JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 10, 2007 — Seventeen men from Jackson鈥檚 homeless community entered the doors of Luther Hall on 51社区鈥檚 campus Dec. 7 to receive food, showers and a warm place to lay their heads.
鈥淲e talk so much about shaping a Christian worldview and engaging the culture,鈥� said Amanda Pennington, senior social work major. 鈥淭hat needs to be all aspects of the culture and sometimes getting our hands dirty.鈥�
Pennington approached the administration in the summer about an opportunity to participate in 鈥淩oom in the Inn,鈥� a program sponsored by Area Relief Ministries in which local churches host and make provisions for homeless men in the community.
鈥淚 had heard about some schools in Nashville helping with (Room in the Inn),鈥� Pennington said. 鈥淚 started talking to Dean Kimberly Thornbury this summer about whether Union could possibly host Room in the Inn like a congregation would.鈥�
Thornbury, dean of students, was helpful in taking proper steps to make the university鈥檚 participation possible, Pennington said. A student leadership team of five students was compiled to help complete necessary tasks of carrying out the project details.
Thirteen students and three professors gathered Friday evening to assist with the project.
Two of these students, Michael Grubb, sophomore philosophy major, and Andrew Griffith, sophomore international business major, are active participants in Room in the Inn, attending every Friday night at local churches to serve as overnight chaperones.
鈥淵ou see a lot of people coming back from previous nights,鈥� Grubb said. 鈥淲hen you get in there, there鈥檚 nothing else to do other then eat and talk. So that鈥檚 what we do. (The men) are always open.鈥�
Kenneth 鈥� better known to the other men as 鈥淐adillac鈥� 鈥� was one of the 17 men in attendance who is currently homeless. He shared his story of how he came to be in this situation.
Nearly 10 years ago, Kenneth was arrested on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault, receiving a 10-year prison sentence. Nevertheless, he described how his life has changed since that time.
鈥淚 just got out in 2007,鈥� Kenneth said. 鈥淚 used to be a very angry man, but I gave all my problems and anger to God. I鈥檓 a much better person now.鈥�
Other men revealed different motivations for attempts at a better life.
Fred, a native of Gary, Ind., said that he was in the military for 10 years, during which time he served in Germany. After his service, Fred and his wife divorced and he became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Although Fred is no longer a drug user, he said his current situation is one of the consequences of his earlier actions.
Fred also has four children by three different women, the youngest child being 11 years old. He said providing for his children is a key motivation for his job search.
鈥淚鈥檓 trying to find a job so I can take care of my son,鈥� Fred said. 鈥淚鈥檓 divorced, but I鈥檓 not divorced from my children.鈥�
Pennington said Union鈥檚 hosting such an event provides a practical way for students to get to know different kinds of people.
鈥淵ou get a chance to know people and realize their lives really aren鈥檛 different than our own,鈥� Pennington said. 鈥淎t the end of the day, we are all loved and created by God, regardless of our status in life.鈥�
Kenneth explained that while he 鈥渄etests鈥� his current situation, he is doing what he can to make the most of it.
鈥淚鈥檓 46 years old now and I can鈥檛 do no more time,鈥� Kenneth said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to try to live out the rest of my life being an influence on others.鈥�
Kenneth is taking every opportunity to do just that. Through tears Kenneth explained the importance of allowing God to guide decisions.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e on your way out there where it鈥檚 really happening at,鈥� Kenneth said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let no man, no woman, influence none of your decisions鈥搉o matter what circumstances, no matter what you come to face鈥搇et it be God. I got away from that and I landed myself in prison.鈥�
鈥淪ome people might complain (the program) is putting a Band-aid on a gun shot wound,鈥� Pennington said. 鈥淏ut you have to meet people鈥檚 immediate needs and if it鈥檚 getting them out of the cold, then that鈥檚 what you need to do.鈥�
To find out more about helping with Room in the Inn, contact Area Relief Ministries at (731) 423-9257.