It has been estimated that one homeless individual can cost a community upwards of $40,000 a year. None of us wants to see any individual or family suffer the physical and emotional distress of having nowhere to turn, yet homelessness in this country is a growing problem.  

A common misconception is the belief that the incidence of homelessness nationally and locally is the result of the government’s failure to fund social service programs adequately. In truth, spending on homelessness in this country is unprecedented.  

Governmental bodies are not equipped to handle the sort of intimate, relationship-based work that is needed to guide a person toward emotional and spiritual wholeness, which is a must if physical stability is to be realized. The Bible places the role of caring for the poor on the church, which makes the Body of Christ an indispensable element in the fight against homelessness.

The holy word of God consistently talks about relationship and the mending of broken relationships. Christ's final prayer for us before He went to the cross was for unity in relationships. He prayed, "I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."  John 17:23

Since homelessness finds its roots in broken relationships, isn't it safe to reason that the Body of Christ is best equipped to help the homeless in our community find stability in relation to themselves, with others, and especially with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

We are all the body of Christ! 

Visit our Get Involved page for ideas on how you or your church can partner with Inner City Mission to help the homeless find lasting stability.