Salem Responds
Posted on Aug 29, 2024 by Heather Lewis
If you were in worship on Sunday, Aug. 25, you heard an impassioned request by Renee Loya to show up for an important meeting the very next night. Sixteen Salem mission partners and friends did, and many of them agreed to help me write my Staff Trax this week. I want to thank Renee, Pastor Jon, Jenn, Jim, Cathy, Chris, Jen, Janice, Matt, and Lorel for giving me their perspectives and allowing me to share.
Many of us living in Johnson County don’t realize that we have hundreds of neighbors who do not have a safe place to live. Over the past 15 months, a plan to develop a Homeless Services Center in Lenexa has been in the works. (CLICK HERE to see more information.) The meeting on Monday evening was to discuss and vote on this plan, and when it appeared that the request was to be denied, the first call for support made by Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly was to the Good Faith Network (GFN).
The GFN comprises 27 Christian congregations, Jewish synagogues, and the Islamic Center of Johnson County, working together on systemic causes of social problems seeking to bring about change. For the past two years, the GFN has focused on homelessness, mental health, and affordable housing, seeking to bring change to the policies and practices of the county.
Salem has been part of the GFN since the beginning, and will continue to join with others to turn our faith into action to help our neighbors. Here are some of the responses I heard from those in attendance:
“It felt good to be there to support those in our community who are struggling and need compassion instead of judgement. It was such an eye-opening experience and made me proud to be a member of the Good Faith Network!”
“We showed that people of faith organize and show up. We brought light to dark rhetoric and lies that exist in our community. We will continue to be at the table and push forward!”
“It was heartwarming to see a large portion of the gathered community wearing Good Faith Network swag and holding hearts. We can be uncomfortable for a few hours on terrible folding chairs so that others can have access to shelter.”
“Not everyone lives a ‘Johnson County’ lifestyle, and many are one bad situation from losing their homes, and unfortunately don't have the support many of us have to come back from those situations. Those are our neighbors we're called to love, not ignore.”
Thank you to all who work tirelessly to give others hope for a better life.
In Christ’s love,Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music
Director of Youth Ministry