Looking back at the many challenges of the past year, I can’t help but think of this encouraging scripture: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, ESV)

I love James’ perspective and the truth behind his words. They remind me of the life-changing work you help make possible here at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Every day, hurting souls come to us in the throes of various trials: hunger, homelessness, addiction and job losses, many due to the pandemic.

Through your compassionate support, you help meet their immediate needs. And for many, support like yours opens the door for total life transformation — providing counseling and care to help them persevere and become physically and spiritually whole.

These are neighbors like Garlund, who is featured on the next page. When he needed a second chance at overcoming addiction, God and His lifesaving grace were there — and so were you, offering Garlund the support he needed to push forward and come out the other side. (Be sure to read his moving story!)

What a blessing it is to partner with you to help people face their personal challenges and find hope in the love of Christ.

As you face your own challenges, I pray you will be encouraged by another passage from the book of James: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12, ESV)

May God bless and keep you always!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

Dear Friend,

Every day, I have the privilege of seeing how your support is impacting lives here at MRM. It’s not just the hearty meals and welcoming shelter you help provide but the hope you help offer someone who is lost. When struggling souls are treated with dignity and they hear the message that God loves them… then true transformation begins!

You are a partner in that transformation, because your support offers so much more than nourishing meals to struggling single moms and their children. Through parenting and life skills classes, spiritual guidance and other education, they can learn how to rebuild their lives and secure a bright future for their children.

And you are a partner in transformation for the man struggling with homelessness because of job loss, mental illness or substance abuse. Your kindness offers more than just a place to lay his head — by God’s grace, it offers him the opportunity to find wholeness, peace and a fresh start.

And for those who feel lost after experiencing severe trauma, you are a partner in their transformation. Through counseling and care, they are reminded of God’s great love for them, finding healing and hope to replace their brokenness and despair.

So many of the precious men, women and children who come through our doors arrive with dashed hopes and growing fears — but here, they find the love of Jesus, the only source of lasting change.

As you read through this issue of Transformed, please know how grateful we are for the real hope you help provide — and the transformations you’ve helped make possible for people like Justine and Terry.

Through God’s grace, you offer hope to hurting souls — thank you!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

Dear Friend,

Easter Sunday is like no other day on the calendar. This year, especially so.

A year ago, many were reeling from the impact of COVID-19. Buildings were shuttered, schools were closed, loved ones were separated by distance, masks and sickness.

And now, with over a year of the pandemic under our belts, many of us are still separated — from friends and family, and seemingly from certainty and hope.

But because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can never be separated from the real hope and joy of everlasting life in our risen Savior!

This is the best opportunity we have all year to tell our hurting neighbors about the resurrection of Christ and the hope we have in Him as believers — the hope that triumphs over shame, hardship and death, granting new life and new beginnings to those who need it most.

It’s true that most of our homeless neighbors have an obvious physical need. They’re hungry, so they need food. They’re homeless, so they need safe shelter.

But it’s also true that if genuine renewal is to take place, these precious souls need to look beyond their physical needs to the source of their brokenness. Whether it’s addiction, domestic violence, or personal loss, the solution is always the same: surrendering to Christ and letting Him transform their lives.

In addition to sharing the message of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we demonstrate his love by providing a meal — hoping to not only fill empty stomachs, but touch hearts yearning for restoration and renewal.

Thank you for helping reach hungry hearts with the message of hope this Easter — one precious life at a time.

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

Dear Friend,

After a whirlwind 2020, full of so much unpredictability each and every day, I am glad to see the start of a new year — even if we don’t know what the new year has in store.

While COVID-19 presented us with a host of challenges last year, one thing that I’m grateful for is that it’s brought front-and-center the importance of prayer. Storms may come, troublesome winds may rock against our health and well-being … but as we pray for those in need and for each other, it is the unshakeable love of God that brings comfort! And that love shines brightly through the support of friends like you, as you help provide for the men, women and children we are called to serve.

Right now, the world is an uncertain and scary place. People need a refuge beyond what they can see. They need a place where they can be reconciled to God, while experiencing forgiveness for their sins and healing for their brokenness. Now more than ever, I am reminded of just how good the good news of Jesus Christ really is — and what a blessing it is to share it.

