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Homeless Addict Turned Advocate
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One of Nashville’s biggest advocates for housing for the homeless was himself once an addict and living on the streets. Today, he goes back every day to those same streets to offer others the opportunity for a new life. Reed Galin reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Nashville, Tennessee)(John Zirker sings while driving) “I serve a risen Savior. He’s in the world today. He lives. He lives.”
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “I kinda see my role as an advocate who’s been there, done that.”
John Zirker once lived on the streets, hustling for the next high.
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “The reason I was homeless was basically because my family couldn’t trust me anymore.”
Nothing mattered except the fix.
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “Every now and then my kids or my wife would pass by and they would see me and not see me. It was just, they were just so disappointed.”
(John Zirker speaks from car window) “Hey brother.”
Seven years clean and sober now, John returns to the streets every day, advocating for the hooked, homeless and heartsick.
John Zirker with homeless couple: “So, where you staying?
Jerry Scott: “We stay on the river in what we call an RB – which is a refrigerator box.”
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “I’m part of a street ministry on Tuesday nights where we feed on the streets right there where I used to do drugs. I can look the dope man in the face today and tell him about God’s amazing grace, because I am that dope man.”
(Sound of John singing in church)
John credits his recovery to the faith groups who reached out to him during his years of active addiction. Often, it was over a hot meal served with a helping of humanity.
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “They would feed you, and clothe you, and allow you to take a bath, or wash your clothes. One of the members would come over, ‘Hello’ and greet us and carry on a conversation.”
Today, as an associate pastor at Hobson United Methodist Church in Nashville, Zirker now extends his helping hand to others.
John answers office phone: “Nashville Homeless Power Project, John Zirker speaking, how may I help you?”
Zirker is the co-founder and president of a group that works with community leaders to maintain affordable housing. He is an example, a success story, for those still on the street.
John Zirker, Homeless Advocate: “And who would have ever thought God would use a wretched boy like me?”
(John driving) “Hey brother, how you doing?”
TAG:
John Zirker is the president and co-founder of the Nashville Homeless Power Project. The group works with city leaders to make sure urban development and revitalization includes affordable housing.