Every day I tear up overwhelmed by the love of Jesus expressed at The Outreach (of the City Rescue Mission of Lansing), located at 601 North Larch Street, Lansing, MI, 48912.
Walk up to the drop-in door, anyone, between 6pm and all night. People are gently ushered in with Jesus’ love. Not everyone has an intimate relationship with Jesus, but they experience the love He has for us spoken in volumes through practical hands and feet ministry.
The same staff member who recently mopped the floor of the Outreach spent a great deal of time reaching out to me in prayer using his gifting of exhortation. The Outreach is a team effort to welcome in society’s rejected, including discombobulated drunks and the mentally afflicted acting out.
“It’s significant. It fits the need of the people in the area (Male, 63).”
“I feel safe here. I don’t have to roam the streets. I have seen a couple of my friends froze to death. It’s not a pretty picture. No human being deserves to die alone—not even your worst enemy (Male, 42).”
The beacon of safety: The Outreach rescues people who may die otherwise. They create a warm atmosphere and don’t push their faith on anyone.
One female City Rescue Mission Staff Member likes to get out art supplies to help clients relax. Homeless women feel comfortable here.
“It’s a nice safe place for women, lots of coffee. A Christian, quiet atmosphere, clean good place to rest. I met kind, friendly smiling staff people—non-intrusive (Female, 59).”
We the clients of the Outreach believe in the building. Many of us knew the Founder of City Outreach in the same location, Mark Bozzo, and remember his heart to see no one fall through the cracks. Every life matters.
“They are so generous, compassionate, gentle, very kind-heated, sincere in all they do for everyone. They don’t turn anyone away.”
Q: “What is it like to sleep there?
A: I was very relaxed. I was so happy to have a place for food, sleep, warmth, cleaning, drink, bathroom, shower, and laundry. Their love and compassion; you knew they were of Christ (Female, 59).”
Q: What is the Outreach like?
A: “Same as when Bozzo was there. The only thing different is everything is remodeled. They do snacks in the morning and night. They have showers every day. Once a day they do laundry. They are going to be open all day. The only reason it opened early because there were people freezing on the streets.
When Bozzo was around they breathalyzed. They don’t do that anymore. Basically the Outreach is for the people that sleep outside under the bridge and have addictions.
“They got cameras all over the place. It’s more advanced and they got security (Male, 42).”
The Outreach fills a niche and serves society’s broken at a sacrifice to City Rescue Mission. The Men’s Shelter stopped serving lunch so there would be the budget available for CRM Outreach to “Be A Rescuer” to dying people.
Please help. Show unconditional love. You are not required to get your hands dirty unless you want to. We can go to bat for hurting people and give tax-deductible donations on a one time or continual basis.
Share the love!
Kind Regards,
Daniel K. Arnold
E-mail: voiceoftheunheardlansing@gmail.com
Daniel has lived in Greater Lansing his entire life. He is author of more than ten books, multiple online publications, and specializes in investigative journalism for the glory of Jesus.
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He is:
Author of Beyond the Battle: A man's guide to his identity in Christ in an oversexualized world
Host of the The Flip Side Podcast
Join an online men's small group led by Noah and team at BeyondTheBattle.net
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