Picture the familiar scene in a church service. It begins with prayer and worship. The pastor shares a sermon. A squirrel runs under a chair. A jogger slows down to take in the scene. A ministry member and former homeless person shares a poem encouraging a group of homeless individuals gathered under a tree nearby.

The most beautiful people we have known
are those who have known defeat, known misery, known injury, known struggle,
known forfeiture, known abandonment, known unspeakable acts
and have found their way out of the depths of hell
by surrendering to Jesus Christ...

It’s a park in National City, a gathering of the Church Without Walls.

The Rock Church Homeless Ministry founded the Church Without Walls outreach (CWW). What started out as a breakfast club that consisted of small Bible study groups who met in a parking lot in National City transitioned into Church Without Walls. Today, a multitude of homeless “neighbors” in the community attend, worship, pray, receive the Word of God, and break bread in the park.

On a typical Saturday, several men and women arrive to help the neighbors and to fellowship. They set up tables, food, and sound equipment, then gather everyone together to worship with songs and spend time in prayer. The host shares a scripture or testimony and then Pastor Donny comes up to preach the Word. He ends with prayer and the breaking of bread begins. Those who have come to serve sit with our neighbors for fellowship and one-on-one prayer. CWW is blessed that ministries from other churches have stepped up to host and lead on designated Saturdays as well.

CWW members are guided by Philippians 2:1-4, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

CWW would not exist without the strong foundation the Rock Church Homeless Ministry established in their work to support the homeless community in San Diego and bring them closer to Christ. The Rock Church Homeless Ministry goes into the streets of San Diego every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to minister to the homeless and show them the never-ending, unfailing, and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. They meet at the corner of 3rd and Elm Street in downtown San Diego and supply water, oranges, bananas, sandwiches, juice, granola bars, or other food items, toiletries, and other essential needs to the homeless. Volunteers fellowship and pray with the homeless and encourage them to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ.

For more information about Church Without Walls, visit their website here.