Faith, service and the hand of God: Alex’s journey with StreetWise

Atlanta native, recently retired electrical construction business owner, husband of 54 years, father to two and grandfather to four. Alex Owen has accomplished and given back much throughout his life, but perhaps nowhere as much as StreetWise.

“I first met Terry and Pat Powell in 1989. We were introduced by some friends when they were doing work as Baskin ‘N’ Sonshine. I just struck up a friendship with Terry. We were supporters, and we would meet with them to just talk about life, ministry and what was going on and to be an unofficial sounding board to bounce ideas off of. Terry always asked me to be on the board of directors, and I said, ‘I don’t think so,” laughed Alex.

“The [Baskin ‘N’ Sonshine] ministry was street evangelism, working in some housing projects and holding Bible studies, but after the Olympics were held in Atlanta, the housing projects were torn down. They lost the [mission] field they’d been working in, and that’s when there came a change in direction for them and the ministry.

“I helped the Powells find their first building, which is next door to the one StreetWise is in now. All of a sudden, things started going ‘too’ well, and they outgrew that place.”

After acquiring the building next door on foreclosure, Terry and Pat began recognizing their limits as they aged. That’s when Alex finally agreed to join the board — to help them form an exit strategy and plan for StreetWise’s next steps. 

It didn’t turn out as planned.

“After Terry’s passing in February 2020 and with COVID starting within three weeks of that, we weren’t sure what was going on,” he said. “We had board meetings — for a while weekly — and we always prayed to God for His provision and guidance. [Financially] we ran up to the edge of the cliff several times, but we were never pushed over. To me, that reiterates the fact that I think God has His hand on this ministry.

“I always told Terry that StreetWise was the greatest unknown thing in Gwinnett County, and I think we’re beginning to make ourselves known in and around the county.”

What drew Alex in — and keeps him involved years later?

“From the beginning, there was a great emphasis on showing people the love of Jesus. That didn’t just include doing things for them, but that also included showing them the way to salvation,” Alex said. 

“There was a transition from doing large events with big crowds [as Baskin ‘N’ Sonshine] to StreetWise being more one-on-one, but you have to meet people where they are, and it’s hard for someone to listen to you about Jesus when their stomach is empty and they can’t keep the lights on [at home]. 

“I want to be involved in a ministry that creates a hand up and not a handout, and I think StreetWise is structured to do that, has done it and is continuing to do that very well.”

Tracy Joseph, StreetWise’s executive director and CEO, sees Alex as a true asset to more than StreetWise’s board — but the ministry as a whole. 

“Alex is one of the humblest men I have met; though educated and accomplished, he is the picture of a servant leader,” Tracy said. “He will do things many would say ‘no’ to, serve in areas most would not and be the first to get his hands dirty doing it. He always has a smile and a warm welcome, a stranger to no one, especially our staff and volunteers.”

A recent way Alex is putting his money where his mouth is? Providing the labor for free to help install the new cooler and freezer StreetWise was able to purchase from funds raised at its first annual gala.

“Alex will listen to the need, so when I came to him with an idea for the courtyard canopy and possible supplemental coolers, he gave it some thought and lots of prayer, and came back with a bigger, bolder plan requiring faith that God will do what He says — provide. I have learned so much from him,” Tracy said.

“What Alex is giving via his work on the coolers and freezers will allow us to serve thousands of people annually, share with partners and grow the faith of all who see his service, his heart of Christ and his humble approach to serving our God.”

Not only does StreetWise bless those it serves but also those who are serving. 

“I see the volunteers as almost being a ministry unto itself,” Alex said. “A lot of them are older and/or single. When you see 75 or 80-year-old people lifting boxes of food and clothing — to them, that’s their family. That’s their reason to get up in the morning.”

Financially supporting the Powells’ ministry since the beginning, Alex encourages others to give back to StreetWise.

“We all get opportunities to give or participate in a lot of organizations, but at StreetWise, the money is very well spent. The time is very well spent. Things are efficient. It’s run with an army of volunteers for the most part, and that says a lot about the organization,” Alex said. “StreetWise is a local organization, and it should be supported locally.”

StreetWise has changed and expanded over the years in many ways, and Alex has been there to see it all. To him, it comes back to the same mission it always has — now stated as “loving people, meeting needs.”

“I often hang out around the prayer station at Mobile Food Pantry. To hear people say, ‘This is the one place I come where I feel like people care for me’ — wow. I think it’s because we take the time to talk to them about Jesus and find out exactly where they are in their walk — not only with the physical things of life that they need but also where they are in their spiritual walk,” Alex said. “That’s the reason that StreetWise got started, and we don’t want to lose sight of that.”