1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

"Tent Cities" in the USA

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 20, 2013.

Top Posters
  1. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,462
    Likes Received:
    1,575
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Here is a list of "Tent Cities" in the USA.

    Is anybody addressing this in your churches? If so, could you provide information on what your doing ie your initiatives.

    Thank you

    Taken from Wiki

    Camp Quixote, Olympia, Washington State[1]
    Camp Take Notice, Ann Arbor, Michigan[2]
    Dignity Village, Portland, Oregon
    Opportunity Village Eugene (OVE), Eugene, Oregon
    New Jack City and Little Tijuana, Fresno, California[1]
    Nickelsville, located in Seattle[1][3]
    River Haven,[4] Ventura County, California[5][6]
    Safe Ground, Sacramento, California[1]
    Temporary Homeless Service Area (THSA), Ontario, California[1]
    Tent City (100+ residents) of Lakewood, New Jersey[7][8]
    Tent City, Avenue A and 13th Street, Lubbock, Texas[9]
    Tent City, New Jersey forest[10]
    Tent City, banks of the American River, Sacramento, California[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
    Tent City 3, Seattle
    Tent City 4, eastern King County outside of Seattle
    The Point, where the Gunnison River and Colorado River meet[20]
    The Village of Hope and Community of Hope, Fresno, California[1]
    Transition Park, Camden, New Jersey
    Tent City, Fayette County, Tennessee, [1]
    Camp Unity, Kirkland, WA [2]

    http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2013/08/03/welcome-to-third-world-america-camden-new-jerseys-tent-city/
     
    #1 Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 20, 2013
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,501
    Likes Received:
    1,241
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I've been working with Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need [LINK] since its inception in 2009.

    The tent camp in Bristol, PA was broken up last year and the folk have had to adjust.

    I've found that many of the people that populate these camps are mentally unstable and not receptive to the gospel - but that doesn't stop us from sharing anyway.

    The best opportunity to see fruits from sharing God's word lies in sharing Christ with the volunteers that help - many of them are humanitarians - not Christians.

    These camps present a good way for a church to break out of every-day mundane ministries that are all to common.

    Rob
     
    #2 Deacon, Aug 20, 2013
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,462
    Likes Received:
    1,575
    Faith:
    Baptist
    now are saying Rob you gotta be sane to be a Christian? :smilewinkgrin:

    Seriously though, I'm going to suggest this as a fall field trip for some churches around Joisey..... we have enough of them here it appears....but Camden is closer to you.....I will concede that to youse guys! (let me know when you go & I will pray hard for you)::praying::praying: Also take a cop with you.
     
    #3 Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 20, 2013
  4. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,501
    Likes Received:
    1,241
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Every other year we have training to perform the tasks we volunteer for.

    The advise that's given includes: DO NOT ENTER THEIR CAMPS - they are dangerous places.
    Best to hang around outside the encampment and offer assistance with those that come to you.

    The ranks of the homeless have swelled these past few years.
    Modern encampments around here tend to be quite spread out.
    The tenents are often skilled manupulators who have used up every opportunity for help. Don't let them take advantage of them + don't invite them home!
    The encampments are filled with lawlessness, mental illness and untreated disease.

    Talk to them but believe only about 2% of what they say.

    Rob
     
    #4 Deacon, Aug 20, 2013
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,462
    Likes Received:
    1,575
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I will bear that in mind....BTW, did you put in a cold crop yet?
     
    #5 Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 20, 2013
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2002
    Messages:
    9,501
    Likes Received:
    1,241
    Faith:
    Baptist
    It takes quite a while to gain the trust of those you want to serve in an encampment - one visit won't do much.
    Plan on weekly visits - be trustworthy and don't miss any.

    Bringing along a cop would be detrimental - those you serve are on the other side of the law.

    • Building a ministry with the homeless takes time and money.
    • Build a team for long term ministry - the homeless are used to people who come minister and never come back.
    • Bring warm meals
    • Bring warm clothes
    • Supplying cigarettes will draw a crowd but will cause trouble.

    Let them know your rules:
    • NO WEAPONS IN THE SERVICE AREA
    • NO DRUNKENNESS IN THE SERVICE AREA
    • RESPECT THE WOMEN WHO SERVE
    If you are serious about starting a ministry the Red Cross will provide valuable help.


    [Re: my winter crops - I'll start them mid September - it doesn't get too cold in the Philly are til February.]

    Rob
     
    #6 Deacon, Aug 20, 2013
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,462
    Likes Received:
    1,575
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Sincerely Rob, thank you.
     
    #7 Earth Wind and Fire, Aug 20, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...