While Colin Farrell was in Toronto promoting a film, he befriended a homeless man called Stress. Stress told the Irish actor that he was struggling with depression and alcohol and he didn’t know how to straighten out his life. Farrell said he would check on him soon to make sure he was getting better.

Several days later, a local radio station offered listeners $2,000 if they could get Colin Farrell to come in for a chat. When Farrell heard this, he located Stress and headed to the radio station, pretending that Stress had found him. As a result, the station gave Stress the $2,000 reward.

Four years later, Farrell found himself in Toronto again and decided to meet up with Stress again. This time, Farrell took him on a shopping spree and gave him rent money. Farrell made him join an addiction recovery group. Years later, Stress (who now goes by his real name, David Woods) made a full recovery and got a roof over his head. Woods said he would’ve been completely lost if it wasn’t for Farrell’s intervention.

Possible Preaching Angle:

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor …” (Luke 4:18). He calls us to follow in his footsteps—bringing good news to the poor, setting the captives free.