“NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS”

Overthe last few months, my heart has been broken as I have heard people making comments about the men, women and children we serve at the Downtown Rescue Mission. Comments ranging from “Why would you help those kind of people?” to “Tell them lazy people to just get a job” or even “I wouldn’t help anyone like them!”

Every day, when I walk the halls of the Mission, I see smiling faces of folks who are children of God and are our friends or neighbors or even family members. We see people come to us looking for help that come from every background and neighborhood, whether they are rich or poor, highly educated or highly skilled laborer. The need for the ministries of DRM can touch any family — it even touched mine

I have a younger sister who has been struggling with homelessness. She is not an addict or alcoholic and grew up in a good Christian home. She has two very young daughters and has made some bad choices that have taken her down this path. Our family has tried to help her and even getting her into a good program of another ministry up North. She is a good person and grew up in a good situation, but still she needs help.

The Bible tells us in James 2:1-5, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

The Mission is here to help anyone and everyone. Personally, I have a lot of good friends who were once homeless or drug addicts or even in prison and now are living their lives for Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

While under my leadership, the Mission will always be here to love on, hug on and treat respectfully the men, women and children who come through our doors. If you have never experienced homelessness or addiction or know someone close to you that has, please count your blessings and pray for those who have.