A Ministry of Hospitality and Shelter

Room In The Inn is a seasonal winter shelter for homeless men of the Lexington area. It is modeled from an existing ministry in Nashville, TN that started with 4 congregations in 1986; the program has grown to more than 156 congregations of all faiths working together toward a common goal of hospitality by welcoming those in need to their congregations. It is now Nashville’s second largest provider of overnight shelter during the winter months, averaging 180 guests each evening.

	2007-08 Ministry Statistics
	Since 11/4/2007, 1664 beds were provided to 24 different guests. 13 congregations served 3775 meals (meal listing), 2007 sack lunches and offered 513 showers. Over 2717 volunteers have shared in the hospitality of hosting the homeless in their church.

Lexington’s Room In The Inn ministry has completed its third year. It was first introduced in January 2004 with 4 churches serving 4 nights per week through the end of March 2004, hosting more than 325 homeless guests. The 2005-06 season began November 6, 2005 with 10 churches serving 7 nights per week, continuing through April 1, 2006. During that time, we hosted approximately 1,810 homeless guests over a 147-day period. We look forward to opening this season beginning Sunday, on November 5th for the Winter 2006-07 ministry season with last season’s 10 returning churches and the promise of many more joining us as the season progresses; still serving all 7 nights per week through Saturday, March 31st.

Room In The Inn consists of congregations working together to provide small independent shelters within their own facilities. These congregations are committed to the principle that small shelters are better. They are safer and offer the opportunity for one-on-one relationships to be formed.

Typically a congregation will shelter 12-14 guests one night each week. Each congregation is asked to provide a safe, warm place for the guests to sleep, a hot meal in the evening, a hot breakfast the next morning, a sack lunch for the day, and transportation to and from the church. So much more will happen as volunteer hosts sit down and break bread with those whom they have committed to serve!

Guests are invited to host churches only after being interviewed and registered with a faith-based group called The Innkeepers. Potential guests are reviewed for drug and/or alcohol use, behavioral, psychological, or other health issues that host churches are just not equipped to handle. Health screening includes testing for TB within 3 months of the ministry season. Invited guests are assembled each evening at a downtown location to be picked up by host churches. The only way to participate in this ministry is through interview and invitation with pick-up and delivery at the designated location as “walk-ins / walk-outs” are prohibited.

Room In The Inn creates an opportunity for those who have more in life to recognize that they are no different from those who have nothing. It is an opportunity to care for the less fortunate and for both homeless and non-homeless to experience God in a different way.

One goal of Room In The Inn is to be the face, the heart, and the hands of Christ to our guests with the added benefit of being able to educate thousands of Lexington area residents in their own congregations about the nature of homelessness.