b'As rescue missions and life-transformationPauls epistle to the Galatians reminds us to ministries, we are uniquely positioned to providecarry each others burdens, and in this way you not just services, but redemptive solutions. We arewill fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). In prac-not simply called to manage problems, but to betice, that means moving beyond transactional agents of spiritual, physical, and emotional trans- charity toward transformational community. formation in the lives we touch. At the heart of this work is the gospel, a message of restoration,Redefining the problem redemption, and renewal. The transforming powerH omelessness is not merely a housing of Jesus Christ is not peripheral; it is essential.issue; it is a spiritual, psychological, and systemic problem. While secular The theological mandateprograms often treat symptoms, we are called J esus said, The poor you will always haveto address root causes such as addiction, mental with you (Matt. 26:11). His statementillness, trauma, joblessness, and above all, broken references Deuteronomy 15:11: There willrelationships with God and others. always be poor people in the land. ThereforeAs of January 2024, more than 770,000 individ-I command you to be openhanded toward youruals in the United States were experiencing fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in yourhomelessnessan alarming increase that reflects land. This is a divine imperative for generositya troubling national trend. Despite the allocation and justice. Christian social work is not just aof tens of billions of dollars through federal and profession; it is a calling to serve, love, and upliftstate initiatives, including the Housing First model, the marginalized as Christ Himself did.homelessness continues to rise. The results are Photo courtesy of Shelter KC36 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025'