Local man organizes outreach to Kensington

Daniel King of Terre Hill and his wife, Cristy, both have a heart for Kensington, a neighborhood of Philadelphia recently known for issues with opioids and other illegal drugs. Since June, Daniel has traveled to Kensington almost weekly to help provide those living there with food, clothing, and hope. Daniel's connection to the area dates back to when he was a teenager and began visiting the area from his home is southern New Jersey.

"For 27 years, I was addicted to heroin, cocaine, and crack," said Daniel. "I was homeless (in Kensington) and in Camden and at Egg Harbor City, N.J. I've been incarcerated for drug possession and shoplifting."

Daniel grew up in Hammonton, N.J. In 2013, he met Cristy. In 2018, Daniel met Joel Jakubowski, current men's ministry director with The Potter's House, who was formerly with Revelations of Freedom Ministries (ROFM) in New Holland and with Teen Challenge. "(Jakubowski) came to Blackwood Church in Bethel, N.J., to talk about Teen Challenge and ROFM," recalled Daniel, who asked Jakubowski for his phone number and began communicating with him. "Finally, I asked about the ROFM program," said Daniel, who entered the program in December 2018 and graduated 11 months later. He celebrated five years of sobriety on Dec. 1.

With help from Elwood Martin, vocational therapy director with ROFM, he and Cristy found an apartment in Terre Hill. They married in May of 2022. Daniel began working for Millstream Landscapes of New Holland in 2019. In 2021, he required several surgeries to repair his knees and shoulder. Cristy noted with no family in the area, going through several surgeries and recoveries was difficult. Daniel added that the situation exacerbated mental health issues he struggled with, including bipolar disorder and social anxiety. After encouragement from a fellow church member, Daniel visited healing meetings at Eastgate House of Prayer and Gateway House of Prayer in March and then met with a couple with a healing ministry in April. During those experiences, he was healed of many problems, including a 30-year cigarette habit.

"The house was swept clean, and I was filled with the Holy Spirit," reported Daniel. "I heard God's voice, and He put Kensington on my heart." Daniel first volunteered with a secular organization working in Kensington, taking Cristy along with him the second week in July. When Cristy saw the situation and was "filled with the spirit of compassion and love" for the people, the couple began organizing outreaches.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, Daniel's ministry, which he hopes to call Resurrected Kings, will hold the Donut Gospel Exploit, which will feature doughnuts made on-site by Carl Strite, along with distributions of snacks, water, coffee, clothing, and blankets. Alvin Landis will bring loudspeakers, and he will speak. "We will give testimony and pray for healing," said Daniel, who plans to give his own testimony. "The main thing is to pray. We want other people to come out of addiction and be resurrected kings also," he said.

Readers who are interested in attending or donating may search for "Daniel King" on Facebook.