In our journey to repair and restore the spiritual foundation of evangelism, we must also consider how the church becomes a safe haven for the community. The Hallelujah House was a vision of what happens when God uses the church to transform brokenness into places of refuge, renewal, and growth. When I moved to Dallas, Texas, in January 1998 to pastor North Park CME Church, God began drafting a new blueprint for my ministry. Except for my military experience, I had never lived in a place where I did not know a soul. I was a single, lonely, young adult man who was scared to death, even though I was fully aware that God was laying the foundation for something greater. This move became the ground on which He would build opportunities for restoration, healing, and transformation in my life and in the community I was assigned to serve.
Pastoring in the inner city of Dallas was a major life transition for me, as it felt like learning how to build in new terrain. Even in the midst of that transition, God was laying foundations beyond what I could see. I met my wife, Tanesha, in 1999, and she has been both my partner in ministry and in life for 26 years. Leadership in ministry has often called us into uncharted territory, where it can feel uncomfortable and challenging. Tod Bolsinger describes the reality of uncharted places in his book Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, when he reminds us that leaders must adapt, innovate, and lean on God when familiar tools no longer apply. For me, that “uncharted territory” was the call to transform broken spaces into places of hope.
Just as I have done in every appointment, I immediately studied the lay of the land, learning the personalities of individuals, listening to their realities, and responding with compassion. I also had to understand the church culture. In architectural terms, church culture is like the framework of a building: the weight-bearing walls reveal what a congregation values, how it worships, and how it operates. The church’s traditions were like beams, shaped and reinforced by past generations. As with every church I have pastored, there were also cracks, scars from disappointments, and church hurt over the years. Beyond the church walls, I also walked and drove through the community to gain a true sense of its culture.
Living in the parsonage just three blocks away, it did not take long to notice the suspicious activity at one of the church’s rental properties located across the street from the church. At night, the house drew constant traffic and questionable behavior. Over time, it became clear that the property had been used as a trap house, causing harm to the community. Though we evicted the tenants, the cycle repeated with the next renters. Finally, after police surveillance and a drug bust on the property, we knew it was time to say, “Enough is enough.” Rather than continuing to rent the house for income, we reclaimed the space to serve a higher purpose.
About two years later, we gave birth to something life-giving: The Hallelujah House Outreach Ministry Center, Inc., a place of hope, healing, and holistic ministry for the community. The name “Hallelujah House” was inspired by my friend, colleague, and prophetic leader, the late Rev. Dr. Henry R. Delaney, with whom I pastored with in Georgia. He served at St. Paul CME Church in Savannah, GA, where he drew thousands of people for many years until his retirement. During his tenure, he established a men’s shelter and rehabilitation center called “The Hallelujah House”, which transformed countless lives. I wanted to have the same kind of impact on my community in Dallas. When I spoke with Dr. Delaney about our ministry center, he said, “You’ve taken this Hallelujah House to an entirely different level.” Then he prayed blessings over our center, and it indeed grew leaps and bounds.
Redeeming the House, Restoring the Community
A house that once brought darkness to the community became a beacon of light. The Hallelujah House became a spiritual blueprint for what happens when the church functions as a safe haven. The house itself was a modest three-bedroom home with one bathroom. We converted the front area into an office and reception space. The bedrooms were transformed into rooms for ministry: One became a computer lab, where we offered resume writing, office skills training, and computer literacy. Another became a clothing closet, stocked with donated clothing and shoes. A third became a food storage room, supplying our food pantry and distribution. Most of the outreach efforts we developed were direct responses to the unique needs of the community. The Hallelujah House grew into a hub for the following ministries:
- Mentoring & Empowerment: A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Ministry (girls mentoring), Boys to Men Ministry (boys mentoring), Career Planning & Management (Dress for Success clothing closet).
- Community Care: Food Pantry, Bread Distribution, Homeless Ministry (which included leading worship services twice a month at the Salvation Army, Dallas TX).
- Healing & Restoration: Joshua 6 (Substance Abuse Recovery Group), Grief Ministry, Health & Wellness Ministry, HIV/AIDS Ministry.
- Community Outreach: Jail & Prison Outreach, One Church/One School, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Prayer Ministry & Prayer Line, Information & Referral Ministry, Computer Technology Training Classes.
But this did not come without challenges. Turning the Hallelujah House into a recognized ministry center required more than vision; it required hard work and dedication. We pursued a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and defined the mission of the Hallelujah House. Our mission was to serve as a safe haven and holistic ministries for the community. Putting this in writing kept us focused and helped us communicate our goals to our supporters. We selected our Board of Directors from faithful men and women of the church. Their presence provided wise counsel in decision-making and the accountability needed to keep the ministry strong and focused.
Lastly, we filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Texas that granted Hallelujah House a formal legal identity as a nonprofit corporation. This also allowed us to apply for federal tax-exempt status. We submitted our IRS application (Form 1023), which included a description of our various programs that provided services and resources. Once our 501(c)(3) status was approved, donations became tax-deductible, and this opened doors for greater support. We worked together to draft bylaws that outlined how our board functioned, how meetings were conducted, and how funds would be managed. This opened doors for us to partner with other organizations, apply for grants, and invite donors to invest in ministry.
