Hi, I'm Teri Gant, the founder of The Father's Heart Street Ministry. My husband  Marty and I have lived in the Portland, Oregon metro area most of our lives, along with our 7 children and 9 grandchildren.  We are actively involved in helping to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless and poor of our community, through the sharing of God's Word, mentoring others, and inviting various groups to help.

I've been a born-again Christian since 1973. In the beginning years of my newfound Christianity, my life was changed and full of joy. However, due to lack of spiritual growth in my walk with the Lord, I soon became a defeated Christian, leading a non-victorious life.

After years of walking in captivity and suffering severe depression, migraine headaches, low self-worth and low self-esteem; I finally got tired. Realizing I could no longer live the way I was living, I cried out to the Lord as I have never done before. I COMPLETELY surrendered every part of my life to Him, giving Him permission to do whatever He wanted, whatever it would take to make me into the person He wanted. 

Once I made that decision, I knew that I had to really get into the Word of God or I was going to die. I was already spiritually dying. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people die for lack of knowledge." That was exactly what was happening to me.

I became determined to read the Bible every day. I knew I had to. No matter how hard it was in the beginning, I continued to persevere.  Within months, the Lord began to heal me. He began to pour His love over me--to show me and teach me how great His love is. Suddenly, that knowledge went from my head to my heart. My heart became overwhelmed with the depth of His love for me. Then He began to heal my body. First the depression, then the migraines. Completely gone!

I fell deeper and deeper in love with Jesus, and began to spend hours in His presence, worshipping Him, praying to Him, sitting at His feet, singing to Him, listening to Him, reading His Word. He began to teach me awesome truths, and revelations of who He is, and who I am in Him.  He began to pour His love over me like a thick warm blanket.

Soon, He began to break my heart for others that were hurting. Before I knew it, people were coming to me and asking me to pray for them! After about two years, I started volunteering in a nursing home. There I would minister to the elderly. I would read to them, cut their hair, wipe faces, help feed them, visit with them, love on them, and pray with them. This is the place the Lord used to build me up. To build up my self-confidence, teach me how to pray, to be bold, walk in faith and trust in Him for all of my needs. It was there that as I prayed for people, I saw many ask Jesus into their hearts and several within days of going home to Jesus.

This is was the training ground for where He has me today...ministering to those on the streets. Almost 8 years ago I got a call from someone who needed help.  After finding out where they were, I went to pick them up on the streets of the 'skid row' area of Portland, Oregon. I got lost and ended up in the wrong place--a place where the poor and homeless lined up for a hot meal. Realizing I was in the wrong place, I left. But those faces...those eyes...they continued to haunt me for months and I couldn't escape them. I then realized that the Lord was calling me to GO OUT to help those in need.

I started volunteering to help serve meals. Then the Holy Spirit began opening my eyes to the needs of the people. Many were cold and in need of warmth. So, I purchases a few items and took them with me the next time I went down.  I was swarmed by those in need.  Within minutes, all I had was gone! I stepped out in faith telling the people that I would be back the next week with what they needed. I had no idea where I was going to get what they needed! But, I knew that God had placed me there so I knew that He would provide. I contacted a few friends and donations started coming in. They have been coming in ever since!

Hence, The Father's Heart Street Ministry began. It has now become a family-run ministry. Me, along with my husband, Marty, and our two girls, Breanne and Miranda (Now ages 15 and 17) work as a team. Committing our lives to the needs of the lonely, hurting and lost.  Choosing to be the walking, living Gospel of Jesus Christ in action. Demonstrating the love of the Father--becoming His hands extended in love. 

As I have been obedient to the Lord's calling, He promised that He would continue to provide from the riches of His storehouse. After almost 9 years, He has been faithful to His promises!

Today we operate out of a 6, 210 sq ft. warehouse, where our doors are open to anyone in need, no matter where they may travel from.   The Father’s Heart Street Ministry not only ministers on the streets to the homeless, we are now open as a drop in center where the homeless can get something to eat, a warm shower and clean clothing.  A safe place to sit and catch up on the news while drinking a cup of coffee.  TFH also helps low income families by providing emergency food boxes, clothing and house ware items.  Women and childen of domestic violence are referred to us and every child gets a stuffed animal and a book to take home to make their lives a little easier.

Our amazing God continues to guide and direct us as we seek Him to reveal to us His “blue print” for the ministry He birthed in me.  We continue to seek Him and to be a reflection of  Him and the love He has for the broken, lost and hurting.  There is nothing more powerful then the love of Jesus, it can and does change the hardest heart causing it to surrender to this powerful and amazing love.  Changing hearts and lives forever.