Jesse “Jay” Eubanks, long-standing Sojourn worship leader as well as someone with year’s of experience as a booking agent to musical acts and as a singer-songwriter himself, knows that worship isn’t simply a matter of music or a once-a-week event: it’s a life lived before the throne of God.  Jesse worships God in many ways, not the least of which is in the love and dedication he has directed at the problem of homelessness in Louisville’s inner city. 

Now, Katie McCracken interviews Jesse, asking about common misconceptions regarding the homeless, what the average person should and shouldn’t do to help the homeless, what the Christian response to homelessness should be, and more.

Interview with Sojourn worship leader Jesse ”Jay” Eubanks, by Katie McCracken.
Katie McCracken: How do you think people make sense of homelessness in our country?

Jesse Eubanks: I think most often people try to “make sense” of it by generalizing. The most common and comfortable way to do this is through blaming the person who is homeless for all the reasons they are homeless. When it comes to people in Africa who are poor and dying, we have a lot of sympathy. When its closer to home, we pick up our stones and start throwing. It’s a defense mechinism. Looking someone in the eyes is very uncomfortable. We begin to sense that God might require something of us as we look someone in the eyes. We don’t like that. It’s a lot easier with people we’ve never met. The expectations and inconveniences are much simpler.

In 2008, I think understanding the struggle to not end up homeless is rather easy. We live in a society where the market is geared towards two-income middle class families. Our cost of living is very high. When someone is uneducated or poor and looks for general labor work, they will generally only make minimum wage. In order to pay rent, buy food, pay for health care, pay for gas, pay utilities, and cover any unexpected emergencies you have to work two or three minimum wage jobs. Even then, it’s doubtful that you’d be able to thoroughly cover all of your bills. It’s an uphill battle. Very difficult.
KM: Why do you believe people often ignore homeless people when they pass them on the street, and how do you think it effects the homeless person?

JE: They don’t know how to respond. They feel conflicted. They feel guilty because this person has no home, often looking unkempt and could possibly ask them for something. There’s all the unknown variables too: Is this person mentally ill? Is this person going to ask me for money? If I say no, are they going to get aggressive?

But more than that, we see them as needy. We see them as giant vortexes that will suck up our energy, our money, our fun and our time. We’re scared to give this to them. There’s another word for this: Selfishness.

My homeless friends tell me that it’s terrible to be avoided on the streets and then always looked at suspiciously in the stores. It makes them feel less than human. It is truly destructive to the spirit and character of people. To be persecuted silently for a situation that is already inherintly difficult is terrible.

I don’t want to romanticize ALL homeless people either. Just as every student on your campus is different, so are homeless people. Everyone has a different story and different character. There are some people - who happen to be homeless - who you probably need to stay away from. And others that you need to run towards to befriend. This is where the Holy Spirit and a willingness to be obedient to love your neighbor comes in.

Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Jesus praised the man who stopped - even though more robbers could have been around, even though the injured man could have been faking it, even though it totally messed up the Samaritans plans. Jesus tells us to go and do likewise. Not very practical, but God’s interested in building his Kingdom, not ours.
KM: Has your opinion about homeless people and homelessness in general changed since working at Jefferson Street; if so, how?

JE: The biggest area of change for me has come in my outlook of people. More than ever, God has shown me that all people are different - whether they be homeless or wealthy or white or black or Christian or not. Everyone is different. Generalizing is not helpful, nor loving. Everyone’s story is different. Everyone’s script is different. Contrary to popular belief, some people did not make any sinful or poor choices that directly lead to them becoming homeless. Some people made very poor choices and it leads intensely to their homelessness. Most people are a mixed bag of both. But regardless, when we make sinful choices and get ourselves into a heaping mess, does God look at us and think “Good! You deserve it! I’m not going to help you. If I help you, you’ll never learn your lesson.” Of course not! Jesus tells us “”It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” Our response to homelessness should be shaped with this character.
KM: What in your opinion, are the most common misconceptions about homeless people and homelessness?

JE: They’re all mentally ill substance abuse addicts.

Some are. Most are not.

As I’ve already said, everyone’s story is different. I work with a man who was once a college professor; another who was sent to jail for almost four years for a crime the legal system later found he was innocent of; a girl who was kicked out at 18 and unable to finish high school; and another man who faithfully pays his $600 a month child support even though it means he won’t have enough money leftover to afford rent on an apartment.

I also work extensively with mentally ill substance abuse addicts. But these are the minority.

KM: What can the average person do to help with this growing problem?

JE: Don’t give money to people on the street. This only reinforces the belief for a homeless person that they can continue to stay on the street. Too often, the money you give to someone on the street is converted into drugs or alchohol.

Share God’s love with the people you meet on the street. Offer to pray for them and with them. Treat them with dignity and respect. And be safe. Always talk with someone is homeless in a well lighted area with other people around.

But by far, I believe the most successful thing people can do is to start building relationships with the homeless through a local homeless ministry. When choosing a ministry, pick one that makes it obvious they are about both spiritual and physical needs. Ask questions to make sure they are doing this. Consistency is important here - it’s the only way to genuinelly build a long lasting relationship.

And finally give to the homeless ministry financially - even if it’s small. This way, when you do encounter someone who is homeless and asking for money on the street, you can let them know that you do give financially to the homeless through the shelter.
KM: How should Christians view homelessness and our response?

JE: I have written a Theology of Loving the Homeless that can be viewed at our website hopeforlouisville.com by clicking on the large image on the main page. That will answer this question.
KM: Anything else?

JE: Thank you for caring about the homeless!

This entry was posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 6:57 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed, and you can leave your own response below.