News of IUGM & It's Member Missions
April 1998

Mr. Rescue Goes to Washington

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everybody - for kings and all those in authority."  I Timothy 2:1

And that is exactly what we did. We stood with Senators and Representatives, and leaders in the Executive Branch, and we prayed for God's blessing on them.

When the IUGM Public Awareness Campaign mission directors went to Washington, DC for
the first time three years ago, I think we were a little reluctant to both share our message of "new life in Christ" and to close in a public prayer. Congressmen and other leaders have urges us to clearly share "our success stories," which, of course, are God's redemption stories.

All over Capitol Hill, Rescue Mission Directors were joining hands with elected officials and their staff people, and praying. Curt Thomas, from Haven of Rest, Akron, OH, prayed a special prayer for Senator John Glenn's planned trip into space with Senator Glenn's Chief of Staff. He shared with the staff how John Glenn's father had asked Curt's father to pray for Senator Glenn the first time he  went into space, and now the son wanted to pray for the son. It was surely a moving time.

The first time we were in Washington, we spent a lot of time explaining who we were, but now many knew who we were and what rescue missions do. At the White House, an administration official started by sharing her appreciation and the knowledge she had of the Wayside Mission in Louisville, KY. That's the way it was, as we spread out and visited over 50 lawmakers, or their senior staff.

It is exhilarating to stand with national leaders and testify how God is changing lives. They know that is what people need, and they are thrilled with stories of transformed lives. If that's all our Public Awareness Program did, it would still be a great asset. The power of the
transformed life and the power of prayer is awesome. 

United States mission's have a real opportunity through this program to "year round" share the message of RESCUE, and to "get our light out from under the bushel." Now is the time to join the AWARENESS TEAM. We had 44 mission this year, and we would like to have 50 to
do the job we believe needs to be done.

The Russ Reid Company Washington Team, again, did an outstanding job of media training, gaining outstanding speakers, and lining up leadership for us to visit. Mark McIntyre, and his whole team, deserve our appreciation and thanks, for the whole work of RESCUE was lifted
up.

NEW RESOURCES

Two new resources from Freedom in Christ are: Busting Free! a dynamic youth group video presented by Dave Park and based on the best selling book, Stomping Out The Darkness. It will help young people find biblical solutions to the personal and spiritual wounds that cripple their self-esteem and confuse their identity. This is a 12-session seminar.

and

What God Says About Me - a creative new curriculum for children, grades 4 through 6, which will help them build a rock-solid foundation for their lives so they can stand against peer pressure, insecurity and anything the enemy can throw at them. This is a 13 session, all-in-one
manual, written by Neil  T. Anderson.

For more information, contact them at (562) 691-9128, or at their web site www.freedominchrist.com.

CSA TRAINING INSTITUTE

Christian Stewardship Association (CSA) is offering a Spring Training Institute at Cousins Conference Center, Milwaukee, WI, May 26-30, 1998. Course selections are Major Donor Development; Planned and Estate Giving; Annual and Operational Funding; Nonprofit Leadership; Small Ministry Fundraising; and Church Stewardship Education and Funding. For more information, contact CSA at (800) 475-1976.

WORSHIP TEAM MEMBERS WANTED

Do you enjoy singing or playing an instrument in your church Worship Team? Does prompting people to worship God "turn your crank?" Would being a member of the IUGM Worship Team at the Grand Rapids convention appeal to you? A limited number of Worship Team
opportunities are available. Bass players or drummers, woodwinds or tambourine, vocalist or guitarists, we'll consider them all. Give Phil Rydman a call at the IUGM office, (800) 624-5156. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!


GRAND FORKS THANKFUL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

GRAND FORKS (ND) MISSION has received over $100,000 from IUGM Missions and members, according to Nelson Rumore, Development Administrator. He shares: "These
funds have been a real Godsend, considering we are now approaching almost $750,000 in bricks and mortar, due to flood reconstruction, and I anticipate that this figure will rise to almost a million dollars by spring of 1999." To date, the mission has received $23,000 from their national flood insurance, and received a FEMA grant of $25,000. There's an added bonus behind every IUGM related check, telephone call, or letter of encouragement, according to Nelson, "With each one, we know that people are praying for us and that even though we are a nanometer away from the edge of the earth, we're still a part of a large, caring, loving family."

PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS OFFERED FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Evangelical Development Ministry is offering professional seminars on relevant development topics exclusively for Christian Ministries. The locations and dates are: Little Rock, AR, April 20-21; Dallas, TX, June 15-16; Tulsa, OK, August 27028. Effective Direct Marketing
Strategies, and Essentials for Successful Direct Mail will be the topics. Cost is $198 for two full days of training. For more information or to register, call 1-800-255-EDMI.

IUGM MEMBERS DISCUSSION LIST

We have just added our 200th discusser to our Internet E-Mail Discussion List. This is group therapy at its most amateur and interesting level. We started with 25, two years ago. Now, besides our E-mail group, more than 35 of our member ministries have their own web site
(listed at http://www.iugm.org/miss-www.html). Over 10,000 weekly now check in on the IUGM Homepage, and they can go directly from there to member missions' web sites. So, get in on the discussion. Contact Michael Liimatta to join this prestigious group networking
opportunity.

