Charity still follows Jesus' decrees

By Geoff Oldfather, Stuart News columnist
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Reprinted with permission of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers

WWJD?

What Would Jesus Do?

For awhile WWJD? was everywhere on bumper stickers and T-shirts, although it's been some time since I've seen one of the shirts.

I laugh when I see one of the stickers on a Mercedes or worse, a Hummer. I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't be driving either one. But I digress.

WWJD? came to mind when I learned about the name change at Jesus House of Hope.

In March, with little fanfare and no publicity, the organization changed its name from "Jesus House of Hope" to, simply, "House of Hope."

It was a pragmatic move and overdue.

House of Hope has never been a faith-based organization, a church or a shelter — even though many people thought it was all of these.

The House of Hope operates a pantry, giving out food baskets to hundreds of families and providing financial aid to help the area's desperately needy pay the rent and other bills, and it runs a thrift store.

"It's simple. Our primary mission is to offer hope and help to the poor of Martin County," said Patrick Slattery, the organization's executive director. "The name change was a contentious issue and one that we've been thinking of for about a year."

At first the organization's board of directors was divided.

Even Slattery, who personally feels he's been called by God and the gospel of Matthew to "feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked," was strongly opposed to the name change.

At first.

"But here's the challenge. There were those in the community who, when we approached for help, would say 'I already give to my church, why should I give to yours?'" Slattery said.

"And there are foundations we would approach for grants that will not or cannot fund faith-based organizations," he said.

The bottom line was, well, the bottom line.

As Jesus House of Hope the organization saw its fundraising efforts flatten out even as demand and expenses were increasing.

"The real issue is, are we going to continue to try to help more people in the community — and there are more every year who need our help — or are we going to go backward?" Slattery said.

There has been some fallout. Several volunteers, including one in her 80s who said Jesus was the reason she was there, walked out.

But the organization is still incorporated as "Jesus House of Hope," doing business as "House of Hope."

"I had to ask myself, 'Does Jesus care what we call ourselves, or is He more interested in what we do?,'" Slattery said.

I think the answer is simple.

WWJD?

Exactly what they're doing.

Martin County columnist Geoff Oldfather can be reached at (772) 221-4217 or geoff.oldfather@scripps.com.