February 2012
2 posts
Send if the cavalry
In the old TV Westerns whenever the good guys got in trouble, the Cavalry would come over the hill or around the bend and rescue our heroes in the nick of time. I feel just like that with the two men we recently hired. One of them will fill the Vice President of Programs position, a position that I have filled as interim for the past 3 months. Boy, am I glad to be able to take this extra hat...
I thought I was something
My name is Darlene, I came to Mel Trotter Ministries kicking and screaming. Today I would like to share with you the process that I went through in becoming a believer here at Mel Trotter.
When I arrived here I was a mess, and I had a lot of out of order behavior. Staff continued to deal with me, but in a kind and gentle way; a way that I was not used to. I was on a path of destruction and I...
January 2012
6 posts
Because of you...
We were able to povide…
86,237 bed nights for men, women and children, an average of 237 people each night
145,602 hot meals, an average of 599 per day
8,377 emergency food boxes, an average of 161 families a week
1069 holiday food baskets
5,812 articles of clothing and 3,582 personal care items
126 visits to our legal clinic
2,190 visits to our Vision, Dental & Chiropractic...
Making God Smile
Would you agree with Mother Teresa that “true holiness consists in doing God’s will with a smile?”
In his best-selling book When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box, Pastor John Ortberg says, “the purpose of life is to make God smile.” And when you do that, you make others smile too. The Apostle Paul felt this when writing to his friends in Thessalonica: “For what is our hope, our joy,...
Jesus was the homeless
This past Saturday, outside my office window, there is a wonderful scene being played out at the tiny park across the street from the mission. I see a young mother and her 3 children sledding. The park is fenced in with several trees, benches, basketball court, playground equipment, and a small hilly embankment large enough to sled down for a quick laugh. The best part is that the park is owned...
Hope to Hold on to
In just a few weeks, we will be launching our annual Hope Tote Campaign. We’re announcing it now because we’re going to need help from caring friends to get ready to distribute Hope Totes to need Grand Rapidians, beginning in February and continuing until Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012.
If you’re new to our Mission family, you’re probably wondering, “What’s a...
From Crisis to Christ
My name is Steven, and I grew up in a family of privilege. I earned a Master’s degree in chemistry, and eventually became a chiropractic physician. But alcoholism ran rampant in my family. My uncle died from it, another uncle went crazy from it and there was abuse of all kinds. At 47, I had an emotional crisis and admitted to my friends and pastor that I’d been abused as a child. They...
When the Media Calls
This past Thursday there was a hailstorm of media activity at the mission following U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist’s ruling allowing homeless sex offenders to stay overnight at a shelter near schools. Quist determined that homeless people do not “reside” in emergency shelters if they only go there at night to sleep and have no guarantee of a place to stay on any given night.
The ruling came...
December 2011
2 posts
Thank You
Every year, we all hope that the Christmas spirit will never end. Unfortunately, we’re soon confronted with the holiday bills we’ve accumulated-and the tax man, with his hand out. It doesn’t take long for us to realize we’ve got to get on with life. but for the believer, I think every day is Christmas. In our spirit, we know that Christmas is all about John...
Working at the mission can be hard work
Running a rescue mission can be a lot of work. Caring for people in need everyday can wear out any staff. Since we never close down for holidays, we are literally open 24 hours seven days a week. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment from our staff to keep coming back to work each day and giving their all in all.
Where does this type of commitment to excellence come from? It doesn’t come...
November 2011
2 posts
An Unforgettable Thanksgiving Memory
Bill is a recent graduate from our S.A.V.E. program. I asked him to share his Thanksgiving memory.
As a recovering alcoholic with just over a year of sobriety trying to find fond memories of Thanksgiving past is quite elusive to me for two reasons. 1) I have not a single recollection of most holidays over the last 20 years. 2) What I do remember I’d rather forget. Unless I go as far back to my...
Lessons from a Church Breakfast
A pig and a chicken were walking down the road. They came upon a church sign which was advertising a fellowship breakfast that weekend: “Ham and eggs will be served from 8:00am-10:00am.”
The chicken turned to the pig and exclaimed, “Well isn’t that wonderful…even farm animals like us can help the work of the church!”
