Care and hospitality

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (Matthew 25:36-36) Jesus expresses his concern for the least of these, reminding followers of our responsibility to serve God by serving the needs of our neighbors. Historically in the United States, the Church was the first to welcome and care for vulnerable children, impoverished families, the sick, elderly and disabled –long before government programs –with the founding of formal and informal services, agencies, children’s homes, and hospitals (Garland & Yancey, 2014).

While C3I believes both are needed, C3I specifically focuses on research and practice that enhances congregations care and hospitality for vulnerable individuals, families, and communities including:

• Hunger-related ministries
• Immigration
• Human trafficking
• Benevolence
• Ministries of accompaniment

Questions that congregations may be asking

• What models of care and hospitality exist within the congregation?
• What impacts are these congregations making on their communities?