On October 25th friends, volunteers, guests and graduates of Clifton Sanctuary Ministries gathered together at Morningside Presbyterian Church. The occasion was our third anniversary and graduation dinner; a chance to gather as one body and celebrate the miracles that God has worked in our midst during the past year. Our host for the evening Mr. Harold Augustus, Gus to most of us, set the tone for the evening with the rhetorical question of who did it, followed by the sure affirmation that indeed “God did it.”
Our featured speaker on this evening was Mr. Philip Bray of SafeHouse Outreach. Philip’s personal life mission is the driving force behind the work of SafeHouse Outreach: changing lives, families, and communities through faith, hope and love in action. He is a fourth generation pastor representing over 70 years of service in the inner city of Atlanta. On this evening he shared his personal journey and calling to reach out and lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in need. Mr. Bray’s story is repeated in the now legendary story of the church we all know to be Clifton, which demonstrated the true meaning of sanctuary some 27 years ago when they opened their church to men trapped by homelessness. It is that story and that commitment that brings us together to celebrate the accomplishments of the men we have had the privilege of serving.
On this occasion we recognized 23 men who have overcome homelessness. This is almost twice the number of men we have recognized in past years. This is living proof that it is not the building but the people who define Clifton Sanctuary Ministries. It is our staff and our dedicated volunteers who build the essential relationships that help so many men to rebuild lives torn down by the trials of living.
Also recognized on this special evening are those special volunteers who have had a special impact on our ministry during the previous year. Two such individuals are Al Adams and Lindsey Churchill of Holland & Knight LLP. It was through their advice and guidance that our board and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta were able to develop the guidelines that would place our relationship on a firm foundation. The dissolution of a church is never easy but when the church has built a ministry that survives beyond the church itself, there are many questions that need to be answered. Al and Lindsey provided a calming voice that helped to lead us through a challenging point in our ministry.
It was also most appropriate that we take this evening to recognize Epworth United Methodist Church. Words cannot express our enduring gratitude to the staff, trustees and indeed the entire congregation for their support during the past 15 months. When we found ourselves homeless they opened their doors and welcomed us. The bond which has been formed between the church and our ministry has helped us both and has built a strong relationship that will enable us to work together in the service of Christ.
While it is difficult to single out an individual in a ministry that relies on so many volunteers, there are those special people we must recognize. One such individual is Leslie Withers. She came to Clifton Presbyterian Church as the Director of Missions in 1995 and has been a part of the ministry from that first day. While serving as the Executive Director for Night Hospitality she became the first president of Lake Claire Community Apartments, better known as Joe’s Place. She continued to provide leadership when Joe’s Place and Night Hospitality became Clifton Sanctuary Ministries and served on the board of directors until May of 2006 when commitments at her own church, Oakhurst Baptist, made it necessary for her to step down from the board. Not many of us can match eleven years of humble and dedicated service to our ministry.
Finally Rocke Thompson, who has been with us from the very beginning, took a few minutes to reflect on the past and look ahead to the challenges of the future. We have been blessed by Rocke’s energy, knowledge and wisdom. There is not much that he hasn’t done through the years but perhaps he is best known through his work as the volunteer coordinator. In this role he has touched so many and infected each of us with a burning passion for this ministry and the men we serve. While his own role is changing and he may not be as visible as he has been, Rocke will continue his support in many less visible ways as we move into the new year.
Sharing the love of God, we are a Sanctuary to men seeking to overcome homelessness. For more than 25 years the doors of Clifton Sanctuary have offered a place of physical and spiritual rest, shelter, healing and support to men who are homeless in Atlanta. Open 365 days a year, Night Hospitality is the oldest shelter in Atlanta operating in a house of worship.
