Breaking Ground on the Next Chapter of Hope

Thursday, September 5, we had the opportunity to kick-off the first phase our Mission Expansion Project with a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by our general contractor, Laux Construction. A number of individuals were invited to see the facility, learn about the next chapter of hope, and share about how this new location will impact our community.

A number of individuals and officials spoke at the event: our executive director Mark Criss, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Senator Sarah Anthony, and Laux project manager Rhonda Franck. Our board president, Pastor Don Lambert, closed the ceremony with a few words and a dedicatory prayer.

We were so excited to see the number of those participating, and we are grateful to Laux for their work, not only in making a successful event but also in overseeing this project. Current construction estimates set the timeline for phase one to be completed by late spring 2025. At this time, we will begin preparing the building for occupancy, moving furniture and equipment, and relocating our men’s shelter to this site at 415 West Kalamazoo.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support for this project and the Mission’s work in our community. We hope to have a decommissioning service at our Michigan Avenue location in 2025. We will share more information in coming newsletters.

“Walk Humbly”

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

I don’t know why I read, “old man” when the text clearly says “O man,” but it is probably just a humbling reminder that I’m not getting any younger. God has told us what He expects of us, such as righting a wrong, rescuing the lost, and being a remedy for the impact of sin in so many lives. Although our eternal pardon has been purchased fully by Jesus Christ, we do play a vital part on providing justice and showing kindness to others, with the hope that they too will become reconciled to God. “The fact that Jesus is first here, makes all the difference in the world,” is the explanation from a grandmother, Rhonda, who is staying in our shelter. She confirmed with me that, “this place is loving and it is structured,” and it helps elevate people into doing more. This grandmother has been staying with us for a couple months as she awaits the long battle of her insurance company resolving their house fire claim. Thankfully, they have started the renovation, and she is hoping that she won’t be homeless much longer. However, after experiencing help from us, she now desires to apply for a job at the City Rescue Mission and help others as they come in the door. “There are miracles happening here all the time.” Grandma Rhonda explained about her roommate who was able to now walk without pain and found an apartment with a Christian landlord. She told of a woman who is no longer struggling with an addiction “but now has victory.” God is merciful. Rhonda expressed how this “special place” impacts many lives, and she wants to be part of God impacting our community. Therefore, she wants to be merciful as well.

Although “Jesus is first here,” Rhonda clarified, she believes what distinguishes the Mission is that we walk humbly with God. It seems evident that justice and loving kindness is impossible if a person doesn’t humbly recognize God’s mercy and infinite goodness to them. We know the Word of God says, “God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Therefore, “this place isn’t about making money or just looking good”; it is about “helping others and telling them about Jesus.” If we are not humbly walking with God, then our actions are motivated by something other than the true love that comes from above. The love of God should spur us on to good works, but it should also guide our actions with others in the ministry of rescue.

"They will know we are Christians by our love*." Love will endure because the source of love is God Himself. As we walk humbly with our God, we are able to do what is good, “to do justice and to love kindness.” Thank you for enabling us to serve others. Thank you for enabling our guests to experience such truth. Thank you for being a rescuer.

*Peter Scholtes

To God Be the Glory,
Mark Criss
Executive Director

Fair Housing

As mentioned in the cover story, we recently celebrated the groundbreaking of our Mission Expansion Project, and certain members of the media were invited to attend. We were surprised to see the ceremony on the cover of our local paper, and even more surprised to read the article. Our first concern is the incorrect implication that the Mission only serves Christians. While it is a joy to serve those who follow Christ, the heart of our purpose is and always has been to show and share the love of Christ especially with those who have never heard or experienced that "Jesus Saves." While we do have a chapel service as part of our nightly schedule, there is no obligation for someone to say a prayer, walk an aisle, or make a commitment. Coming to Christ is by invitation not by coercion. The article also quoted the opinion of a community member regarding potential funding available to the Mission from the state (which was shared by Mark in our August newsletter). Please rest assured, that we have the wise counsel of specialized lawyers, who are committed to ensuring that we do not take any steps that will compromise the very heart of our mission: to freely show and share the love of Christ with all who come.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Ron

Position: Men’s Shelter Casework Coordinator
Years at the Mission: 4

A few months ago, our previous men’s shelter casework coordinator moved out of state with his family. Casework coordinators come alongside our guests at our shelters, assisting them as they navigate their time at the Mission and giving them counsel as they work to end their homelessness. We are so grateful to Ron, who joined Team Rescue in 2020 to serve at our drop-in center; he recently felt led to fill this much needed vacancy. As he says, “I enjoyed the opportunities I had to engage with guests at the Outreach. Now, I look forward to this new role, to support and encourage those we serve.”

Thank you so much for your support of our guests and our staff. If you have an interest in serving as the hands and feet of Christ in our community, visit BEaRESCUER.orgBEaRESCUER.org or call 517.485.0145 for more information.

GLCC Outreach Ministries

Great Lakes Christian College hosts a volunteer fair during chapel once a year to allow churches and Christian nonprofits in the area to come show students how we impact the community. As part of their Outreach Ministries program, GLCC students are required to complete fifteen hours of approved service. The organizations and churches that attend set up information booths around the room, and the students can browse through the local opportunities. It is events like these that allow us to reach out to the next generation and share our mission of Food, Shelter, and Hope. Last year, we were able to gather some volunteers, and we also hired some students who became wonderful staff members. We are so thankful to Great Lakes Christian College, as well as to many other faithful churches and organizations in the community, that give us the opportunity to grow Team Rescue.

If you would like to have someone from the Mission come to speak at your church, school, or organization, please contact our community engagement team by email, info@BEaRESCUER.org, or by phone, 517.485.0145. You can find out more about volunteering on our website: BEaRESCUER.org/volunteer.html.