“Yes,” said the pig, “but yours is only a...
October 2011
2 posts
Darlene saved a life in Vietnam...but back home,...
Darlene, a decorated veteran, fought for her country’s flag, but had lost her battle with addiction until you helped…here is her story.
My parents were both illiterate addicts. They lived the street life, or what we call here at Mel Trotter, “the worldly life.” So my grandmother took me in because I was basically a mess.
I stayed in trouble as a kid…searching for...
Jesus and the Underclass
Jesus spent most of his time ministering to the underclass of society when he lived amongst us. He told John’s disciples in Luke 7:22 “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” The reason...
September 2011
2 posts
$500 doesn't seem like a lot
The headlines read, Governor Rick Synder signs 48 Month Welfare Limit. He asserts it will affect able-bodied recipients who have had as long as 14 years “to transition to independence.”
Tighter enforcement begins Oct. 1, and 11,000 households will lose their $500/month benefit. Advocates for the poor fear a looming crisis, especially since half of jobless people have been looking for work at least...
My personal memories of 9/11/2001
I was working at a different Rescue Mission in the city of Grand Rapids at the time of the attacks. The staff were in our offices working when a volunteer Pastor suddenly appeared in the admin hallway and bellowed out at the top of his voice “what is wrong with you people, don’t you know we are under attack.” We were all taken aback by his abrupt appearance and the sound of panic, urgency and...
August 2011
2 posts
George Clooney & the Evangelicals
Pressure to support the South Sudanese in their struggle for independence came from an unlikely alliance of two American camps: evangelical Christians and Hollywood. Christian groups were outraged at the Arab Muslim attacks against black Christians in the south of Sudan, and in 2004 they pressured then President George W. Bush to impose crippling sanctions and strong-arm Khartoum into a peace...
Addictions Casualties
USA Today reports, “Almost 30 percent of Americans ages 12 and over reported binge drinking five or more drinks in one sitting-in the past month, according to a federal report.” The Obama administration deported about 45,000 people for drug-related crimes last year.
Dave Bidini in the Toronto National Post wrote “Pop singer Amy Winehouse’s recent death last week in her London home is attributed...
July 2011
3 posts
Oatmeal cookies as a ministry
Highlighting another one of our fabulous chefs for National Culinary Arts Month. Van is our resident baker, and what a baker he is. He makes some of the best banana bread I have ever had and his cakes are amazing! Below you will find the recipe for Van’s famous Oatmeal Cookies.
“I started working at Mel Trotter Ministries during June of 2004. I enjoy the ministry of foodservice, and that’s what...
Feeding 500
It is National Culinary Arts Month and we have 3 wonderful Culinary Artists here at Mel Trotter. Each day they prepare to serve over 500 meals. Today, we are going to highlight Scott Yerton as well as two of his recipes. I asked Scott to share a little about himself: “I came to Mel Trotter in 2004 as a Camp Cook. After camp was over I started working in the main kitchen kitchen at the...
Softball Season!
A highlight in the summer for our Men’s Program! Always a great time going out to watch them play as a team!
June 2011
3 posts
From Brothers by Birth...To Brothers in Christ
Lee and Terry are brothers who have been on a journey together all their lives - a journey that has taken them from addiction to recovery. Terry started drinking at age 13 and Lee followed. “We grew up together. Started getting high together,” says Terry. But God was preparing a way for these brothers. Influenced by their grandfather, a preacher, both were saved at an early age....
Rescue 411 Convention
Several of our senior staff was able to attend the annual convention for the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions in San Diego California this month. On average conferences can be very boring and exhausting. But we were thoroughly ministered to by conference speakers which included some noteworthy ministers of the gospel on a national level; namely Tony Campolo Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of...
Baptized with One Arm in the Air
Have you heard the amazing story about the baptism of the Gauls? In his introduction to “Giving to God” author Mark Allan Powell begins with a compelling scene for Christian stewards to ponder (though Powell does concede no one knows for sure if this tale is entirely historical or part fictional).
The Gauls, Powell explains, were a warlike people who in ancient times inhabited what...
