St. John’s Ministries
Philosophy of Care
Matthew 25
Our philosophy of care is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly His call in Matthew 25 to serve those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, and vulnerable.
We believe that when we serve others with compassion, dignity, and humility, we serve Christ Himself.
This understanding shapes how we welcome, serve, and support guests, how we respond to human need, and how we fulfill our mission in the greater Green Bay community.
Matthew 25
Who Are We Called to Serve?
“…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
(Matthew 25:40)
At St. John’s Ministries, Matthew 25 serves as a foundational expression of our faith. It reminds us that every person has inherent dignity and worth, regardless of their circumstances or struggles.
This passage calls us to see beyond homelessness, mental illness, addiction, trauma, or poverty and recognize the image of God in every person we encounter.
It shapes our commitment to hospitality, compassion, and service while reminding us that relationships are at the heart of meaningful change.
The Corporal Works of Mercy
How Do We Live Out Matthew 25?
The Corporal Works of Mercy provide a practical framework for putting our faith into action.
These principles guide our commitment to compassionate service, hospitality, dignity, and care for our neighbors in need.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
How Do People Move Toward Lasting Change?
While our faith tells us why we serve, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs helps us understand how people often move from crisis toward safety, stability, belonging, purpose, and flourishing. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term opportunities for growth, St. John’s Ministries seeks to support the whole person and create pathways toward lasting change.
Balancing Mercy and Responsibility
At St. John’s Ministries, we believe people should never be defined by their diagnosis, behavior, circumstances, mistakes, or past experiences. We recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every person and respond with mercy, compassion, and hope.
We believe lasting change begins with relationships, and relationships are built when people feel seen, respected, valued, and supported.
For this reason, St. John’s Ministries seeks to balance mercy with responsibility, compassion with accountability, and hospitality with safety. We strive to be both deeply relational and effective. Neither extreme fulfills our mission. Compassion without structure can fail those we are called to serve. Structure without compassion can diminish the dignity of those we are called to help. A healthy ministry requires both.
Our framework reflects this balance. The Corporal Works of Mercy remind us why we serve and how we are called to treat others. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs helps us understand what people need to move from crisis toward safety, stability, belonging, purpose, and flourishing. Together, these frameworks allow us to remain grounded in faith while utilizing proven practices that support recovery, housing stability, personal growth, and long-term success. One provides the heart of our work. The other helps guide its practical application.
By holding these principles together, St. John’s Ministries remains faithful to its mission while responding to the complex realities of homelessness with wisdom, compassion, professionalism, dignity, and hope.
