“What would Jesus do about today’s homelessness? He would start with a sack lunch and a prayer. And then would begin to overturn society’s approach to homelessness.” ~ Joel John Roberts, CEO of People Assisting The Homeless, Publisher of PovertyInsights.org » Read WWJD About Homelessness in America?
One night a year or so ago, I was at my church, getting things out of the kitchen for street outreach, and half-listening to the mostly incoherent mutterings of my friend, Al — a homeless schizophrenic. His face this night was wrinkled and troubled, his thoughts jumbled, his eyes unfocused. … > read more
I wrote about the guys on the block (and more) for the News & Record: “When there’s nowhere to go,” by Michele Forrest; published Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. It’s online here, and reposted below: My ministry partner, Audrie Keen, and I provide a street outreach to the homeless in Greensboro, … > read more
Yesterday, I got a call about a homeless man in Greensboro who was sleeping in a barn. There was no room at the shelters for him. And the owner of the barn wanted him gone. I had no answers for the caller. I prayed for God to make a way … > read more
The Myrtle Beach City Council has placed serious restrictions on group that feed the homeless in city (public) parks. Church groups are currently feeding the homeless and hungry in obedience to their faith — weekly in one park and monthly in another. A new ordinance will require them to obtain … > read more
From an instant message conversation with my best friend and ministry partner, Audrie Keen, thinking about yesterday when we were at the Salvation Army store, loading the truck for NightWatch, street outreach to the homeless: Here’s a good moment: Yesterday when I left the Army, my hands were filthy. Like … > read more
From the News & Record, 01/15/2009: Kenneth Brown keeps the small, red book in his small, cluttered office at the Salvation Army Family Store. He and Nicole “Nikky” Slaughter, his assistant manager, use it to record the names of any new student who comes in for community service after getting … > read more
If you’re in Greensboro and you’ve signed up for winter shelter at the HIVE, First Presbyterian or Grace Community, but you haven’t come in yet, tonight’s the night to come inside. The forecast temperature for tonight (Sunday, Dec. 21) is 19 degrees and tomorrow night (Monday, Dec. 22) is 20 … > read more
I’ve visited the women’s winter emergency shelter at Grace Community Church the past two nights, and it’s a peaceful and happy place to be. I already knew most of the homeless women who are staying there, but it’s so cool to get to hang out with them at night like … > read more
I got an email this morning from the Rev. Mike Aiken, director of Greensboro Urban Ministries: I am very concerned about having enough emergency shelter for this winter for our homeless friends. Weaver House has been at capacity all summer. Pathways has 44 families on the waiting list. The Guilford … > read more