Serving Together
As Connections Church prepares to serve dinner at Jesus on Colfax (JOC) on October 3rd, we sat down with Kayla Horne and her team to learn more about this impactful ministry. Kayla, now the director after five years at JOC, leads efforts alongside her husband Matt, who pastors the community church on site, to bring hope and transformation to the homeless on Colfax Avenue.
Mission and Vision
Jesus on Colfax operates on a simple yet powerful philosophy: Show Up, Love People, Build Relationships, and Cultivate Wellbeing. Kayla shares, “We meet people where they are, just as Jesus did, holding hope for them until they can hold it for themselves.” The mission aims to lift individuals out of all forms of poverty—financial, emotional, and circumstantial.
JOC began by knocking on motel doors along East Colfax, offering food and fellowship. Today in addition to their outreach program, they’ve established two Family Rooms—spaces where individuals can connect, grow, and access resources. Participants earn points by engaging in activities, which they can exchange for essentials in the Family Room store.
Key Programs and Initiatives
- Outreach Initiatives: Teams regularly visit motels and streets along East Colfax to meet people where they live. They offer food, prayer, and encouragement, helping to build trust through consistent presence.
- Family Rooms: These spaces are the heart of JOC’s mission, offering not just meals but case management, classes, Bible studies, and employment support. The empowerment model encourages personal investment in their journey toward stability.
- Purchased Program: A new initiative, ‘Purchased,’ focuses on rescuing and supporting women affected by sex trafficking. Adapted from a similar program in Shreveport, LA, it provides recovery resources and holistic support to help women rebuild their lives.
- Coffee Roastery and Restaurant: The newest venture by JOC involves a coffee roastery that serves as a training facility. “Here, individuals learn the soft skills that are essential for keeping employment, providing them a ladder out of homelessness,” Kayla emphasizes.
Impact and Success Stories
Getting Involved
Your involvement can make a real difference. Here are ways you can help:
- Serve Dinner: Join us in providing a warm meal and fellowship during our scheduled service evening on October 3rd. Details and RSVP here.
- Training Events: Start with volunteering by attending a training event to learn how to engage effectively with the homeless. After attending a training event, visit their VOMO website for a list of the volunteer opportunities.
- Fundraising Dessert: Support their programs by attending the upcoming fundraising event on September 27th. Details and RSVP here.
- Donate Items: JOC always needs donations for their Family Room stores, including hygiene products and prepackaged food. They also serve burritos every Tuesday during motel outreach. Contributions of these items are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
Future Goals
Jesus on Colfax (JOC) is focused on closing a critical gap in homeless outreach—helping individuals transition from rock bottom to stability. While resources exist for those already stable or in immediate crisis, there’s little support for those in between. JOC aims to address this by developing a program specifically for people in this transitional phase, providing the tools and support needed to stabilize and move forward. This effort will create a continuum of care that not only helps individuals out of crisis but equips them for sustainable recovery and long-term success, breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Personal Motivation
Kayla’s journey with Jesus on Colfax (JOC) began after her profound experiences with homeless outreach in Chicago. Moved by the striking similarities she saw between herself and those she served, she has committed to being part of where the Spirit moves, bringing the kingdom of God to Colfax Avenue. For Kayla, serving at JOC is not just about helping others; it’s about witnessing the work of Jesus every day. She sees her role as a privilege, allowing her to participate actively in transformative work that not only changes lives but also strengthens her faith and understanding of God’s grace.
Join Us in Making a Difference
As we prepare to serve with Jesus on Colfax, let’s be inspired by their mission. Your participation—whether through serving, donating, or supporting—can bring light to those who need it most. Together, we can change lives—one meal, one conversation, one act of kindness at a time.