Retired Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore (the C.M.E. Church)
One of the most memorable milestones was the official grand opening of The Hallelujah House to the community around May 2003. We held a major worship service and celebration that drew churches from across the region. City officials, community leaders, and representatives from other major nonprofit organizations joined us. Some made substantial donations to support the vision. Retired Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore delivered a powerful message, and several local churches and choirs joined us to celebrate. After worship, we walked across the street for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and house blessing, toured the house, and enjoyed a reception immediately following. It was a day of joy, thanksgiving, and testimony to God’s faithfulness. From that day forward, outreach at The Hallelujah House flourished, with members, friends, and the community donating items each week. As different bishops were assigned to Texas over the years, we continued to receive support. We were especially blessed by our current Senior Bishop, Lawrence Reddick, who generously donated clothing to support the ministry.
There were often lines of people waiting for the doors to open to receive free food, clothing, and other resources. It blessed my heart to see the people of God being blessed by our services. Over the years, we received several grants, including one from Inwood Bank and another from the Tom Thumb grocery store, that sustained our evangelism and outreach efforts. The Hallelujah House was open three days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Women from the church served faithfully every week, some for more than 20 years. Some people came simply for prayer. Whatever the need, the Hallelujah House stood ready to serve.
The Hallelujah House Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Building an Evangelism Culture
While The Hallelujah House was a visible sign of God’s redeeming power, the deeper work was guiding the church itself to transition into an evangelism culture. It is one thing to open an outreach center; it is another to reshape the very mindset of a congregation. When I first arrived at North Park CME Church, like many congregations, the members were comfortable with their traditions. Many valued fellowship and service; however, evangelism was not the heartbeat of the church. Therefore, my role as an evangelistic pastor was to help the congregation see evangelism not as a ministry or program, but as the very purpose that gives meaning to every ministry.
Rick Warren (1995), in his book The Purpose-Driven Church, confirms this truth by reminding us that the church’s health is not measured by its seating capacity, but by its sending capacity, how well it fulfills the Great Commission in every area of ministry. To accomplish this, I leaned into my architectural mind, envisioning how to restructure the foundation of the church’s mission. Led by the power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to guide the congregation to see evangelism as an integral part of worship, teaching, fellowship, and service. This transition involved several architectural steps:
Laying the Foundation: I preached and taught regularly about the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), emphasizing that evangelism is not reserved for pastors or special committees, but is the calling of every believer. I also conducted a vision-casting exercise, sharing stories of how the ministry center could transform not only the lives of those being served, but also those of the individuals serving.
Framing the Structure: I initiated the process of shifting the church culture. Notice I said “shift,” not “change” the culture. Church culture is the set of values, traditions, and practices that shape how “things are done” in the church (Barna, 1998). My goal was to align that culture with evangelism by continually asking: How does this ministry help us reach people for Christ?
Finishing the House: I continued to provide leadership training sessions and workshops that equipped members to share their faith naturally in everyday conversations, at work, and throughout the community. We invited guest preachers and teachers to help leaders recognize that every ministry, whether choirs, ushers, youth ministries, or missionaries, was an opportunity for evangelism.
The Hallelujah House Grand Opening Walk-through
The shift was not easy, nor was it an overnight process. Culture shifts take patience, prayer, and persistence. I still have battle scars and wounds from some of the spiritual warfare, but it made me and the church stronger. When the church embraced evangelism and outreach as a way of life, the atmosphere shifted, and the congregation flourished in both spirit and numbers. Evangelism through Hallelujah House was never just about providing services; it was about creating opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Every bag of food, every article of clothing, every resume written or prayer offered became a doorway to evangelism. We witnessed the transforming power of the Gospel as the Church lived out its calling to show Christ’s love firsthand.
That season shaped my calling and deepened my lifelong conviction in evangelism and missions. After I was assigned to pastor Morning Chapel CME Church in Fort Worth in 2018, the Hallelujah House eventually closed and the property was sold. As Psalm 46:1 (NIV) reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. The Hallelujah House was always more than a building—it remains a testimony of what happens when the church itself becomes a ministry of protection, advocacy, and safe haven. As we grow forward, my prayer is that every congregation will discover its own “Hallelujah House” rising from within—a place where hope is restored, faith is strengthened, and Christ is revealed through the power of evangelism.
Rev. Kenneth L. Hollingshed, Visionary Leader and Founder of The Hallelujah House
Call to Action
- Clarify your Mission Statement: Write down your church’s mission statement and how your work will fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).
- Gather a Team: Teamwork makes the dream work. Build a core team of leaders or board members who share the vision.
- Align church ministries: Serve the community’s needs, whether through food, clothing, mentoring, or advocacy.
- Launch an outreach event: Cultivate a culture where evangelism invites people in.
- Write a Grant: Learn to research and write grants that align with your mission. Grants can expand your ability to sustain and grow your ministry.
References:
Barna, G. (1998) The second coming of the church. Word Publishing.
Bolsinger, T. (2015). Canoeing the mountains: Christian leadership in uncharted territory. InterVarsity Press.
Warren, R. (1995). The purpose-driven church: Growth without compromising your message & mission. Zondervan.
