Birmingham Police Stop Pastor From Feeding Homeless

Birmingham, AL police are cracking down on drugs, human trafficking, pastors who feed the homeless.

Pastor Rick Wood has a ministry to the homeless, and for the past several years has been helping to meet tangible needs in whatever small ways he can. As often as he is able, he packs up food and water into his truck and drives around distributing food to the city’s homeless population.

Or at least, so he did.

Turns out, the city is shutting him down– for not having a permit for a “food truck”. The city recently passed a new ordinance to shut down unlicensed food trucks who restaurants complained are hurting business– and somehow that’s now being applied to a pastor who is feeding the people no one else is feeding.

Way to keep it classy, Birmingham.

As we enter Holy Week, may we remember the words of Jesus who clearly told us which questions are going to be on the test:

When I was hungry, you fed me.

When I was thirsty, you gave me a drink.

When I was an immigrant, you welcomed me.

When I was naked, you gave me clothes.

When I was sick, you gave me medicine.

When I was in prison, you visited me.

May we do these things and embody what it means to follow Jesus– and may we do them with or without a permit.

Here’s the story: