The Gospel Rescuer | Blog-site for Gospel Rescue Mission Tucson AZ

Wes (L) is teaching recovery principles to a student

Wes Shepherd is a tremendous example of God’s grace and His transforming powers. When Wes came to the Mission for help, he had been using drugs for 20 years. Marijuana, Meth, and cocaine took Wes in and out of homelessness and jail. Camping down by the railroad tracks at night, running the streets by day, his life had become a walking death from addiction.

Everyone wrote Wes off, except his mother who faithfully prayed for him. The prayers paid off, as Wes eventually found his way to Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson. According to Wes, “The love I received at the Mission did not depend on anything I did and it never changed. They cared for me and loved on me in ways I’d never known. I learned that if you are willing to admit that you made a wreck of your life, then it was possible to let God do something to change it. And He did. God has transformed every area of my life, especially my relationships with my family. Today I am clean and sober and I am married for just over 2 years.”

God reached deep into Wes’ life, helping him come to grips with the hurts and scars from his past and the disappointments he created through his choices, actions, and addictions. Wes realized that despite the level to which his life had deteriorated, it wasn’t too late to turn his life over to God. He realized that God, the potter, could remold his life into something useful that could bless others.

When Wes graduated from the Mission residential recovery program about 5 years ago, he was hired as a life skills instructor and Bible teacher. He began sharing lessons and Scripture that helped change his life with the other men in the recovery program. Having lived life on the streets, he was able to relate to the men in ways that others were unable. They listened intently to what he shared. Changes began to take place in their lives as well.

In addition to teaching classes, Wes facilitates a Genesis Process recovery group with about 6-8 men. The Genesis Process recovery materials are used internationally in Christian faith based recovery programs. The materials combine principles and processes of healing from addictions with scripture.

Working at the Mission gave Wes a desire to do even more to help others who are homeless or in recovery. So, Wes purchased a large home and opened a transitional home for men in December 2006. Not only is it an affordable housing opportunity for the men, but Wes offers classes to teach the men how to live wise, responsible, moral, and lawful lives. After the success of the first home, Wes bought and opened a 2^nd transitional home. He hopes to open 2 more in the near future. Over 70 men have already benefitted from his transitional houses.

If all of this isn’t enough to help others and to keep Wes busy, Wes also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Turn Your Life Around recovery agency. The agency assists men and women to sustain recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through outpatient counseling and services including, individual and group counseling, recovery support groups, life skills training, SMART Recovery, 12 Step meetings, employment services, and peer mentoring.

One of the programs that Wes oversees at the Mission is the Community Service Program. On a weekly basis, Wes takes the men from the recovery program out into the community to perform volunteer service projects. These projects have included helping landscape homes of the elderly, cleaning a neighborhood in Marana that doesn’t have waste management services, assisting a physically handicapped elderly woman pack and move from an upstairs apartment to the first floor, to name a few.

Wes believes that many benefits are derived from doing community service projects. He stated “It helps build character, it moves focus from self to others, and it elevates personal esteem through accomplishment. It ultimately puts faith to practical application by serving others”. The men learn from and enjoy their experiences.

From homelessness and drugs…to recovery and sobriety…to working at the Mission leading and teaching others in their journey of recovery…to providing affordable sober housing…Wes has not only transformed his life but helped hundreds of others to do the same.

The Gospel Rescue Mission “Christmas in July” food drive was a tremendous success thanks to YOU!

Throughout the month of July, we asked our supporters, volunteers, businesses, churches, and the community to donate non-perishable food items and canned goods that could be distributed in our emergency food boxes. In addition, KFLT radio conducted a food drive with live radio remotes at various Bashas’ Grocery Stores during the week of July 12th.

We asked…and the community responded…in a BIG way. A total of 6,153 pounds of food was donated… substantially exceeding the goal of 5,000 pounds! This food translates to about 200 emergency food boxes.

Our Community Ministries Department distributes Community Food Bank food boxes several days a week. However, people are only eligible for one food box a month. The box does help, but only to provide a few days worth of meals. So, the Mission supplements those boxes when needed with our own food box. That way people in dire need could come a second time during the month or get an additional box to add to the Food Bank box.  It really makes a significant difference for people who are hurting and hungry.

