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Ken & Carol’s:
How It All Began

It all started in 1981, when Rev. James A. “Rock” Hardaway, associate pastor of McKendree United Methodist Church, brought together a group of people to provide outreach ministry to the rapidly increasing homeless population in Nashville. Among them was Ken Powers, who quickly felt called to minister to the homeless fulltime, and recognized the need for facilities to provide services, like personal hygiene and laundry, in addition to meals.

Along with his wife, Carol, Ken was a driving force behind opening Community Care Fellowship and providing a place that met the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the city’s homeless and underserved populations. From the first storefront location on 4th Avenue South, to its current location in East Nashville, Community Care Fellowship has always been affectionately known as “Ken & Carol’s” – a nod to the people who so selflessly gave of their time, energy, and love to provide radical hospitality.

Stories of Impact