Henry O. Arnold III releases a new book, "The Mercy Seat," the first volume of "The Urban Chronicles" series. Henry O Arnold III's websiteWHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Identifying with people and their needsArt and literature as a call to actionHow to start ministering to the unhoused populationABOUT THE GUEST: Henry's career as an actor and author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. His most recent film is "The Hiding Place." He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled "The Song of Prophets and Kings."Mr. Arnold received his B.A. from Pepperdine University and his Master of Fine Arts degree at U.N.C. Chapel Hill.When not writing, he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere in the world. He and his lovely wife, Kay, have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:Matthew 25 : 35-40TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:02:23 - What is the role of the church in urban America?02:38 - Matthew 25:35-40 - whatever you did for one of the least of these of mine, you did for me03:41 - Identify with people - see and hear the need04:25 - Open eyes and ears open to God and hearts and action for those around us04:31 - Not just see and pass by05:27 - What righteous people do is make the sacrifice05:33 - Out of the joy of our relationship with Jesus, we get to sacrifice for others06:33 - If the church does what she is supposed to do...08:07 - How is God working in the homeless ministry?08:28 - The Room in the Inn08:38 - National Rescue Mission08:40 - Stand - a play about a friendship between a homeless man and a middle class business person09:09 - based on a true story09:23 - the play toured the country with the founder of Room in the Inn09:30 - a story of homelessness, poverty, and addiction09:43 - raising money and awareness09:46 - Las Vegas has the 3rd highest homeless population in the country10:00 - juxtaposition between what Vegas is known for and the homelessness10:30 - Closer to home, the local church...10:36 - Second Saturdays of City Service11:07 - The Village Chapel has a missional sense of getting out into the world to care for people11:29 - to be of such service that if the church no longer existed, it would be sorely missed because of their care and generosity12:14 - each church should look at their existence13:44 - churches change societies14:07 - beautiful symbiosis between government and church to meet a need in the community14:34 - The hope for the impact of "The Mercy Seat" and sequels14:48 - for the reader to be entertained15:16 - but more so, to identify with the characters and situations15:30 - and to see a place for himself in a similar situation16:03 - Example of the first century church16:57 - How to start ministering to the unhoused population19:28 - Pray and walk at the same timeDID YOU APPRECIATE THIS PODCAST? Checkout previous episodes, leave a review, drop us a note or support the mission here: oururbanvoices.com