About The Yard
Staff
Randy Lee “Leebo” Bowen is the director of The Yard ministry. He brings years of experience in homeless ministry and training in addition recovery to the work in Murfreesboro. Leebo’s expertise and heart for the marginalized set the tone for our work.
Carolyn Young is The Yard’s community outreach coordinator. She has served the homeless with amazing dedication for over twenty years. Carolyn’s familiarity with Murfreesboro’s “outside family” and knowledge of the ins and outs of surviving displacement and rebuilding a life are tremendous assets.
Greg McKinzie is The Yard’s program coordinator. He brings years of experience in cross-cultural and local ministry as well as nonprofit administration. Greg is also the missions minister at Stones River Church.
Meg Mueller is The Yard’s administrative assistant. She is a concierge services and professional organizing expert who knows how to help others get it together. Meg oversees the ministry’s finances, including grant writing and reporting, and runs our social media.
Purpose
The Yard is a ministry of the Stones River Church of Christ (SRC) dedicated to serving neighbors experiencing transition from incarceration, homelessness, joblessness, and addiction.
We believe that Jesus’s ministry expresses the kingdom of God. Jesus’s table is open to the least and last. Jesus’s healing and liberation is for all who suffer. Jesus’s forgiveness is for every person, regardless of their past and their present. The Yard is our effort bear witness to these truths among our neighbors.
Our Work
OUD Recovery Ministry
One of our programs is focused on serving people suffering from Opioid Use Disorder, as well as their families. In April 2024, Stones River Church received a grant from the Rutherford County Opioid Settlement to expand our work with this population. Our recover ministry includes providing help with transitional housing, counseling and therapy, medical and dental care, essential documents, clothing, and employment.
Transitional Ministry
Our transitional ministry reaches farther than persons suffering from OUD. We serve many other neighbors who struggle with substance abuse and social displacement. Among these are persons transitioning out of incarceration. We lead a men’s Bible study and recovery curriculum in the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center every week. Often, these friends participate in our transitional ministry after their release.
Neighborhood Ministry
More broadly still, we serve the displaced population in Murfreesboro by hosting a meal every week on The Yard premises. Most of the folks who join us suffer homelessness. Each week, Bethesda House Ministries prepares food and provides transportation for dozens of neighbors who need a hot meal. SRC, Bethesda House, and other volunteers have the privilege of serving and sharing these meals with our displaced friends.
Support the Yard
We need your help!
There is so much work to do. We’re grateful to God for the grant funding and donations of church members, as well as the sacrifices of our staff and volunteers, which make the ministry possible. But there is no doubt that we could do more with additional support. Please join us in bearing witness to the kingdom of God!
You can made donations in two ways:
1. Visit our PayPal donation form and select Support Transitional Ministry (Work Fund). Be sure to specify One-Time, Weekly, or Monthly donation with the buttons at the top of the page.
2. Or send a check payable to Stones River Church to:
Stones River Church
1607 Hamilton Dr
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Memo line: The Yard Work Fund