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Jeff had spent the last 14 years of his life involved with drugs and alcohol. His addictions changed from one substance to another. The years went by, depression led him to thoughts of suicide.
He came to Springs Rescue Mission in December of 2003, addicted to methamphetamines. He had ended a relationship six months prior, and finding himself without a place to live, had to choose between using his money for housing or drugs. Once again he chose the drugs.
Months on the streets gave Jeff a lot of time to think. Each day he would develop a plan to clean up his life and consider his options. He would look for a job but quickly realized no one wanted to hire him because he had no permanent address. The times that he would go to talk to someone about a job, he smelled of alcohol. “My addictions would always get in the way,” Jeff says regretfully. On Thanksgiving Day of 2003, he went to the City Auditorium for Springs Rescue Mission’s holiday meal and ran into an old friend, a friend who used to get high with him. His old friend had been in the men’s residential program at the Mission for seven months and suggested Jeff explore the possibility of joining the program.
After a couple days, Jeff thought, “This (my life) is just impossible. I’ve tried everything I could.” By December 1st he was a resident in the New Life Program.
“It was frightening coming into something new,” Jeff explains. But after four months, his mind cleared and he realized he was going to make it.
For a year Jeff attended classes and became stronger in his thirst for God’s Word and his will to overcome his addiction. “It was a long hard and up hill battle for me to renew my mind. At the beginning of the year I wondered if I would make it. The Lord and I went through some battles together. Now I look back excited at what a blessing Springs Rescue has been and what my Lord Jesus Christ has given me through this place.”
Jeff rose above all the difficulties he encountered and has proved himself to be a leader among his peers.
He worked in the Mission’s warehouse taking in donations for the first nine months of the program. By the end of the ninth month, he was in charge of warehouse operations under the supervision of a staff member. In the tenth month, he transferred to the Mission’s Auto Detail Shop to learn new skills.
Jeff graduated the New Life Program in December of 2004. At this point, he knew he would have to make a decision on a direction for his life. He had visions of leaving the Mission, finding work and his own place to live, but as he explains, “God had other plans.” Those other plans included him accepting an intern position as supervisor of the Detail Shop.
He is now in charge of six volunteers. Jeff is learning a new trade, not only how to run a business but also in interacting with co-workers and vendors. “In addition to being a tremendous asset to the Mission and the Detail Shop, he is a good role model for the men in the program,” says the staff member who is responsible for the operation of the Detail Shop.
Springs Rescue Mission is now offering an avenue through our web site to submit requests for prayer.
As a corporate body we gather once a week on Tuesday mornings to sit before the Lord in a time of devotion. Prayer concerns and words of thanksgiving are offered up at that time.
If you have a need please visit: www.springsrescuemission.org, locate the blue navigation menu on the opening page, and click on “Prayer”. Fill out the form and your request will go into our next prayer meeting.
Strong Christian men are needed to come alongside residents of the New Life Program (NLP). A mentor participates in the process of change undertaken by an individual in recovery.
Life experience and wisdom from a man of God can have a tremendous impact on the success of one of these men. In the 125 year history of rescue ministry it has been established that men in recovery who have a mentor become stronger in their walk with God with a greater chance of success.
For more information please call the Men’s Program Coordinator of Springs Rescue Mission at 632-1822 and ask for Robert or Kerry.
In the beginning of recovery the struggles can be many. You start to see yourself for who you are and worst yet, who you aren’t. You uncover someone who could have been but so much time has been wasted that you feel life has already passed you by.
For some of the men who enter the New Life Program the struggle with the life of addiction they just left is sometimes too much to overcome. Most have been using drugs and alcohol so long, that at the first sign of frustration they run right back to the only friend they know.
But they soon come back to try again and there’s a good reason for that.
Every aspect of what Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) is all about encompasses a belief in the ways of God and a firm foundation that Jesus Christ can literally transform someone’s life, giving them a renewed hope and meaning within themselves.
To spend one day at SRM is to be surrounded by people living just that life and when you leave a piece of that experience goes with you. Once the despair of the old life reemerges it doesn’t take long for one to realize that entering the New Life Program was the right choice the first time.
“The mission was, and still is a big part of me being saved. It’s where I met Jesus. The people at the Mission treated me with a lot of respect as a human. I guess I had a hard time believing that I was forgiven.
“I struggled with the acceptance. I thought it couldn’t be real. So after a few months I left and tried to do the same old thing as before. Drugs were my escape.
“But some thing was different in the way I felt. There was this new voice in my head who kept asking why I was doing this. I felt God telling me He loved me no matter what. It didn’t matter what I did I could still feel His presence in me after I left the Mission. I knew I had to go back” says Jon, a Program graduate.
Chuck, now in his ninth month and pursuing a Culinary Arts degree, reflected with these words, “I only stayed in the Program for six months the first time I came to the Mission. I never completed the full year and wished I would have instead of wasting more of my life.
“I ended up drinking again, fighting with my wife, ended up in jail and then homeless. While living in a shelter I weighed the option of going back to the Mission.
“I knew the Mission helped me establish a foundation of faith in Jesus and that never left me. I wanted to go back to learn how to maintain the freedom that comes with living a life with God. I needed to mature in the faith I knew existed.
These comments reflect the mindset of almost all the men who didn’t succeed at their first attempt but were drawn back to the road they now know leads to a better life.
A truly amazing thing has happened at Springs Rescue Mission. The men in the New Life Program have taken it upon themselves to meet every afternoon at the end of the work day to gather together in prayer.
An occurrence that started with just a few men now expands past the room in which it fills. Opening in discussion to express immediate thoughts they soon bow their heads and direct heartfelt concerns before their Father in heaven.
One by one each man lifts his voice to the Lord with prayers for their own welfare as well as asking God to show Himself strong within the Mission, to bless the effort of change and to keep His hand on those who support the Mission and its work.
This shows a significant step of Christian growth.
Calli was about to turn seven. As her mother started to plan a birthday party Calli was asked who she wanted to invite and what she wanted. Calli said she needed to think.
After a few days she told her mom that she didn’t want any gifts but instead wanted each person coming to her party to bring an article of clothing that could be donated to the Mission. She then wanted to bring everything and give it out to the poor.
Last week Calli came to the Mission with the six bags of clothing she collected at her party and hung each article up in the Emergency Services Department to give out to the needy. She also gave out the candy she had received.
The book of Matthew states, “Anyone who becomes as humble as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of God.” Not many would look upon a child as an example but Calli is as close to God’s heart as you can get.
If you have any questions about special events or how you can volunteer please call Brenda at 632-1822.
See also the web page special events.
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE FOR A TAX DEDUCTION AND HELP FEED THE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS
See also the web page Donating vehicles.
SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE
See also the web page Special needs.