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| Open Door Ministry of Lansing has been serving people for nearly 30 years. |
What is it?
Open Door Ministry is a broad-based, ecumenical community ministry built upon Lansing Central UMC’s years of ministry working with the homeless and poor.
The ministry runs out of the church and it strives to meet people wherever they are in their lives and give them basic necessities and a support structure.
The ministry offers everything from a daily hospitality suite that includes drinks and snacks to walk-in showers to laundry, clothing, etc.
The church also offers people help with things like prescriptions and bus passes through its “ministry of kindness.” Open Door Ministry will help people obtain personal records, find referrals to other helpful agencies and always offer a listening ear and prayer.
How did it start?
According to Open Door Ministry Executive Director Cris Bobier, the church intentionally started a “fellowship lunch,” — a community meal once a week to reach out to people — almost 30 years ago.
As a steady stream of people continued to stop by the church with expressed needs, the ministry evolved.
“They had it in a small, little room called the tea room and then it just started growing and growing and growing,” Bobier said. “Since it’s located downtown a lot of people would just get out of jail across the street, or get stranded in the bus station or something — and they would find their way into the church. And it was the policy of this church to always keep its doors open, thus the name of our ministry.”
In 2004 it became an incorporated non-profit 501(C)(3) that runs out of Lansing Central UMC, but has a separate board and budget from the church.
What type of progress has been made?
Bobier is the only full-time paid staff member and there are two 15-hour/week employees to help her. But more than 30 churches — United Methodist congregations as well as other denominations —give directly to the ministry, and there are dozens of volunteers who help out when they can.
Bobier said the goal of the ministry is to be able to grow and transform as new needs arise.
“People that came in needed more than just a meal. A lot of times they needed showers, so we started a shower ministry,” she said. “So we had that for people walking in the door but then we realized they were throwing their dirty clothes in the trash, so we started a laundry ministry because it’s more responsible to take care of your clothing rather than throwing them away.”
What churches/people can do to help?
Open Door Ministry has an annual budget of approximately $140,000, which they get through apportionments, Conference Advance Specials donations via the conference treasurer and grants from local foundations like the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
Groups and individuals are always needed to assist with the Fellowship Lunch that takes place every Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Daily volunteers are also utilized in a variety of ways, and those interested should contact Bobier at 517-485-9477 or crisODM@yahoo.com.
There is more information available at www.opendoorlansing.org and the ministry’s Facebook page under “Open Door Ministry of Lansing.”
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