ROCKINGHAM — History was made last October when the Richmond County Planning and Zoning Board backed off a proposal to regulate a church-run tent ministry for the homeless, clearing the way for the Place of Grace.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday in the county administrative building at 125 S. Hancock St., a second hearing will take place to follow up on the zoning board’s request that the Rev. Gary Richardson of New Life Church present plans for a permanent structure “within 12 months, or before” Oct. 7 of this year.
By the time cold weather began to settle in the county, the tent ministry had outgrown itself and Richardson, with the help of numerous donors, raised enough money to lease a building down the street from the church. Now equipped with kitchen and shower facilities, the ministry continues to grow and thrive.
With plenty of time to spare, Richardson has the architectural plans for a permanent Place of Grace shelter ready to go and more backers than ever due to the success of the ministry.
A MOVEMENT BEGINS
Richardson and resident Mark Joplin had a mission and a vision for providing shelter and other services to the homeless. In response to officials’ request they apply for a conditional-use permit, Richardson and Joplin appeared along with numerous supporters and a few naysayers, filling the seats of the chamber.
The plan was to start a tent ministry on the property of New Life Church on Airport Road where homeless men and women could be connected to resources to help them get back on their feet and become productive members of the community.
Consultant Jamie Armstrong and another member of the board tried to influence Richardson to apply for the permit under a definition that would label it a “campground.” But the words “for compensation” in the code’s definition, combined with the fact that the Place of Grace was a ministry of the church, thwarted efforts to shoot the project down.
Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center said in October that county officials need to be aware of federal law protecting religious organizations from discrimination.
“It’s appalling to hear when a local government is not doing its job for the homeless,” Haynes said. “But good for the community, for this religious group in starting this ministry. Government officials will have to have a very compelling interest to say no. And I don’t just speak of the First Amendment. The church has the right to freely practice its faith through ministries, and that right has been strengthened by federal laws.”
Haynes explained that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act is a law crafted to make sure that claims for accommodations by religious groups are granted. It requires governments to demonstrate “a compelling interest” in order to say no.
“And that’s not easy to do,” Haynes said. “It can’t be just anything. It has to be clear, and it has to be proven. The county should be aware that they are treading on thin ice if they say no to this group.”
PERMANENT SHELTER
“We’ve got the plans for a 40-by-60 (foot) congregate living facility capable of housing 16 — twice the number the current location can accommodate,” Richardson said. “The expectation is that everything will be approved, and we can go on providing services to the community.”
Still, there’s the hearing to consider before ground-breaking begins.
“As soon as we get an approval, we can send out all of the plans in a PDF file and send it out to all of the companies who will be helping out and get a list of what they’re going to donate,” Richardson said. “As soon as they approve us, I’ve been talking with Ronnie Hawks and we’re ready. Yeah, we’re ready. I’ll bring my equipment up and we’ll clear the property and start digging for the water and sewer, and get the site ready for some concrete.”
Tracy Parris of the planning board sent out letters to all residents “listed as owner(s) of property within at least 300 feet of one of the proposed land developments” advising them of the June 9 public hearing on May 26.
PUBLIC OPPOSITION?
Richardson, when asked if he expected concerned nearby property owners to attend the hearing, did not deny the possibility. It happened last year, after all.
“I suppose it could happen again,” he said. “But we’ve been around now about a year, it’s been successful. No problems. We’ve transitioned more than 60 people through this program. People are about to graduate with their GEDs from Terry Thompson’s program in conjunction with RCC. We have six or seven who got full-time jobs and who are still working months later.”
Richardson hopes supporters from the public, from agencies and groups who have been integral to the ministry’s success will come out to support the Place of Grace Rescue Mission at the hearing.
“We’re working with the agricultural extension office on a grant to put in a community garden,” Richardson said. “Richmond County is going to reap blessings from the Lord for this. It hasn’t been just us or any one or two people. This has been the entire community coming together to do something to help people, and this county is going to reap blessings because of it.”
To contact the Place of Grace Rescue Mission, call 910-817-7446. For the Rev. Gary Richardson, call 910-206-2339 and for outreach coordinator Dianne Raines, call 910-995-9718.
Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @meloniemclaurin.