THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606260110
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 93 lines
AT AGE 14, James Rodgers had a ``calling on his life'' to become a pastor.
Over the years, he also has experienced deep concern and compassion for those in need. This has resulted in an action plan that Rodgers hopes will prod others to offer assistance.
For the past few years, Rodgers, 56, has opened his home to men and women who are homeless because their families have denied them. He emphasizes that his help is available regardless of race or financial condition.
``I try to present myself as an individual without regard to race,'' he said. ``A man should be judged by his character and the contents of his heart.''
Rodgers and his wife, Ada, have a five-bedroom house next to New Life Outreach Ministries on Old Jackson Road. Rodgers has been pastor for 35 years.
``Some eat their meals with us like a family unit,'' Rodgers said, ``and some stay indefinitely. One fellow's family won't have anything to do with him.''
Rodgers' mission began in 1990, after overhearing a social worker's comments concerning people who needed transportation to Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg and other cities in Hampton Roads for medical treatment.
Rodgers started a business, Suffolk Medical Cab Service. Today, he works with Social Services and transports employees for Elevare, some who live with their families and others who live at the Finney Avenue Residence. He also transports patients who have been in the psychiatric ward at Obici Hospital to an Adult Day Unit at the hospital.
``The patients have their medication monitored and are given crafts to do to see how they might cope in the mainstream,'' he said.
``There have been some challenging moments,'' he said. ``I went to the jail in Courtland to pick up a suicidal patient and took her to Obici. Once, someone threatened to jump out of the car, but the Lord gave me the words to get their attention.''
On June 1, the Western Tidewater Mental Health Center presented Rodgers a ``Certificate of Appreciation for Ongoing Commitment.''
It reads, ``Your willingness to accommodate clients even in the most difficult situations is an invaluable service to our agency.''
``We rely on Rev. Rodgers and he's a godsend,'' said April McMullen-Knight, case manager at Suffolk's Western Tidewater Mental Health Center. ``He's disabled, but tireless. He is a sponsor family home-provider for some patients coming out of the hospital and gives them second, third and fourth chances. He charges a small fee to provide transportation to take patients to the doctor or the hospital, and provides housing, food and clothing in times of crises.
``He'll go to the hospital at 11 p.m. to pick up a patient, and his primary focus is not `when will I be paid.' Rev. Rodgers goes beyond the call of duty.''
Rodgers is a native of Gates County, N.C. His mother died when he was 17-months-old. His grandmother became his guardian and saw to it that Rodgers attended Sunday school and took lessons from the elders of the church.
``My grandmother raised me until she died, and I was on my own at 14,'' he said. ``Later, I went to Norfolk, worked and went to night school at Tidewater Community College, where I studied literature of the Bible and public speaking.''
Rodgers became an ordained minister after receiving a diploma at a branch of the International Bible Institute and Seminary in Portsmouth.
Lula M. Savage, a licensed minister, organized the church on Old Jackson Road, which was then known as Victory Temple, and chose Rodgers to be the pastor.
James and Ada Rodgers have four grown children: James T. Rodgers of Hampton, Ruby Rodgers of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Gary Rodgers and Reginald Rodgers, both of Suffolk. There are also 10 grandchildren.
In 1985, Rodgers suffered kidney failure and was required to go on dialysis.
In 1990, however, he said he was fortunate to receive a kidney transplant.
``Presently, I'm being worked up for a new transplant,'' he said. ``When a kidney begins to fail, it's irreversible, so I'm back on dialysis. What I do now is therapeutic. If I didn't do something, I'd probably end up in a state of depression.''
Rodgers' immediate concern is that others will realize the needs of the homeless and help with the expansion of his ministry.
``If I could get the public involved, we could either buy or build a facility that would help those less fortunate,'' Rodgers said.
``Once we received licensed status, we could obtain grant money. We would have to put together a staff . . . a cook, housekeeper, and carekeepers, but we would have volunteer support from the church members.
``We have several clients who have made progress. I try to bring people from despair to hope and give care to the uncared for.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY
James Rodgers, who started Suffolk Medical Cab Service, works with
Social Services, transports Elevare employees and carries
psychiatric patients to an Adult Day Unit at Obici.
WANT TO HELP?
The Rev. James E. Rodgers would like to expand his ministry to the
homeless. You can reach him at 925-0287. by CNB