Every other week, members and particants from CCWW go downtown to Kelly Ingram Park to share sandwich bags and to build relationships with men and women who are homeless. Rocky Booker, one of our members, is the leader of this ministry as he shared with us that he felt God calling him to start a ministry for those who are homeless. In many ways, God was calling Rocky to remember where he had come from. Rocky was at one time homeless himself, sleeping by the railroad tracks that pass through downtown Birmingham. While homeless, Rocky found a place of welcome and hospitality with our friends at Church of the Reconciler (http://www.churchofthereconciler.org). Soon he became a volunteer in their Day Program. As time went on, through Rocky’s involvement with the Church of the Reconciler, other doors opened and Rocky found himself employed. As Rocky continued to pull himself up with the support of the Reconciler, his life took many turns. He met his future wife, he moved into a beautiful home in West End, and now he is the proud father of a beautiful baby. But Rocky remembers where he came from, and he wants to give people in that same situation hope. And through his sense of calling and leadership, our homeless ministry developed.
Of course, we all enjoy our sack lunches, but this ministry is about much more than handing out food. It is about building relationships, listening to stories, and offering hope. As Rocky says, “A lot of people down here know me. When they see me coming back handing out lunches, they know where I’ve come from. And maybe they’ll think that if he can do it, so can I. I just want to give people a little hope.”
For more information contact Rocky at 205-240-8429.