Gospel Rescue Mission - Grants Pass

Shelter for Women & Children

Ken Emilio — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:35:23 +0000

Shelter For Women and Children

The Gospel Rescue Mission is the Tip-of-the Spear in the fight against homelessness in Grants Pass and Josephine County. We are the only facility of this kind in our community. Thanks to You we are able to offer;

Free services to Our Community

Shelter and Sleep Up To 60 Homeless Women and Children

Cook over 350 Nutritious Meals Free Every Day – Prepared by Licensed Food Handlers

Provide Free Clean Clothing and Shoes

Daily Free Showers for Street People

5,000 Square Feet of On-Site Raised Beds for Growing Vegetables

Free Dental Care – With Our Dental Day Program

Opportunities for Volunteers

Chapel Services Every Day

Dining Room Can Seat 60 People per Meal

We Still Have Vital Needs

Financial Support for Daily Operations

Kitchen Equipment, Tools and Supplies

Flooring and Finishing

Raised Bed Tools and Supplies

Personal Hygiene Products

Cleaning Supplies

Food and Clothing

The Heart of a Volunteer

Ken Emilio — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:17 +0000

Thank You… John Lopez!

The Rabbis have a saying… “In God’s creation coincidence is not a kosher word!” It was no coincidence that John Lopez walked into my office this past summer and offered himself as a volunteer to the Mission. He was truly Heaven sent!

John gave himself whole heartedly to serving the Mission, doing anything we asked. He helped us procure our kitchen equipment and he introduced us to numerous contacts in the business community. He helped us specify and purchase tables and chairs for the chapel and the dining rooms, saving us thousands of dollars. John used his skills in data processing to rework our donor data base and created the software necessary to launch our new call center.

But now John is leaving the Grants Pass area to live with his family in the Southwest. As the Executive Director of the Mission, I will sorely miss his wisdom and gentle, servant’s heart. I intend to stay in touch with John via computer and phone, but it will not be the same. Thanks John!

Ken Emilio

Executive Director

If you would like to become a volunteer please give me a call…

(541) 476-0082 and ask for Ken.

Shelter For Homeless Men – Wagner Hall

Ken Emilio — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:48:05 +0000

Our New Men’s Shelter – Ready for Occupancy in 2011

This wonderful new shelter makes the Gospel Rescue Mission the Tip-of-the Spear in the fight against homelessness in Grants Pass and Josephine County. Thanks to You we are able to offer;

Free services to Our Community

Shelter and Sleep Up To 78 Homeless Adult Men

Cook over 350 Nutritious Meals Free Every Day – Prepared by Licensed Food Handlers

Provide Free Clean Clothing and Shoes

Daily Free Showers for Street People

5,000 Square Feet of On-Site Raised Beds for Growing Vegetables

Free Dental Care – With Our Dental Day Program

Opportunities for Volunteers

Chapel Accommodates Over 150

Dining Room Can Seat 100 People per Meal

We Still Have Vital Needs

Financial Support for Daily Operations

Beds and Furniture

Kitchen Equipment, Tools and Supplies

Flooring and Finishing

Raised Bed Tools and Supplies

Personal Hygiene Products

Cleaning Supplies

Food and Clothing

When God Prunes Those He Loves

Val Emilio — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:35:15 +0000

This month we began a new study with our women and men. Our study centers around the DVD series by Bruce Wilkinson called, Secrets of the Vine. By tackling John 15:1-5, we are learning about the parable of the vine grower and its focus on bearing “good fruit.”

Dr. Wilkinson points out that Jesus is the vine – the “trunk” that brings sap up from the roots into the branches; Without the Vine the branches can do nothing. The Vinedresser or gardener is God our Father; the branches are believers who grow out along trellises; and the “fruit” is the result of a believer’s good works (Jn 15:16b). Simply put…God wants us to do good works, i.e. bear good fruit.