May 2011
2 posts
Finishing well no matter what
October 20, 1968 – Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia, looking as fresh as when he started the 26 mile race, crossed the finish line at Mexico City Olympic Stadium, the winner of the marathon.
Over an hour later, a few thousand spectators remained, waiting for the last of the runners to finish the race. Although 74 contestants began the race, only 57 would cross the finish line. Many were carried off the...
Living in the Light of Eternity
Can you relate with comedian Billy Crystal’s speech to his son’s class in the movie City Slickers? He makes the case that life passes by very quickly. When you’re a teenager, he explains, you think you can do anything. Your twenties are a blur. In your thirties, you raise a family, and you think, “What happened to my twenties?” In your forties, you grow a little pot...
April 2011
2 posts
It all adds up
On average, we have 220 people who sleep here each night, roughly 59 employees here each day and close to 250 others; volunteers, visitors, community members, and vendors coming through the doors every week. That makes for a lot of garbage. We have been working our reducing the amount of trash that is thrown away. Can you believe, we recycled more than 3.5 times more than we threw away? Check out...
What's in a name? Only God knows
Mark is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist for a law firm in downtown Grand Rapids. A few weeks ago his duties took him to deposing a witness from a northern lakeshore town, for a case. The witness stated to Mark that he had moved his car in and out of his garage during the time period being discussed on two occasions. Mark, noting the witness’ handicapped status, asked him how was he able to...
March 2011
6 posts
Are the cold, morning walks worth it?
One of my new early tasks included my morning walk with some of the women residents in our long-term substance abuse recovery program who are preparing for the Fifth Third River Bank Walk. As much as I dislike the morning and more so the cold, these morning walks have become an important start to my day as well as these ladies day. Through determination and good conversation, I am able to brave...
Toothpaste or Milk
Getting groceries is one of my least favorite household chores. Many times I will look at the number of item I have bought and the amount I have spent and it makes me depressed, even with shopping the sales and with coupons. We are fortunate, we really don’t have to worry about choosing between milk and shampoo or bread and toothpaste and we all have our own toothbrushes. But, for many of the...
Mission Possible
Last week my wife and I had the privilege of being the guests of the famed Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. Pacific Garden Mission is the oldest, continuously-operating, rescue mission in the country. The historical record features the names of many great men and women of faith, such as Billy Sunday, Mel Trotter, D.L. Moody, Tom Mackey, Robert Atchison, John R. Rice and William McCarrell. It is...
The Power of Words
What is the most powerful two-word combination?
“You’re hired”
“Thank you”
“Dream BIG”
“Happy birthday”
“I’m sorry”
“You’re welcome”
“I do”
I submit that this list would be, terribly, incomplete without:
“I can”
They are two simple, yet powerful, words. They’re not fancy or boastful words, however when applied as a statement of declaration they take on super-human...
Famously Wrong Predictions
Famously Wrong Predictions
The future is so hard to predict - even for so-called experts:
· “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” (IBM chairman, 1943)
· “The ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” (Western Union, 1876)
· “We don’t like [the Beatles]...
February 2011
3 posts
I double dog dare you!
Dare to dream, dare to start, dare to push yourself, dare to believe, dare to be there, dare to sweat, dare to persevere, dare to give it all, dare to be your best, dare to cross the line, all of these phrases are intertwined in the video on the Fifth Third River Bank Run’s website, encouraging you to be part of something bigger than yourself.
I looked up the definition of “dare” and found that it...
Speaking to the powerful on behalf of the...
Last year at the annual dinner of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, I was invited to give the invocation. President George. W. Bush was the keynote speaker. My wife and I were invited to take a photo with President Bush and it is proudly hanging in my office today. No matter what your political persuasion is, it is very special to be photographed with a President of the United States.
Someone...
Serving on the Front Lines
I am very proud of our staff who serve on the frontlines.
The country was hit hard by a blizzard this week, spanning from Texas to New York. Michigan was blanketed with a couple feet of snow. Fortunately for the homeless, Mel Trotter was open all day and night to prevent anyone from perishing in the elements.
Many of our staff had to work overtime to compensate for the staff that couldn’t make...
January 2011
4 posts
What do you want?
The key to discipline is remembering what you want….
