Building Shalom: Rocky Mount, NC

A Great Website -Buildingshalom.org

One of my fondest memories: Walking towards the Jaffe Gate in Jerusalem. On his knees, a gardener was weeding in a large green space along the Old City Wall. As I passed him, he looked up, smiled. He said to me, “Shalom.” From time to time I revisit this memory and I am blessed again.

“Shalom” means peace, yes—but also wholeness, restoration, and hope. Rocky Mount has a group that has taken that word and put it to work. Building Shalom is doing the slow, faithful labor of restoring homes—and lives—in our city’s neglected neighborhoods.

Like the gardener in Jerusalem, they are on their knees, tending ground that others have walked past. And in doing so, they bring peace closer, one house at a time.

Building Shalom was formed to implement a unique approach to housing and neighborhood development in blighted communities.

While Building Shalom has concentrated a majority of its work in the South Rocky Mount neighborhood ___

the organization desires to expand and work in other surrounding neighborhoods that suffer from blight and material poverty.

Franklin Street Project

The wind under the wings of Building Shalom is Lemanuel Williams, Founder and Executive Director. You can google and read about his journey to date. Stepheny being Stepheny, I want you to appreciate what I consider, the ‘more better’ stuff.

Google doesn’t talk about enthusiasm, energy, a loving heart. Lemanuel, is a strong presence and is obviously doing God’s will. (How do we know when we’re doing that?…because He equips us!)

To create the ‘purpose’ of Building Shalom tells you how well equipped Lemanuel and everyone involved is.

Building Shalom was formed to implement a unique approach to housing and neighborhood development in blighted communities.

While Building Shalom has concentrated a majority of its work in the South Rocky Mount neighborhood, the organization desires to expand and work in other surrounding neighborhoods that suffer from blight and material poverty.

It’s easy to drive by and miss what’s happening. Restoration doesn’t shout. It doesn’t make headlines.

But in the quiet work of repair—in the scraped paint, the new windows, the mended roofs—Building Shalom is telling a better story for Rocky Mount. One of dignity. One of belief. One that says every home matters, and every life inside it does too.

If this story speaks to you, take a moment to learn more about Building Shalom. Visit their website, share their mission, or lend a hand. Because peace begins right where we are—with people willing to pick up a hammer, pull a weed, or simply say, “Shalom.”