Homelessness

We support homeless shelters and volunteer on occasion. However, there are two local ministries where we concentrate our efforts. Refugee missions has been a predominant focus for our church through the last few years. Next, many of our elders and leaders focus on after school programs in the local schools.

 

Our Baptist church collects coats and blankets to take to the streets of St. Louis and give to the homeless, and our youth ministry does missions to the homeless. I see a lot of Baptists involved.

 

In the areas I've lived (up to being stationed in Hawaii), there hasn't really been a homeless problem in those areas. However, the churches I've attended did have jail ministries, and things like that. Once I moved to Hawaii, the church I joined there had a food bank that they'd give out food to the homeless.

 

My pastor started a mission here, over 20 years ago, when he pastored another church. Now, the mission is supported by many baptist churches, but my pastor is still the Chairman of the Board of Directors, his brother-in-law gave up pastoring his church to become the full time director, and one of our deacons has been the business manager for over 20 years there.

I do volunteer work there year around as my health allows.

But yes, we are Baptist and very much a part of this mission which feeds and houses hundreds each year. It also has clothing, food and counseling, chapel services, and transportation to church.

John

 

Many independent Baptist churches support rescue missions like the one seekingfortruth mentioned. Two more examples: our mission board recently had our 50th annual meeting. Many of us missionaries took a bus tour to the famous Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, an awesome work in an awesome facility God gave them. Many independent Baptists support this work. Again, my wife's home church has been an active supporter and participant in the work of the Lansing (MI) Rescue Mission. Used to be the homeless being reached there all came to this church on Sunday morning. I myself have helped take food to the mission.

We did rescue missions long before homelessness became a national issue and a popular cause. We'll be doing it after the world moves on to other causes.

 

Saggy, if you are asking about a certain part of homeless ministry then you should state it up front.

If your concern is why don't more Baptist churches open up to the homeless during the winter, then just say that. I feel it is a genuine concern.

But the OP was very open and generic.

John

 

I think Baptists very often view homelessness as laziness or unwillingness to work, but the truth is that there are usually underlying, deeper issues. As the Church, it's our job to minister to them.