Happenings . . .Our Missions

  • Over 250 guests gathered on a brisk December evening in Santa Barbara, CA, as the SANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION opened its expanded Bethel House, women and children's facility. The new structure doubled the capacity of the women's one year recovery
    program, and expanded its crisis and re-entry programs. The celebration marked the official end of the $1.25 million campaign to finance this new project.
  • THE NASHVILLE (TN) UNION MISSION has completed and opened its new SRO (Single Residence Occupancy) Ministry in a part of the former Sears building. It will be a transitional lodging place that allows a man to take on the responsibilities that encourage his reentering society as a positive contributing member.
  • The Dr. W. C. Swanson Foundation has pledged $500,000 to the building campaign of the OGDEN (UT) RESCUE MISSION but is also going the "extra mile" by taking leadership in the building project. They have enlisted an architect, builder, and other business leaders to help in planning, building, and fundraising. The Clearfield Job Corps has agreed to donate the landscaping, and others have agreed to help with materials
    and other services. The mission still needs to raise $1.2 million to begin construction of the 19,700 square foot building, according to Howard Langston, Executive Director. The new building will have two floors, and it will be built next to the present mission which then will be torn down for parking. It will house a clinic, pharmacy, chapel, family
    quarters, and a 50-bed  men's dorm. They hope to start construction in July.
  • FORWARD HOUSE MINISTRIES, Winnipeg, Manitoba, has just purchased a five bedroom home next door to their present facilities, which holds up to 25 men in their long-term rehabilitation program. This will expand their program to 30 men, and additional facilities for children who are visiting their fathers. At this time three children are living in the facilities.
  • A good time was had by all, as the friends of the ROCKFORD (IL) RESCUE MISSION gathered to honor Gerald and Nadine Pitney on 50 years of ministry and 34 years at the mission. A beautiful Harvest painting was unveiled, which will go into the new rescue mission building currently under construction. An added recognition is that the YWCA honored Nadine with the Marcella Harris Award for Community Service at their Leaders Luncheon to honor women who make a difference. The Pitney's have been involved in the mission from the very beginning and have served as the leadership since the first year. This leadership was hailed, and the foundation laid is what has brought the mission to the threshold of a new era, with a $6.5 million 80,000 square
    foot facility now being completed.

Program Pot Pourri

    HOMES OF GRACE, Vancleave, MS, holds an annual alumni homecoming each year. This year over 40 men and women attended the 33rd annual Homecoming. The alumni ranged from recent graduates to those who have been alcohol and drug free for thirty years. An annual Homecoming Service is held so that those now in the program can hear from those whose lives have changed through the power of Jesus Christ. They also keep an alumni mailing list, and keep up on their alumni. For more information, contact Billy Barton at (228) 826-5283.

    LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES, Pittsburgh, PA, is involved in a unique ministry offering a substitute for "jail time" for those convicted on drunken driving. Each person desiring to be in the missions program must apply, be interviewed, and then check into the missions program and take part in a Christ Centered program during the time that they otherwise would spend in jail. Many go to work during the day and return at night. For more information, contact Light of Life Ministries at (412) 321-4716.

    GALESBURG (IL) RESCUE MISSION has found a way to make use of the wheelchairs, shower chairs, canes, crutches, and other medical equipment that has been donated. They have a Medical Equipment closet which loans medical equipment to cancer patients, accident victims, etc. For more information, contact Dave Scholl at
    (309) 343-4151.


Our New  Organizational  Members 

    Cornerstone Shelter of  Alpena
    Rev. Troy Baxter
    622 W. Chisholm
    Alpena, MI  49707
    (517) 356-3874

    Jubilee Safehouse
    Rev. Steven E. Wilson
    PO Box 104
    Belen, NM 87002
    (505) 861-3276

    Mount Grace
    Rev. Mike Barton
    PO Box 117
    Dodson, LA 71422
    (318) 648-2426

    Roosevelt Mission
    Mr. Carl Beadle
    89 E. Vincennes
    Linton, IN 47848
    (812) 847-8110

    Helping Hand Mission
    Mr. William Beuckman, Sr.
    1058 Rudder Ave.
    Manahawkin, NJ 08050
    (609) 978-0311

    Tyler Rescue Ministries
    Rev. Maurice P. Barnes
    PO Box 132426
    Tyler, TX 75706
    (903) 597-6131

    Hands of Faith Ministries
    Mr. Philip G. Compton
    PO Box 25
    White Clay, NE 69365
    (308) 862-4299

    Sunday Breakfast Mission
    Mr. Richard A. Kirschner
    PO Box 342
    Wilimington, DE 19899
    (302) 652-8314
    Fax: (302) 777-5502

International Missions

Rose Galadima , Director of the Almanah Rescue Mission, Jos, Nigeria, has been at the MILWAUKEE (WI) RESCUE MISSION visiting their women and children's facilities. She reports that they are seeking a shelter in Jos for orphans. She now is working with 284 widows, aiding them in learning and doing craft work which can give them an income.
They are renting  a center and are involved in a medical clinic, job training, and legal services, as well as evangelical outreach. 50% of all married women are becoming widows in Nigeria, so there is much to do. They have developed a group loan program where they will help a
group of widows set up their own business. They are also trying to develop outlets in the United States and other countries for the crafts the ladies are producing. Del Maxfield and

THE DENVER RESCUE MISSION, have donated a new computer for rose to take home. They have been leaders in helping new and struggling missions. Rose attended the Denver Convention and is a member of the IUGM. To contact her, write her at PO Box 63, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria, W. Africa.