Door of Hope Rescue Mission has been serving the homeless population on the South side of Chicago since November 1954. Harry Thomas, Jr. was Chairman and the Rev. Coco Jackson directed the mission for a combined 75 years.
There have been many other saints who have involved themselves for 40 and 50 plus years. The likes of Earnea Bosley, Helen Yarborough, Clarence Rodgers, Deacon Daniels, Sam Bird, Rev. Ronald Sheffield, Corrine Mills, Rev. Anita Jeffries, Teresa Tillman-Terry to name a few. They have strongly contributed in making Door of Hope what it is. Some of them still participate as best they can. Some have passed on.
Many men have passed through our door, looking for refuge and needing Jesus. This is why we are a Rescue Mission. We offer both.
The focus has never been limited or even rooted in the temporal, but in the eternal. For what would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? This doesn’t overlook immediate need. However it does keep it all in perspective, as Christians, as a persons immediate needs are met.
We have served hundreds of thousands of meals, slept as many, provided clothing, showers, services and spread the gospel within the Washington Park community at our current location since 1975. Prior to that we were on 46th and State at 2 locations. We have tarried. We have struggled as much with our clients then, as we partner to transform now. Some have benefited from the investment in them. To to keep things realistic, everyone doesn’t. As in your witness and anyone else, many also have gone the way of their minds. But we applied all of our resources to assure our partners that the care of the lost and the found is our mission.
So it is our duty to do our best to leave no man behind. I came to the Board of Directors after encountering Brother Harry Thomas after worship and gave him a call. I felt the presence of the Lord then. I feel the presence of the Lord now. And the headline of this blog reshaped my life to be able to know His presence. When I called brother Harry that Sunday night, my words, “The Lord has put on my heart to make myself available for whatever you need me to do.” began an odyssey with the Lord which in August 2010, the Board of Directors saw fit to name me Executive Director.
By the grace of God and service of the saints, we have transformed into who we are today. I said it to him, but it was a pledge to God our Savior. We could no longer fit 80 men in the building made to house 30 anymore. We could no longer not see discipleship as part of what we do, but all of who we are and do. Our focus had to eliminate enabling and begin empowering. We partnered and linked with agencies within the community to do the administrative things and focused on our identity. As a result, it created an opportunity to make us unique. It empowered men the point that the structure within the community is what brought a new direction within our walls and allowed us to evolve. Because we are privileged to exist in a quiet community, we should reflect that community.
If you ever have time, call me at 773 624-0586 and I will be happy to discuss any opportunities as well as answer question not addressed in this note. We also do not see it godly to live off of donations alone. So we have enhanced our kitchen and service and routinely balance the meals to address health concerns and avoid foods which historically are unhealthy. Whatever excess, it is our desire to provide according to those resources, to those who call on us in our community.
We are Christians first, front to back, side to side, man to man. Therefore, there is a requirement for self-sufficiency. Indeed, it’s the culture. 80% working or otherwise independent or government mandated income. Men impacting and interacting with family in a reconciled state. Fervent desire to regain stability and quality of life. It is an environment for progress, rather than stagnation. so our population fluctuates according to those who are willing to participate in their lives changing.
We are your neighbors. Therefore, we are interdependent with one another. And for this to continue, we need your prayers. We also greatly need your support. As a transformation partner, you are partnering, as do I with the success of men who are willing to take their situation and serve God through quiet living, tending to one’s affairs and the work of their hands. You are supporting the infrastructure needed to continue this work. And there is much work to be done. It may seem as though I have painted a rosy picture. No. I have laid out for you the work we do and where your contributions go. We have issues like any other organism/family/organization. However, partnering with us, you are partnering with people who genuinely love the Lord with no compulsion. And right now, we really need you. So please be generous. And if your resource is one of sincere intercession, give me a call and find our our needs. If helps, call. If teaching or prophecy, call. Be intentional. And if you need me to be a partner and serve you, I would also want to hear your voice. Let’s consult the Lord together, with one accord, whatever we do. thank you for your kindness. Psalm 31:21-24
21 Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. 22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
For the sake of Christ, Amen.
David
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