New York member featured on Willow Creek website
Chasz Parker and the ministry of Rescue Mission of Syracuse (Syracuse, N.Y.) are featured on Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit website. The Rescue Mission’s staff annually attends the leadership summit, building rapport among the team and clarifying direction for the ministry. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/66v52o.

D.C. mission cleared for relocation
Ending years of opposition, the Washington, D.C., city council on July 17 approved the exchange of a local school building for property currently owned by the Central Union Mission. The property trade clears the way for the mission to relocate to a facility within a block of Union Station and close to Capitol Hill. Mission officials agreed to operate a shelter of not fewer than 150 beds on the site for a minimum of 40 years. One council member said the mission ran a better shelter than any of those operated by groups under city contracts. Congratulations to Dave Treadwell and staff!

AGRM welcomes new personnel
The association is pleased to announce the hiring of three staff members. Executive Assistant Crystal Davidson will assist John Ashmen in administrative tasks, and provide member services support for Gary Meek. (Tammy Sharp, who previously held this position, moved into the role of operations manager in January.) Crystal, who was John’s administrative assistant at Christian Camp and Conference Association, brings to the job several years of experience in association work and member services coordination. Also assisting in a key role is Bob Wenz, D.Min., who is a pastor, college professor, and former vice president of the National Association of Evangelicals. Well-known in denominational circles, Bob will work with churches to better explain the work of AGRM members. He’ll pave the way for a possible curriculum AGRM will help develop on Christian and civic responsibility in caring for the poor and homeless. Bob will also assist in writing and editing some position papers for the association. Another new employee is former mission executive director Monroe Free. Monroe, who also has run a consulting business, will work part-time, offering help to members dealing with tough issues in their communities and those simply needing advice from a former E.D. with years of practical experience.

Coverage instructs community on "social enterprise”
The building products resale shop at Hope Gospel Mission (Eau Claire, Wisc.), known as Building Hope, received some great coverage from a local TV station last week. Mission program participants dismantle reusable parts of buildings and resell them at a discount to support the mission. Learn about this unique ministry and how this “social enterprise” helps support the mission at http://tinyurl.com/5uynsj.

Pastor Bill home with the Lord
Bill Raws, long-time director of America’s Keswick/Colony of Mercy (Whiting, N.J.) was ushered into the Lord’s presence July 20. Bill was widely respected for his leadership in ministry to those addicted to alcohol and drugs. Remembrances and notes of encouragement can be sent to his wife, Ruth, from the mission website, www.americaskeswick.org.

Fall term begins soon
Fall courses at City Vision College (formerly Rescue College) begin August 11. There is still time to register. Many of the basic classes and tracks kick off with the fall term. Check out the course offerings at www.cityvision.edu/cms/cv/courses.

Staff family praying for son’s recovery
AGRM Operations Manager Tammy Sharp’s son, Matt, was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident last week. She and her husband, Terry, were out of state at the time, but rushed back to Kansas City to be at Matt’s hospital bedside and support his wife, Melissa. Matt has multiple injuries but is slowly showing positive progress. Your prayers are appreciated.

Looking down the street...
Our prayers go out to Bill Rea, executive director of Manna, Inc. (Bangor, Maine), who lost his wife to congestive heart failure July 8.   Frank Jarman has been named executive director of West Virginia Rescue Ministry (Fairmont, W.V.). Congratulations!   The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (Indio, Calif.) is moving forward with a major building project. Workers are leveling and fencing the new mission site in preparation for an official ground breaking early next year. The Long Beach Rescue Mission (Long Beach, Calif.) was honored by the local chamber of commerce for its innovative approach to creating workplace flexibility. Kudos to Jim Lewis and staff! Don Worrell of Nashville Rescue Mission (Nashville, Tenn.) reports that his wife and family are making good progress after their automobile accident, reported in the last issue of Street Smart. Thank you for your prayers.

ACLU defends Maryland church’s homeless ministry
A Maryland church that focuses on ministry to the homeless is asking that the local municipality abide by its own zoning laws. The Meeting Ground church in Elkton, Maryland, ministers to people who are poor, homeless, and otherwise marginalized. Incorporated as a church in Maryland since 1988, The Meeting Ground holds regular worship services and Bible studies. Elkton is blocking the group from moving into a building the church has owned for a year; the area is zoned for churches. The ACLU of Maryland has filed suit against the city on behalf of the church, citing violation of the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The law forbids governments from treating churches differently in regard to zoning issues than other institutions where members of the public gather. View a full report at http://tinyurl.com/5v9z83.

