~ Chaplain Cliff

This Easter season has been a busy time at the Mission. We just finished hosting our Annual Easter Open House last weekend, and we are prepping for our Music with a Mission event coming up on April 21. Easter Sunday we expect to feed many hungry and hurting people at our Easter brunch.

Even with all the busyness that surrounds us, heading into this holy week I am reminded by the scripture above to keep the main thing, the main thing.

As many of us gather with our friends and relatives this Easter, we remember how Jesus appeared among the gathering of his disciples after he was raised from the dead. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” he told them (Matt 28:18 NIV). Before he appeared Jesus’ disciples had lost faith that everything they had hoped for would come true. All of a sudden, Jesus breaks open a completely new horizon for them. These simple people now had the power to be more than their society, their families, or even themselves, ever thought possible.

It is because of the incredible event of the resurrection that we find ourselves renewed to hope for each desperate and hurting person that comes through our doors here at Phoenix Rescue Mission. Jesus is the possibility in each impossible situation.

In the midst of all the gatherings and celebrations in this next week, let’s remember the one who opens up God’s future for us. I wish you all a wonderful Easter!

Blessings,

Rev. Jay A. Cory
President & CEO

P.S. Every week at the Mission, we lift up the praises and requests of our community. Are you dealing with a difficult circumstance? Do you have a praise you want to share with us? Send us your requests and we will remember you at our weekly gathering…

Jay A. Cory is taking up the torch

and providing solutions at Phoenix Rescue Mission

Recently, we honored Jerry Sandvig for more than 12 years of service as President
and CEO of Phoenix Rescue Mission. It was a blessing to hear of the growth of
PRM and the testimonies of transformed lives. I want you to
know that it is with great humility and gratitude that I follow in his
footsteps as the new President/CEO of Phoenix Rescue Mission.

I have been involved in Christ-centered rescue and recovery work for over 25
years. From this experience, I know that changing lives requires a greater
commitment to solving problems that contribute to homelessness. We will
continue to meet the practical needs of people here at the Mission, but our
target outcome will be to produce healthy, vibrant Christians who are able to
sustain themselves.

I envision providing a full continuum of care for men, women and children
consisting of Reach,Rescue, Recovery and Re-entry.

Our Reach programs will attract homeless individuals and offer prevention solutions. Our Rescue shelters will
meet basic needs but also provide assessment and placement. Our Recovery programs will
provide pathways for gaining victory over the effects of addiction, domestic
violence and other life-controlling problems. Our Re-entry Program will
provide transitional housing to help clients grow into independence.

Please help us with your prayers and financial support as we enter into this next
season at Phoenix Rescue Mission. The fields are ripe for the harvest, and we
need your help. Thank you for partnering with us in this great work!

Blessings,

Jay A. Cory

President & CEO

P.S. Birdies for Charities! Make a one cent pledge
(or more) for every birdie made in the Birdies for Charity competition at the
2012 Waste Management Phoenix Golf Open! Select #105 and Phoenix Rescue Mission
will receive every single penny of collected pledges designated to our Mission.
For more information, click here…

My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of splendor and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.

I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound;
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.

—Adelaide A. Procter

We wish you many blessings as you share this Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones. Thank you again for your faithful support!

Sincerely,

Jay A. Cory

President & CEO

P.S. We want to pray for you! Every week at the Mission we lift up the praises and requests of our community. Are you dealing with a difficult circumstance? Do you have a praise you want to share with us? Send us your requests and we will remember you at our weekly gathering…

Please add you comments by clicking on the comment link below.

~~~

Dear Jerry,

I am so very proud of you, Brother Jerry, as I have watched you for the past twelve years being the hands and feet of our precious Savior through your leadership at Phoenix Rescue Mission.  In Mathew 25:35-40 it says:  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I needed clothes and you clothed me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  I am sure our loving Lord is well pleased with your devotion and passion that have helped to grow the Mission beyond anyone’s dreams.  You and your staff have rescued, saved, changed and served thousands and thousands of lives!   What a joy to see your most recent vision come to fruition with the opening of the gorgeous Changing Lives Center.  What a blessing as it brings hope to untold numbers of women and children for decades to come.  Well done, Good and Faithful Servant!!

I wish I lived near enough to attend your Open House in person, but please know I am with you in spirit!

Love always from your Sister,

Sally Jo

~~~

Dear Jerry,

You have been a great shepherd of God at the Phoenix Rescue Mission helping people in their lives in so many ways.  Your leadership and vision have been instrumental in keeping it on the right path to meet the growing needs of less fortunate people, especially with the opening of the new Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

It has been nice to know the Mission has kept its main focus on helping people grow in their faith in God so they will know how much He loves and cares about them, and that He will always be there for them when they ask for help.