What an amazing calling we have: to minister to our neighbor’s needs — both physical and spiritual — while we demonstrate the love of God to them. Please know that I am deeply grateful for the hope that you help bring. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus during this crisis!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

Dear Friend,

I love Christmas at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. I call it “organized bedlam” — fun, loud and a little chaotic, but in the best possible sense … like watching children excitedly tear into their presents.

I don’t expect that Christmas cheer to change much this year. We may still be wearing masks and practicing social distancing, but not even COVID-19 can dampen the joy of the season.

What I do expect will change is the number of families coming for help. The local economy — especially the service industry — has been hammered by the loss of jobs due to the pandemic. Countless families are facing homelessness and hunger for the very first time, having lost so much because of circumstances largely out of their control. And yet, hope remains.

That’s what Christmas at MRM is all about.

We always aspire to see lives changed. Often, that begins by meeting someone’s immediate needs — usually food and shelter. While Christmas toys may not be as critical, they do help struggling families look beyond their circumstances to feel comfort and joy and a sense of community during the holidays.

Still, the most important message we’ll deliver this Christmas is the message of the Gospel.

For the precious souls who walk through our doors, it’s often a hot meal and a warm bed that begins their road to recovery — but it’s God who walks with them every step of the way, working everything for their good. We want everyone who walks through these doors to know that Jesus loves them. Jesus, whose birth in a manger, death on the cross and resurrection from the dead gave us the promise of eternal life in Heaven. All because of His great compassion for us! That’s a powerful message of hope, especially in these uncertain times.

And in these uncertain times, you are helping to share this hope. You are helping to transform lives! As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Christmas this year, please know that many of our neighbors have new hope and a future because of your kindness.

Thank you for helping fill the hearts of those in need during the holidays with the peace and joy of the season! May God bless you this Christmas!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

If you asked me in 2020 what I miss the most in one word, I would say normalcy. But if you asked me what I think I need most in 2020, I would use a different word—perspective.

2020 has been—in the purest sense of the word—unprecedented! There really is nothing in my experience that I could compare it to, in terms of the unexpected, unsettled, disruptive, even scary. Now as we approach the end of this unprecedented year, we enter the holiday season in search of tradition and longing for normalcy. The season begins with what is probably my favorite holiday—Thanksgiving.

When I think of Thanksgiving, of course, I think of giving thanks. (I have a knack for the obvious!) But this holiday is also profoundly about perspective. The history of our American holiday is compelling when it comes to perspective. When we think of this holiday, we think of that first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims. That Thanksgiving was declared by the Pilgrim governor, William Bradford, calling for a three-day celebration in October 1621 specifically to return thanks to God for His providential care.

Here is the perspective part. Their three-day celebration of God’s grace came after their first year in the New World when 47 of the 102 original colonists died—and it came on the seasonal doorstep of their second cold and dark New England winter.

Abraham Lincoln declared the first official national Thanksgiving in 1863, asking Americans to observe a day of prayer and giving thanks to Almighty God. The perspective: it was in the midst of the Civil War. That November, Grant faced Lee in the trenches surrounding Petersburg, Virginia where thousands died. Earlier that same year, thousands of Americans died at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. In the midst of a war that would claim over 1,000,000 lives, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday a day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day was declared a permanent national holiday by Congress in 1941. Here’s the perspective: that fourth Thursday, November 28, was only days before America was drawn into the costliest war in human history. In spite of the dire circumstances of the early years of World War II, it seemed reasonable for the highest legislative body in the nation to declare a Day of Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving 2020, my wife Barb and I look forward to our traditions. We’ll come to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and join with our staff and volunteers and guests to celebrate blessings and return thanks to God. And, as I always do, I’ll reflect on the history of this great American holiday. That perspective will bring me comfort, peace and courage as I reflect on 2020 and anticipate 2021.

May God bless you and yours with perspective, comfort, safety and strength this season. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

Dear Friend,

Throughout history, caring, compassionate and courageous men and women have risen up in times of crisis and massive challenges. They have served those who are sick, suffering, hungry and homeless—and often put their lives on the line to do it. Whether they know it or not, many have reflected the image of our loving, caring God.

Over the past few months, I have seen that same kind of radical love and sacrificial service every day at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The power of a community coming together to love and serve “the least of these” is extraordinary.

