Parson's Porch a ministry for the Down and Out

By Dorothy Foster

Correspondent

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - David Tullock gives away money knowing it often will be used on cigarettes, whiskey or wine. But that doesn't bother him.

He knows that if he turns the down-and-out away at that level, he can't get to the next one.

"If I can be the God link to those who don't attend a steepled church or have a robed pastor, then it makes them easier to communicate about spiritual matters," said Dr. Tullock, the pastor at Northside Presbyterian Church.

Through his ministry, Parson's Porch, he helps meet physical needs, such as rent or utilities, and believes that he also makes a spiritual impact.

He recalls a homeless man who came to him one snowy winter needing shoes. He went out and bought some new ones for the man, not something from a thrift shop because he believes that he should give the best. He then told the man that the door to the church wouldn't be locked if he wanted to sleep by the furnace.

The next morning, Dr. Tullock discovered the old shoes on a pew with a note saying simply, "Thanks."

His ministry came about in 2004 when one of the elders of Dr. Tullock's church approached him privately, needing money. Dr. Tullock could tell the man was embarrassed about asking, so he gave him what he needed.

But even though Dr. Tullock helped the man himself, members of the church's finance committee became upset because they thought they needed to make the decision. Dr. Tullock said that response made him realize that he was doing church backward - asking for permission instead of forgiveness.

So he started Parson's Porch as a nonprofit. Although he has a board of directors, he is accountable for all the money. He makes the decisions on whether to give money to those in need without asking anyone first. And he gives the money no questions asked.

"If someone tells me they have a need, I accept their word and that's it," he said.

He said he constantly is thinking of ways to help the poor, from opening accounts for the homeless at area restaurants to going around Walmart at Christmas, handing out $50 gift cards to those he thinks can use them.

In addition to accepting monetary donations, the ministry holds yard sales and publishes on-demand books to raise funds.

Audrey Goodwin, a member of Northside Presbyterian, has watched Dr. Tullock's ministry take off and said he is the most empathetic man she's ever met.

One of Parson's Porch's board members, Regina Williams, agrees.

"It's a good way to witness without being so obvious," she said. "And it gives people hope."

Northside Presbyterian also supports Parson's Porch as a ministry.