Dear Friend,

In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV), Jesus says “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Apostle Paul later added, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

This kind of love lies at the very heart of the gospel, and these loving commands are at the heart of what the Milwaukee Rescue Mission is all about. When our friends in need are struggling and hurt, it is especially important for them to be surrounded by people who love and value them, and who will help carry life’s burdens when they no longer can, just as God does for us. That kind of love is life-changing.

Yes, we first take care of people’s essential human needs: food, shelter and clothing. But the human need for loving, caring, supportive relationships is no less important. No one can thrive outside of loving relationships.

Almost every man and woman here at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission—just like Rodney, whose story is on page 3—could tell you how important the relationships they experience here have been in transforming their lives.

We try to model God’s life-changing love here at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. But it’s not just us. It’s YOU. This is what your support and prayers really mean to the men, women and children we serve. It means love—the kind of love that leads to new life.

We all fall down at some point in our lives. Hopefully, someone will be there to help carry our burdens when we do. Thank you for being the kind of person who is there when someone falls. Your loving compassion transforms lives.

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President