JG:Perhaps we should start in this way, would you introduce yourself? What is your role with Lazarus Ministries?

AM:I’m Allison Mitchell, I lead Lazarus. I’m also the founder and now the executive director… I prefer to be called “La Presidente”

JG:How long has Lazarus been working with the homeless in Atlanta?

AM:Since November of 2000.

JG:So, how did it begin and what were those beginnings like?

AM:Finding myself miles away from my family on Thanksgiving Day in 2000, I decided to volunteer and feed the homeless. It was the same year that Hosea Williams died, so scores of volunteers came out to serve at Turner Field. Since the volunteers were overflowing, I decided to minister to those who were unable to make it to Turner Field. A friend and I acquired food and set out to meet with homeless in the area on our own. We decided to do the same thing a week later, which led to the next week, which led to the next and the next and so on. In January 2001, Kris McDaniel (pastor of Vineyard Sunday Night, which is now Trinity Vineyard) asked to make it an official ministry. A group from the church began going to the capital on Sunday nights to hand out hot cocoa and smiles. It was during this time that quality relationships were forged between the volunteers and the homeless. Many homeless remarked about how refreshing it was that the volunteers were willing to interact with them, not just preach at them or simply feed them. It was a struggle for the volunteers as they personally experienced the lack of social mobility (life transformation/change) with the homeless over a three year period. During this time, I decided to take a more obedience-focused approach to the ministry rather than one which was results-oriented. The call was to obey the command “to feed the hungry and set free the oppressed” (Isaiah 58). In a world which demands instant results, the decision to remain obedient and patient with the process proved to be a sacrifice of time, resources and emotional investment from a temporal perspective. Yet, from an eternal perspective, patience, delayed gratification, continued surrender of time and emotional support seemed to be the response God was looking for, and lined up with that they came to understand as the way Jesus would have approached the situation.

JG:How has it changed or grown?

AM:Lazarus Ministries started with two people serving about 20 homeless men and women in the year 2000. Now, in 2008, Lazarus has a weekly base of 30 volunteers serving 50 -100 homeless men, women and children. For special events, the volunteer base consists of 200-300 individuals serving 600-800 homeless individuals.

JG:I understand Lazarus is undergoing some new changes-one of the biggest being incorporation. Why incorporation? Why now?

AM:It is the first step in getting the 501c3 (non-profit tax exemption). We went from being a church ministry to an official organization legally. Spiritually, we are still a ministry at Trinity. We have grown so much over the last 2 years that we need to operate with a full time staff. Once we get the 501c3, we will begin the process of me moving to full time.

JG:How do you see incorporation affecting this ministry?

AM:It opens a lot of doors in regards to grants, fundraising. It also legitimizes our efforts legally.

JG:Finally, what does the future look like-where do you envision the ministry going?

AM:I am going to pull from the ministry plan…this is our growth strategy outline...

1. Weekly team ministry:

From 3 to 4 days a week, once there the weekly volunteer base is 50

From 4to 5days a week. once there the weekly volunteer base is 70

New additional Sunday location, once the volunteer base is 90

New additional Tuesday location, once the volunteer base is 110

New additional Thursday location, once the volunteer base is 130

2. Events:

20 percent growth in attendance for each large event per year.

1) Added Health Days in Atlanta


 a) In 2009, 3 Health days


b) In 2010, 4 Health days


c) In 2011, 5 health days


2)Added cities: An Initiative of Lazarus Ministries is for the third Sunday of September to be National Health Day For the Homeless.

Over, the next 3 years we are going to concentrate on the Southeast and then continue the move nationally.

In 2009, Lazarus Ministries would like Health day on the third 
Sunday of September to spread to Macon, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah.

In 2010, add Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Orlando Fl

In 2011, add Maimi Fl, Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville TN

They will offer guidance and partner with local homeless ministries and churches 
in those cities.

JG:Is there anything presently or on the horizon that Lazarus Ministry needs?

AM:Someone to help organize prayer support. It is a huge need right now.

JG:How can our people get involved?

AM:We have teams that go to the capitol area and serve the homeless beverages and light snacks. We go every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. If anyone is interested they can email outreach@trinityvineyard.org.

JG:What can we do to serve the homeless of Atlanta?

AM:We have found that simply being kind has so much impact, especially with a group of people so marginalized.

JG:Thank you so much for sharing this with us today, Allison.