Guest Speaker: Steve Sheridan of Empty Tomb Ministries

Pastor Steve’s Background & Calling

  • Raised Catholic, 5th of 10 children, graduated Cathedral High School

  • Early life: drugs, alcohol, worked Red Lion Hotel 12 years

    • Started as busboy, met future wife Becky (waitress)

    • Promoted toward general manager while using speed, cocaine, meth

  • Divine encounters while unsaved

    • Multiple people approached saying “God has his hand on your life”

    • Dreams: carrying cross on Via Dolorosa, baptizing people on burning plane

  • Salvation through Bill Crumb (mentor for 40 years, recently passed)

    • Bill worked under Steve at hotel, discipled him after conversion

    • Transitioned from hotel to car sales (16 years) after salvation

Holy Spirit Encounter & Ministry Launch

  • Met Omaha Ukpai at King of Kings church

    • Struggled with pride, didn’t want to fall during prayer

    • Asked God to confirm calling vs. personal ambition

    • Fell under anointing for 30 minutes, heard “Will you go?”

  • Started Bible studies at Quality Lincoln Mercury car lot

    • Sign: “Who cares? Jesus cares. Bible study 653 L Street”

    • Holy Spirit-led studies for years before church plant

Empty Tomb Ministries Development

  • Started with Sister Mary Lee Cunningham’s challenges

    • Found 5 poor families for Thanksgiving, then 10 for Christmas

    • Led to Open Door Mission speaking opportunity

  • First building: former bookie joint on 23rd & L Street

    • Hispanic translator appeared unsolicited after Steve prayed for one

    • 6 months with no attendance, then vision of Jesus’ feet

    • Heard “Stay in the glory” twice, immediate growth followed

  • Second building: former speakeasy/brothel

    • Neighborhood improved, bars closed due to ministry presence

    • Preached barefoot after God said “take your shoes off, holy ground”

Current Ministry Impact & Philosophy

  • Serves 120-150 meals every Sunday, distributes groceries

  • Multiple people freed from drugs/alcohol, now walking with Jesus

  • Core principle: “It’s one thing to give groceries because it’s right, another to give because you love them - they can tell the difference”

  • Mother Teresa quote: “When I look in the face of the poor, I see the distressing disguise of Jesus”

  • Scripture focus: Matthew 25 - serving the least is serving Jesus

  • Challenge to congregation: examine hearts, serve the poor, reach the lost

  • “The poor are our responsibility, not the government’s job”

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