Pastor Mayo Sowell of LIIV Atlanta church embarked on a remarkable journey in May, leaving behind the comforts of his home, phone, and wallet to spend an entire week living on the streets of Atlanta.
Carrying only a GoPro camera, a Bible, a journal, and the clothes on his back, he aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the city’s unhoused residents.
Sowell, a father of three, planned this solo experience after discussions with his wife, Kai, and his team, agreeing to have no contact during his week on the streets.
He was dropped off on Luckie Street, motivated by a desire to have a personal experience that could enhance his church’s advocacy efforts for the unhoused.
“We got as close as we could to what they were experiencing,” he reflected, acknowledging the fearful and lonely nights he faced during his week-long mission.
The journey culminated in a documentary titled “The Least of These,” which captures his experiences and insights.
One of the poignant encounters occurred on one of his first nights while he was sleeping in a park on Boulevard at around 3 a.m.
Sowell noticed movement in the bushes and quickly realized it was not a dream — a young woman, with infant twins in her arms and two older children by her side, had settled nearby.
Initially planning to seek refuge in a sheltered breezeway, he recognized that moving there would leave the family in the bushes, so he made the decision to stay outside.
In that moment, he witnessed the mother nursing her seven or eight-month-old twins, with her 8-year-old son resting in her lap and her 10-year-old beside them.
The following morning, he introduced himself and learned about their dire circumstances, which left a profound impact on him.
The mother expressed her heartbreak, stating, “Most places I go to won’t help me unless I lie and say I’m on drugs. But if I do, they’ll take my kids and I might never see them again.”
Sowell’s experience forced him to grapple with the impossible choices faced by individuals in such vulnerable situations.
Throughout the week, he encountered multiple stories of hardship stemming from sudden misfortune.
One memorable individual was a former head chef at Benihana’s and a military veteran who became homeless after a seizure led to overwhelming medical bills that his insurance wouldn’t cover.
After losing his job and home, he sought refuge with a sister, only to be asked to leave, complicating his ability to recover as he lost his identification, a common barrier for many seeking work or housing.
Sowell noted a recurring theme in the frustrations voiced about shelters; many individuals discussed the scarcity of beds, insufficient staff, unresponsive administration, and perceived favoritism based on race.
His journey also became a test of faith. In the initial nights, the fear he experienced overwhelmed him.
“I didn’t know who was out there. My assumptions created so much fear in my mind,” he said, describing how the experience brought him closer to his faith.
He prayed for protection from his fear, emphasizing his commitment to help others.
A particularly tense moment arose when he acknowledged a youth on a bicycle with a nod of greeting, only for the boy to pull up his shirt, revealing a gun.
“He was probably 14 or 15 years old. I thought, ‘This kid could kill me…’ but fortunately, he turned away and left,” Sowell recounted.
Despite the dangers, not every interaction was fraught with tension.
While at a Chick-fil-A in Vine City, he spoke with the owner, a member of his church, about his purpose.
A new employee, who had experienced homelessness herself and was living in a nearby transitional house, offered Sowell $5, which he used to buy a sandwich and a MARTA bus card.
This act of kindness underscored the compassion that exists within the community.
Sowell also developed a newfound respect for MARTA bus drivers, whom he described as “unsung heroes” for their role in providing warmth and safety to unhoused individuals seeking refuge from the elements.
Throughout his experience, he witnessed food distribution efforts by various churches and nonprofits, and formed a connection with James, a homeless man who became his guide and helped him gain acceptance within the community.
At the conclusion of the week, Sowell invited James to come with him. The church has since assisted him in finding temporary shelter, medical care, and job support.
Reflecting on the experience, Sowell noted that while there were frightening incidents, the homeless community was vastly different from what he had feared.
He realized that individuals living on the streets endure long, drawn-out days, often lacking the small comforts that give life meaning.
“They have zero throughout the day,” he explained. “It makes the day go slow. It makes that time linger.”
“The Least of These” will be screened during services at LIIV Atlanta church on August 17 and will later be available for viewing on the church’s website and YouTube channel.
Each sermon this month is focused on raising awareness and understanding of the needs of the unhoused community.
Additionally, the church plans to assemble care packages and provide monetary donations to trusted organizations that support homeless individuals.
LIIV Atlanta church holds services on the Riverwood International Charter School campus in Sandy Springs and is set to launch a second location in Brookhaven this September.
image source from：saportareport
