Urban Plunge

Gabriel Rademacher died Tuesday when he drowned approximately 70 feet from the shore of a Fremont-area lake. He was 18 years old, celebrating his high school graduation with more than a dozen other members of Concordia High School’s senior class.

Gabe went on the Urban Plunge last year. He wrote on his application that he wanted to build on and deepen his relationship with Christ by continuing to serve Him as well as praising and worshipping Him. We have confidence that Gabe is absent from his body and present with the Lord, right now, as you read this, worshiping and praising Him in person.

On the Plunge Gabe hung out with several hundred homeless people. He told us that “one of the things that surprised him was that there was so many problems and things going on just blocks away from the glitzy old market. But not only bad things, it was also great to see how God is bringing together His people in the midst of the pain to further His kingdom.”

Gabe started a blog… in his only post he writes about the solar system and the sun, which he spells “Son.” In a cleverly written metaphor… talking about both the universe and his relationship with “the Son” he ends his post with these words:

“And then there is the heat. In the farthest reaches of my orbit, icy particles of shame, doubt and fear quickly attach and weigh me down, until I can barely move. But even here, the Son’s heat blasts from out across the solar system, in rhythmic, pulsating waves, the very heartbeat of God. The ice of apathy and inadequacy melt quickly away and are replaced by glowing warmth. Though I am still bombarded by an endless storm of ice, it cannot overpower the warmth of God’s love that has penetrated to my core and now radiates from me as well.” http://greeneurosunglasses.wordpress.com

Gabe carrying a box of food at Mission For All National

Gabe with Angels on Wheels, hanging out with the homeless

Gabe getting ready for a prayer walk on Park Avenue

Gabe with youth leader, Adam, and a buddy

Friday Night

All the girls from our group went over to the women’s side of Sienna Francis House to sing and pray with the ladies. One woman came up to us and told us that she couldn’t sing because she had lost her voice. We prayed over her for God to restore her voice and when we were done she could talk clearly and sing!

-Bailey

Friday Night

A mother and her son came to the Sienna Francis House while we were there with the Angel’s on Wheels and we helped her find a trash bag full of clothes for her son. He got new boots and so many clothes. I felt like I had helped make a difference and I thank Urban Plunge for allowing me to do that!

-Mikeala

All Nations Church's Youth Praying with the Homeless.

Have you prayed for the homeless in your city today?

Friday Evening

At the Siena Francis House, I met a man who had just gotten out of jail that morning. Even though he had family in town, he didn’t have a place to stay that night. It just deeply affected me in that there was no place for him to transition. I feel like I need to do something to fix that.

-Laura

Friday Evening

Meeting with the homeless at Angels on Wheels was definitely out of my comfort zone. But talking with Gabe, my eyes were opened to the desperation of his circumstances. He shared his story with us and I could see that he just wanted someone to listen. Giving him that time made him feel valued, and it opened my eyes to the reality of homelessness.

-Natalie

Friday Evening

At Angles on Wheels, we went to the Jackson Tower to hand out flowers to mothers for Mother’s Day. It amazed me how happy a simple rose made them and how they craved touch. When we would pray, they would grab my hand and just hold on for dear life. Then they would hug me and thank me like I gave them a million dollars or something. It was really interesting.

-Nickie

Friday Evening

At Angels on Wheels I encountered a gentleman that was struggling with alcoholism. I offered to pray with or for him and he responded with the most genuine “Please pray for me.” It truly touched me.

-Hollie

Friday Evening

When we were at Angels on Wheels, praying at the very end, I felt that when we prayed we were praying to someone next to us and very close and not far away. That’s only happened once before in my life.

-Lena

Friday Evening

The Angels on Wheels really impacted me because I saw how those people of God were suffering and how bad they felt. I realized that so many people have less than half of what I have. That they really need to be prayed for and touched through God’s hands.

-Tommy