I used to drive past the Water Street Rescue Mission and think to myself, “Boy, I’m sure glad I’ll never end up there”. Well, here I am! The worst thing I thought could never happen…turns out to be the best thing that ever happened in my life. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t like being here but without the help of all the good people here, I would never have had the courage to surrender and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank God; He gave me this chance.
I have learned a lot since coming here…so much that I didn’t think my brain could accept anymore information. Well, I kept stuffing it in there and some things started making sense…like doing things the easy way, just to find that it usually makes everything else difficult. It’s hard being a Christian but in the long run, with the help of the Lord everything seems so much more bearable.
There are two good teachings that really stick with me: #1. There is nothing I can do to make God love me less. And there is nothing I can do to make God love me more (Thanks, Scooter); and #2. Real growth comes when I learn to trust God at the hardest possible time (Biblical Life Management).
Thanks to everyone here for opening my eyes and letting me know I am worth it. Thank You, God!
--Mark, resident - Christian Life Development program, Transition phase
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6 comments:
THANK YOU MARK - FOR YOUR TESTIMONY OF GOD'S GRACE IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW HE CONTINUES TO USE WSRM TO IMPACT LIVES.
I PRAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN HIS GRACE, POWER, LOVE, FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE.
God bless you, Mark, as you continue to experience new life in Christ!
I hope you were a Baptist or Evangelist BEFORE you had to go to the shelter, Mark. Because from what I've seen and heard, the good people at Water Street Rescue Mission force religion and bible study on you in exchange for letting you stay. I think it would suck if you were Jewish (or worse, gay!)and homeless, because you'd have to choose between shelter and your own personal religion and/or sexuality.
You probably won't want to approve my comment, especially since it's the truth. It might make your fine, yet prejudiced, establisment look bad. No problem. Maybe I'll post all about it on MY blog so that when someone does a google search, it will be sure to pop up in the results. Feel free to visit mine and comment. I don't moderate mine.
Hi Michelle -
Just want to clarify a couple of things re:Mission policies...
Our shelter services are available to anyone in need, regardless of their religious beliefs and/or sexual orientation. The longer-term programs that we offer are Christ-centered. We understand that some individuals may not want to engage in a program of several months if they do not want to engage in Bible study, or recovery programs from a Christian perspective. But we do not withhold services from anyone based on their race, ethnicity, beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Maybe Steve, the director of our residential programs, could provide even more clarification.
Peace -
Jack
Hi Jack,
Is that something new? Because in the 90's I infiltrated Water Street Rescue Mission as a college student for a journalism assignment (yep, I was undercover, it was only for a day though), and I was told that I had to attend mandatory bible study and other religious activities. There was no choice in the matter. I even had to be approved by a minister before I was allowed in. So what has changed since the 90's?
This is nothing new, Jack. There are reports of forced religion by homeless shelters all over the U.S. I don't need to talk to Steve, the director. I'm comfortable discussing it here.
(sorry, this response was delayed because I was out of the office for personal reasons - Jack)
Hi Michelle,
Forgive me but I did chuckle a bit thinking about you going undercover sometime in the past here at the mission. I’ve often thought there would be a lot of benefit in discreetly slipping in with intention of getting a feel for what the residents experience! It’s also amazing that our high tech security screening system didn’t pick up on your clandestine activity! (just kidding)
All kidding aside I receive your comments with seriousness and respect. As Jack said anyone may access our services irrespective of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, gender, capacity, etc. In our emergency programs we place minimal expectations on the residents. But they are expected to make curfew, not fight, stay sober, and attend chapel services. They don’t have to ‘buy into’ the Christian message they hear but they are expected to listen respectfully. And needless to say we have many folks on our campuses at any one time who are not Christian. We are in no way backing down from our historic Christian perspective or from our belief that all of us need a personal relationship with Christ, but we are acknowledging some of our past willingness to preach at someone without having a relationship with them. We see very clearly that doesn’t seem very much like the way of Christ! So we are trying to get better at meeting people where they are, at listening with astuteness, at seeing the person behind the problem/diagnosis/behavior, etc.
You issued a bit of a challenge to us; I’d like to do the same in return. How about stopping by and hanging out with us for awhile the next time you are in town?
Thanks for writing.
Steve, Director of Residential Ministries
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