For the past five plus years we have partnered with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) to provide the homeless population a safe place to sleep. Over 100 volunteers have supported the program. Five-plus years equals over 250 nights of hosting with 330 guests. The people in the program have come through our doors searching for hope, needing food, needing someone to show some empathy. We’ve learned their names and their stories. It’s been a great ministry.
LSS announced last week that they are closing IHELP. Our last time to host is Monday, March 24.
Why is such a successful program closing?
Paul’s short answer: Greed!
Longer answer: The Department of Government Efficiency (the ultimate oxymoron), that’s the agency cutting Park Rangers, Air Traffic people, etcetera, owes LSS over $930,000 which will go unpaid by our government. Like the Park Rangers, IHELP was deemed unnecessary by DOGE.
I don’t know the details of how our ministry with the homeless population will emerge from this blow. I do know that Seth Dyson, the Human Service and Community Vitality Director in the City of Surprise, will be hosting a community meeting TODAY (Thursday, March 13 at 3 pm) at the Surprise Council Conference Overflow Room for all those interested in how we move forward.
Surprise City Hall is located at 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374. Council Conference Overflow Room.
Ministry with the homeless is at the heart of our social justice ministry, so here’s my promise…
As long as Pastor Jim and I have breath we will be partnering, networking, and connecting people and organizations.
- We will stay true to the Biblical mandate to care for widows and orphans.
- We will do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
- We will rise like the proverbial phoenix.
- We will bee the church!
Shalom, Paul