Mike Polhemus and his team at The Rock Church in Castle Rock say all they seek in return for providing shelter is to witness those they help achieve a healthier, more sustainable life beyond homelessness.

After a recent settlement with Castle Rock over land use laws, the church, also known as The Rock, is continuing its temporary housing program for people who are homeless or seeking transitional housing.

Polhemus’ goal, as The Rock’s lead pastor, is to help them have a new life with The Rock’s On-Site Temporary Shelter Ministry — a program that temporarily provides housing within church-owned trailers and RVs.

“What we’re trying to do is, as quickly as we bring in those in need, we also want to get them on their feet and integrated back into society,” Polhemus told The Denver Gazette. “Because as soon as we can get them out, we’re able to bring somebody else in.” 

“It’s not a hand out,” he added, “it’s a help up.”

However, The Rock Church, which is on the west side of Castle Rock, met resistance from the town in 2023. Town officials said the church isn’t zoned to operate an on-site housing program.

So, the church filed a federal lawsuit in May 2024 against Castle Rock on the grounds that a church should be able to provide community needs.

“We realized we’re not just fighting for ourselves, but this is a federal jurisdiction that is going to open things up for the entire country,” Polhemus said, noting other similar church programs nationwide were thwarted because of local land-use laws.

The federal judge ruled in favor of the church’s injunction to continue its temporary shelter ministry, leading to a $225,000 settlement with The Rock Church, according to Polhemus and town officials.

“Since the court issued its injunction order, The Rock and the town have sought to resolve this dispute without further litigation,” Castle Rock officials said in a joint statement with the church while announcing the settlement last month.

“The town acknowledges The Rock’s invaluable services to the Castle Rock community through its longstanding efforts to provide support for those members of our community most in need,” the joint statement read, adding the two entities intend to forge a partnership moving forward.

Castle Rock’s settlement includes new land-use standards for the church, allowing it to use a maximum of seven trailers or RVs on-site, with an option to build fencing around the area. Currently, The Rock has three RVs on-site, some of which were donated to the church, according to Polhemus.

At one point during the lawsuit, Polhemus said the church temporarily housed a family of 10. They have since found a permanent residence.

Church officials said the church does not provide drug treatment.

What it offers is a place to rejoin the community.

“It’s a type of rehabilitating people back in the community. It’s not just shelter,” said Andrew Nemeth, who has worked with the church for over a decade.

Offerings by The Rock’s shelter ministry program include case management services, skills training, employment counseling, budgeting and daily necessities. The church also operates a food bank and takes clothes donations meant for anyone, not just those within the ministry housing program.

To Polhemus, there are many “root causes” of homelessness, but he said the solution to such a crisis takes a community.

“If you just put them in a shelter,” he said, “it’s not going to solve the problem, because they still are isolated. They’re still on their own. They don’t have that community, that support, that everybody needs.”

One of the church’s current residents, who identified herself as Colleen and didn’t want her last name revealed, walked out of her temporary home in an RV parked out back, giving Polhemus a big hug on the way out.

Colleen said she lost her home during the pandemic and has since been on-and-off homeless.

“I came like an egg fried on the pavement, and Mike scooped me up,” said Colleen, who arrived a week prior while living in her car.

Now, about to celebrate her 70th birthday, Colleen’s goal beyond living at The Rock is to again find a permanent home.

“I’ve got things to do,” she said. “I have gifts. I have worth. I’m an asset to just about anything I want to put my hands and mind to.”

The Rock partners with Douglas County’s Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team (HEART). The outreach team works with law enforcement to respond to homeless people reported around the county.

HEART navigators direct homeless people according to their needs, with temporary shelter offerings through The Rock, nonprofits or hotel vouchers.

Douglas County experienced an 86% reduction in homelessness between 2022 and 2024, officials said.

Each week, The Rock, nonprofits and other stakeholders meet with HEART and Douglas County officials to “identify appropriate shelter and housing resources for those who are unhoused in Douglas County,” Caroline Frizell, a county spokesperson, said.

It all began 10 years ago when The Rock transformed one of its service trailers into a livable space.

A decade later, Polhemus looks to maintain a foundation the program is based on: family.

“Those we help always become family,” he said. “It’s never about The Rock. It’s never about our church. It’s about partnership and working together with our community.”