Revival on South Broadway

James’ first job was unloading cocaine from airplanes in exchange for duffle bags of cash in the hills of East when he was 13. “The time I’ve spent in jail isn’t for anything I’ve done. If I’d been in for what I’ve done, I’d probably still be in there.” He had inherited membership into a motorcycle gang, and the only way to get out of the motorcycle gang without recoil was to enlist in the military at 18. “In the military, I was bootlegging Grey Goose Vodka out of France and selling it to Russians in East Germany.” 

 “So many people that I loved, my friends, their lives were destroyed, and I got tired of it.” He went looking for a new future for himself free from drugs, alcohol, crime, and violence. He ended up in Wichita on a construction job. 

 Originally from California, Cheryl had been in a violent relationship for fourteen and a half years before James. She moved to Wichita to help her little sister with her kids. “My trials and tribulations are my testimony. That’s what I use them for.”    

They both grew up hearing the gospel, but James said, “I never felt like I belonged in the church.” They were determined to find a church together. They visited a church which had been planted by World Impact staff and, “it just felt like home.”  

“I told them I want to dedicate my life to Christ, and I don’t want to take a step backwards. I’m the kind of person that when I am a part of something, I go all out. I’m wide open. Full blast,” James said.  

Their openness about their lives and questions about the Bible caught the attention of their pastors. James signed up for World Impact's Church-Based Seminary classes. “I’ve graduated and attended all the classes three times because I like the camaraderie.” Everything that James learns, he immediately finds a way to use it in his ministry.  

Around the same time, James and Cheryl were given management of the Economy Inn, a budget motel on South Broadway, an area with a high rate of homelessness, addiction, and crime. 

When you walk through the parking lot of the Economy Inn, one of the first things you notice is that there is stuff everywhere—mini fridges, space heaters, grills. “There’s this guy on meth who wanders around here at night sometimes, and if we don’t leave random items out for him to steal, he’ll start breaking into cars,” James explains. 

When James and Cheryl took over management, there was prostitution and drug dealing in over half of the rooms. They had to kick several people out, which made them enemies. Their efforts to make the facility safer built rapport with the whole community and gave them opportunities to share what Jesus has done in their lives.  

“We’ve been praying for a revival on South Broadway for the longest time, because we can’t do it by ourselves,” said Cheryl. Behind her is a canvas tarp that covers a hidden shelf stocked with loaves of bread. “We pray for those shelves to remain stocked. The homeless come by and get what they need. Many of them live under a bridge nearby,” Cheryl explains. “God provides what we need.”  

“My pastor recommended that I start carrying pepper-spray since it’s non-violent means of protection. I’ve been attacked while prayer-walking and have had to use the spray. If I spray someone, I walk them over to the curb, and wash out their eyes. Then I share the gospel with them and invite them to church. Everyone I’ve pepper-sprayed has come to church with me.” Considering James has broken jaws and arms with his bare hands before, this gentleness is radical. 

“We aren’t promised that everything is going to go right. There are tribulations, but God is doing miracles among us and through us.” 

Their grit, gratitude, and hope through tragedy is inspiring. Despite their fatigue, they have a heightened awareness of God’s work at the Economy Inn. God has written a remarkable story for James and Cheryl, and he has perfectly gifted them to minister in one of the toughest areas of Wichita. They have used every resource, every minute of training they have received from World Impact, as a blessing for their community. “This is our spot,” Cheryl said as she affectionately lays her head on James’ shoulder.