Six cabins on the property of Meridian Baptist Church will house the homeless, a project that the church's pastor believes will serve as a model for other churches wishing to aid the less fortunate.

The church has teamed up with the construction firm Amikas and the social service organization Home Start. By Memorial Day, the cottages should be completely booked.

Housing Homeless Individuals

As Pastor Rolland Slade told The Christian Post, the cabins would provide emergency lodging for women and children, particularly for veteran women with children.

For a maximum of 90 days, individuals will be housed before moving on to more permanent quarters or temporary quarters.

The first African American elected to lead the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee in 2020, Slade hopes his church's efforts to serve the homeless will encourage other churches and faith communities to do the same.

‘Tumbleweed Village’

It was formerly forbidden to use the church as a residence because of the location. The engagement of city council members became necessary, and city staff were dispatched to examine what limits were required for the church to get administrative zoning permission.

As per The Christian Post, the case was subsequently referred to the planning commission, which came up with an administrative zoning permit.

The church had called the area "Tumbleweed Village" because of the overgrowth of weeds. Cabin construction and permit acquisition took more than three years according to Slade.

All six frames for the sleeping cabins have been built and are awaiting examination of the platform on which they will be placed. Insulation will be installed and an electrical permit will be obtained once the framing is completed, according to Slade.

People are calling every day to inquire about volunteer possibilities to help build the cabins, the pastor said, though he didn't provide an exact number. The church asks volunteers to sign a waiver before they arrive.

“I believe that in the 90 days that people are in our cabins the best thing the church can do is love them. That's what we're called to do. That's what we will do,” said Slade, as quoted in the report. 

About Meridian Baptist Church

A primary focus of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, California is the development of personal growth in Christ through the study of God's word and through the example of mature Christians who reflect the love of Christ.

“Not to be isolated and alone, but to be together - experiencing life with others.  Belonging means having a place that is not the same when we are not there and better when we are.  At Meridian we are endeavoring to build a community that has a place for you,” according to the church’s website. 

Meridian Baptist Church's objective is to reach people with the gospel, demonstrate Christ's love, promote racial harmony, provide for their spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs, be an active member of the community, and live a life of faith.

Meridian Missions

Meridian places such a high value on missions that roughly one out of every five dollars it receives is channeled through one of its many partner organizations.

According to the church, El Cajon and San Diego County are served by Meridian's partnership with three local ministries.