Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64goes the extra mile when it comes to giving grace. Students there take “prayer walks” through the downtown area or in the malls to look for people in need, sometimes bringing them back to the mission, or even giving their own shoes or jackets. The mission gives out “Saints Among Us” Awards to their volunteers. 2. Offering the Best Service “Radical describes that which is drastically different from ordinary practices, outside the normal, that which exceeds expectations and goes the second mile.” Robert Schnase, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations F or some, radical hospitality means defying expectations by serving the poorest of the poor with the finest service, using top qual- ity facilities and offering only the best food, cloth- ing, accommodation, and other supplies for clients. “For us, radical hospitality means hiring a red seal chef, using real dishes, and serving our guests restaurant style,” says Michelle Porter, founder and CEO of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And for David Treadwell, executive director of Central Union Mission in Washington, D.C., being “clean, safe, and polite” is what distin- guishes the mission from government services. City Rescue Mission of Lansing’s Executive Director Mark Criss reinforces this idea that only the best will do for their clients: “We labor for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this labor, we provide ‘the best place in town’! We provide the best environment for shelter and the best quality meal. We provide the personnel that genuinely care for one’s physical and spiritual needs.” Does the idea of being the best and offering the best to clients seem a bit superfluous? Should we be focused on meeting the most basic of needs? “In the end, it’s not really about the meal,” says Tony Marciano of Charlotte Rescue Mission, “but about showing dignity and respect to those who are struggling.” At the Charlotte mission, Easter and Christmas are all-day, grandiose events, with volunteer hostesses and wait staff (often celebri- ties), fine plates and silverware, a delectable menu, beautiful décor with twinkling lights, a Lionel train display, and movie showings. “Our goal is to make the love of God so real that our community guests can touch it,” Tony says. Giving clients the best possible care, the best possible food, the best possible housing—this is also giving them opportunity for a best life— one with God. Ī WWW.AGRM.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2017 9 Does the idea of being the best and offering the best to clients seem a bit superfluous? Should we be focused on meeting the most basic of needs? “In the end, it’s not really about the meal,” says Tony Marciano of Charlotte Rescue Mission, “but about showing dignity and respect to those who are struggling.”