Across the nation, homelessness and poverty are major issues that many states and cities face daily. According to 24/7 Wall Street, Georgia has the 10th highest homelessness rate in America. Macon’s poverty rate exceeds 20 percent and nearly 40 percent of Macon residents are living below the poverty level.
Among multiple groups to try and combat this, Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia prides itself in its community impact and the love it offers to the people who need a safe place to live and recover after hitting a rough spot in their lives.
Rescue Mission’s vision statement listed on their website states that their goal “is to strengthen and expand our programs to serve the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of all who are hurting in our society. Through sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being an example of God’s love and compassion, we will be a catalyst for inconceivable life change”.
In an interview with the Vice President of Programs for Rescue Mission, Jason Beck, he describes his path of recovery, from hitting his rock bottom, from not being the man he wanted to be, to discovering a newfound love for life from Jesus Christ.
“So along the way, he just ignited a passion in me, for people like me, you know, I just want to give back, I want to love people,” Beck continues by saying “the folks that the world wants to cast aside, those are the people that- I want to be with them, I am them. And we are them. And we want to love them. We want to provide for them. We want to walk with them as they heal.”
Rescue Mission provides multiple avenues for someone who may be hurting, lost, or need help with life. Rescue Mission hosts events and recovery programs such as a daily Bible study to help grow their faith in God, counseling if someone needs to talk to a counselor for assistance, work therapy, and work opportunities, as well as life skills classes and even housing if someone needs a place to stay.
Rescue Mission wants to create an environment in which everyone feels loved, cared for, and valued.
Beck relates to this, saying, “So in order to experience that type of environment, it takes grace it takes you know, complete acceptance, you know, that it’s okay to be a mess, right? Because I’m a mess too. And we can just be a mess together”.
This organization prides itself in relating and showing transparency to the people it offers assistance. Furthermore, highlights the fact that nobody is perfect and that they are here to help and guide everyone onto a better path of life before Christ.
In a statement by the organization’s CEO, Pat Chastain, “We truly believe that we are all broken in some form or fashion and if we can come together and be completely transparent before Christ, then that’s where true healing can take place”.