From government health officials serving the public, to local businesses that have called to ask, “What can we do?” Despite risks to their own health, our amazing staff has never complained. They’ve simply rolled up their sleeves and said, “Let’s get to work.” I’ve seen bold, courageous volunteers step up when we needed them most. And even the hurting men, women and children we serve have gone out of their way to tell us how grateful they are for all we’re doing.

But I think God’s faithfulness has shown brightest in this community through caring, generous people like you. Time and again, you have stepped up your financial support. And more than that, you’ve sent notes of encouragement, asked how we are doing and prayed. Whenever we’ve shared a need, our community of friends—including you—has stepped up to meet that need.

Thank you for being God’s servants—and our partners—in these challenging times!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” ~John 13:34

Over the past couple of months, COVID-19 has unleashed unprecedented trauma and hardship on the entire city of Milwaukee. In many ways, the hardest hit have been those who are most vulnerable—those devastated by hunger and homelessness, seniors and the elderly, and struggling communities like Lindsay Heights.

But in painful times like these, I’m reminded that the real antidote is not fear and panic. It’s unconditional love—God’s love for broken people like you and me. This love is the very heart of the Gospel. And our own love for God and one another is the essence of what family and community are all about. It’s this Gospel love that transforms lives at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and throughout our community.

I’ve seen this kind of love shine brightly in the past several weeks, not just inside the walls of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, but throughout our community. Against nation-wide shortages of face masks and hand sanitizer, friends like you stepped up and helped provide those things. When we were facing emergency needs of crucial items like men’s boxers, thermometers and groceries, again kind folks like you responded with life-saving donations. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the love you’ve shown us through your online donations, encouraging emails and prayers. An anonymous friend even posted a sign at our front door: “Heroes Work Here”!

It’s that kind love that inspires hope, turns eyes toward God, and even transforms lives. That’s why I’m so grateful for caring folks like you who do not hesitate in sharing not only your financial support, but also your love. Your compassion and commitment to vulnerable men, women and children truly make this work possible—especially in challenging times like these.

Thank you for providing the love and hope that helps our struggling neighbors not only survive their circumstances, but thrive in spite of them!

Sincerely,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

On any given day, homelessness here in Milwaukee is heartbreaking, tragic and overwhelming. But now it is even more so given the threats presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The struggling men, women and children who come to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission arrive devastated for so many different reasons: poverty, hunger, addictions, childhood abuse and neglect, poor educational backgrounds, a lack of job skills, a lifetime of emotional trauma — unfortunately, the list can go on and on.

And, under the threat of this virus, those who are homeless or struggling are even more vulnerable. As public places and meal sites have had to close or reduce their services, these precious souls have less access to the vital food, resources and care they need to remain healthy and safe.

Homelessness is complicated, and usually there is no single solution to help someone change their circumstances. That’s why, thanks to your generosity, we offer people many different avenues to recovery: hot meals, safe shelter, counseling, education, job training, work therapy, Bible studies, spiritual nurture and so much more. And all these can help someone recover and head down a better path.

And the answer to that kind of change is not complicated. The answer lies in an empty tomb and a risen Savior. Transformation and new life are only possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—through Easter.

The Easter message of hope is at the core of everything we do. It’s the miracle that transforms lives—and God is using you to make those miracles possible every day at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Thank you for being a partner with us in this miraculous ministry.

May God grant you a safe, healthy and blessed Easter,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

I can’t imagine a better verse to ring in a brand-new year and a brand-new decade. “The old has gone, the new is here!” Thanks to committed friends and partners like you, transforming the lives of our hurting neighbors through the power of Jesus Christ is what the Milwaukee Rescue Mission is all about.

Yes, with your support, we are committed to providing critical resources like food and shelter to our neighbors devastated by homelessness. That is the love of Christ in action. But even more, we aspire to go beyond that, offering them vital programs that give them the chance to put their broken lives back together through God’s grace.

Throughout 2019, I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I witnessed God heal the wounds of past traumas, years of homelessness and devastating addictions—and I’ve rejoiced when he gave new life to hurting men and women.

The same is true for the students who attend Cross Trainers Academy and all our youth programs. As we provide these precious kids with a solid education, we share God’s love with them—and they learn how dearly loved they are by Jesus!

With your generosity and God’s grace, I believe that 2020 is going to be an extraordinary year! “The old has gone, the new is here!” On behalf of those we serve, thank you for journeying with us in this new year!

I thank God for you,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President