Church-On-The-Street (COTS)

COTS is an outgrowth of Church@Work people who wanted to make a difference in our homeless communities. Teaming up with solid churches in the community, volunteers conduct daily church service first thing in the AM at welcoming homeless camps. In addition to the service, COTS usually also provides coffee and snacks. It usually takes 2 or more people per day for each camp. As of 2020, there are 800+ COTS congregations in the main cities having homeless populations East of the Continental Divide.

Fellowship with the members of the camp is used to build a strong sense of community. By building community, the individuals help care for each other, and in the process they learn skills in how to apply skills and talents in helping in the community. They also learn how to cooperate to keep the camp clean and safe. They also learn to be good neighbors to the residents and local businesses.

Fellowship with individuals is developed over time. From what is learned through the fellowship, the COTS volunteers help them to overcome issues of spiritual trauma, isolation, additions, unforgiveness, anxiety, and depression. Other volunteers get willing individuals into suitable jobs and housing, and help them get situated in their new community and into a good church community. For the past 5 years, COTS has gotten about 200 people per month off the streets and into a healthy community where they become contributing members.

The COTS resources help train the volunteers.