Church Opens Shelter to Provide Lifesaving Care During Freezing Nights

John Hall, a member of Fair Haven Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee, felt compelled to act after the city’s only warming shelter closed three years ago. With temperatures dropping to 32 degrees or below posing life-threatening risks, Hall believed it was essential to provide refuge for those without access to warmth. “They’re God’s creation and made in His image. They need to be protected,” he said, expressing his conviction that every person deserves care and dignity.

Hall approached his pastor, Peter Allen, with a proposal that would test the congregation’s commitment to action. Allen initially hesitated, acknowledging the complex political landscape surrounding homelessness in their town. However, Hall’s persistence and passion eventually won him over. “John’s been the hugest mover and proponent of this, and it’s affected our church in a really positive way,” Allen said. The church’s focus remained on offering lifesaving care for those in need, without political involvement.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the shelter has saved lives. One woman who sought refuge there required emergency medical attention after developing a severe foot infection that necessitated amputation. Doctors told Hall that without the shelter’s intervention, she would have died within a week. Two men who were regular guests when the shelter opened now have jobs and permanent housing, according to Hall. He credits the transformation to a simple approach: treating guests with dignity. “We make ourselves available to talk with people and more importantly, listen,” he said. “Once you start listening and they see that you really do care, they start opening up.”

Many guests surprise volunteers with their biblical knowledge, though the ministry has not recorded any salvations. “Seeds at least get planted,” Hall said, emphasizing the importance of relationship and compassion. The shelter opens when temperatures hit 32 degrees or below for two consecutive days or nights, typically housing 11 people per night. During one particularly brutal cold snap, 27 guests were accommodated.

The shelter proved essential during Winter Storm Fern, which impacted the South in late January. Located in the church’s youth center off U.S. 231, the detached building is equipped with about 20 donated cots each operating night. Volunteers serve hot meals — chili, pasta, or hearty soups — and separate men and women into different areas. Two volunteers, called monitors, staff each shift, arriving at 6 p.m. and staying until 8 a.m. Lights go out at 10 p.m., ensuring a safe and restful environment for all guests.

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