although I have witnessed a lot, I have also learned a lot about who God is and who he is calling me to be. God’s plans for my life have always been directed in such a distinct way. Through following my calling, many lives have been changed and impacted. Although ministry isn’t easy, as a Christian we are all called to it in some way. Loving people who do not feel worthy of being loved, helping those who are lost, forgotten, and in a place of desperation. I had to learn how to balance my life in ministry with my personal relationship with Christ. I learned that my alone time with him is just as important as my work on the street with homeless friends. I had to be prepared spiritually for the battles in street life, so I would be able to make a difference in the community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I really have enjoyed the outreach part of ministry and creating relationships with these people who I would now call my friends on the street. Let me first tell you about Dave Miller. I’ll never forget that day when this 46-year-old man shared his story, tears were streaming down his face as he really wanted to live a safer life off the streets. This was life-changing for me. This was the first time one of my Graced packs led to this depth of a conversation. Thankfully there was an organization that was able to provide housing help for him. A few of the Graced Ambassadors and I were able to help move him into his apartment and pray over his doorsteps and it was just an amazing experience. Graced Packs are bags Graced Ambassadors put together with essential items inside of them. They are conversation starters so that we are able to build a relationship with the person we give them too. I believe Graced Ministry is different from a lot of other non-profits because it was founded by a young girl who wants to show the love of Jesus to all and connect with people. Building intentional relationships is the most important thing to me. Relationships with my friends on the street, relationships with my ambassadors, and relationships with our partner organizations. Our ambassador program not only gives students opportunities to volunteer but also to lead. We partner with many other organizations by providing volunteers as we represent generation Z! My dream will always be to grow Graced Ministry. I plan to plant outreach programs across the United States while advocating for my friends on the street. Another dream of mine is to have a Graced House where we could house homeless friends for a year at a time and teach them life skills as they learn to live a safe a successful life off the streets. I would love to continue to public speak and remind people of their worth and motivate them to make a positive impact in the world.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my grandma, Nini. She has been in Heaven for 5 years now, and I miss her every day. I loved the relationship and friendship we had. I would spend most summers with her in Oklahoma exploring nature, learning to drive, helping her work, and having fun! She was an amazing women that I still look up to and want to love others just as she did.
Contact Info:
- Email: gracedministry@gmail.com
- Website: gracedministry.org
- Instagram: @koedinealy, @penniesfromheaven, @gracedministry
- Youtube: Koedinealy
Image Credits
Koedi Nealy
Amy Kidd
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