United Efforts Help Even More

An example of working together to do more!

CHURCHES UNITE TO SERVE HOMELESS IN ATLANTA

“Are you with the Adventists?”

This is a frequently asked question among Atlanta’s homeless. Why? Every week, for the last 7 years, Atlanta All Nations Church in Norcross, Ga., has been serving people who are homeless in Atlanta. Now All Nations is not alone. Other churches within the Georgia Cumberland Conference have come together and united in this important work. With the combined efforts of other churches, nearly 500 men, women and children are served each week at Hurt Park and the Atlanta Taskforce Shelter, the city’s largest homeless shelter with a capacity of 1,100.

The Peachtree City, Ga., Seventh-day Adventist Church joins the ministry the first Sabbath of every month and provides a feast fit for kings. One family of the Auburn, Ga., Seventh-day Adventist Church provides a sumptuous fare on the second Sabbath. The Atlanta Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist Church serves savory delights on the third Sabbath. On the fourth Sabbath, members of the Atlanta Romanian Seventh-day Adventist Church work almost every Sabbath providing meals, clothes and literature. The combined efforts and resources of these churches have proven a tremendous blessing to hundreds of people.

Both the quality and quantity of service have made a difference for hundreds of people and have given them a positive impression of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Regardless of the specific churches that participate each week, these homeless people know to expect them every week regardless of the weather conditions. They now recognize Adventists and respect and appreciate the meat-free, vegetable-laden meals they receive from the groups. They sometimes question: “Why isn’t there any meat?” The reply is, “We’re looking out for your best interest. We want to help you, not harm you by the food we bring.” This reply surprises many of them because many organizations ignore the fact that the majority of these men suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other health conditions.

Now when the caravan arrives, some of the homeless people approach the scene with a degree of wariness but quickly warm to us when they realize we’re Adventists. With the winter approaching, shelters closing, economic spirals, and companies downsizing there will be a large demand for warm items. With such a strong coalition of churches, the prayer is that God will touch each congregation to supply the means necessary to meet the demand.
 

By Esther Green