Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission Appoints new Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission joyously announces the appointment of the new Executive Director, Michelle Porter. In her former role as Administrator, she has grown a large team of staff and volunteers who unite in the fight against poverty, homelessness and addiction. She also took the lead in the merger last year of Souls Harbour and Regina RESCUE Mission, creating one large, dynamic charity that reaches out to help the poor, hungry, homeless and hurting in a full continuum of care. Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission has grown in size and scope, with a debt and mortgage free budget of 1 million dollars, 5 facilities, and a partnership with over 11,000 homes in Regina. "As a founding director, Michelle's experience and knowledge of the operation give us great confidence that we have the right person at the helm," says board chair, Alan Jacobson. Rev Ken Porter, former Executive Director, looks forward to pursuing his new calling as Senior Chaplain with the organization.

A Home for All

A Home for All is a "housing first" approach to ending homelessness in Regina. It is a collaboration between three levels of government aimed at providing house that is clean and well maintained.

According to government surveys,

The Homeless Population refers to:
• At-Risk Population includes individuals who are at imminent risk of eviction, pay too high a proportion of income for housing, [over 30%] live in unacceptable housing circumstances, have beendischarged from the criminal justice system without housing, and youth exiting the child welfare system;
• Hidden Homeless includes individuals and families living in locations not intended for human habitation and/or continuously moving among temporary locations;
• Living on the Streets includes individuals who, because of a lack of secure and affordable housing, live on the streets;
• Crisis Shelter refers to individuals accessing shelters several times per year or who are seeking assistance but are not necessarily able to locate longer-term housing solutions; and
• Supportive Housing refers to individuals or families with secured supportive housing who may not have the necessary resources to live without some type of support.

A home for all means a place that provides a hand up, not a hand out. A place that lends dignity, regardless of gender, race, or age. By offering an emergency shelter that is fully equipped, new, and includes meals and amenities such as showers and clean clothing, we increase people's chances of securing affordable housing and jobs."

Sheltering at risk, hidden homeless, and crisis shelter men, women, youth, and families allows them to maintain social connections and family relationships, to relax in a safe, secure environment, and to have basic needs met--a clear difference from living on the streets, or surfing from couch to couch.

Snapshot Sheltering SHRM survey results:
This is a one day all-client survey where we personally interviewed 197 homeless and at risk individuals.

56% of our clientele are aboriginal.
25% are youth.
25% are families (parent with at least one child)
52% have been homeless before.

53% need our services daily.
42% rely on our services once per week.

The Mission exsists to address these needs, and is currently expanding by building Harbour House, 25 quality, affordable housing units, and 5 emergency shelter suites for families. We will be the only facility open to homeless women who are seeking shelter for other purposes than domestic violence.

Opportunity Knocks

Our strategic plan is currently under review. This past year, since merging, has meant the fulfillment of much of the vision. While some items remain, it is time to revamp and see where Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission is heading over the next five years.

Many opportunities present themselves! Here are some items that have been suggested by various sources including the government of Saskatchewan, and Canada, sister missions and more:

*24 hour drop in centre
*thrift store
*youth centre
*expand to Saskatoon
*affordable housing

Need I say more?? Please pray with us as we evaluate priorities based on the needs of the least, the last, and the lost.

I hope you're weak.

Today at the Mission, Harley and I had a great talk about salvation. Who is it for? Why do we need it? Is it any of our doing? Here's my take, in the form of a couple verses and a song.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. -Romans 3: 10&11

All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. -Isaiah 6:4b

Only For The Weak

Some say it's rules and regulations
And trying to always be right
No room for mistakes
in the choices we make
For only the strong survive

But it's not about perfect performance
Or resolution of will
It's all about surrender
Giving up
Being still

It's only for the weak
For the faint of heart
Those driven to their knees
Those who live with scars
There's power from beyond
We're certain where it's from
And that's our source of strength
Before we follow Christ
We need to be advised
It's only for the weak

He welcomes the worn and weary
All who are wounded by sin
And just as we are,
we can fall in His arms
Rest and find shelter in Him

Seems like each day is a battle
With burdens and struggles to face
Only in our losing
Do we really see how much we've gained

It's only for the weak
For the faint of heart
Those driven to their knees
Those who live with scars
There's power from beyond
We're certain where it's from
And that's our source of strength
Before we follow Christ
We need to be advised
It's only for the weak

The Father always starts
With a willing heart
Open to how He moves
As His Spirit is poured
He will do so much more
Than we dreamed He could do

-Avalon

The Drifting Life, by William Barclay

There are few people who deliberately and in a moment turn their backs on God; there are many who day by day drift farther and farther away from Him. There are not many who in one moment of time commit some disastrous sin; there are many who, but by bit and almost imperceptibly, involve themselves in some situation, and suddenly awake to find that they have ruined life for themselves and broken someone else's heart. We would do well to be continually on the alert against the peril of the drifting life.

The Persecution Push

Some time ago one of our Chaplains was preaching through the book of Acts. I was particularly struck by one of his sermons, The Persecution Push. After Ken and I travelled with Jack and Paula in October of 2007 to the City Mission World Association Conference, my life was transformed. Softened and moved towards the missions that run on a shoestring. Towards those that fear for their lives. Towards those that receive beatings for sharing the Gospel.

As it happened, back in the Bible days, Peter and the church needed to be pushed along by persecution. (Acts 7-15)

And so, the conclusion of Dr. Katzberg's "Persecution Push:"

*Respond to God's call whether you feel comfortable or not!
*No is never a good resopnse to God. Your lack of comfort might become pain.
*Make sure you get it straight - don't deceive yourself.
*Be prepared to reach out to all. God has no boundaries.
*Christ died for every human. We are all saved by grace.
*Complacency and comfort are not likely God's plan for you.

For those that heed this message, there are special blessings:

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. -Matthew 5:11-12

Are you feeling pushed along today?

Stop Drop and Roll!

Ahhhh... contentment. rest. keeping your committments.

I wonder what that nasty thing is that rears up it's ugly head and causes us to act either in this zombie like state, or turn into a pit bull.

I guess it's stress. When we find ourselves turning away from people, or attacking them, we need to stop, drop and roll!

That is, we need to stop what we're doing. Quit the rat race of obligations and expections.

We need to drop to our knees and ask the Lord for direction. Confess to Him we've been dragging Jesus along as though we are in control, instead of following the light of His life.

And then we need to roll full speed ahead, with the filling and power of the Holy Spirit.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. -1 Timothy 6:6

Pastor Appreciation Day!

IN HONOUR OF CLERGY MONTH (LAST MONTH)
COME TO THE COFFEE CLERGY FONDUE PARTY

HARLEY, JACK & KEN.

TIME: 3:00 – 3:15

DATE: ALL SAINTS DAY!

PLACE: RIGHT HERE!