In a case that drew national attention, the Supreme Court recently ruled that communities have the right to enforce public camping bans impacting the growing problem of unsheltered homelessness. Beyond the sensational and simplified headlines, this is a complex issue that communities across the country are wrestling with as they balance the safety and accessibility of public spaces with the need to care for and support folks living on the margins.
The rise in homelessness and unsheltered homelessness is evident here in our community. Homelessness has increased 250% in the past three years in our area, more than 20X the national average, with a significant increase in folks living out on the streets and in encampments. So, what should a community do?
I trust our leaders in Peoria will seek to not only prioritize the safety and cleanliness of public spaces but will also seek to partner with Pathway Ministries and others to provide those on the margins the lasting support they need. Criminalization is not likely the solution, but neither is ignoring or even supporting unsheltered homelessness.
But let’s talk about another community. What should the community of believers, the local Church do in light of the recent ruling? I believe Deuteronomy 15 has something to say to us about this. God is speaking to the newly formed community of Israel, and He provides some insight on how we, the community of God followers, should address those experiencing poverty. He begins by saying there shouldn’t be any poor among you, because He will provide more than we need for ourselves. But in verse 7 and 11 He acknowledges that there will always be some in the land who are poor, due their own wrong choices, circumstances of injustice, or calamity. So, what should we do? Verses 9, 10 and 11 say we should not be mean-spirited, hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward the poor. Instead, we should be open-handed, give generously, and share freely with the poor. That is what “our” community, the Church, should be doing and it’s what Pathway Ministries is committed to partnering with you to do in our mission to create pathways out of poverty through Jesus with our neighbors in need.
The Church has always been God’s best answer to how a community addresses poverty.
Last November we launched our Street Outreach Ministry, where we send out church teams to share some coffee, snacks, and most importantly God’s love with those living out in the streets or in the margins (you can see firsthand what that looks like here). We take the time to get to know our neighbors in need, we invite them to access our services, and we encourage them to join our community of love and support for lasting life change. We have seen several come off the streets and move from poverty to progress through Jesus. We could use more churches to join the effort, and we need more followers of Jesus to be open-handed, to give generously, and to share freely with the poor.
The Church has always been God’s best answer to how a community addresses poverty and that answer is one neighbor at time as we share our resources and especially the good news of God and His love.
This isn’t about Pathway Ministries and it’s not about what church you go to. It’s about the local church being the church to those who need it the most.
Get Involved:
- Connect with our Volunteer Coordinator here to join Street Outreach
- Provide Life Changing Care for Men and Women Here
