Pastor defends eviction of meal ministry from church over alleged drug use
A Washington state church has defended its decision to end its month-to-month lease with a food charity that has operated on the property for more than three decades, claiming the organization enabled drug abuse.
Zeal Church of Spokane recently terminated the lease of Shalom Ministries, a charity that says it served about 80,000 meals to people in need last year.
Senior Lead Pastor Ray Valdez addressed the situation during Sunday's service, saying the congregation, which purchased the property in May, has received threats of violence.
Since taking control of the property, Valdez said the church has “observed and witnessed very unhealthy activity,” including “illicit drug use, drug dealing, drug paraphernalia, vandalism, littering, loitering on our property.”
“We’ve had those with Shalom who served in that ministry breaking in and letting drug addicts into our building,” Valdez told the congregation, adding that police told him they also had problems with the charity.
“People are mailing drugs through this ministry to the jail, and we’re getting return addresses because it didn’t make the cut at the jail. … We’ve constantly witnessed drug use and near overdoses, as well as overdoses.”
“We refuse to allow our property to be used as illegal demonic activity,” he vowed, saying other local leaders are concerned “for the growing unhealth in this area.”
Local pastors, police and area residents have commended the church for cutting ties with Shalom, the pastor claims.
“I personally like the board members of Shalom, but what they are doing isn’t working,” the pastor continued.
He said that “compassion must meet more than a physical need.”
“Food does not cast devils out of people. In fact, food was the first thing that the devil brought to tempt Jesus with,” he said. “Spokane does not need more meals. They need an encounter with our Jesus.”
“This is not about food," he added. "This decision is not because we hate those people or Shalom or that we are against feeding people. We are obeying God and we are setting a standard.”
Shalom Ministries had operated at the property for 32 years, on a campus originally owned by The United Methodist Church, according to its website.
Shalom said it received notice from Zeal Church on Aug. 14 that its lease would end Sept. 30. The charity temporarily suspended its meal services on Aug. 20.
“The Shalom Ministries Board is currently engaged in identifying all options available to relocate all services currently provided. Due to the costs and time necessary to terminate and relocate, the ministry will temporality shut down,” Shalom said.
“We will keep our dining population, volunteers and supporters appraised as we move forward with our mission. Any questions or suggestions are appreciated!”
The charity posted an appeal letter to supporters, saying it is “actively looking for a new location that would allow us to continue our primary mission, which is to feed the hungry.”
“If you or anyone you know has a large storage area where we might store equipment, or a building suitable for serving meals, we would greatly appreciate a call, email, or text message,” Shalom said.
“We ask for your prayers as we discern our next chapter for Shalom Ministries.”
Dexter Phillips, the board president of Shalom Ministries, told The Spokesman Review that the church felt that Shalom's "way of operating is not compatible with them." He added that the feeding ministry welcomes all people, "sober or not," to "provide aid that helps people who often don’t meet the criteria for services."
