by Kimberly Parker
On August 24, 2004 I walked through the doors of Central Outreach and Advocacy Center. It was the first day of what I thought would be a temporary part-time job. My PURPOSE at the time was to work in order to pay my bills 
until I received a call to a church. I had very little experience working with people in a homeless situation. I probably got the job in part because my seminary advisor served on the Board of Central OAC and recommended me. I did not see myself serving in this capacity for very long. Again, my PURPOSE was to pay my bills while I continued to seek a call in the church.
I can still remember that first day. I was nervous. I really didn’t know what to expect. And I showed up to learn that who I thought would be my direct supervisor was gone so I had a whole different supervisor.
I kept seeking a call to a church because I believed that was what God was calling me to do and how God wanted me to serve after finishing seminary. I kept hitting brick walls so I kept working at Central OAC so I could pay my bills. Remember, that was my PURPOSE! After a few months, I was offered a full time position. I took it. Within a year, I slowly began to realize that God’s call was different than I had first imagined. I was indeed being called to serve at Central OAC.
It was and is in a church, on the ground floor, but looks a bit different than where I imagined serving. I don’t preach (at least not in the OAC; every now and then I do get to preach at Central Presbyterian). I don’t serve communion. I don’t baptize people.
However, I sit with folks. I listen. Sometimes I am asked to pray with a guest. Through ID vouchers, a MARTA card, a new outfit from Alison’s Boutique, a piece of picked up mail, food stamp assistance, or a new apartment, we are serving guests experiencing homelessness. I don’t do the “normal” things that a pastor does in a church, but I do serve people and I do serve with a PURPOSE and it’s not just to pay my bills anymore..
Twenty years later I am still at Central OAC. My job title changed three times. My job responsibilities changed. My call changed or at least the location. The call to serve never changed.
The folks who walk through our doors each day are really no different than those who walk through the doors of a church on Sunday mornings. They are human beings facing life, most of the time, a life that may be harder than most people face. Central OAC becomes a place of community for many folks and I get to serve them. It has been an honor and a privilege to do so for 20 years! I am thankful that my call changed and that I was given the opportunity to serve God in this capacity!
Serving with a purpose … we all do it at Central OAC!