"I Have a Second Chance in Life"
Like many, “Judy” was hesitant and uncertain when she first came to the City Rescue Mission. “I felt scared alone, but I knew I wanted to get closer to God again and quit drinking.” She remembers, “I became homeless after falling away from God, began drinking, and lost my place. I knew I didn't want to live my life that way anymore.” Though she was without a home, Judy had a greater purpose when she chose to come to the Mission: “To have time to be clean and get the help I needed.”
She soon found what she was seeking. “I could shower, eat, and get sleep, and hear God's Word. I am happier than I have been in a long time. My life has got back on track.”
Her effort, determination, and hard work was encouraged and supported by staff. “The Mission and the staff have helped me get my life back. They all have prayed with me and made me feel like I mattered and I am so, so thankful for them all.”
Judy has made great strides and says with joy, “I am growing closer and closer to God every day, and I no longer drink. I have got a job, my ID, my SS card, and my SSI back. And I’m learning who I am.”
Your prayers and donations have greatly impacted Judy’s life and her future. She says of those who support the Mission, “I would say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I don't know where I would be without all the good things they have done. I have a second chance in life, and I thank you for that. God bless you.”
We continue to provide Judy the essentials of food and shelter, and, most importantly, she has hope because of your compassion. “The next page in my life is I'm getting housing now too, and thank you for bringing God back into my life. Keep up the great work you're all doing.”
We echo Judy’s thanks because we have the opportunity to see your compassion in action every day in the lives of hundreds of women, children, and men coming to the Mission for food, shelter, and hope. Thank you for being an essential part of our work today and into the next chapter of hope, as we continue to follow the path we believe God has set before us to shine His light in our community.
Faithful
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” Matthew 25:23
In this verse, Jesus communicated a specific truth about being a “faithful servant.” He didn’t say “good and successful servant” or the “best servant.” He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I frequently reflect on the meaning of “faithful” while leading the ministry of rescue over the past two decades. I do believe that I must be faithful to the tenets of the Christian faith and lead an organization that does the same. I do believe that it is our privilege to shelter and feed people while telling them about the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. I do not believe that we would be considered faithful if we simply met physical needs but never attempted to bring those with spiritual needs the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. "Faithful" includes believing in the promises of God and recognizing and communicating His mercy to others. Sometimes, we plant a seed; sometimes we water a seed; but only God can make it grow.
As a reminder of this truth, I recently had the privilege to participate in the baptism of a man who came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 92. He didn’t come to the City Rescue Mission; I met him at a senior living facility where I was invited to teach a weekly Bible study. A sweet sister from my church, at the age of 95, asked if someone could come teach a weekly class. She realized that she could still have an impact on the souls at her senior living facility and continued to invite and share the Good News. Ultimately, as she and others prayed for this man’s soul, God answered prayer! She was faithful. We, too, just have to be faithful. God is always faithful because He cannot change. God is merciful, and His loving goodness and kindness brings people to salvation. Please know that God is never done with us. Just be faithful. Everything else is secondary. Thank you for understanding that giving to the City Rescue Mission reflects the fact that we desire to be a good steward of your gifts and to be faithful to the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. For there is only one name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)! Thank you for being a rescuer and enabling us collectively to be “a good and faithful servant” because we know that Jesus Saves.
To God Be the Glory,
Mark Criss
Executive Director
Mission Expansion Project: Unexpected Expenditure
We have hit a fairly significant disruption to the Mission Expansion Project. While working on the sewer and storm water runoff for the project, our construction company discovered that the size of the run-off drain was actually smaller than indicated on the plans. This began a domino effect, as we also had to deal with updated code requirements due to our renovations, construction, and the future use of the building (with enough toilets, showers, and sinks to serve 300 people). There was a possibility of connecting to the sewer separation; however, the city is behind on this project, and the option to connect off Kalamazoo Street will not be available for a few years at the earliest. Options to meet code regarding the storm water separation were costly and ineffective. Eventually, the best option included demolishing a house on the corner of Walnut that came with the property. This structure is a safety concern. It has been unoccupied and unlivable for decades, and slowly disintegrated into a state of decay. While we had expected we would need to demolish at some point, we were not expecting to have that cost added into the current project. This is a necessity so we can temporarily have a storm water runoff retention pond, until such a time that we can connect to the future work done by the city. Please pray for the continued progress of the project. We greatly appreciate your support for this next chapter of hope, as we look to raise an additional $250,000 to deal with this unexpected expenditure.
Volunteer Meet-and-Greet
We are so excited to once again offer an opportunity to meet with our volunteer coordinator and other Mission supporters at a special meet-and-greet in March. If you have volunteered, do volunteer, or are interested in volunteering, we would love to see you there. Details are listed below. Please reach out with any questions or to let us know if we will see you there!
. For potential and current volunteers
. Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 1 PM to 3 PM
. Starbucks: 637 East Michigan Avenue
. For more info, email volunteers@BEaRESCUER.org.
Tuna Patties
8 Servings: Family Size
4 Eggs
1 TB & 1 tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
1 1/4 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
6 five oz cans of Tuna (drained)
1/2 cup Diced Onion
1/3 tsp Black Pepper
1/3 tsp Salt
Vegetable Oil (for frying)
140 Servings: Mission Size
70 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Lemon Juice
6 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan
22 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
105 five oz cans of Tuna (drained)
6 1/2 cups Diced Onion
2 1/2 TB Black Pepper
2 TB Salt
Non Stick Pan Coating (for baking)
Directions: Mix all the ingredients together, folding in the Bread Crumbs last (make sure the tuna doesn’t have large chunks). Once everything is mixed well, and is an even consistency, begin forming 1” thick patties. Pan fry on medium heat in Vegetable Oil, flipping once, until browned and the internal temp is at least 165° (or bake in a preheated 425° oven on a nonstick pan, until internal temp is at least 165°).
also shared in June of 2019