Hard Work Is Rewarding at Rescue Mission

Submitted by Lynn Wyant, Chief Development Officer
Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley
1300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Youngstown, Ohio 44510

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley has a rich history in the Valley. Established in 1893, the Mission is the only overnight emergency shelter housing men, women, and children in Mahoning County.

Serving as an employee in an organization funded by our community is an honor. Staff members are trusted to provide critical services to the neediest of our Valley. What a blessing and an opportunity to live out your faith while serving as a client advisor, fundraiser, receptionist, cook, case manager and in many more roles within the ministry.

The leadership of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley invests in employees by pouring into them, so that they, in turn, can pour into our guests experiencing homelessness and hunger. As we help the lost and hurting, staff show the love of Christ to those around them.

Two verses come immediately to mind when thinking about serving as an employee of the Mission:

• As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:10

• Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3

Mission staff have many opportunities to develop new skills, learn new things, and partner together for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We begin each workday together to share prayer requests and spend time in meaningful devotions, then work as a team to help our guests grow out of homelessness.

Working at the Mission is not easy. There are days when your heart becomes smashed into a million pieces as you see firsthand the struggles and issues that our guests face, even worse when you see the issues they have brought on to themselves. Staff make challenging decisions daily; the hours are long and include weekends and overnights – we operate 24/7/365.

But there is nothing like serving the Lord for those who feel called and the Mission is an excellent place to do that daily. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

What a blessing and opportunity it is for our current and future staff members to continue the legacy of what started in our Valley so long ago. Until there is a meal and a safe bed for each person in our Valley, the Mission – and our staff – will be here to help our guests with the loving support of the community and the grace poured out by God.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.