OKC's Jesus House Holds 'Block Party' Offering Food, Services & Prayer

For a fourth year, the Jesus House downtown had a ‘block party' for the low income neighborhoods around it.

Organizers said the purpose was to offer help with food, services, and prayer.

It wasn't your traditional block party. It was a gathering with a focus on building relationships, not only in the community Jesus House serves, but across the city.

“This is just to let them know that hey, there's somebody there for them, and it's the Jesus House,” said Mike Bateman, Executive Director of Jesus House.

Mike Bateman said outreach events like this remind people they're here to help, whether that be spiritual encouragement, emergency food, clothing, or even furniture.

“It's just catchy you know, when you get out and serve like this,” said Bateman.

And the people at Jesus House stay extremely busy. They service more than 400 homes in the area, and serve about 500 meals a day. That's about 100,000 meals a year.

And the need is growing.

“Coming here was quite humbling for me, and I just want to be able to give back to the community that gave to me,” said Brent Barnes, who is now a kitchen supervisor at Jesus House.

For years, Brent Barnes struggled with alcohol addiction.

“Ended up with an alcohol problem, and just nowhere else to go and ended up in a crisis center. That lead me to here,” said Barnes.

Brent's been sober now for more than a year and he said helping others in the community has helped him maintain his sobriety.

“Yeah, it keeps me focused, just seeing where I was a couple of years ago, to where I am now,” said Barnes. “It keeps me on a straight path.”

“I almost didn't come, but something pushed me into the front doors and I realized that's a big step, just walking through the front doors to be able to accept help,” said Jesus House resident, Brandon Coahran.

“I went to prison because I made some bad choices,” said Tracy Smith. “Here I am, working on my recovery.”

Brandon Coahran and Tracy Smith said this house isn't just a place to get help, it's a place that gives reverence to its name over the door.

“And love lives here,” said Coahran.

“We're just a big community,” said Bateman. “We just come together.”

The Jesus House ministry has grown tremendously and they're always looking for help so they can continue to help others.

Learn more about Jesus House and how you can help.