The work of Corner House is all about sharing practical love and gospel hope with men taking steps out of homelessness. Thanks to the support of people like you, God uses Corner House to provide safe shelter, a shared meal, and Christian company to nourish the soul and invite people into his Kingdom.

Eric used to sleep rough in a tent in a park in central London. Homeless and often hungry, Eric's life was lonely and difficult.

Nearly 8,000 people were forced to sleep rough for the first time in London last year, an increase of 25% from the previous year. More than 1 in 5 people sleeping rough for the first time had previously been renting privately before being forced into homelessness.

Eric’s desperate situation changed when an outreach worker met him one day and connected him to Corner House – a London City Mission project that offers loving support and a short term home to people experiencing homelessness.

MORE THAN A HOME

There, Eric was assessed by the team and was offered a room. For the first time in months, Eric had safe and stable accommodation. And he was in community.

“I am all alone in London. I don’t have family in this country. But the people at Corner House, they’re my family,” says Eric.

But it was more than just a change in circumstance for Eric.

Corner House provided the opportunity for Eric to meet the Jesus of the Bible.

EVENING MEALS AND BIBLE STUDY

There are many opportunities to share the Bible over a meal at Corner House. One of these times is on Friday nights. Volunteers from various churches come in and cook up a delicious meal before sitting down and eating with residents. There is a Bible study afterwards. There, they share some of their struggles and successes while sharing what the scriptures say about Jesus.

“Corner House is a place where church volunteers can come and be encouraging friends and share their gifts and passion. As part of the Corner House community, we cook and eat together. We open the word, and we recognise that we all are works in progress needing to be restored to bear His image and likeness,” explains Pancho Miller, LCM Ministry Leader at Corner House.

“Through shared meals, through seeing the character and the love of Christians, I hope that men who haven’t had the opportunity to hear of God will gain an understanding of his goodness. That they will come to know and believe in Jesus and be blessed with people who will care for them as part of the local church.”

“We spent many Friday evenings with Eric and other volunteers to explore his questions about Jesus and faith. We’ve looked at the Ten Commandments as a pathway for recovery. We look at the different conditions of our hearts and explore the nature of sin.”

For Eric, the studies have been significant in his view of Jesus.

“In this life, in this world, no other person is more important than Jesus,” says Eric. “He is what we need right now, even at this very moment. You can’t find goodness, God, anywhere else. Only in Jesus.”

LEADING CHRISTIANS TO SERVE

Benedict has been serving meals at Corner house for almost two and a half years. For him, cooking and spending time with guests like Eric has been a precious time of spiritual nourishment.

“We’re journeying together through life,” he says. “We have devotions every evening. We may be sharing a physical meal for our bodies, but we are also sharing a spiritual meal as well. One of fellowship and friendship that can nourish us in unseen ways.”

For Pancho, the vision is to have an impact beyond the four walls of Corner House.

“We look to do that in partnership with local churches and believers volunteering alongside us. There are many churches who have a heart to serve people living on the margins, but don’t feel equipped to do that well. We want to serve people in those churches to gain experience and confidence to engage this community well.”