The Rock

The Rock, in Castle Rock, Colorado, is a church committed to demonstrating the Gospel. It contends that the out-growth of their sincerely held doctrinal beliefs should be reflected in how they care for hurting, needy people in the community. The church’s ministries also include food distribution, job training, financial assistance, and a variety of church-led efforts to move the displaced from a place of homelessness to a permanent solution that includes their own residence, a job, and a steady income.

Neither the Town of Castle Rock, nor Douglas County, CO, has an emergency, temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise suddenly unhoused. The church fills a critical need in the community for those who have no options.  The church uses the trailer/RVs as a temporary solution and part of a holistic effort to get people back on their feet as quickly as possible.

But now the town is demanding the church stop providing temporary shelter to single moms and others suddenly displaced.

The Town of Castle Rock contends the temporary shelter ministry violates the city’s zoning ordinances and is calling for an end to their mercy ministry efforts.  The actions the town has taken has created a substantial burden on the use of their property for religious exercise.

In addition to threatening the church’s shelter ministry, the town took action to prohibit the Red Cross’s partnership with the church, thereby ending the use of the church’s property to provide temporary shelter to needy individuals in the community.  The church had previously been used by the Red Cross in times of severe blizzards to temporarily house the displaced.

“What the world needs now is more compassion, more help for the underserved, and less harassment from the government toward churches that are trying to fulfill their mission,” said First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys. “Churches that take action to care for the homeless should be encouraged and affirmed, not opposed and retaliated against.”

In May, First Liberty filed a federal lawsuit and a motion for preliminary injunction against the town of Castle Rock, Colorado for its actions to shut down the on-site temporary and emergency shelter ministry.

In June, the court granted a preliminary injunction on behalf of The Rock.

“We are pleased with the decision of the court that allows the church to carry out its religious freedom within the community of Castle Rock,” said First Liberty Institute Senior Counsel, Jeremy Dys. “The court reopened the door of a caring church whose mission has always been to offer a warm environment for the homeless living on the cold, hard streets.

“From the very beginning of this ministry, we’ve only ever wanted to obey our call to reach out, serve, and love the needy around us,” said The Rock pastor, Mike Polhemus. “We are grateful the court upholds our Constitutional rights to do so.”