Nonprofits feeling the pinch of tight economy
Some charities that assist the poor are being forced to cut staff and offer fewer resources, as they continue serve people in the face of declining donations and rising costs. According to a recent article in the U.S. News and World Report, the number of people seeking assistance is rising because of the tight economy. Two AGRM members, Central Union Mission (Washington, D.C.) and Miami Rescue Mission (Miami, Fla.) are featured prominently in the article. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5obe9b.

Website urges teens to disrobe for charity
Just when you thought you had heard everything in the realm of assisting the needy, here’s a new idea from the Virgin Mobile cell phone company: The company is asking young people to perform stripteases to music. Every time five people view a broadcasted video, Virgin will donate clothing to homeless youth. Virgin Mobile is cooperating with the National Network for Youth, a Washington, D.C., lobbying group for more than 150 organizations to benefit homeless young people. Some of the organizations were upset with the campaign, saying they had never been consulted about it. The controversial promotion, know as Strip2Clothe, uses slogans such as “You take off yours, we donate ours,” and “Somewhere someone out there needs clothes more than you.” The company does ask those who volunteer to be videoed to not remove all clothing. The marketers’ direction is, “Think bathing suit, not birthday suit.” Read more (if you dare) at http://tinyurl.com/5wvx8u.

Social networks can help expand donor base
Social networking giant Facebook says 400,000 software developers have worked on tools for the site since Facebook invited outside companies to build profitable features for it 15 months ago. One result was the inclusion of Causes, a charitable giving tool, now available to all users. Last week, Facebook announced Facebook Connect, a way that other websites can integrate parts of the website’s service. People would be able to use sites that promote social networking without reentering their profile information, and they could import their list of “friends” from Facebook. In theory, if a mission were to use this technology, it could speedily get its name and cause in front of many more potential donors. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/5b4boj.

Public transportation use on the rise
With the continued gasoline price crunch, public transportation use increased by 88 million rides in the first quarter of 2008, as compared to the same period last year, according to the American Public Transportation Association. The report showed across-the-board increases in major public transportation categories, including light rail (10.3 percent), commuter rail (5.7 percent), heavy rail (4.4 percent), and buses and trolleys (2.2 percent). See a graphic depiction of the report at http://tinyurl.com/6k3g67 (click on “News”).

Americans prefer paper dollar to coin
The paper dollar (76 percent) is widely preferred over the dollar coin (13 percent), according to a Harris Interactive Poll, even though the coin could last much longer in circulation than the typical paper bill. U.S. consumers have failed to embrace four versions of the dollar coin (Eisenhower, Susan B. Anthony, Sacajawea, and presidential) introduced during the past 40 years; other currencies have undergone successful coin adaptations, including the British pound and the Canadian dollar. In addition, 56 percent of U.S. spenders also oppose discontinuing the use of the penny. The wealthier people are, the more likely they are to be in favor of a penny-free society. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5nd6n4. How might these attitudes affect panhandlers?

Cities offer tax incentives for hiring ex-cons
In May 2008, President George Bush signed into law the Second Chance Act authorizing $165 million annually for programs that curb recidivism, including training ex-offenders for jobs. Many municipalities are following suit, creating tax incentives for employers who are willing to hire parolees. Philadelphia, for example, offers employers a $10,000 tax incentive for every ex-offender they hire. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/5gmda8. You may want to check with officials in your community to see if these types of incentives have been established locally.

Be alert for dehydration
As the temperatures rise, people on the streets are more likely to become dehydrated. Mission staff members should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of dehydration. According to MedicineNet.com, these include thirst, decreased urine output, dry mouth, swollen tongue, lack of tears, decreased sweating, muscle cramps, lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. People in the early stages of dehydration may also become drowsy or disoriented, and have an elevated pulse rate and clammy skin. Good sources of replacement fluids are water, clear broth, popsicles, Jell-O, and sports drinks. Read what a doctor says about dehydration at http://tinyurl.com/6qxhn2.

