'We...Have a Duty to Serve the Most Vulnerable in Our Community'

by Isadora Brown

On Saturday, Nov. 23, New Life Church hosted its tenth annual Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner for the homeless and those who are at-risk of homelessness at its Community Center in Decatur. New Life fed over 900 homeless and needy men, women and children while providing an uplifting program filled with testimonials and music. 

Every Thanksgiving holiday since 2003, New Life Church provides a Thanksgiving dinner prepared and served by its member volunteers. Through a food donation drive, contributions from its members, and church funds, New Life is able to provide a true Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fixings including turkey, yams, collard greens and more. Homeless participants are identified by shelters throughout Metro Atlanta, including My Sister’s House, Peachtree and Pine, and the Atlanta Union Mission, and shuttled to the New Life Community Center for dinner. In addition, individuals who have been identified as “at risk for homelessness” through New Life’s social services programs are also invited for the meal. New Life Church also provided over 400 fully stocked Thanksgiving food boxes on Monday, November 25.

“We, at New Life Church, have a duty to serve the most vulnerable in our community,” said Pastor Marlin Harris.

“Our Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner allows the members of our community who are most in-need to fellowship and enjoy a meal in a safe, warm, and welcoming environment. But this is not something that we do once or twice a year, this is an ongoing mission for us. We serve our community every day of the week through our Church, Community Center and programs.” 

The New Life Community Center (NLCC), housed in the old South DeKalb High School in Decatur, was established by New Life Church to serve as a place to empower, uplift and impact the community through programs, services and educational initiatives. Serving individuals Monday through Saturday every week, NLCC is a committed to the development of self-sufficient, sustainable families. Through the New Life Community Center, member volunteers provide social services, GED classes, job readiness preparation, among other life services. The Community Center also houses a barber shop and beauty salon, a food pantry and a clothing closet to be utilized by individuals in need.