Church turns abandoned homes into refuge for homeless families in Kansas

Homeless families have found a transitional home, thanks to the Kansas City ministry that has dedicated itself to helping poor people with no house to stay in.

The ministry began with a vision of turning the vacant 150,000-foot square Park Lane Medical Center into a housing facility where poor working families can stay while they prepare for their own house.

John Wiley, a pastor of River Church Family, shared his vision with CBN News in 2009. Seven years later, the River of Refuge transitional housing facility was opened.

In May, the facility, with 11 apartment units completed, opened its doors to its first residents, most of whom had been staying in motels with weekly rates.

"We made it ready for homeless families who have children who are sleeping on a floor in motels, knowing that they could move in here, live and eat for free. It's an amazing feeling," Wiley told KMBC.

River of Refuge program director Stephanie Keck said within 24 hours of opening, about 30 people had called, asking for help. Every week, they receive an average of 20 inquiries from people who want to be a part of the program.

Wiley said the whole thing was "surreal."

"It feels surreal, you know seven years of believing it was possible," he told CBN News.

He recounted how they encountered problems along the way and how God removed one problem after another as they built River of Refuge.

At first, those who started living in the transitional housing facility wondered if there was any catch. Mario Glynn, a father of seven, had a hard time believing if the facility was real.

"When I got in here I was sitting here waiting on like, 'What's the catch? Are we gonna have to stand on the corner and sell candy or something to stay?'" he told CBN News.

Later on, he found out that they could truly stay at the facility free of charge. They were not required to pay rent or even utilities. This allows them to save money for their next house.

And with the facility's financial counselors helping them, they are able to save money properly.

Wiley said the project was made possible for the most part through donations and volunteers. Sometimes they post requests for donations through the facility's Facebook page.

He reminded other pastors that it is possible to show love to the community they are serving.

"What you have is the most incredible gift — love attracts a crowd," he said.