From left, Pastor Calvis Emmanuel and his wife Tawana Emanuel pose for a picture outside their rented building at 25 Main St. where they plan to open a ministry center dedicated to assisting the homeless, at-risk and downtrodden in Jamestown.” Submitted Photo

For Pastor Calvis Emanuel an interaction with one of his elementary teachers and the school’s lost and found has accumulated into a future vision of service for him.

Emanuel, who was the official pastor for the United Christian Advocacy Network’s City Mission on First Street, is eager to start a separate, self-sufficient and independent ministry.

Emanuel, who still provides church services for UCAN City Mission, has since received the keys to a building right around the corner from the old city mission, and he and his wife hope to open the Lost and Found Ministries, which will be located at 25 Main St..

“We’re still in the infant stages of this ministry,” said Emanuel. “However, the target for this ministry is to reach the homeless and economically depressed, so they have a place of their own, where they can feel comfortable and receive church services in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Moreover, we are not trying to be just another church. We want to be a meal, clothing-and-gear- distribution center for those in need.”

For Emanuel, the dream of opening a ministry dedicated to the least among us is a long time coming and a part of his life’s journey.

“You know there’s times in life where God calls us to a timeout. … so, we can focus and draw closer to him,” he said. “For me that came in the form of a prison stint and being homeless myself. Now, I feel called to open this ministry.”

Emanuel, who once was a guest himself at the UCAN City Mission when it was called the Gospel Mission, feels he can relate to what some of the homeless and at-risk experience.

“I can relate to what some of our city’s poor population goes through, daily,” he said. “While I believe most churches do not discriminate against homeless people, it’s still got to be hard to enter a building where a community is already formed.”

Emanuel’s thought process is not lost on some of the city’s homeless.

“I went into a church on the north side, and it felt weird,” said Akeyia Thagard, a resident of Jamestown who was homeless for three years and a recovering drug addict. “The church did not do anything wrong, they were friendly and polite, but I could tell they just couldn’t grasp the situation I was in. I like the idea of this ministry and center.”

For Emanuel, the opportunity to purchase his rental building is in the works, and he welcomes all support for this budding endeavor.

“I’d love for the community to help me launch the Lost and Found ministry,” he said.

For r more information about the Lost and Found ministries contact Emanuel at 716-994-0644 or email him at calemanpoetry@gmail.com.

“All support is not only greatly needed but will be so appreciated,” he said.