Pokin Around: What would Jesus do? I imagine it would look pretty much like Christie Love
Steve Pokin
Springfield News-Leader
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What would Jesus do in these days of pandemic?
Would he self-isolate? Would this be a good time for him to spend another 40 days in the wilderness?
Knowledgeable health officials have asked us and now ordered us to do just that, to stay home. I understand; it makes sense.
Yet it seems so underwhelming. As a person of faith, do we do this when our fragile homeless population is even closer to death's door?
Doctors and nurses treat the sick. Who will step forward to take care of the most vulnerable?
I just don't feel that good declaring: When my nation called, I did my patriotic duty — I stayed home and watched "Columbo" episodes.
The Greatest Generation stormed Normandy, and I self-isolated and played board games to flatten the curve.
I'm pretty sure that what Jesus would do is what the Rev. Christie Love is doing. She is pastor of The Connecting Grounds, a storefront church at 1109 E. Commercial St.
It is not melodrama to say she might have saved a life or two when she scrambled a week ago to line up churches and others to house no more than eight homeless men on a recent night when the temperature fell to 27 degrees.
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Because of the virus, Springfield's only cold-weather men's shelter had been forced to close.
Each of those churches that stepped in — including Love's — technically broke the law by serving as shelters that night.
The fire marshal issued warning citations. He could have shut down the locations.
These days, you will find Love and other volunteers handing out sack dinners at 5 p.m. daily. Meals are also handed out at that time at Grace United Methodist Church, 600 S. Jefferson Ave.
As a follower of Christ, how do you care for those with nothing while being told it's best for the overall good to isolate?
You do the best you can, Love says.
"There is definitely a lot of tension in that space," she tells me. "This health crisis is smack dab in the middle of that gray area."
She and her husband have heard from countless friends who worry about them.
"We do try to be careful," she says.
They wear gloves; they try to maintain 6 feet of space; friends are making masks for them and other volunteers.
These days, she says, the homeless do not even have access to toilet facilities.
But that will change soon, she says.
Any day now, porta-potties will be placed on the West Walnut Street parking of The Venues 425 (Walnut Street). The home church, The Venues, is at 2616 E. Battlefield Road.
"Tell me where to send them"
Serving the homeless — with or without a pandemic — is tricky business for any church or nonprofit. Some neighbors push back.
A few days ago, while the 5 p.m. meal was being served, several police officers arrived at The Connecting Grounds.
"Police had pretty much demanded that we clear the sidewalk," Love says. "That is my sidewalk. And we did not do that.
"I told them, 'Tell me where to send them and I will send them there.'"
She and volunteers do their best to maintain social distancing.
Now, she says, she uses chalk to mark off 6-foot intervals for those in line.
All food served is covered and in containers. The other day a volunteer made pasta for many.
The two sites — The Connecting Grounds and Grace United Methodist — provide about 150 meals a night.
Usually, the meal is cold, like a lunch.
Breakfast is at Veterans Coming Home, 806 N. Jefferson Ave.
Love is lining up basic medical care for the homeless who come for a meal at 5 p.m. She has given out hundreds of bottles of hand sanitizer.
Two people at a time can step inside the church to use the bathrooms.
Some volunteers drive the streets to give food to homeless people.
She fears the homeless population in Springfield will increase.
"There is a concern that the numbers are going to grow as more people get laid off," she tells me.
Fortunately, Love has ways that people can help that might fit their comfort level.
If you want to assist, she wants you to send an email to outreach@theconnectinggrounds.com.
Volunteers are needed to make meals, deliver meals, make hand sanitizer, help find hotel rooms or make phone calls.
"In some ways, it is my hope that this crisis forever changes the footprint of the American church," she tells me. "So that church is not just a weekly gathering but a response to the call of Christ every day."
"This is a daily reality 365 days a year," she says. "How do we love the least of these and how do we love others who are in poverty?"
These are the views of News-Leader columnist Steve Pokin, who has been at the paper eight years, and over his career has covered everything from courts and cops to features and fitness. He can be reached at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65806.