Compassionate Hands began in 2012 when a group of concerned Christians set out to ensure that nobody froze to death in Wilson County. By December, a network of eight churches formed and used their locations to provide winter shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. It has been amazing to watch God’s work unfold, and we are now a network of over 40 churches across our great county. In 2020, we were blessed with the opportunity to purchase our own building which has allowed us to expand our services and provide year-round support to our neighbors in need. Through it all, we rely on volunteers with a compassionate heart and desire to make a difference.

by the numbers

12,77 total beds provided
13,000+ meals served
400+ people who spent at least one night as a guest – 90 men and 22 women in 2020-2021
175 volunteer hours to operate the ministry every night of the winter. Hundreds of volunteers offered transportation, food, first aid, basic medical care, documentation assistance, clothes and hygiene items.
Over 40 Wilson County churches from 16
traditions have united to serve.
20 families or individuals assisted with finding housing in 2020 - 2021!

Vision

In 2018, the Board developed a five-year strategic plan that included:
‍
- Adding two full-time staff members
- Developing ministry support resources such as a website, social media, online giving tools, Giving Matters certification
- Launching a mentoring program with training in basic life skills
- Securing a facility with office space, computer lab, classrooms, and guest services
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Thanks to God's astonishing work through Wilson County churches and volunteers, we completed the five-year plan in three years!

Current Goals

● Sustain homeless ministry throughout the pandemic, taking measures to minimize the spread of germs and finding creative solutions to keep serving.

● Develop a new five-year vision. Assess progress, review vision & mission, develop goals.
             ○    Now that we have a ministry center, how might we serve God and bless the                      community in new ways? What's next in the quest to end homelessness?
● Settle into the Center for Hope & Renewal.

●        Improve the effectiveness of the board by activating a new chair, adding members, developing a rhythm of monthly meetings, explore possibilities for developing an advisory board.

    ●     Develop a healthy team culture within the staff

"You guys really do care."

Compassionate Hands Guest — Following a funeral service for a homeless lady.

"We have a wonderful little girl in our congregation who took up a collection of gift cards for the homeless at her birthday party."

Compassionate Hands Member

Team Members

About Us

by the numbers

Vision

Current Goals

Team Members

Meriah Anderson

Ministry Administrator

Marcy Carter

HMIS Administrator

John Grant

Minister & Executive Director

Julie MacGregor

Director of Ministry Services

Melissa Marquez

Ministry Intern

Lee Repress

Community Services

Mark Taylor

Community Services

Shelia Weathers

Ministry Development

board members

Mark Taylor - Chair

Joyce Gaines

Keith Alexander

Dawn Bradford

Michelle Wilde

Nora Chambers

Ministry Partners

Our Response to covid