HAVE A HEART FORUM: A Conversation about Homelessness, Faith-Based Leadership, and Next Steps in Huntington Beach

Homeless United Huntington Beach along with local partners present:

HAVE A HEART FORUM: A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, FAITH-BASED LEADERSHIP, AND NEXT STEPS IN HUNTINGTON BEACH

Together we can prevent and end homelessness in Huntington Beach.

On Thursday, February 20, please join us for a dialogue and discussion on proven solutions, progress updates, and upcoming opportunities for you to get involved in Huntington Beach. While our dialogue will have a faith-based focus, we believe it will be of interest to all.

We look forward to a conversation with Rev. James Pike (Pastor of Huntington Beach's Lutheran Church of the Resurrection) and John Begin (the Homeless Initiative Director of Trellis, www.wearetrellis.org).

In addition to our faith-based dialogue, we are excited to welcome City of Huntington Beach City Manager, Oliver Chi, to discuss where we are and what's on the horizon.

Faith leaders, elected representatives, government staff, service providers, neighborhood leaders, faith communities, businesses and friends with homelessness lived experience are encouraged to attend.

Food and drink provided. Registration required. Capacity limited.

Donations on the evening of the event will be gratefully accepted.

SPEAKER BIOS:

PASTOR JOHN BEGIN, HOMELESS INITIATIVE DIRECTOR, TRELLIS

A Follower and Believer of Christ whose desire is to Love God and Love others. Seeking to be His hands, Feet, and Voice and to be a servant in a broken world. Pastor John is the Homelessness Initiative Director at Trellis.

Trellis emerged from a group of leaders and pastors who had been praying for Costa Mesa for 15 years that were convicted it was time to move beyond prayer to more effective collaboration with one another as well as with other leaders in the city. The initial gathering to share this vision included 40 leaders from throughout the city, involved mapping out current efforts and resources throughout the city by various churches, non-profits, and agencies. On the very day of that initial gathering a city employee who had received a pink slip, took his own life by jumping off the top of City Hall. As we rallied around serving the city pertaining to this tragedy, it became a galvanizing event and helped us see and experience the value and importance of engaging with the needs of our city. Providing some focus, organization and communication that would lead to more of us praying for our city leaders and officials, loving our actual neighbors and working together to help resolve the greater challenges in our city became our pursuit and we’ve been seeing amazing results.

As coordinated efforts have improved, we have seen over 400 people experiencing homelessness find a home.

These are the things everyone loves to see, however, the roots of this organization are prayer. We will continue bringing focus, organization, and communication around challenges in our city, but at our core, we believe that as we continue bringing more and more people together to worship and pray to a loving, merciful and grace-filled God, we believe the results will continue to expand.

https://wearetrellis.com/

REV. JAMES PIKE, PASTOR, LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

As Senior Pastor, James Pike has the privilege and responsibility of providing pastoral care and spiritual leadership to the congregation. He believes that the people of LCR are the best part of his job! Supported by an excellent staff and committed congregation, he leads worship, writes and leads Bible studies, coordinates the staff and reaches out into the community. Born in Phoenix and raised in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Pastor Pike earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northern Arizona University and attended seminary at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife Dana, along with their four children ages 7-16, have lived in California since 2005. His Lutheran faith began with his grandmother, who was a German war-bride, and was influenced by his mother and father (who was also a Lutheran pastor) as well as his college church. His experiences with God, most notably after two friends died when he was young, informs his favorite Bible verse: “I cried out to the Lord in my distress; he replied by setting me free,” Psalm 118:5. Pastor Pike loves history, especially the history of the 20th century; travel; studying languages; and exploring restaurants. His unique talent and personality is best witnessed during his improv, sketch and stand-up comedy routines (he’s been spotted in LA and currently closer to home in Huntington Beach). Newly called to serve LCR in April 2018, James Pike has quickly established himself as an asset to this community as well as this church.

https://lcrhb.org/

OLIVER CHI, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH

Huntington Beach’s newest City Manager, Oliver Chi, officially took the reins of City Hall on Monday, September 30, 2019. Oliver’s positive energy and infectious personality has quickly spread throughout City Hall.

Prior to coming to Huntington Beach, Chi was Monrovia’s city manager. While there, he spearheaded the creation of GoMonrovia, a public-private partnership with Lyft as the city’s transportation service provider. He also worked to address homelessness, rising pension costs and the pressures that come with development.

Chi has two decades of public service, including serving as Barstow’s assistant city manager for nearly four years. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from UCLA and a master’s in public affairs from USC.