Helping the Homeless

By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

A recent study has identified at least 200 people who are living on the streets, in fields, or under freeway overpasses right here in Upland. Many of these people are not what we normally think of when it comes to homelessness. Many of these people were displaced as a result of the economic downturn in 2008. And it’s not just about single men and women who are living in chronic homelessness; it’s also about families with children. It’s a great need and we’re called by Jesus to respond. 

Meeting this need is complex and difficult. It’s about more than simply finding these people and placing them in an apartment. To really embrace this problem takes a much larger commitment of time, patience, and love. It requires making an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of people who find themselves in poverty and homelessness and responding to those needs with
a holistic approach.

Helping the homeless can also be intimidating. It’s like heading out into uncharted waters. We don’t feel well equipped, the challenges are complex, each situation is unique, and we certainly don’t have all the answers. We are fearful that we’re going to let someone down. We’re afraid the burden and responsibility will be too great. These issues paralyze us and as a result, we just don’t get involved. 

The Open Table Solution

Open Table is a ministry organization with strategies and resources for helping families move from poverty to personal health and productivity. Through Open Table, you don’t need to have all the answers and you won’t bear the burden all alone. A collaborative team of 12 people will work together to solve the complex issues of re-establishing a person or family out of homelessness into stability. 

Picture a large table with 13 chairs. One chair is for the family we are assisting, the other 12 chairs are for people to come alongside and help. Each chair represents a different area of responsibility – for example, housing needs, finances, transportation, education, job skills, etc. Each person sitting at the table will take responsibility for their area and help the family regain their footing. The 13 people at the table are working together to bear the burdens and responsibility to bring the family to long-term health and wholeness.

This month LBF will officially begin a new project in alignment with our Love in Action
vision called Open Table. This is a project that has been several years in the making and it is all about connecting with our community and helping the homeless.

This project has two phases. Phase one includes partnering with Mercy House in
Ontario by sponsoring families while they are in their program. During this time we will
receive training from Mercy House and then be assigned to a person or family who has been taken off the street and have entered into Mercy House’s program. 

Mercy House does more than just house people. They also have programs designed to meet the specific needs of each family so that at the end of their program, they will have a better opportunity for success. During the time they are living at Mercy House, LBF members will meet the family and become acquainted with them. We want to be an encouragement to these families while they are in the program at Mercy House and create a foundation of relationship that we will build from when we launch phase two.

Phase two begins once they are released from Mercy House. It’s at this time that we will move from sponsoring a family to adopting a family. We will build upon the relationship started during their time at Mercy House and continue that relationship for the next 12 months. 

During these next 12 months we will assist this family in a variety of ways. Our goal is to wrap our arms of love around them and help them complete the process they began at Mercy House. 

As I mentioned earlier, what we are about to embark on has been several years in the making. This new effort takes into consideration the needs and the barriers to solving those needs, and provides a solution that really falls upon all of us as followers of Jesus. 

But in our church we will share the load of this need together. And together we will help people out of poverty, while at the same time we will have the opportunity to address their spiritual need as well. I could not be more excited for this opportunity and the impact it will have in our city and in our church, but more directly in the lives of people God allows us to love.

Next Steps

There you have it. This project involves our church, Mercy House, and Open Table. Together we have the privilege of helping people in very real and tangible ways. 

If this type of project makes your heart beat fast or you feel like you can’t wait to become involved, I want to invite you to an informational meeting on January 26, at 12:15 p.m. in The Garage. Lunch will be included.

In the meantime, please be part of this effort by praying for the families that God will bring into our lives, for the people from this church who will be engaging face to face with those in need, for the two organizations we are partnering with, and for the desire to grow this ministry and see it impact our city for Jesus.

There is a huge opportunity to put our love into action. Will you be part of the team?