As the Director of City Relief and overseeing eight outreaches a week in NYC, Josiah Haken shares his informed perspective about people made in the image of God and who happen to be homeless. Noting that eleven is the average age of a homeless person in America, he pushes back on four common lies and offers practical ways that congregations can help.
He is the author of Neighbors without Doors.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- About four common lies about homeless people and homelessness in America
- One simple step that churches can do to help
- The mistake that many people make when serving homeless people
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Josiah Haken is CEO of City Relief, a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting those experiencing, or at risk of homelessness to the resources they need to improve their lives.
Growing up as the son of missionaries in Yaoundé, Cameroon, as well as leading hundreds of outreaches in the streets of New York City, Newark, and Paterson, New Jersey, have given Josiah a unique perspective on the complexities of poverty and homelessness.
Josiah is widely recognized as a “go-to person” in New York City when it comes to teaching others how to engage with the unhoused community.
Josiah has his Masters of Arts in Ministry, Leadership and Culture through Fresno Pacific University. In 2022 he published his first book, Neighbors With No Doors, the Truth About Homelessness, and How You Can Make a Difference.
He believes and teaches anyone who cares to listen that the poor and homeless deserve the best that we can offer and not just our leftovers.
SCRIPTURE RELATED TO EPISODE:
Genesis 1: 27; Humanity Made in God's Image
Matthew 25: 37-46; Doing For the Least of These
LINKS:
TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:
00:32 - Who is Josiah Haken?
02:35 - The Journey to NYC City Relief to City Relief
04:14 - Impacting the Lives of 100's of People Each Week
05:14 - Made in the Image of God
06:12 - Encouragement to Not Give Up
07:43 - Four Lies about Homelessness in America
08:38 - 1. Homeless People Are Lazy
09:14 - 2. Homeless People Are Dangerous
09:53 - 3. Homeless People are Mentally Ill
10:23 - 4. Homeless People are Addicts
11:31 - The Average Age of a Homeless Person is 11 Years Old
12:00 - The Impact of the Covid Pandemic
13:32 - The Eviction Crisis in America
13:59 - Disporportionate Impact of Marginalized Communities
15:19 - Three Practical Tips, Advice for Urban Churches and Communities of Faith
15:40 - 1. Lessons for Leaders
16:11 - 2. Connecting Congregants to Serve
16:52 - 3. Mobilization of Resources
17:59 - Starting with One Thing
18:19 - The Most Common Mistake Christians Make
19:47 - Being a Debtor to Who?
22:27 - Connecting with Josiah Haken
24:31 - Geographical Joke
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