Christian Friends Baptist Church warming shelter is open in Hawkinsville

"I felt the Lord talking to me and saying that there was a need and through him that we can do anything," said Emily Smith, Church Member of Christian Friends Baptist Church.

UPDATE (1/23) – Pastor Davis says though the warming shelter is no longer open they have been able to put multiple people in hotels for the weekend and they are currently still receiving and accepting donations and passing them out to people in need.

HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As snow began falling even in Hawkinsville a local church decided to open a warming shelter.

Over at Christian Friends Baptist Church donations have been coming in from community members and other churches for the shelter and according to Troy Davis, Pastor of Christian Friends Baptist Church they are ready to receive anybody, they have bedding, blankets, snacks and are planning to cook breakfast and dinner.

“This wonderful congregation I have, just laid on their hearts to help the community,” said Pastor Davis. “For those that may be without heat, the homeless, whatever the situation might be, we just want to cater to their needs this week and just be a part of what we’re supposed to be doing as God’s people.”

Emily Smith, one of the Church Members of Christian Friends Baptist Church, was the one who got the ball rolling after someone asked her if any shelters were nearby while she was getting gas.

“A lady stopped and asked me if I knew of any shelters around here, and I told her I didn’t, but I pointed her in the right direction I thought may could help her.” said Smith. “When I started to leave, I looked up and saw a homeless person pushing a cart and all the way to Perry, I felt the Lord talking to me and saying that there was a need and through him that we can do anything and on the way back to Hawkinsville from Perry, I kept saying, God, I can’t do this. I don’t think there’s a place and I just felt this calm come over me and tell me that we can do anything through him and all I had to do was make one phone call and within an hour of posting it on Facebook, after I got permission to be able to do it here, we had another church that had two truckloads of stuff bringing it.”

Smith says they will have the necessary staff on hand to be mindful of situations that could occur and she’s thankful for the help of the Sheriff, County Commissioner, and others. She also has been getting messages around the clock from even more people wanting to help.

“I truly want to say that I am so blessed to live in a community that is a God fearing community, that loves God, and that wants to share God’s love with others,” Smith said.

“I want to thank the community of Hawkinsville, the town of Hawkinsville, just for really rallying,” said Pastor Davis. “As you see, we have many supplies and it’s because of the community coming together.”

The warming shelter is located on Christian Friends Baptist Church grounds at 24 South Wood Street.