Hazelip Family: Carey-Mae, Michele, Hamilton, Thom and Anabelle (not pictured: Ricky)
Who We Are
In 2004 God drew our hearts to an inner city neighborhood in Nashville and to a condemned house a block from the projects and two blocks from Nashville's most famous street for drug trafficking and prostitution. Now Michele and I live, with our four children in the McFerrin Park Community surrounded by Section Eight housing filled with kids and single Moms who are “at risk”.
- "At risk" of believing there is no hope things will ever be any better.
- "At risk" of not believing they are worthwhile and loveable.
- "At risk" of becoming a statistic.
- "At risk" of believing there is no loving God who really cares for them.
My wife, Michele, is amazing with these children. She has become the neighborhood Mom (many actually call her “Mom”). Many live life with us as we go to the YMCA, church, ball games, sidewalk-chalk the walkway and often hang out on our front porch and front yard. Other times we live life with them by taking them to dance class, grocery shopping, visit colleges, putting on a talent show and giving rides home after dark. Ice Cream Thursdays are the local favorite were kids from miles around come to enjoy chocolate ice cream cones and hang out on the Front Porch with us.
Our hope and prayer is that they come to know the love of Christ and break the patterns that have been in the lives of their family for generations.
The needs and opportunities have become overwhelming for a couple of lay people so we are beginning Front Porch Ministry, a non-profit outreach dedicated to living in relationship with people who have traditionally fallen through the cracks and been forgotten.
We need your help. You can be a part of Front Porch in many ways either physically here or from your home. Please visit the Be A Front Porch Partner part of our site.
Thom Hazelip
Matthew 25: 35-36