Questions on Rescue Missions

We have a rescue mission. But it does not offer homeless shelter. It does offer a food pantry ... distributing government commodities, and a thrift store where you can purchase things given to them for free.

But the bigger town over...Poplar Bluff, there is the Rescue Mission that offers a Mens homeless Shelter, food pantry, and thrift Store. Those staying in the homeless shelter have to get a job, or work in the store, driving trucks to pick up stuff, or whatever.

They also provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to the community, which anyone wishing to serve may do so. Me and my children spend both times doing this. We have our dinners day before, or much later in the day.

In our town, The Ministrial Alliance will pay for a couple of nights at a motel for those broke down or passing through, and many assorted churches will provide meals, or food.

Sherrie

 

I know a man who worked in a rescue mission and he told me that a number of people that were regulars there would just sit and not participate in the service, He told me it was obvious that they didn't want to hear what was being said. So I wonder if part of the decision to change might be due to that matter. The personal attention that Bible study and discipleship gives allows for more personal interaction and actual one on one help.

When I came to Christ I waa a person that hated church. I saw a number of things that were just ritualistic and didn't reach the heart of the people. I saw loads of religion and not a relationship. Fortunately for me the man who led me to Christ followed me up for the next two years. Then for the next 20 years I had a relationship with a much older man that cared enough to hold me accountable wherever I went and whatever job I held. He always wrote me and asked me how I was doing spiritually. So for the first 22 years of my Christian life there was always someone who held me accountable. I believe I am doing ministry today because of those two men.

 

In Gaston County, the Salvation Army runs a homeless shelter, and there are several others in Gastonia. In Belmont there is a BAttered women's shelter run by the nuns.

Our church has a compassion house, which has two single woemn and their children living in it right ow. Both ladies and children moved there from the SA homeless shelter.

 

Next to where I once worked in Hagerstown, Maryland was a large "Rescue Mission." Actually, it served more, by facilitating bums in their shiftless lifestyle, to keep men in bondage than to "rescue" them.

The man who ran it actually had the gall to write a letter to the editor of the local paper complaining about the prostitute problem around the "Mission." Now isn't that a joke!

Mark Osgatharp

 

]Does your city have one (or homeless mission or whatever new name they use)?
We have several. One is actually called "Rescue
Mission," while the others have their various
names and sponsors. The Salvation Army also
runs a few homes -- some for one-nighters, one
for families in distress (sort-term) and one for
unwed pregnant mothers. We also have a few
sheklters for abused women and one for abused
men.

Involved?
I have been far more involved in the past than I
am now. Now, my involvement includes merely
bringing fresh food to one of the shelters for
abused women and their families and contri-
butions to the Rescue Mission. This is mainly
because I have just come off giving to those who
ask on the street -- deciding not to give to them
anymore but to give to legitimate organizations
instead.

What type of ministry do they have?
In this town, I don't know. As far as I know,
neither offer spiritual guidance at all, although
the Rescue Mission use to. While I was not
involved in ministry to the Rescue Mission in this
town, I know tha churches used to go there in
the evenings and present religious services. I
was involved in rescue mission religious services
in another town, though, and I saw absolutely no
result ever. The Salvation Army, of ocurse, holds
their own religious services in their facilities, as
do the RCC shelters.

Successful?
I, personally, do not know how to measure success
in facilities where the numbers do not dwindle but,
rather, grow.

Thanks [/QB][/QUOTE]

 

I don't know if I honestly believe that the shelter itslef is the answer but rather, investing time into individuals on a long term basis. But we do that anyway through our normal ministry, so why not do it for the homeless.