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"Springs Rescue Mission is an organization that represents the love of God in action. It is one thing to teach the love of God, and yet another to express it in a genuine, loving manner"
November 20th, 2008
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emergency services|
Volunteer Driver Needed!
Driver needed to help pickup donations.
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Ride For Rescue!
If you ride a bike, walk or run and want to do it with a purpose, then mark your calendar for September 27th 2008.
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Earn Up To 50% Back On Your Next Donation
Enterprise Zone - Earn significant tax credits and deductions with the EZONE
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Donate Your Used Vehicle!
Donate your used vehicle to a family that needs one. We pickup and do the paper work!
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We're Growing!The Springs Rescue Mission plans to transform its property south of downtown Colorado Springs into a three-building campus that will include a dormitory for up to 50 men struggling with homelessness or substance abuse. ... more
Useful Links
Media ministry sharing God's grace through the distribution of free teaching tapes. Online resources include devotions, audio files, and testimonies. ... go there
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Where the Rubber Meets the Road(Article taken from Gospel Truth magazine - Andrew Wommack Ministries) The maroon Oldsmobile Cutlass lay sideways in a ditch, barely visible through the blowing snow. Jeremiah Williamson had just arrived back in Colorado Springs earlier that day when he got caught in a fast-moving, icy snowstorm. Hitting a patch of ice, his car spun out of control and off the road. Jeremiah had returned to Colorado Springs after living in the Midwest for several years. After his wife passed away, he sensed God telling him to return to his spiritual roots. Although he was a Christian, he was not walking closely with the Lord. "I knew my life was in trouble," Jeremiah recalls. "I needed a change." He obeyed God and went to Colorado to get back in touch with his spiritual mentor. Someone pulled Jeremiah from the ditch and took him to the Red Cross shelter to get him out of the dangerous weather. He soon discovered that his mentor had moved out of state, and he found himself without a plan. While at the shelter, he heard about a rescue mission in town called Faith Harbor, run by Paul and Marilyn Vyzourek. "At that time, Paul and Marilyn housed people in their basement and helped them get back on their feet," says Jeremiah. "I knew this was where I needed to be." It wasn't long after Jeremiah came to Faith Harbor that the mission underwent major changes. "Almost as soon as I got there, we moved into a new building, and the mission's name changed to Springs Rescue Mission." Unbeknownst to Jeremiah, he was on the ground floor of all God was doing at the mission. Prior to his salvation, Jeremiah had experienced life as a biker, an alcoholic, and a homeless person. "I could relate to those around me at the mission. I know what it's like to lose everything. And now as a Christian, I knew I could help others." As Jeremiah went through the mission's rehab programs, he began to sense God's calling into ministry work. First, however, Jeremiah realized he needed a stronger foundation in God's Word, so he enrolled in Charis Bible College. While at the college he volunteered at the Springs Rescue Mission helping their computer department. Upon graduation, Jeremiah took a staff position as the mission's chaplain. Today, seven years later, Jeremiah is still a chaplain, but now at a rescue mission in Connecticut. The training he received at the Springs Rescue Mission and Charis Bible College prepared the way for his future in rescue mission work. Little did Jeremiah know that God had a plan for that snowstorm he found himself in. But then again, God can use anything to accomplish His purposes! Jeremiah's story is one of many that have come out of the Springs Rescue Mission since it's founding in 1996 by Paul and Marilyn Vyzourek, both CBC graduates. The Springs Rescue Mission is a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM), a worldwide organization of faith-based missions. Today the Springs Rescue Mission is led by Executive Director Joe Vazquez, who helps establish missions throughout the United States through AGRM. "I am honored that God would entrust me with this ministry," says Joe. "I am constantly amazed by the lives that are transformed here." Joe, also a graduate of CBC, developed a heart for the mission while he was still a CBC student. "As part of our second-year training at the college, we had to get involved with ministry outside of the school. Paul and Marilyn were open to have CBC students practice their preaching skills during the missions outreaches. So what started as a way for me to preach, turned into a real call on my life for rescue mission work." Joe has seen the Springs Rescue Mission grow from Paul and Marilyn feeding the homeless in local parks to having served his one millionth meal in 2005; from the Vyzoureks housing as many men in their basement as possible to current plans for a 50-bedroom dormitory for men who are homeless or suffering from substance abuse; and from Paul and Marilyn providing not only food for the poor, but also occasional clothing or other material goods to the Springs Rescue Mission, becoming the largest provider of free goods in Colorado Springs. Now with 26 full-time and 8 part-time staff members, along with numerous volunteers, the Springs Rescue Mission offers a total of 20 programs to help drug and alcohol addicts, the homeless and those in poverty. One of its programs is New Live Discipleship, one of the original services started by the Vyzoureks. This life-changing rehab program is a 24/7, year-long service for men who have had struggles with substance abuse. The men live at the mission and commit to spiritual counseling, Bible studies, mentoring, job training, and education to help turn their lives around. Other programs include Emergency Services, where food boxes, clothing, and housewares are provided on an emergency basis; the Learning Center, a computer-based, self-paced education environment to help develop basic educational skills while also helping students obtain a GED, design a résumé, and look for living-wage jobs; a Warming Shelter, providing warm, safe beds on dangerously cold nights; and Evening Chapel, where a hot meal and a Bible message are served six nights a week for anyone wanting to attend. Although the Springs Rescue Mission has come a long way, there is still much more room for growth. "God has shown many areas of expansion and has given me a big vision of where He wants to take the mission," says Joe. Future plans include a $2 million men's rehabilitation facility with dorm rooms, a recreation center, and a large dining area; a women's rehab program similar to the men's; and the development ot affordable, transitional housing. Through all of its growth, Joe will never forget the roots of the mission, planted by Paul and Marilyn, two CBC graduates wanting to make a difference in their city. The Springs Rescue Mission is still very much involved with CBC and Andrew Wommack Ministries through financial partnerships and volunteering. Many CBC students frequently volunteer at the mission as part of their required missionary work, while others help from a heart of compassion for the poor. And the Springs Rescue Mission leaders also visit the college to share how the community has been impacted through the mission. While many who initially come to the Springs Rescue Mission are addicts, Joe Vasquez says he is also addicted-to the work and the people of the mission. He is passionate about his job of showing the love of Christ and building relationships with the poor and needy of Colorado Springs. "Once I get with these people and watch God's love transform their hearts, there's no place else I'd rather be."
Springs Rescue Mission Originally published "Gospel Truth Andrew Wommack Ministries" Issue Spring & Summer 2008 |
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