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How I Became a Shepherd Among the Homeless

 By Apostle Raphael AdebayoWith his wife, Elizabeth, Apostle Raphael Adebayo founded The Winners Assembly Christian Church of God in South Dallas, Texas over 20 years ago.Speaking about what led to the creation of his ministry, the respected man of God opened up. "It’s easy to assume that homelessness is a problem of poverty alone. But after years of walking among the broken, the abandoned, and the forgotten on the streets of America, I have come to know this truth: Homelessness is often a cry for hope, not just a need for shelter.My journey from being a devoted Muslim and former member of a Jihad committee to becoming a Christian apostle among the homeless was not planned. It was divinely orchestrated. What began as a crisis of faith eventually led to a calling—a call to become a shepherd to those the world had forsaken.From Disillusionment to DiscoveryUntil July 7, 1998, I was a devout Muslim, raised in both Yoruba traditional religion and Islamic faith. I served on the Jihad Committee of the Muslim Students Society at Obafemi Awolowo University from 1983 to 1988. My convictions were strong. My faith, I believed, was unshakable.But everything changed the day I heard about the tragic death of Alhaji Chief M.K.O. Abiola—a man I deeply admired. I was in my apartment in Arlington, Texas, when the news broke. The pain was unbearable. I couldn't understand why fellow Muslims and supposed allies failed to stand by him.Disillusioned, I thought to myself:“If this is the fruit of brotherhood and faith, then something is broken. I will never pray as a Muslim again unless I find clarity on this matter.”That pain created a hunger in me that religion could no longer satisfy. And that hunger eventually led me to Jesus Christ.A Newfound FaithOn December 2, 1998, while en route to Lagos after three years in America, I was introduced to Christ. I decided to give Him six months—to test if the love and power I had heard about were real.It’s now 27 years later, and I am still walking with Him. Not only did Jesus prove Himself to me, He gave me a new identity, a purpose, and a heart for the people most often forgotten: the poor, the homeless, and the broken.Shortly after my conversion, my then fiancée (now wife) introduced me to The Redeemed Christian Church of God, which I joined in February 1999. I poured myself into the Word of God and quickly became an active and committed worker. That same year, I was appointed Head of the Men’s Fellowship, and later, Head of the Prayer Department.Inspired by 1 John 3:8 which says: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil,”I believed I too had been called to destroy such works—especially the stronghold of homelessness.Seeing Poverty in the Land of PlentyDuring my early years in the United States, I was stunned to see extreme poverty right in the heart of one of the world’s wealthiest nations. I met people living in conditions no better than the slums of Agege or Oshodi in Lagos. Homelessness, prostitution, addiction—particularly in Black neighborhoods—was rampant.I could not ignore the contradiction. I knew then that God was sending me back—not to condemn, but to minister hope. Homelessness wasn’t just a social issue; it was a spiritual battleground.A Birthday That Changed EverythingOn December 25, 2003—my 41st birthday—I stepped into my calling. Alongside my wife, our infant daughter, Pastor Obed Dimkpa and his family, and a few faithful friends, we held a Christmas service in a parking lot at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Malcolm X Blvd in Dallas, Texas.That day, 18 people gave their lives to Christ. The joy and brokenness on the faces of those we served sealed my conviction: this is what I was born to do. My wife caught the vision with me, and together we began offering warm meals and warm hearts—sharing fried chicken and the love of Jesus with every soul who came.From Outreach to ChurchIn February 2004, God opened an unexpected door: we were given access to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center to hold outreach services every Tuesday from 5 PM to 7 PM. Just four weeks in, a Nigerian-owned chicken franchise miraculously offered to supply us with food—for free. And to this day, over 21 years later, that commitment has never been broken.Three months in, we sensed the Lord calling us to start a Sunday church service specifically for the homeless. But finding a venue proved difficult—until one of our guest ministers, Mrs. Cynthia Chase, suggested we approach a funeral home.It sounded unusual, but it worked. Eternal Rest Funeral Home welcomed us, and on May 30, 2004, we held our first Sunday service.By August 1, 2004, we moved to a rented facility at 1705 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, which eventually became our permanent church building in 2014.Impact Beyond the WallsWhat began as street outreach has grown into a transformational ministry. The once-neglected neighborhood, once called the ghetto, is now becoming an extension of Downtown Dallas. More importantly, lives are being healed, delivered, and restored—one soul at a time.A New Book, A New CallingI have captured this 21-year journey in my new book:“Moses, David, Jesus: Pastors to the Poor, Homeless, and the Needy”In it, I share how God raised Moses to deliver a people from slavery, David to lead those in distress and debt, and Jesus to set all captives free. In the same way, God has called me—and I believe is calling others—to the streets, shelters, and shadows where His lost sheep still wait.