Haven Hope House partners with local church to operate shelter: ‘It’s going to be a great partnership’

WARNER ROBINS – As Haven Hope House prepares to open its doors, a local church is stepping up to help. The Assembly answered the call to operate the shelter, starting in November. 

The Assembly’s Lead Pastor, Darrell Yarbrough, said the church has been conducting homeless outreach for the past couple of years, which eventually led to the city reaching out to them. 

Yarbrough described the partnership as “hand in glove.” They are honored that the city asked for their help and happy to assist, he mentioned.

“I believe [this] is a great way for the church community to be involved. This is something we should be involved with anyway, in my opinion. I think it’s scriptural. I think it’s something that the church needs to do,” he said. 

Brian Wise, the shelter’s supervisor, described the partnership as ideal, given that the church already has outreach programs in place. Wise is a member of The Assembly, and the city appointed him to help the growing homeless population.

Wise initially sought a different group to run the shelter, but it was not the right fit. During a planning meeting with City Administrator James Drinkard and Operations Manager Felicia Wright, Wise said he felt the Holy Spirit reveal to him that The Assembly should run the shelter.

He felt that it was a calling from the Lord and was convinced that something significant was about to unfold with the church’s involvement in running it.

“I believe that’s what the churches are supposed to do, is help the needy and help the less fortunate. It’s going to be a great partnership,” he said. 

Although The Assembly will take over the daily operations of Haven Hope House, it will remain a community shelter, relying on dedicated partnerships and community support, Wise mentioned. He said their mission is to do the Lord’s work and get the community involved.

Wise shared that anyone can donate to Haven Hope House. He said they are currently meeting with local organizations, churches and banks interested in donating. Business leaders and restaurants have also reached out to Wise, eager to contribute to Haven Hope House.

Haven Hope House will also be open for volunteers and Wise invites organizations to establish programs to help homeless individuals. For example, he mentioned programs such as schools offering a reading program and banks helping them learn how to open a checking account. 

Wise said the shelter has a community room where people can come in and share their knowledge to help others get back on their feet and reintegrate into society. 

“That’s what it’s about, helping these people turn their lives around,” he said. 

Wise believes this partnership with The Assembly is important because he knows everyone involved is supposed to be helping the less fortunate and their homeless neighbors. He said they aim to help them have a better life. 

“That’s all they need is a hand to help them get off these streets,” he said. 

Yarbrough believes this partnership demonstrates that the church and state can work together effectively. He said the church is a powerful voice in the community that brings people together and should not be a source of division. 

He hopes the partnership will have positive results. Yarbrough shared that he told Mayor LaRhonda Patrick they will give it 110% and be an asset to the community. He said The Assembly has the resources, staffing, ability and knowledge to step up to the plate. He believes the partnership will work out well and remains hopeful. 

The Assembly will take over operations at Haven Hope House in November, but implementing the programs will take more time, Yarbrough explained. 

“We’re going to be there for the community, and if they’ll just be a little patient with us as we get staffed up and everything situated. We hope that it will not be long before they’ll see a really great asset in the homeless shelter being a part of this community,” he said. 

Yarbrough said the overall goal is to help people find a way back into the community and contribute to it. 

“I think most people are looking for a hand up and really not a handout. The church can be a hand up to people,” he said. 

Yarbrough believes the church must be involved in its community. He said Jesus came to seek and to save, which is what The Assembly aims to do. 

“We’re just trying to find a problem and be a solution. It’s really not that difficult, it’s just trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community and finding a place that we can help,” he said.

Haven Hope House is located at 79 Green Street, Warner Robins. To find out more about The Assembly click here.