—David Campbell
Are you ready to run?
We are, and we are so excited. We have the honor has being selected as one of the Charity Partners for the 5/3 River Bank Run. If you are participating, would you consider choosing Mel Trotter as your charity of choice, or even help us raise funds to support the work we do. Find out how you can help Mel Trotter by participating in the race…
To sign up for the race: http://bit.ly/gQdYX9
To...
A Time for Unity
During our combined staff/client chapel service last week, I spoke on the topic of unity from Psalm 133. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For...
A Homeless Convention?
I just finished reading an article entitled “How Consumer Electronic Show Could Help End Homelessness” by Joel John Roberts, http://huff.to/eKakCl and he asked, Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a similar convention for those people and groups who are committed to addressing poverty and homelessness? It made me start to wonder what such a convention would look like here in Grand Rapids. I...
December 2010
4 posts
Are you a life coach?
Executive Coaching seems to be in the “in thing” these days. When I first arrived in Grand Rapids 9 years ago I was approached by a Christian brother who offered his services to me in the form of becoming my coach. At the time the concept sounded new to me, but I quickly realized that what he wanted to do was mentor me or as we used to say back in my military days with the Navigators ministry,...
We are getting ready for a race, are you?
Are you running or walking in the 5/3 Riverbank Run this spring? I am, and I am going to have some of our residents come walk it with me! This will be a great opportunity for our residents to continue on the journey of starting a new life. We would love for you to join us on the race course. We will be introducing our Jake Downing, our Road Warrior very soon. Make sure you check back for status...
Thank God for the mission...
The temperatures are dropping in Michigan and demand for our services will be up this year as usual. As I look outside my window I often see people traipsing by my window seeking shelter inside Mel Trotter from the harsher elements, or to get food or a bed. Some are haggard in appearance with tattered clothes held together with rags. Many of them are alcoholics, drug addicts, and some are...
Thank you Peter Cook for your generosity
As President of Mel Trotter I spend a lot of my time with the homeless and the poor of Kent County. But ever so often I have the privilege of hanging out with some of the giants of the city of Grand Rapids. One such giant was the great Peter C. Cook. I attended his funeral yesterday, and never was there a greater giant in the land than Peter Cook. His name is synonymous with philanthropy. Most...
November 2010
5 posts
Mel Trotter's 2010 Christmas Catalog is open for...
Forget the stress. Forget the hassle. Forget gifts that are buried in a drawer soon after the Holiday ends. this year, give gifts that truly matter—and shop from the comfort of your own home or office. The Mel Trotter Ministries 2010 Christmas Catalog offers unique ways to honor your loved ones while helping change the lives of our community’s hungry, homeless and hurting people....
Thanksgiving Mel's way
Each year the calls starting coming in early September; wanting to volunteer to be part of our Great Thanksgiving Banquet and we start taking names. The month of November gets crazy in the kitchen as 3 chefs begin to prepare 1,500 lbs of turkey; 500 lbs of potatoes, stuffing, and yams; 25 gallons of gravy; and steam 300 lbs of vegetables. All of this is done to serve 2,200 Grand Rapids residents...
Have you started your Christmas shopping?
The Mel Trotter Ministries online 2010 Christmas Gift Catalog is open for shopping!
Forget the stress. Forget the hassel. Forget gifts that are burried in a drawer soon after the Holiday ends. This year, give gifts that truly matter—and shop from the comfort of your own home or office. The Mel Trotter Ministries online 2010 Christmas Gift Catalog offers unique ways to honor your loved...
The poor will not always be poor
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me,” Matthew 25:11.
Jesus’ statement about the poor rings true today in modern America. The world’s greatest economy has not been able to eradicate poverty, hunger and homelessness. And yet with God’s help and enablement we keep trying at Mel Trotter.
The poor will not always be poor. One day they will sit with God in heaven...
YOUR INVITED...
To the Sparta Mel Trotter Store
Grand Re-Opening
Celebration
Help us celebrate our New Expanded Store
November 11, 12, 13
538 S. State St
Store hours: Mon – Thurs, 10-6, Fri 10-7, Sat 10-4
Prizes, Sales, Popcorn, Cider & Doughnuts