Sometimes our branches are barren or our heavenly Father wants us to produce more fruit. So God “prunes” us. Ouch! Pruning can mean God removing things in our lives that produce no fruit – like pointless or destructive habits, friendships or problematic family relationships that sap our energy, jobs going nowhere and other things that are fruitless.

Pruning can also mean our heavenly Father disciplines us. Wilkinson explains we can be disciplined for many things including: Unforgiveness (Matt. 18:32-35) and Sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3-6). We could become weak, sick or even die if we do not judge ourselves rightly (1 Cor. 11:30). That’s a scary thought! It should motivate all of us to act better. Pruning sometimes hurts. But, it is also the Father’s way of helping us to become conformed into the image of His beloved Son (Ro. 8:29).

Teresa is a good example of someone who has faced God’s “pruning” in her life. A delightful friendly, outgoing woman, Teresa left the Mission several months ago only to find that she needed the support of other Christians and the biblical guidance she received at the Mission.Going back into the world without a foundation in Christ is a recipe for failure, with the probability that one will fall back into old destructive habits and relationships. As Teresa explains, “without my foundation in Christ, it is just a matter of time.”

The Mission Staff works hard to teach our residents how to live godly, holy lives so that they may become productive branches bearing much fruit. Jesus says,

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.“ (John 15:5).

Valorie and Ken Emilio

Dan Shelton – Phi Theta Kappa

Val Emilio — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:45:37 +0000

Congratulations To Dan Shelton!

Our own Gospel Rescue Mission resident, Dan Shelton, age 51, received an invitation to join the Rogue Community College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (meaning”wisdom,” aspiration” and “purity”). This organization is the prestigious international honor society for two-year colleges.

Just so you know, Dan’s GPA (grade point average) is 3.63. That is something for which he can be proud! Congratulations, Dan! This coming quarter Dan will be taking chemistry and mathematics classes along with other related coursework. Dan is majoring in Water Treatment and Environmental Technology. In 2012 he plans to begin attending Clackamas County College to obtain certification in water treatment and environmental sciences. This is a promising field of study where graduates can still find jobs throughout the United States.

Your Gospel Rescue Mission in Grants Pass gave Dan the needed support and time to restore his life and faith – and to focus on his studies. Dan interacts with some of the other men at the Mission and has become a role model for them. While many 51 year olds are considering retirement, Dan is focusing on improving his life. That is something we should all do as nowhere in the Bible does it say we should “retire.”

Dan says, “Without the Mission I could not have done it!” Dan plans to remain at the Mission as he finishes his studies in preparation for graduation and relocation to Northern Oregon.

Quit Pullin’ My Tooth

Evan Daggett — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:07:12 +0000

ELEVEN

ELEVEN teeth left in his mouth.

Tracy Kirby had a rough life. Broken family, drugs, prison, homelessness. Then 18 years ago God brought him to the Gospel Rescue Mission (then located on the corner of 8th and E St.) He met a man named Walt Fikso, who just so happened to be the Executive Director of the Mission.

After some time, Walt and Tracy got to talking about life and Walt asked Tracy, “Do you want to keep living this life?” Tracy didn’t. “Do you want to pray with me?” Tracy agreed.The Lord had planned this so perfectly! God gave Tracy a new heart made out of flesh and not stone! Praise God! Tracy told Walt that he felt like a feather floating down to earth.

In the 18 years that followed, Tracy spent much time at the Mission while trying to better his life and break old habits. One thing that he couldn’t fix was his teeth. “I was doing an interview with a lady from a TV News channel and afterwards she asked me ‘So, does the Mission have a dental plan?” Tracy’s mouth had been ravaged by Meth and others drugs. It wasn’t a dentist’s dream mouth, let’s just say that.

In 2010, a new dentist, Dr. Nathan Tanner, moved into the area and got connected with the Mission. In all of our talks he offered to work with a resident on dentures and implants at a reduced price. So we chose Tracy as the the resident to get a new set of teeth!

He was so excited that he talked about others residents, hoping that this procedure would encourage them to do well while living here at the Mission.

