Our heavenly Father cares deeply for the poor, and Hope wants them to know him. So to everyone who asks our help, we follow Jesus’ example, “proclaiming good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18-19).

We see hundreds of clients each year. Most are referred to Hope by our partner churches or by other agencies, though many are walk-ins. Upon arrival, they are welcomed by Mrs. Callie Chapman, our experienced mercy coordinator, who has served Chattanooga’s inner-city poor for over four decades. After an initial evaluation, counseling session and prayer, clients receive mercy assistance for rent, utilities, food, clothing, medicine or dental care, depending on need and eligibility. Those seeking help beyond the immediate crisis are enrolled in one of our many development programs. Together we embark on a long-term relationship of mercy, trust and accountability designed to move clients from dependency to self-sufficiency.

To people like “Ruth” and “Bobby,” who are trapped in poverty and recurring cycles of crisis, this is good news indeed. Ruth fell behind on her rent, and Bobby had no way of getting to his cross-town job. Both felt powerless to change their situations, and their families suffered from the homelessness, unemployment and despair that followed. With a helping hand and the compassion of Christ, Hope’s mercy ministry brings good news to the poor.