Wheeler Mission's Blog

I was thinking recently about my first days as a new mission director. That was thirty-plus years ago. We used electric typewriters instead of personal computers. There were no such things as Excel spreadsheets – much of our work was done with pencil and paper. We tracked our donations on 4x6 cards and used carbon paper to make duplicates of all correspondence.

Times have changed!

A few days ago, I had the joy of teaching a seminar entitled “New Directors Boot Camp” for 20 or so men and women from across the country who are just beginning their tenure as mission directors. We talked about core values, mission and vision statements, strategic plans, operational plans, budgets, policy and procedures and other nitty-gritty details of the daily life of a mission director. Their enthusiasm and dedication was a great encouragement to me, and I am certain they will travel back to their missions with new determination to provide the best care possible to their guests.

I’ve seen a lot of changes in the work of rescue missions over the years but one thing remains the same -the desire to be a catalyst in bringing the Gospel to those who are broken in spirit.

I am so thankful to be able to lock arms with my brothers and sisters across America who are committed to the work of urban missions.

Rick

Labels: rescue mission directors

June is not too far away! Please consider making plans to join us for our second annual Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness and Music Fest on June 17 & 18 at the American Legion Mall.

This is a fun, family friendly event that offers the opportunity to camp right in the middle of the city! If you’re not the camper-type, you can come for the Music Fest and Friday evening festivities and then go home to your own bed!

A new feature this year is a Music Fest on the Chicago Pizza Stage. Christian concerts featuring several genres will begin at 6 pm Friday evening. Check out our website at www.wheelermission.org to sample some of the music.

Here are a few more fun things happening at the Camp Out this year: a bounce house, face painting, Frisbee throwing, corn hole games, watching a movie under the stars, Friday night dinner and Saturday morning breakfast, and lots of prizes to be given away.

We are inviting the Christian community to gather together to be informed about the issues of homelessness, and then to provide a way for them to get involved with the work of Wheeler Mission. We are not trying to imitate homelessness, but to gather, to inform, and to empower.

BONUS FOR HELPING: Bring one or more canned good to the Incredible Pizza Family Fun Zone and receive a $5 game card good at the south side location, 8707 Hardegan Street, off US 31 South.

Sign up today!

Rick

Labels: learning about homelessness

God seems to bless me in ways that are unexpected. Take, for instance, last Friday evening – our only day last week that was rain-free! I attended a cook out and bon fire that night with several folks in our programs along with a dozen or so friends.

It was a fun and relaxed evening and reminded me of the great things that happen when Christians spend time together. Hebrews 10:24-25 is referring to a church setting, but it also describes what happened the evening of the cook out. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.”Let us consider. Meeting together formally or in a relaxed atmosphere can provide a way to encourage us in our spiritual walk. We aren’t to neglect it!

I was truly blessed to see this portion of Scripture come to life at a bonfire!

Rick