On Friday, September 9th, 2011, Tracy Kirby visited Dr. Tanner and over the course of 3 hours had all 11 of his teeth pulled. I was able to watch some of the procedure. If there was a better way to say “Don’t Do Drugs Kids”, i couldn’t think of any. Dr. Tanner injected 12 viles of novacaine into Tracy’s mouth and then removed each tooth one by one.

After this grueling procedure, I drove him back to Wagner Hall with a mouth full of gouze. Here is a picture of Tracy 3 hours after getting his teeth removed.

Now Tracy is moving ever closer to receiving dentures and/or tooth implants. Soon, he will have 28 pristine teeth in his once ravaged mouth. Praise God. This means, according to Tracy, that he will have confidence to interview for jobs. It also means that potential employers won’t look at him as a bad set of teeth but as a man. Praise God!

The Mission is able to fund this kind of work because of a partnership between Dr. Tanner and between our supporters. It is because of our Almighty Lord, working through your giving, that residents like Tracy, who are hard workers and who are moving forward in life, can smile again. Thank you for your support!

Mission Recycling Center

Ken Emilio — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:25:25 +0000

Gospel Rescue Mission Recycling Center

The Gospel Rescue Mission operates a Community Recycling Center that services businesses and the general public located 1010 Foundry Way in Grants Pass. This facility specializes in recyclable goods generated by local businesses, organizations and the general public.

Plastic – Paper – Cardboard – Clothing – Cans – Electronics

- Business Community … We recycle plastic films, banding, metals, electronics, card board and paper.

- General Public … We recycle clothing, cans, metals, electronics, books and shoes.

- Processing equipment includes two vertical bailing presses and two plastic strap chopping systems.

- Pick-up and Delivery Services are available – Contact Us

Children At The Mission

Ken Emilio — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:36:28 +0000

In The Eye of The Storm

When you think of the Gospel Rescue Mission in Grants Pass… Think Kids! Now ask… Can I help them?

Every day we wrap warm blankets of protection around our children – infants through sixteen years. Daily populations average between 15 – 16 underage kids. On first glance, Mission kids do what most kids do… eat, sleep, go to school – Mission moms go strolling with babies. But that is on the surface. What brought these kids to us were moments of desperation, anger, violence, financial ruin, fear, abuse and hunger… Hunger for Food, Shelter & Safety!

Mission Board of Directors

Ken Emilio — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:30:13 +0000

The Gospel Mission Board of Directors is made up of a group of Christian business and professional men who are committed to helping our community. The critical focus of the Board is reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and following the Biblical commands to feed the poor and homeless. The Board is always available for comment and questions through the Mission Office.

Mission Board Of Directors

Officers

Chairman – Curtis Sommerfeld

Vice Chairman – Larry Conard

Tresurer – Wayne Van Delden

Members

Carl Wilson

Don Thomas

Jim Brumbach

Bob Just

Richard Emmons

JP Comyford

Volunteers In The Kitchen

Ken Emilio — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:57:08 +0000

It’s amazing how God can use a local church of dedicated believers to assist the poor and hungry in our community. This past month Applegate Community Church brought Vickie Prose to us. Vickie is a real professional who has worked in food services with public schools and Christian camps for decades.

Vickie and her team are training our residents to be professional food service workers, establishing a FIFO inventory system utilizing proper dating and systematic utilization of food goods. Accompanied by Leta Neiderheiser, Louise Isbell, Chris Richardson, Cricket Rau, and Mike Quigley the Applegate volunteers worked hours in Dry Storage, Cold Storage and Freezers below -10⁰ F!

They organized meats, vegetables, canned goods and perishables. The facilities they organized included Wagner Hall, the Fikso Center and an off-site freezer close to the Second Chance Thrift Store. Praise God for the dedicated believers from Applegate Community Church and the professional skills they are bringing to the Gospel Rescue Mission!

Because of Applegate Church, we are becoming more efficient and meals get tastier each month!