A Downtown Columbia Ministry Gives the Homeless Hope During the Summer Heat

Oscar Gadsden and Keepin' It Real Ministries reminds the homeless that their situation is not hopeless.

By: Justin Stevens

   A couple of weeks ago, Carolina News introduced the public to Oscar Gadsden, a former homeless man that founded a ministry to help the homeless. He was giving out water and food during the week, to help the homeless in Finlay Park under the summer heat.

   On Sundays, Gadsden and his ministry set up on the stage at Finlay Park to provide a religious service to the homeless. Since 2005, the ministry has been providing food, beverages and guidance to the homeless during their Sunday service. Gadsden says that the main focus of the ministry is to be there for those people who Gadsden and others in the ministry once lived with, just like God is.

   "We are here," Gadsden said. Just liker God has always been with his arms out, open, strectched out wide. Getting ready to love us and love them. We also have to show them our love that God is inside of us, loving them."

   Brian Wright, a volunteer at Keepin' It Real Ministry, often leads the sunday service in prayer. He has been helping out with the ministry for over two years now and says whether it is giving out water or food to people, he loves being there for people when they need him the most.

   "My favorite part about it is just helping the people," Wright said. "I love it. I mean I remember when I did no have and someone helped me, so I am just trying to return the favor. Come out here and try to help out as much as I can because I enjoy it. I thank God for it."

   This past Sunday, Chapin United Methodist was out at the park helping the homeless along side Keepin' It Real Ministry. The church gives the ministry around eleven thousand dollars every month and holds a water and backpack drive every year. Tim Walker, the youth director at Chapin United Methodist, says that many churches often overlook the homeless, but helping them is a calling for his church.

   "Keepin' It Real is our Samaria," Walker said. "Often time when people see homeless they kind of walk away from them, but we want to be a church that walks towards the homeless and serve them."

   So whether you see Oscar or someone else with Keepin' It Real Ministry in Finlay Park, they will be giving back and praying for those living without a home.