Living Among the Hurting: A Call to Action

The journey began with a simple assignment: to close a struggling church in one of Atlanta’s most challenging neighborhoods. But God had other plans. What started as a six-month task quickly became a lifelong calling as broken, hurting people began to show up, seeking hope and transformation. The call deepened when the realization came that true impact required not just serving from a distance, but living among those in need—sharing life, trust, and vulnerability. Moving the family into the heart of the city, into the very church building itself, was a step of faith that led to years of hardship, danger, and, paradoxically, the most meaningful ministry imaginable.

The story of City of Refuge is one of saying “yes” to God’s opportunities, even when the path is unclear. Each new need—children in crisis, single mothers, the homeless, those coming out of addiction or incarceration—opened the door to another, and the ministry grew organically, guided by the conviction that transformation requires addressing the whole person. The vision became a “one-stop shop” for collective impact, where housing, education, health, and employment are all provided in a coordinated way. This approach, though initially doubted by many, has now served over 50,000 people and become a model for cities across the country.

The work is rooted in biblical justice and compassion. The call of Nehemiah to rebuild broken walls, the prophetic challenge of Isaiah to break the yoke of oppression, the command of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the apostolic exhortation to share with those in need—all form the foundation. The ministry is not about being heroes, but about guiding others to become the heroes of their own stories, providing pathways of opportunity and hope.

The darkness of issues like sex trafficking, poverty, and recidivism is real and present, not just “out there” but in our own neighborhoods. Yet, the response is not despair, but action—building safe places, offering practical help, and standing up for justice. The invitation is for all who love God to join in, to let generosity and compassion flow, and to become agents of transformation in a broken world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True transformation requires presence and proximity. It’s not enough to serve from a distance; real trust and impact are built when we choose to live among those we serve, sharing in their struggles and hopes. This incarnational approach mirrors Christ’s own coming to dwell among us, and it opens doors to deeper relationships and lasting change. [31:23]
• 2. Ministry is often a journey of saying “yes” to the next opportunity, even when the plan isn’t clear. Faithfulness is found in responding to the needs God places before us, trusting that each step of obedience will lead to greater impact. What may seem like a series of small, reactive decisions can, in God’s hands, become a strategic movement of transformation. [35:07]
• 3. Holistic care is essential for breaking cycles of poverty and brokenness. Addressing only one aspect—housing, education, health, or employment—leaves people vulnerable to falling back into crisis. Coordinated, wraparound support reflects the biblical vision of justice: not just relief, but restoration and empowerment for the whole person. [38:44]
• 4. The call to justice is not optional for followers of Jesus. Scripture repeatedly commands us to break the yoke of oppression, to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Loving our neighbor as ourselves means actively working to make wrong things right, whether that’s fighting trafficking, supporting the homeless, or welcoming the marginalized. [54:08]
• 5. We are not the heroes—those we serve are. Our role is to be guides, creating pathways and opportunities for others to step into their God-given potential. This posture keeps us humble, dependent on God, and focused on empowering others rather than seeking recognition for ourselves. [43:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - The Bluff: Atlanta’s Toughest Neighborhood
• [02:30] - An Unexpected Calling
• [04:10] - Early Encounters: Brokenness and Hope
• [07:00] - Moving Into the City: Living Among the Hurting
• [10:15] - Lessons from Nehemiah: A Geographical Calling
• [13:00] - Ministry by Opportunity: Saying Yes
• [15:20] - The One-Stop Shop Vision
• [18:00] - Collective Impact: Serving the Whole Person
• [21:10] - The Four Pillars: Housing, Education, Health, Employment
• [24:00] - Breaking Cycles: Recidivism and Restoration
• [27:00] - City of Refuge: Programs and Expansion
• [31:00] - Vocational Training and Livable Wages
• [34:00] - Confronting Sex Trafficking
• [38:00] - Biblical Foundations for Justice
• [41:00] - The Call to Love Our Neighbor

Bible Reading

Nehemiah 1:2-4 (NIV) — > Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV) — > “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

Matthew 25:35-36, 40 (NIV) — > “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Observation Questions

1. In Nehemiah 1, what was Nehemiah’s first response when he heard about the brokenness of his city?
2. According to Isaiah 58, what does God say is the kind of fasting or worship He desires?
3. In the sermon, what was the turning point that led the pastor and his family to move into the city and live among those they served? [[33:13]]
4. What are the four key areas that City of Refuge focuses on to help break cycles of poverty and brokenness? [[38:44]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Nehemiah’s response to the broken walls involved both prayer and action? How does this relate to the idea of “incarnational ministry” described in the sermon? [[33:13]]
2. Isaiah 58 challenges God’s people to break the yoke of oppression and care for the vulnerable. How does this passage shape our understanding of what true worship and justice look like? [[54:08]]
3. The sermon describes ministry as a journey of saying “yes” to the next opportunity, even when the plan isn’t clear. What are the risks and rewards of this approach? [[35:07]]
4. The pastor said, “We are not the heroes—those we serve are.” What does it mean to be a guide rather than a hero in ministry or service? [[43:18]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized the importance of presence and proximity—living among those in need rather than serving from a distance. Is there a group or person in your life you feel called to move closer to, either physically or relationally? What would it look like to take a step toward them this week? [[33:13]]
2. City of Refuge grew by saying “yes” to needs as they arose, even when the path was unclear. Is there an opportunity or need in your community that you’ve been hesitant to respond to because you don’t have the whole plan figured out? What would it look like to take the next step of obedience? [[35:07]]
3. The ministry’s holistic approach addresses housing, education, health, and employment. Which of these areas do you feel most passionate about? How could you get involved or support someone in that area? [[38:44]]
4. Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25 both call us to practical acts of justice and compassion. What is one specific way you can “share your food with the hungry” or “invite the stranger in” this month? [[54:08]]
5. The sermon highlighted the reality of issues like sex trafficking and homelessness being present in our own neighborhoods. How aware are you of these needs locally? What is one thing you could do to learn more or get involved in addressing them? [[50:54]]
6. The pastor said, “We are not the heroes—those we serve are.” How can you shift your mindset from “fixing” others to empowering them? Is there a relationship where you need to step back and let someone else take the lead in their own story? [[43:18]]
7. Generosity and compassion are described as the natural response for those who love God. What is one act of generosity you can commit to this week—whether with your time, resources, or encouragement? [[54:08]]