LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mark 12:33 in the Bible reads ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “This is what I do all the time is trying to help those in need in our county to really live the life that God intended them,” said Perry Cooke. 

What You Need To Know

  • White Flag Shelter is a Mark 12 ministry

  • The shelter provides a meal and a warm, safe place to stay

  • The shelter opens when the forecast temperatures drop below 35 degrees

  • The shelter relies on volunteers to operate

After serving in the Army for 27 years, Cooke says he was called to ministry. He is the executive director of Mark 12 Ministries, which provides resources for the homeless and underserved in Bullitt County. 

“We don’t have a lot of resources for the impoverished and certainly none for the unhomed. We’re the only county touching Jefferson County that doesn’t have a full-time shelter, and so that’s where Mark 12 Ministry tries to step into that void,” said Cooke. 

Mark 12 Ministries’ longest-running ministry is its White Flag Shelter. The shelter provides a meal and a warm, safe place for those in need when the temperature drops below 35 degrees. Its operation relies solely on monetary and volunteer contributions from the community. 

“This year, unfortunately, we’ve had a hard time getting volunteers,” said Cooke. “I’ve spent a lot of nights working here myself, to make sure that the shelter stays open, but without volunteers, we can’t make it possible.

Volunteers are asked to donate four hours of their day. Cooke sees it as a way to build relationships with neighbors in need and help them find resources.

“86% of the folks that we serve are from Bullitt County. It has been amazing to see just how God works in people’s lives when you just love them unconditionally and come alongside them and help them really navigate the difficulties of once you’re down getting back up,” said Cooke. 

He says serving those who have only a smile and gratitude to offer in return is a true example of loving your neighbor. “It’s been the hardest work I’ve ever done, but it’s been the most rewarding and so I wouldn’t change anything for sure,” said Cooke. 

The shelter opens Thursday at 8 p.m. and will stay open for 24 hours a day through Monday morning. 

The White Flag Shelter is located at 176 Frank E Simon Avenue in Shepherdsville. 

Mark 12 Ministries is partnering with Bullitt County Emergency Services to provide shelter for people who may experience power outages during the storm. 

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