"Barefoot Sunday" Provides Shoes for Disaster Victims

NorthStar Church hosting Soles for Souls on June 5 in Acworth, Kennesaw & Dallas.

A congregation of over 3,000 people will be challenged to walk out of church in a new way on Sunday, June 5. They’ll be “walking a mile in the shoes of the poor” - leaving their shoes behind and walking out to the parking lots barefoot.

They’ll experience what much of the world experiences every day. Even the privilege of having shoes to protect their feet is beyond the reach of many men, women, and children living today.

That’s where the inspiration for the organization Soles for Souls came from. Wayne Elsey spent his entire life working in the footwear industry. But, when he watched the devastating news reports from the Asian tsunami in 2004, his heart broke wide open.  

“Like you, I was horrified to witness the immense devastation of the tsunami in Indonesia,” said Elsey. “I was sitting on my couch watching the news reports replay the giant waves ripping through the towns, and I felt sick to my stomach. Then I saw an image of a single shoe, stranded on a decimated beach. I felt like donating everything I had, but I knew it wouldn't be enough.”

He called other industry leaders in the American footwear industry and was able to provide 250,000 pairs of shoes to the tsunami victims. Since then, Soles for Shoes has assisted in other disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, providing footwear for those who’d lost everything they owned in the floods.

Once again Soles for Souls  is stepping up to the plate to provide shoes for those Americans who’ve suffered the ravaging tornadoes in Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri. To assist these efforts, the members of  are putting their best feet forward and donating their shoes.

If you have some neglected shoes taking up space on your closet floor, dig them out, and drop them by the NorthStar Church offices at 3413 Blue Springs Road, Kennesaw.  New or gently used children’s, women’s, men’s, and athletic shoes are badly needed. Soles for Souls drop boxes are at the front entrance of the church. Please use rubber bands to keep your shoes together so that they’ll get to their new owners intact.

If you have any questions about this NorthStar Big Give, contact Marsha James, Missions Director at: (770) 420-9808.

Cherie K. Miller is a member of NorthStar Church and will be proudly barefoot this Sunday. Attend at 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the NorthStar Campus on the border of Acworth/Kennesaw or the new location at 10 a.m. in Dallas!

Download the movie