Pastor shows mercy to the homeless in richest county in the U.S.

Former body builder turned pastor reaches out to the homeless through the Mercy Mobile, a roving 1985 RV that goes around hidden encampments providing basic needs to the homeless in Santa Clara, one of the country's richest counties.

Pastor Scott Wagers, 50, a minister of the Disciples of Christ has served and ministered to the homeless in the last 25 years.

During his rounds, he would take along fellow ministers, students and business executives to help out. One of his goals is to encourage and move his community to help more than 4,000 homeless people in San Jose find a home.

Wagers said in a Charisma News report, "What's driving me is the human crisis. People are living under overpasses and going to the bathroom outside in one of the richest nations of the world. The church has to be a witness."

Wagers is vocal about his dismay regarding the issue. "The people who built the valley can't afford to live here anymore. I'm not a socialist or a capitalist," the pastor added. "I'm a Christian. And this is shocking to me. What's our role as Christians? 'What you did to the least of these you did to me,'" he quoted.

According to a Mercury News report, the Wagers previously ran a shelter for the homeless. A large number of homeless people stayed in a site dubbed the "Jungle." However, in 2014, they were swept from the place because of a police shutdown. Many of these people scattered to other smaller sites. 

It was then that the pastor realized he had to help these people, and the Mercy Mobile was born. "The homeless are like refugees, moving from spot to spot. Nobody wants them anywhere," Wager said.

Former Jungle resident Robert Aguirre drives the Mercy Mobile and partners with the pastor for rounds. The roving truck ministry gets donations from individuals, non-profit organizations and churches who share the same concern for these homeless people.

Aguirre said in the report, "I can fill the RV three or four times a day if I wanted. People will donate food, water, hygiene kits. We need to get people to understand there's a financial need."