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Act Together Initiative
By Simon Allen
Catford, UK
I met Dave in a church graveyard where he had slept rough for twelve months.
Dave grew up in South East London but, because of illness, he spent the first seven years of his life in hospital in Southampton. Childhood was miserable until his mother remarried when Dave was thirteen. This was the happiest time of his upbringing, ending with his new father’s death seven years later. Then, following education, Dave gained employment and rented accommodation, until in 2000 he started rough-sleeping due to financial problems that resulted in losing his flat. Over a two-year period on the street he tried to take his own life five times. Dave came to the Feast (see below) and then went on an Alpha course. During this time, he was set free from the voices in his head that were lying to him and had kept him captive for twenty years.
Dave experienced freedom in Jesus Christ and was wholeheartedly able to give his life to Jesus. He was baptised in January 2005 and currently lives in a house run by our church.
Homelessness affects many people. The figures for the hidden homeless population in the UK (ie living in hostels, squats, bed-and-breakfast, and on the floors of friends and family) are around 380,000 (Crisis, How Many, How Much?, 2003). Further, an average of 5,504 sleep on the street on any one night, 267 of those being in Greater London (ODPM, July 2003). Homelessness affects all types of people, singles and families, men and women, old and young, those who had a good education and those who did not.
The top three causes of homelessness are:
1. parents, relatives or friends not being able or willing to provide accommodation
2. relationship breakdown
3. the end of short-hold tenancy
The life expectancy of a rough-sleeper in the UK is estimated at 42 years (ODPM, Policy Briefing 7).
Jesus’ call in Matthew 25 is, ‘Where were you when I was a stranger? Did you let me in?’ The expectation from Scripture is that we are to be part of the solution to homelessness. I expect many of us have been faced with the dilemma that homelessness causes, either through being homeless ourselves or through being asked to help somebody who is. Often the solution is complicated.
The Jericho Road Project
In 2001, I moved with my family to London from Bedford where we had worked on the King’s Arms Project for eight years. The aim was to start a new project that addressed the issues of homelessness in the borough of Lewisham (population 245,000) as well as promoting social action in the London Newfrontiers churches.
What happens? First, we have a drop-in meeting, the Feast, that helps us make contacts and gives us credibility both amongst people in need and with the local council and other agencies. Second, we run sessions where we offer advice and personal support. Third, we have a house that offers low-level support to ex-rough-sleepers, with another opening imminently.
Throughout our last four years in Lewisham, homelessness has been our number one issue. In trying to respond to that need, we have had to tackle the following challenges: substance abuse, mental health, crime/prison, serious illness, relational breakdown, childhood abuse and many complicated, personal difficulties which people carry with them. Homelessness is not an isolated issue; there are always other concerns to address.
People need more than a roof over their heads. They need help with many of the above problems as well. What they also need is a community of people whom they can trust and share their lives with and, in this context, find practical and spiritual answers to life.
When I visited Edward and Fridah Buria and their church in Kambakia, Kenya, in 1999, I observed people who had far less in the way of housing than people in England, but who had a beauty and contentment in their spirits because of knowing Jesus and being part of a church community.
The way forward
Let’s look at some ways in which the church (ie you) can be part of the solution to homelessness. I believe the church has a significant role to play. First, get equipped by finding out the services that are available to homeless people. Get acquainted with available resources.
Second, do the things that the church is best at doing. The local church in action is a wonderful vehicle for taking people on a journey they never dreamed was possible. For example, giving someone time to talk about his or her week, or making new friends, are two of our strong points.
Third, let the professionals do what they are best at doing, such as providing legal advice about housing. Also, be confident about engaging with professionals. For example, ask to attend mental health reviews that decide housing issues for someone you are supporting.
The nationwide need for work with homelessness is vast. Many Newfrontiers churches are considering taking action, others are already active. The need to share experiences and promote good practice has led to the formation of two networks; the Housing and Resettlement Network and the Drop-in Network.
Gospel impact
The challenge for all social action projects is to maintain a sharp evangelistic edge while enabling people from chaotic backgrounds to make a home in your congregation. The aim of our project is to provide the best opportunities for people to receive Christ as their saviour, whilst expressing God’s love to everyone regardless of their response.
Our Outreach meeting sets the tone for our project. Each week a short gospel talk is given. Alongside a hot meal and the provision of clothing, it provides the challenge to people to explore who Jesus is.
Making a Sunday morning meeting feel welcoming to a person in need requires thought; don’t just assume all people are the same. Consider reading and writing abilities, or even illustrations within the preach.
We desire to see people become disciples of Christ and that involves a process. People who are homeless or ex-homeless need to experience the grace of God demonstrated to them. That includes clear boundaries and expectations. Jesus wept over a city; he also picked out individuals to minister to them. He had compassion for the multitudes but ministered to the individual. I have found it healthier to keep a wider dimension to the project we are setting up rather than focussing on two or three people.
This ministry is good for the local church because it changes people’s perceptions of homeless/disadvantaged people. It also allows those from a homeless background, who have much to offer, to make their contribution
as God builds a beautiful church. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, ‘But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.’
People in your home?
We must now face a crunch issue – do you take people who are homeless into your home? The Bible’s examples of homelessness are limited but, generally, people were welcomed into others’ homes. Consider the following:
Asylum?seekers do not swamp the UK. After years of anti-asylum press stories, British people believe, according to a recent Mori poll, that the UK has 23% of the world’s refugees. The real figure is below 2%. Britain is 32nd in the worldwide league table of countries taking asylum seekers.
Consider carefully both your own circumstances and those of the homeless person. Seek advice from people you consider to be wise and trustworthy.
If you do take someone into your home, it helps to have clear boundaries. How long are you happy for them to stay? What state (in relation to drugs/alcohol/solvents) are you willing to accept them in and what are the consequences if this standard is broken?
God is at work gathering a people from all races, cultures and backgrounds. Our role includes demonstrating the goodness of God to hurting, vulnerable, disadvantaged people. The changes that we want to see in people’s lives are impossible without God working in them and guiding us.
For some people, a bad day can make them reach for a bar of chocolate; for others, it can mean going to get heroin. Our call to minister to people in need is not dependent on ‘good results’. We are called to this work because it is an expression of God’s heart (Isaiah 61). God commands us to care for the needy (Psalm 82:3-5) and Jesus modelled it (Mark 1:40-45).
For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. We have a glorious reason to reach many people in need for Jesus.
For further information on the networks mentioned please contact Simon Allen at sallen@kingscentre.org or phone 020 8690 4646.
Residential projects directly linked to Newfrontiers
churches
The Bridge Project: Oasis Church, Birmingham www.theoasischurch.com
The King’s Arms Project: King’s Arms, Bedford
www.kingsarms.org
The Friends First Project: Church of Christ the King, Brighton www.cck.org.uk
Open Door: Middlesbrough
steve@teesside.org
The Jericho Road Project: King’s Church, Catford, London www.kingscentre.org
Useful Websites
www.nightstop-uk.org (46 affiliated schemes across the UK)
www.crisis.org.uk
www.shelter.org.uk
www.odpm.gov.uk |
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