by Jorge Gomez • 3 minutes
The Rock—a church in Castle Rock, Colorado—is doing a tremendous labor of love and service for the most vulnerable.
Pastor Mike Polhemus and the congregation have several ministries to help people who are struggling, including food distribution, clothing distribution, job training and financial assistance. They also minister to people who are displaced, helping them transition to a permanent solution that includes a job and their own residence.
As part of this holistic effort, the church uses two RVs as temporary shelter. The RVs are parked on a large, back parking lot on the church’s 54-acre property. They are more than 400 feet from any residential property.
But the Town of Castle Rock says the temporary shelter ministry violates zoning ordinances and is calling for an end to the mercy ministry efforts. It has essentially decided that it’s illegal to offer temporary shelter to the homeless, but okay to let them live on the cold, hard streets.
First Liberty is fighting for the church in federal court. In a critical first victory, a federal judge granted an injunction that will allow the church to keep offering people a place to stay, at least while the case works its way through the courts.
Giving the Displaced a Community, a Purpose, and a Future.
The ministry and charitable work of this church is changing people’s lives.
A single mom named Taylor and her young son stayed in one of the RVs for a few weeks until she figured out what was next for them.
“I was at a very low point in my life. They helped pick me up and get me back of my feet,” she said. “Words can’t express it. I’m just so incredibly grateful that The Rock really took care of me.”
Listen to Taylor share more about her story:
Joe also needed help getting his life back together. With the church’s help, the safety of an RV, and the love of a community of Christians, drug addiction no longer lays claim to Joe. He is free. More than that, he is a productive member of the community, gainfully employed and living in a place of his own.
Fred shares a similar story. He was struggling. He said that without temporary shelter and other assistance from the church, he would have remained homeless and likely ended up living on the streets.
“The church helped me locate this apartment, paid my first month’s rent, and continued to provide me food while I was getting back on my feet,” Fred shared. “Since leaving the Church’s temporary shelter, I have maintained my employment with FedEx and continue to live in the same apartment without needing financial assistance.”
“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 Pastor Mike.
Rather than punishing this church, the town ought to be praising them. Here is a congregation committed to helping one person at a time—an entire community supporting and meeting the needs of people like Joe, Taylor and Fred.
The government shouldn’t criminalize compassion. What’s being done to this church isn’t just wrong, it’s illegal. The Constitution and federal law prohibit cities from weaponizing their laws to target religious ministries.
With your support, we can win this case. It would mean so much to the Pastor, the church, and those who are suddenly displaced, including single moms and children who rely on this ministry. And by winning for this church, you’re also going to help protect religious freedom for every American, including YOU.
The Rock needs your support. Please give to First Liberty today.
Learn More:
Colorado Town Won’t Let Church Help People Who Need Temporary Shelter
Victory for Colorado Church, Temporary Shelter Ministry Allowed to Continue
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