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Rescue Mission Foundation Case Statement Between 5-8 million will experience at least one night of homelessness this year. Rescue Missions are battling on the front lines, dealing with the homeless problem here in the U.S.A. Missions were first launched in the early 1800s in America. They are grounded in the Christian tradition, and built on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They operate on the basic premise of: What would Jesus do for the homeless if He were here?
Traditionally, Rescue Missions started as soup
kitchens... Rescue Missions have served the hungry and homeless for over 150 years, they reach out to:
They have provided meaningful programs to the destitute for over a century and a half, and have touched millions of lives for Christ here in the United States. They deal with just about everything imaginable.
Rescue Missions arguably have the heritage and the reputation of doing more with less than any other major Non-Profit organizations in this country. Most of their food and clothing is donated. This allows their financial resources to be put to good use in program development, and changing lives for good.
The need to help on a national basis staggers one's imagination and no one organization has all the answers. If you took every non-profit organization currently existing in the USA you still wouldn't make a dent in the gigantic homeless problem that plagues our great nation. Each night Rescue Missions across this county provide thousands of hot nutritious meals, showers and comfortable beds to snuggle up into.
Rescue Missions have traditionally been one of the mainstays in America's service providers to the least, the last, and the lost. For over 150 years they have faithfully provided gospel services, showers, clean clothing, hot meals and safe shelter in Jesus name.
The Need The homeless situation has reached epidemic proportions; and it seems our government has taken this situation off their agenda. They have more pressing things to deal with. Financially speaking, they have their plate full. Each night over 300 million Americans go to bed hungry. There are thousands of street people who don’t own a pair of shoes without holes in them. Many little girls living homeless with their moms don't have a clean dress to wear to school, if they go to school at all. Who’s going to deal with this situation if our government can’t? One answer to this situation is to get the local community church involved. Somehow, someway the church must pick up the slack, because the government has much bigger fish to fry at this time. I understand, some may feel the church is doing its fair share. And, I agree. However, considering what Rescue Missions across this nation are facing with the Not In My Back Yard syndrome, (NIMBY), the Church is the logical answer to this problem. Missions are finding it increasingly difficult to start up new Rescue Ministries. It’s next to impossible to find buildings or existing property with proper zoning to open new shelters, or expand existing Missions. Part of the problem is getting city permits. Yes, they admit to having a problem, “Oh, yes we need to take care of the poor, but not at my front door.” What is the answer to this problem of taking care of the poor? One of the answers is to have the local church create Rescue centers. This means they open their facilities to meet the needs of the homeless in their community. This requires a collaborated effort with the local church, whereby they seek the counsel of people with Rescue Mission experience. There must be a collective effort where several churches, maybe seven or more join together and feed and shelter the homeless inside their buildings each and every night. They can take turns one night a week to shelter families, men, woman and women with children. Yes, I know there are many problem with this, and yes it takes tremendous coordination, but if not the church of Jesus Christ who’s going to do it in Jesus’ name? How will Jesus judge the church when He returns? Matthew 25: 40- And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye ave done [it] unto me. This is only one solutions having the local church open Rescue Centers. The RMF can help by; providing the training, fundraising, administration, and provide program ministry help. The Rescue Mission Foundation Inc. will consider helping any church that has a written plan to serve the poor in their community, wanting to rescue the poor in Jesus’ name. How to get started? Assemble a team, put together a plan. Gather information from our website. If you have questions, contact our board president, or one of our board members. We can help you find other sources to help as well. Rescue Missions have started these types of programs before, this is not something new, its been done. We can put you in contact with those who have done it. Think of it there are many church building that are not being adequately used, while others have just a few members. Isn’t it time to change this? Why not use these facilities to glorify Christ? These facilities could, and should be used to do the Lord’s work. Read: Matthew 25: 35- 39. The U.S. needs hundreds, if not thousands of these Rescue Centers. invest in the future of the poor across the U.S. consider contributing to the Rescue Mission Foundation Inc. Thank you. |
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