Meet John Grant | Minister

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Most people are afraid of risk because it carries a chance of loss. So we settle into systems and processes that are comfortable. We never notice the opportunities we miss by staying.

In 2018, I played a key staff role with a wonderful church that loved me and my family. I could have worked there another 20 years.

Then God opened a door. I saw an opportunity where there was greater need, and I was perhaps the only candidate to fill it. So I left the church and went to work full-time with Compassionate Hands.

There were risks all over that decision. Total income for Compassionate Hands in 2017 was $5000. We were starting from scratch – we had never fund-raised, no website, no social media, and no plan besides winter shelters. If we were unable to raise money for a salary, my backup plan was to mow lawns through the summers and coordinate shelters in the winters.

By the time the job change became official in October 2018, Compassionate Hands had six months of expenses in hand. God has provided in astonishing ways, growing the ministry beyond anyone’s dreams. We were a staff of 8 in less than three years, working out of a ministry center that we paid off in 2023. We never stopped serving throughout the pandemic; in fact, we added services. We have continued to keep at least six months of operating costs in the bank, and I have not mowed the first lawn.

None of that would have happened if Compassionate Hands leaders had not taken the risk in 2018.

Christians should be brave. We believe in a God who is active and powerful, whose Holy Spirit is working for good in the world. Even if we fail, our lives and salvation rest in Jesus rather than in our results. We have nothing to fear.

Yet it seems like many ministries are afraid to risk changing methods that no longer work. You see men in coats and ties reading the King James Version and leading boring worship services that do not connect with the community. The KJV was an excellent translation for England in the 1600’s, but nobody speaks Shakespearean English today.

When you pay attention to what is happening in your work and in the world, and then you lay it before God in prayer, you can take risks and make difficult changes.

When your leader is omnipotent, risks get smaller.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career as a minister is all about friendship.

My work started with a friendship with God. The Christian life is an invitation to join the Trinity in a joyful celebration of goodness; I am fortunate to be a guest in a beautiful circle of love. God is with me to give wisdom, encouragement, guidance, hope, and everything else I need. Everything good in my life is a gift that I do not deserve.

That friendship overflows into every relationship. Whether a person lives on the streets or in a mansion, I want to treat each person with respect and kindness. When we work together on projects, I want the gentle and honest love of Jesus to shape what we build.

Leadership is an honor, and a difficult one. I prioritize being a friend to leaders in Wilson County. They are the ones who are giving and serving to make our community better. I pray for and encourage leaders to be people of character, to serve with pure motives, with wisdom and skill.

My congregation consists of two groups – people experiencing homelessness in Wilson County and local ministry leaders. It is an honor to enjoy friendship with amazing people from both groups.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you want to see the best of Wilson County, come spend a night as a volunteer with Compassionate Hands. You will hear amazing stories from shelter guests who are resilient through harsh circumstances, and you will see all sorts of people giving their best to help others.

The more you can slow down long enough to hear another person’s story, the more you will be blessed.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Father Charlie Strobel, the founder of Nashville’s Room in the Inn. I want to be like him when I grow up.

The church of Wilson County, the core of Compassionate Hands. Most of the volunteers, funding, teaching, and supplies come from generous donations from nearly every denomination in town. Around 50 congregations are actively involved in the work of caring for people experiencing homelessness in our community.

The board who walked through the process of launching Compassionate Hands as a nonprofit – Dawn Bradford, Joyce Gaines, Mark Taylor, Steve Wheeley, and Michelle Wilde. They navigated a long and complicated transition from loose network of churches to established nonprofit.

Website: https://www.compassionatehandstn.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-grant-b11867264/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassionatehands.tn

Image Credits
Black & White photos – Credit Jana Pastors