Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas, a cornerstone of the community with over 2,000 members, is demonstrating a proactive approach to community care that extends beyond its spiritual mission. Recognizing the increasing number of individuals seeking assistance at their doors, the church administration embarked on a journey to better understand and address the needs of their neighbors, particularly those facing housing insecurity. This initiative, sparked by a pivotal training session on homelessness diversion, has positioned Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene as a key player in local homelessness prevention efforts.
Embracing Diversion: A New Perspective on Community Outreach
Inspired by Pastor Nathan Adams, Pastor of Men and Missions, Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene’s leadership team decided to analyze who was seeking help from the church and the nature of their needs. The findings were revealing: approximately 30 individuals monthly were reaching out for support and social services, a number potentially exceeding new worshipers. This data highlighted a significant opportunity for the church to expand its ministry beyond traditional assistance methods.
Pastor Adams, involved with the West Texas Homeless Network, a local homelessness coalition, introduced the concept of diversion to his team. Diversion is a proactive strategy focused on intervening before individuals enter the homeless system. This approach resonated deeply with Adams, who noted, “The idea of helping people before they became homeless and preventing them from becoming homeless never dawned on me, yet makes so much sense.”
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This realization prompted Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene to move beyond basic aid like food and rent assistance. They recognized the potential to offer more immediate and effective help to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, either directly or by connecting them with the appropriate resources within the homelessness response system. Importantly, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church offers assistance regardless of church affiliation, emphasizing their commitment to serving the wider Abilene community.
Equipping Staff for Effective Outreach
With strong support from senior leadership, around 30 pastoral and administrative staff members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church participated in a specialized half-day training. This training was expertly led by Alexzandra Hust, System Improvement Advisor at Built for Zero; Susan Clark, Director of Social Services – Family and Church; and Courtney Horton, Coordinator of the West Texas Homeless Network. The focus was on diversion strategies and practical techniques for assisting individuals facing housing crises.
“Because of that [diversion] training, it led us to say, ‘What are real numbers that drive the reason we should be better at this?’” Adams explained. “And it’s like, ‘Oh, because 30 people came to our church this month for assistance.’” This data-driven approach, combined with the diversion training, empowered the church staff to see their ministry in a new light. They could now extend their support to those seeking help with the same dedication and respect they offer to those attending for worship services. Pastor Adams emphasized, “We want to see everybody that comes into our church in an equal fashion and treat them the same with dignity and respect.”
The Faith Community Advantage in Homelessness Solutions
“They don’t have to go start their own nonprofit. They don’t have to go way overseas. That’s the opportunity — it’s local. It’s loving your neighbor, and all you really have to do is sit and listen and ask better questions when the time comes.”
Pastor Nathan Adams
Abilene’s Built for Zero initiative, aiming to achieve functional zero for chronic homelessness after previously reaching that milestone for veteran homelessness in 2019, underscored the need for diversion strategies. The team recognized that many individuals seeking help didn’t always fit the criteria for the formal homeless response system, or that system entry wasn’t always the most appropriate solution. Often, individuals on the verge of homelessness needed guidance and problem-solving support to navigate issues like landlord disputes and prevent housing loss.
Abilene’s strong faith-based community, often a significant source of funding for homeless services, presents a unique opportunity. Churches like Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene are ideally positioned to integrate into the community-wide effort to end homelessness by adopting diversion practices. Courtney Horton of the West Texas Homeless Network highlighted this natural alignment: “They definitely have the heart for it and empathy, active listening. A lot of this is conversations and hearing people.”
Pastor Adams’ involvement with the West Texas Homeless Network broadened his understanding of upstream interventions in homelessness. The diversion training provided valuable skills in active listening and creative problem-solving, skills Associate Worship Pastor Griffin Jones saw as a natural extension of the church’s existing ministry.
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Jones stated, “It’s one of the maybe not easiest but simplest ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. To care for those who don’t have as much as we do, to care for those who are struggling and who are in dire straits. That’s one of the main calls of the church — to care for the widow, for the orphan, for the foreigner, for the less fortunate.”
Diversion allows Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene to move beyond temporary fixes, like short-term motel stays, and connect individuals to the coordinated entry system for more sustainable housing solutions. Pastor Adams emphasized the importance of a unified approach, stating, “We can get better at the way we help our neighbors and work with a more unified approach.” He believes many church members are eager to contribute but may seek grand gestures. Diversion offers a more consistent, impactful, and localized way to make a difference. As Adams succinctly put it, “They don’t have to go start their own nonprofit. They don’t have to go way overseas. That’s the opportunity — it’s local. It’s loving your neighbor, and all you really have to do is sit and listen and ask better questions when the time comes.”
Strengthening the Network of Community Support
Faith-based organizations like Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene are crucial for expanding support networks within communities. They often already provide various forms of assistance, and as Horton noted, “when it comes to systems work, faith communities are often already doing it — they just don’t know it.” Partnering with the local homeless response system was a logical step for Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene, ensuring their efforts complemented and strengthened the broader community support network.
Griffin Jones further emphasized the institutional capacity of faith organizations, stating, “Faith institutions, like churches and missions and parishes and other entities like that, have resources that can speak and move on the institutional and systemic level. There can be a bigger footprint in what can be accomplished.” He pointed out how church resources can fill gaps that public funding might not cover, such as providing furniture for new renters. Even services like church food pantries play a vital role in homelessness prevention by addressing food insecurity, a factor that can lead to housing instability.
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The diversion training also challenged potential biases within the church community. Pastor Adams acknowledged, “I think there’s an assumption there about people that are using the system a lot — that they’re wrong or they’re bad.” The training aimed to reframe this perspective, encouraging staff to see repeated requests for help as signs of deeper, underlying issues requiring problem-solving support. Courtney Horton explained, “There’s a bigger problem here — someone needs to problem-solve with them.” When issues are beyond the church’s immediate capacity, connecting individuals to the coordinated entry system ensures access to a wider range of resources.
Pastor Adams believes that while the desire to help is inherent in faith communities, learning from external experts enhances their effectiveness. “Based on our belief system, we’re in the kindness business…Could the church go further?” Adams questioned. “We don’t need to just be nice people. We need to be nice and smart people. And so I think improving our practices of loving our neighbor is important.”
Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene: Becoming a “Yes” for Their Neighbors
Pastor Adams views diversion and prevention training as empowering Pioneer Drive Baptist Church staff, increasing their confidence and capacity to assist those who seek help. He emphasizes the importance of direct engagement: “When somebody hits our doors, and the minute we start looking for somebody else to handle that person, we’ve already lost, in my opinion, a chance of real connection.” He recognizes the inherent worth of every individual who comes to their door, regardless of their background or beliefs. “We’ve been given a privilege to engage with them,” Adams stated. “How do we help them take whatever next step they need to take?”
Courtney Horton’s training included insights into the neurological impact of crisis situations, explaining how stress can impair problem-solving abilities. This understanding fosters empathy and highlights the courage it takes for individuals to ask for help, considering the potential rejections they may have already faced. Horton challenges faith communities to adopt a posture of proactive support: “Instead of a hard no, can we not work harder to find a way to say yes? Shouldn’t we be ready to be that person’s moment for them, to be the yes?” Pioneer Baptist Church Abilene is answering this call, becoming a beacon of hope and a vital “yes” for their neighbors in need.
