By Matt Locklear
As winter’s chill swept through Pembroke, Sacred Pathways Ministry became a warm refuge for our community’s most vulnerable. Grounded in the promise of Isaiah 42:1-7, God’s assurance of steadfast love through flood and fire, this ministry has embraced the challenge of serving those who often feel forgotten during the harshest months of the year.
Established initially as a soup kitchen, Sacred Pathways has long been a source of nourishment and hope, feeding up to 80 people each Monday and Thursday. Recently, under the leadership of a revitalized board of directors and new Executive Director Blair Locklear, the ministry has expanded beyond food service. When temperatures plummeted, Sacred Pathways opened its doors as an emergency shelter, offering warm meals, clean clothing, and safe overnight accommodations.
What was intended as a temporary response to a cold snap has now evolved into an ongoing mission of compassion, providing for up to 20 individuals each night. The cost? An estimated $2,000 per week—a small price to ensure the safety and dignity of God’s children.
Transforming Lives Through Love
The impact of Sacred Pathways’ ministry is written on the faces of those it serves. One guest, recently back from a rehabilitation program, proudly displayed his colorful artwork, saying, “I couldn’t draw while on the streets because my fingers were always shaking. Thank you for making this place available.” Another young woman beamed as she received a pair of bedazzled boots, saying joyfully, “They’re just my size, too!”
These stories remind us that Sacred Pathways is more than a shelter; it is a sanctuary of hope and healing.
How You Can Help
We invite you to join this transformative ministry in three ways:
- Pray for our guests, staff, and volunteers.
- Donate to cover the growing costs of food, utilities, and supplies. Contact Director Blair Locklear for ways to donate monetarily.
- Volunteer your time or donate essential items like clothing and toiletries.
By standing together, we can ensure no one in our community is left out in the cold. Sacred Pathways is a shining example of God’s love in action, proving that warmth and hope can prevail even in the harshest winters.
Let us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering open doors and open hearts to those who need them most.
Grace and Peace,
The Sacred Pathways Ministry Team
Sacred Pathways has been blessed with incredible growth and renewed purpose. Initially supported by a $5,000 grant from the North Carolina Annual Conference, we began as a feeding ministry, cooking twice weekly with most volunteers from First UMC Pembroke and our Board of Directors.
Recently, led by the Holy Spirit, we stepped out in faith and opened our doors as a temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the bitter cold. What started as a short-term initiative quickly became a mission fueled by donations, volunteers, and a growing sense of community. Our director, Blair Locklear, said it best: “I can’t close the doors on these wonderful people.” We have committed to keeping the shelter open with the board’s approval.
The response has been overwhelming. Social media helped us raise $1,000 on the first day, and the ministry has become a collaborative effort, bringing together the community to care for the most vulnerable. In the attached photo, you’ll see Blair Locklear alongside Officer Locklear, Dr. Melissa Locklear (our Board Chair), Lisa Hunt, a member of Pembroke First UMC (whose leadership revived Sacred Pathways), and Mrs. Constance Williamson, a member of Pembroke First UMC and daughter of the late Dr. Ruth Woods, the founder of Sacred Pathways.
I’ve taken to calling this “Sacred Pathways 2.0.” While we remain faithful to the original vision of ministering to the homeless, indigent, and elders of Pembroke, we’re using fresh tools and innovative approaches to extend God’s love and meet today’s challenges. This is genuinely a Spirit-led movement, and we’re excited about what’s ahead!