God has blessed you with many good people and resources to help you go through this wonderful journey in life helping people these past twelve years.  The Mission has been blessed to have a very devoted Christian man with a strong faith in God at the helm.  You have been in inspiration for others to follow.

I wish I could be at your Open House, but I know our Lord will be there honoring you.

With love from your brother-in-law,

Randy

~~~
Dad, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you and everything you have done for the Mission and community over the years. Your persistence and passion to get the Changing Lives Center up and going was so evident as you had so many hurdles to jump through. All the hard work, tears, sweat and prayers paid off. It is such a beautiful place that will bring so much to the community. You truly have been such an inspiration to so many, including myself. Thank you for all you have done and for following your heart.

I love you Dad,

David

Tom was the man who chose to hang off the Grant street overpass awaiting the right semi to roll below before dropping down to end it all. Instead of that happening he heard the voice of God telling him, “Tom, I have plans for you.”

He climbed back up and eventually made his way to the mission and entered the program. He was a very sick man with a heart condition, and after several episodes with dire consequences we put him on a plane to go home.

He me a Godly man who happened to be a chiropractor that helped nurse Tom back to good health. Through it all he has maintained contact with us giving God thanks for the mission as the place where he accepted Jesus into his life.

I just received an invitation in the mail to attend Tom’s graduation from Cleveland Chiropractic College on December 9, 2011.

His plans are to return to Phoenix to establish his practice and be active in the mission programs, especially as an inspiration to the men and women in recovery.

What a victory for Tom, what a victory for Christ to have this servant so determined to return here to bring hope to the hopeless. Please keep Tom in your prayers as he finishes this chapter in his life and begins a new one.

Peace and Joy,

Jerry Sandvig,
President Emeritus,
Phoenix Rescue Mission

There’s nothing better than the satisfied feeling of being full, especially after eating a plate of slow-cooked BBQ. But for some members of the Phoenix community, being full is a luxury. Many homeless men, women and children that come through our Mission can’t afford to be full, let alone have three meals a day. Big Johnson’s Big Apple restaurants are celebrating their 55^th anniversary by partnering with Phoenix Rescue Mission in the month of October to say “no” to more empty stomachs. But we can’t do it alone. We need YOUR faithful support to make sure our neighbors don’t face another day hungry.

By visiting any of the five participating restaurants, you can provide one hot meal and compassionate care for only $1.92. Enjoy a great meal, add a $1.92 to the bill and get a $5 gift card to be used on your next visit. Transform another family outing into an opportunity to change lives and while you’re there, add your name to the wall display of donors making a difference.

Thank you for your continued support! See you at Big Johnson’s!

Find a restaurant near you:

THE ORIGINAL
3757 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008 – Ph. (602) 275-2107
37TH STREET & VAN BUREN

NORTH
16810 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85023 – Ph. (602) 863-7921
19TH AVENUE & BELL ROAD

GOODYEAR
1330 N. Dysart Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338 – Ph. (623) 882-8288
DYSART ROAD & I-10 – GOODYEAR

WEST
3101 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017 – Ph. (602) 277-6291
31ST AVENUE & INDIAN SCHOOL

MESA
950 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85203 – Ph. (480) 969-6504
MAIN STREET WEST OF STAPLEY

Her search for meaningful work led her to volunteer at a Mission like ours. They found her help invaluable, and hired her to start their employment program, where she worked for 5 years. In 2010 she came to the Phoenix Rescue Mission to become the Career and Education Center Manager.

At the center Rhonda does an initial diagnostic assessment on every resident who enters the recovery program. She then assigns each man a curriculum designed just for them. There are different components to the training process which range from reading skills, writing ability and math skills to computer literacy, GED readiness and career development.

The homeless are empowered here. The curriculum is Bible-based, so time is also spent emphasizing character development, developing a strong work ethic, setting goals and learning healthy conflict resolution.

Says Rhonda, “Many of the men don’t know anything about conflict resolution; when they are upset they get into a fight. Conflict is good, and you can do it in a positive manner—we also teach self-discipline and how to respect authority.”

Rhonda wears many hats in her role here. She’s a coach, therapist, teacher, cheerleader and career advisor.

