I asked Pastor Byron Akin, Assistant Pastor of the Christian Family Church of God in Belen, New Mexico to write about the very serious problem of homelessness we have here in New Mexico, especially in the Albuquerque Metro. The problem of homelessness is worldwide. Pastor Byron is dedicated to helping the homeless. I met Byron when I Preached at the Christian Family Church of God a few months ago. I attended Sunday school before Church, and Byron was the teacher, man, what a wonderful man of God, who has such a heart for Jesus and all people. He is an excellent teacher! I got so much out that class! Pastor Byron and Senior Pastor Richard Garcia are such tremendous men of God, I have known Pastor Richard for over 15 years, now I have a new friend in Pastor Byron! Two men who have such a passion for Jesus and all people! PTL! Thank you Pastor Byron for this message!
Greetings to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
As many of you know, the issue of homelessness is all around us. It is difficult to understand just how big the issue is, unless we are actually seeing it. The problem is that it is a hard thing to look at. We feel uncomfortable when we are at an intersection and someone is panhandling. We hesitate to stop along a street when we see a tent constructed on the sidewalk. We avoid eye contact with someone who is dirty, and their clothes appear worn out and dingy. The truth is, we avoid situations and people who make us feel uncomfortable.
According to recent data, 2020 marked the first time since such data collection began, that there were more people in America that were unsheltered than were sheltered. [1] Of the people experiencing homelessness at that time, about 12% state that COVID had something to do with that. This number is only expected to increase, with thousands of people out of work, businesses closed down, and family members lost to the disease. In New Mexico, much like the rest of the Country is facing a shortage of rental properties, and those properties that are available have seen increase in rent to the point that supportive housing programs are outside of Fair Market Rent, and not eligible. Those people who are fortunate enough to have housing do not necessarily have it easy either. 9 out of 10 renters are what are called “rent burdened.” This means that about 82% of all renters have a monthly rent payment that is more than half of their entire monthly income. [2] These people are literally a paycheck away from finding themselves on the streets.
Being homeless also brings other complications. For one thing, cities all across the Nation are implementing measures to criminally punish people for existing in public places. Many places have city ordinances banning sleeping in public, laying down on benches, or even sharing food in some cases. Someone experiencing homelessness is already 11 times more likely to experience incarceration[3] under normal circumstances, without the implementation of laws that punish someone for just existing in an environment that is not a private residence.
Being homeless also has serious consequences on mental and physical health. These people who experience homelessness have to be constantly on guard against harm, creating long lasting Post Traumatic Stress, among other mental health issues. In addition, the median life expectancy for someone experiencing homelessness is 50 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To put some perspective, the average life expectancy for the average person is 77 years of age.
According to the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, and the most recently published Point in Time count, there are about 2000 people Statewide that are unsheltered on any given night.[4] This number is vastly underestimated, as the point in time count is only done on one day per year, and never captures a complete picture, because it is impossible to reach every homeless individual in one day. Many people set up camps in remote and unreachable areas, bounce around from home to home, or refuse to participate in these counts. Regardless, in my opinion, even one person experiencing homelessness is unacceptable.
I am often amazed at the reaction some people give to homelessness. It is especially surprising when it comes from a Brother or Sister in Christ. Many people in the Bible experienced homelessness. Moses was homeless when he fled Egypt. David was homeless when he was running from Saul. Paul was homeless for many years while serving as an apostle. And have we forgotten that Christ Himself experienced that very thing during his time on Earth? In Matthew 8:20 Jesus said that even the animals have a place to call home but He has nowhere to lay His head. He would move from town to town where He would sleep outside or stay in homes of whoever would welcome Him. In modern days, we would consider this “couch surfing”. In fact the day of His birth, He was not born in a sterile warm hospital like most of us. He was born in a stable surrounded by livestock. And the very night before His crucifixion, He spent the night in a garden.
I fear that the negative reaction is because we forget that the Bible tells us over and over that we are to be a help to those in need, not make it more difficult for them. In Leviticus 25:35 God commands His people to help and support those who cannot support themselves. Proverbs 19:17 says those who give to the poor will be blessed, and Proverbs 28:27 says that those who refuse to help will be cursed. The Bible tells us that we are to be different from the world. The world can bless the poor, and feed them, but the way we as Christians behave should stand out. People should know we are Christians by our love for others, especially those who can never repay us. “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:13-14 (NKJV)
So what is the answer to homelessness? The simple (or not so simple) answer is available and affordable housing. Homelessness should not be a political issue, but it has become one. But we can do something. We can understand that this situation is larger than all of us, and not everyone is called to work in a field that tries to resolve this issue at a systemic level. But we can show love to any and every person we come in contact with, regardless of their housing status. Genesis 1:27 tells us that every person is created in the image of God. This is regardless of their social standing, their housing situation or lack thereof, the color of their skin, their economic status, etc. I heard it once said that you will never look into the eyes of a person that God does not love. This is profound if you think about it.
Just acknowledging someone who society ignores can have an eternal impact on someone. That kindness speaks louder than any word you could ever speak. I am not saying that you have to give money to every person you come across, but you can look them in the eye, greet them, or smile. Remember that Jesus died for them the same as for you.
I am reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein who said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Next time you are facing a situation with someone you suspect is experiencing homelesness, ask yourself this simple question; What would Jesus do? The answer is simple. He would love first.
In His Love,
Byron D. Akin
Assistant Pastor
Christian Family COG
Belen, NM
Pastor Byron Akin’s Facebook Page
[1] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
[2] Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, May 2020
[3] National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, Tent City, USA, 2017
[4] New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. 2021 Point In Time Report, 2021