Thanks again for helping meet the needs of working poor families by providing food for

The shelves are filled with food again.

their tables!

Air conditioners and exterior foam now completed

Seven air conditioners were installed last week on the building being constructed at the new Gospel Rescue Mission Women & Children’s center.

Just today, the foam was added to the exterior walls around the entire building. It was unreal, how in just one day, this part of the project was completed. The next step is to stucco the foam on the exterior walls. The building will look much closer to completed once the stucco is added.

However, more work remains to complete the interior, such as flooring, kitchen equipment, sheet rock, etc. But each day we get closer to moving in.

Just 2 weeks ago we were contemplating having to slow down constrution, as our funds had diminished to about zero. We prayed for God to provide the funds, or to show us what we needed to do to slow down or pause the construction. In faith, we looked to God, for our answer. The very next day we received a gift of $10,000, which was followed the next day by another of $50,000, which was followed 2 days later by another of $204,000. So, just when we were contemplating US needing “to do something“, God once again came through with a jaw dropping answer to the immediate need. That’s been the case for the entire project!!!

We still need about $350,000-400,000 to complete the building, but we know that God will somehow provide that, as we get closer to again needing the funds to continue. For now, construction is going full force, with no slow down. Praise God.

Volunteers are also making regular progress completing the rooms that will be used for housing the women and children. Several are complete, including furniture and equipment. Our goal is to have the center open by year end, but God knows the day and time and we trust Him for that as well.

The expansion project has been an amazing journey of faith and just being obedient to God’s asking us to move forward trusting Him for all of the provisions. It’s been one amazing testimony after another of seeing God’s hand in the whole project. Nothing contrived or manipulated by us. Just walking step by step in faith.

Thank you to those who have supported the Mission and this project with your prayers, time, resources, and finances. It is truly God’s Mission and He has used all of our community to provide for the homeless women and children. God bless you.

Special Medical Equipment for a Special Girl in Need

Gerardo, a single Dad in the Community comes to the Mission every month to pick up a food box for himself and his 3 daughters. Last week he came to pick up his regular food box, but this time he came with an extra need.

Gerardo needed a wheelchair and a walker for his 10 year old daughter Teresa. Teresa has cerebral damage which affects her motor skills and speech. Gerardo had been struggling to find this equipment and wasn’t in a position to purchase them. His last recourse was coming to Community Ministries at Gospel Rescue Mission .

According to GRM Community Ministries Director, Suzanne Williams, “We don’t regularly receive these types of medical equipment donations to meet these “specials needs. We almost had to tell him that we don’t have it” (a phrase we hate to say at Community Ministries).

But, once again God made a “Miracle” to provide.

One of our Staff members remembered the medical equipment that was used by a former Women and Children’s Center volunteer, Cindy Clark. Cindy had recently passed on to be with our Lord. The Mission contacted Cindy’s family and found out that the family was wanting to bless “someone with a special need” to give them the equipment.

After explaining Teresa’s need to the family, they were more than willing to donate it to GRM to pass along to Teresa. Thanks to this donation we were able to provide the equipment Teresa needed to better her quality of life. 

Everyday we see how God blesses a community member, other ministries, social sercive agencies, and churches using our GRM Community Ministries. We are a pass through, “connecting people who care to help with people who need care and help”. What a Blessing all around. 

A little more to go to re-stock the emergency food box shelves

The Mission is holding a “Christmas in July” food drive to restock the canned goods and non-perishable food itmes for food boxes to working poor families. The goal is at least 3,000 pounds of food that would equate to 100 food boxes. With 10 days to go, the Mission has collected 2,816 pounds!

Much thanks goes to KFLT radio that sponsored a week long food drive at Basha’s stores that totaled 879 pounds of food. Thank YOU to all who dropped off food at the Basha’s stores and to those who are dropping off food at our Mission. We will have over 2 months of food boxes through this drive. Many needy families will be helped in a time of emergency need.

Food needed includes: canned goods (vegetables, fruit, soups, and meat/fish), pasta, rice, beans, cereal, mac & cheese any other non-perishable items. You may drop off your items to either Shelter Women and Children’s 1130 W. Miracle Mile or the Men’s Center 318 W. 28th St. or Community Ministries 328 W. 28th St. Thank you.