In September, I was in Portland to meet with the Peace and Justice Support Network Advisory Council. I rely on the advisory council to give me feedback and support on my work with PJSN, and also help keep me in touch with what peace and justice work is going on across Mennonite Church USA.
When we gather for our meetings twice a year, we also make time to connect with churches in the area. We were deeply moved by our visit with Steve Kimes of Anawim Christian Community. Anawim is a church for the homeless, the mentally ill, and anyone interested in building relationships with these folks.
Pastor Steve gave us a tour of Anawim, and talked to us about its history and purpose. According to their website, the word “anawim” means “the poor who depend on the Lord for deliverance.”
Anawim began with Steve and his wife, Diane, relating to the poor of Portland over simple meals and times of listening. This small seed led to the Kimeses opening their hearts and home to the homeless and poor of Portland. It grew into a church, a day shelter, a community garden, and more. When you walk the grounds of Anawim today, you feel as if you’re walking on holy ground. And it is! See Matthew 25, where those who served the “least of these,” serve Christ.
There are so many peace and justice issues that compete for our attention: war, terrorism, drones, the Middle East — it seems like today’s headlines are enough to keep a peacemaker busy forever. For some of us, these issues enliven our hearts and move us to action. We thank God for calling these peacemakers!
But we also thank God for calling people to stay in their communities, and to open their eyes, ears and hearts to the poor among us. Shalom can never be present when the poor, the mentally ill, and the outcast must struggle to meet their basic needs.
In addition to the gifts Steve has as a pastor to Anawim, he’s also a prolific writer. Anawim’s website has an amazing collection of articles and blog posts that explore the intersection of the church and the poor. I highly recommend you give it a read if you are interested in peacemaking with the poor in your community.