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AGRM's Online Want Ads

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Albuquerque, NM: Resident Services Manager - Seeking manager for mission with over 300 residents. Must have group, individual, recovery program, program management experience. Starting wage up to $17.50 per hour depending on experience. Minimum BSW, prefer LADAC and Bible-trained. Benefits begin month following first 90 days. Reply with cover letter and resume in confidence to jennifer@joyjunction.org or contact Jennifer Munsey, Chief Operating Officer, Albuquerque, NM Gospel Rescue Mission. Phone: 505-250-6251 Date Added: 07/07/2008

Eugene, OR: Administrative Assistant to Director - Assist with operations, program oversight, staff supervision. Requires organizational, multi-tasking, problem solving abilities, verbal/written communication, presentation skills. BA in business/related field or equivalent experience. Supervisory experience in rescue ministry a plus. Email resume to hope@eugenemission.org. Contact Ernie Unger, Eugene Mission, PO Box 1149, Eugene, OR 97440. Phone: 541-344-3251 Fax: 541-344-7533 Date Added: 07/03/2008

Evansville, IN: Executive Director - Oversee all activities of mission including shelter, youth summer camp, fundraising and Christian ministry. Requires BA, relevant experience and strong management/financial skills. Send cover letter & resume to Evansville Rescue Mission, 300 SE M L King Blvd. Evansville IN 47713. Phone: 812-421-3800 Fax: 812-421-3809 To contact via email: revpeck@mac.com Date Added: 07/28/2008

New York, NY: Executive Director - Application for position is open to all qualified candidates who provide a cover letter, current resume and references. Correspondence accepted only by mail addressed to New York City Rescue Mission, Succession Committee, PO Box 296, Canal Street Station, New York, NY 10013. Review process will begin in September. Date Added: 07/07/2008

Salem, OR: Associate Director - Responsible for planning, developing, implementing comprehensive strategy for Outreach and Support Ministries. Excellent organizational, problem solving, interpersonal, written, verbal communication skills required. BA in business/ministry or equivalent exp. Five years supervisory exp. Send cover letter/resume to Jim Lienemann, Union Gospel Mission of Salem, PO Box 341, Salem, OR 97308. Phone: 503-362-3983 To contact via email: jiml@ugmsalem.org Date Added: 07/03/2008

Seattle WA: Dental Assistant - Part-time. Assist in dental procedures, oversee reception desk, coordinate volunteer schedule. Requires HIV/AIDS Training; CPR/First Aid card preferred. Must be certified/licensed dental assistant. Two years experience preferred. Contact: Roslyn Alake, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 202, Seattle WA 98111. Phone: 206-723-0767 Fax: 206-723-1076 To contact via email: rosalake@ugm.org Web site: http://www.ugm.org Date Added: 07/25/2008

West Memphis, AR: Executive Director - Administer fast growing men’s ministry, including fundraising, public relations, spiritual counseling. Salary/benefits negotiable. Requires BA degree, 5 years of experience in a rescue ministry or related experience. Contact Fred Parker, 8th Street Mission for Jesus Christ, PO Box 7, West Memphis, AR 72303. Phone: 870-735-6010 Fax: 870-735-0244 To contact via email: esmfjc@aol.com Date Added: 07/01/2008

To advertise in future Market Street Classifieds:
Individual or organizational members of the AGRM may place a 30-word classified ad listing one available position in one issue of Street Smart at no charge, and may renew that ad one additional time at no cost. Ads are due the 10th of the month before the ad is to be listed. Ads exceeding 30 words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-member ministries, businesses, and individuals may place an ad for $25.00 per issue for a 30-word ad. Additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Ads are also placed on the AGRM website. Member ministries may renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. E-mail desired ad placement to editor@agrm.org (subject line: Market Street Classifieds).

Swim toward the lake
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it’” (Matt. 16:24–25).

After a particularly rough day at the mission, I took a walk past a lake near my house. As I questioned my path in life, I reached the spillway at the lake. After a hard rain, the water was racing over the spillway into a ditch, which formed a long, rocky stream that led into a bigger lake. As I stood examining the water, I noticed some large fish had gone over the spillway and were struggling to stay in the deep water near the spillway rather than make the difficult trek downstream to the lake. As I looked at the fish, I thought to myself, “If only they could reach the lake, they’d be so much better off—just a small struggle downstream, and they would be home free.”

Too often, I’m like the fish, longing to stay in the deep end, not wanting to struggle down the rocky stream of life. And, like the fish, I don’t consider my “big lake” at the end of the stream.

The Lord makes it clear that our lives may not be cushy—sometimes they’re downright uncomfortable—but dealing with the difficult issues presented to us leads to our ultimate heavenly reward.

Contributed by Sabrina Burkiewicz, director of marketing and retail operations, Home Sweet Home Ministries (Bloomington, Ill.)

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Would you like to write an encouraging devotional thought for a future issue of Street Smart? If so, send your submission of 200 words or less (including a related Bible verse) to editor@agrm.org.