“There’s days when the men just need to talk, to say what’s in their hearts…They’re dealing with past issues and not able to remember anything they’ve learned in school as younger individuals and we have to work through that…as sobriety takes hold, their minds clear, they can actually start learning again.”

Truly a place of transformation, Rhonda’s heart is touched by everyone she helps, and works tirelessly to provide the resources the men need to enter the work force, but sometimes it’s an uphill battle. If they don’t have the basic requirements they can’t start the job.

Resources can be limited. “We always need flash drives for computers which will help the men with their resumés. And for many of the men if we just had work boots and tools, we could get them started right away. There are very skilled men here that just need basic tools.

Transportation is always an issue. We give the men bus passes, but if they have a 6 a.m. start time,the bus won’t get them there in time….they get discouraged.”

However, Rhonda is quick to say how thankful she is for all that God has provided through generous donors.

When asked what she might say to donors like you, she said, “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for us at the Mission. We utilize everything for the men’s best interests. Everyone here at the Mission is so thankful.” She also adds, “I feel so blessed to be a part of Phoenix Rescue Mission. I want everyone to realize it’s not just a food line. Although we serve 3 meals a day, this is truly a place of transformation that is able to help people change their lives.”

Tim started using drugs when he was 12 years old. In high school his drug use quickly escalated from marijuana and alcohol to LSD, cocaine, and finally to methamphetamines.

He dropped out of high school and began working full time,hiding his addiction from everyone. After both of his parents passed away, he received an inheritance, quit his job and quickly spiraled out of control. Within less than a year he’d used up all of his money on drugs and alcohol. In January of 2010, Tim was on the streets—alone for the first time. He survived that way for three months before he got on a bus and came to the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

Breaking the chains

Here, Tim encountered the healing touch of God’s forgiveness. Through Spirit-led counseling, he found freedom from shame and guilt. Through the Mission’s alcohol and drug rehabilitation program, he was able to break the ironclad chains of his addiction.

Today, Tim has found work, set goals for his future and engaged in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Says Tim, “Since I’ve been here I’ve learned that God loves me, no matter what I’ve done. He’s forgiven me, that’s why Jesus died on the cross for us…My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ And I believe it so much.”

More than anything, Tim wants to express how thankful he is for donors like you, who have made his recovery possible. “I’m so thankful they were there…they’re working for God on earth.”

PHOENIX (Aug. 29, 2011) – As the Valley continues to hit triple digit temperatures, Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, every day stop for coffee and baked goods, is partnering with Phoenix Rescue Mission to host a bottled water drive for the homeless Sept. 5-18.

As an expression of gratitude, customers who donate at least one case of bottled water at any of the 42 participating Valley Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will receive a card good for three free medium hot or iced coffees.

At the conclusion of the bottled water drive, Phoenix Rescue Mission will distribute the bottled water to homeless people at its emergency shelter and on Valley streets.

Dunkin’ Donuts currently has restaurants throughout the Valley in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Chandler, Glendale, Surprise, Peoria, Buckeye and Wickenburg. For a list of Dunkin’ Donuts locations where bottled water can be dropped off, visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/.

About Dunkin’ Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories, and the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for four years running. The company has more than 9,000 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2009, Dunkin’ Donuts’ global system-wide sales more than $5.6 billion. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin’ Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

About Phoenix Rescue Mission

Founded in 1952, Phoenix Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, chapel and other services to the homeless and working poor people of metropolitan Phoenix.  Hundreds of hot meals, showers and clean clothes are provided daily to any who comes to our door, 180 beds provide emergency shelter for men nightly, A 12-month addiction recovery program is available for up to 31 men at one time.  The Mission’s brand new Changing Lives Center for women and children opened its doors in August 2011. For more information, visit www.phoenixrescuemission.org.

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