Metro is meeting people where they are at and showing them the love of Christ

The Lord has commanded his people to care for the least of these and to truly care for and understand the poorest among us, we must live among them.

Laurence East took that message to heart and left a secure position as a pastor in a large Okanagan church to help the marginalized members of the society and meet them where they are at.

“I wanted to get outside of the church walls,” said East who is the pastor of Metro Community church and the driving force behind Metro Central, a downtown Kelowna facility that helps the street community.

Metro Central offers a wide range of programs for street people from food to computer access to simply providing a place to hang out and not be alone.

East took his leap of faith several years ago when himself and a few others from his church would spend Saturday evenings at the Kelowna Gospel Mission visiting people.

As their numbers grew a small, but dedicated church began to form.

Today, the church has 250 members, 60 per cent of which are either street people or people who were once living on the streets. The remainder of the church is made up of people from various walks of life.

“We believe we are called to take the most vulnerable in our community, bring them to our church and give them the largest voice,” said East, who is known as Rev on the street.

East partners with several groups and agencies to keep the numerous programs at Metro Central up and running, but 50 per cent of the operating budget comes from the congregation themselves.

Metro has four enterprises: Metro Moving, Metro Laundry as well as operating food carts and a cafe. Most of the people employed at these ventures are former clients of Metro Central who have gotten off the streets and into a more stable, safer lifestyle.

Scripture is full of God telling his people to spread the good news of Christ and for East, Metro is the best way to do that, by showing Christ's love in a real and practical way.

Leaving his position at Willow Park Church was not an easy move to make, but East felt strongly it was something he had to do – he wanted to do.

He knew money would be tight – it still is even after all these years – but he also knew it was what he was called to do, so he took a huge leap of faith and hundreds of people are now benefiting from his strength and determination to step off the safe path and to answer the call of the Lord.

“We are not a 'normal' church. It's risky. We are always struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

But God has his hand on Metro and every month the bills get paid and more people are introduced to the unwavering love of Jesus Christ.

For more information on Metro, check out their website at metrocommunity.ca.