Brian and Allison Lichtenstrahl and their ministry, SOZO Ministry, give back to the Macon County Community every Friday at 4 p.m. It’s a labor of love that came about from a former love for helping others in Florida. In Macon County now for three years, the couple only see the ministry growing and that gives them hope for not only Macon County, but for the world.
“We originally started ministering to people back in Orlando,” said Brian Lichtenstrahl. “Our mission there was called Urban Rescue Ministries. We did that there for a couple of years.”
“In Orlando, we were serving around 900 people at a time,” said Allison Lichtenstrahl. “When we came here, we knew there was a need, just a different need. In Orlando, it was more about helping people on the streets. Here it’s more about helping those desperate for help in other ways. We just want to show some compassion and spread a little love to others.”
The circumstances that brought the couple and their family to middle Tennessee were not what anyone would want to face.
“Our middle son was being bullied really bad in school,” said Brian. “They would say things to him like ‘You should go kill yourself’ and things like that. My sister told him he could come here and stay with her, and he did. Then he was involved in a really bad car accident and he broke his back, so we decided to come here to be with him. That was back in August of 2021.”
Things were going well until Brian’s disability was denied due to a work-related miscommunication. He wouldn’t get his disability back for a year. With money tight, Allison was the only one working — until she contracted COVID and was fired due to missing too many days, forcing the family to move into their sister’s home.
“It was embarrassing to have to do that,” said Brian. “Nobody wants to have to rely on others to survive, but sometimes things happen that leave little choice. I was in a car accident in December of 1997 and spent 21 days on life support, dying three times.”
After several surgeries and months of rehabilitation, Brian would eventually lose his eyesight in 2005 due to complications from surgery.
“We try our best to be like Christ and to give to others,” said Brian. “That’s what the Bible says to do. We want everyone to tell people about our ministry so that the word will get out to those that need help with food, or clothing, toiletries, whatever. We will be at Key Park every Friday at 4 p.m.”
Domino’s Pizza has taken it upon themselves to donate fresh pizzas to the ministry each Friday as well.
“I saw a post on Facebook about the ministry and the community outreach they were doing here,” said Amanda Rasmusson with Domino’s. “I didn’t have anything to donate other than pizza, so it made sense to help out by bringing some hot food for people to have while they looked through things. I reached out to them and asked if they would like a couple pizzas to give to families that come out for help.”
Rasmusson says that Domino’s is very willing when it comes to helping others within their community.
Anyone wishing to donate to the SOZO ministry can contact Brian Lichtenstrahl at 615-359-6063.
When asked why he continues to do this, Brian Lichtenstrahl simply replied, “Everybody needs a little Jesus.”
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