The spoils of victory
We just learned that the governor of New York has requested that the governor of Massachusetts honor his debt for the Patriots’s historic loss in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants by sending The Bowery Mission (New York, N.Y.) a case of New England clam chowder. When the winning spoils arrive at the mission, staff and guests will enjoy the taste of “victory chowder.” Save some for us!

Dallas convention excitement continues to build
We just added Dallas area pastor and musician Richard Allen Farmer to the program for the AGRM annual convention this May 23–28 (with the core of the convention starting May 25). Registrations are coming in every day. What’s more, folks are responding in larger numbers to our “host city” contest included in every issue of Street Smart until the convention. Here’s this issue’s: The seventh person to email AGRM’s Faye Wisdom at fwisdom@agrm.org with the correct answer to the following question will win a $25 Starbucks gift card. QUESTION: A “neon” green building dominates the Dallas skyline at night. But neon gas, when energized by electricity, does not appear green. What gas actually illuminates the building? (The answer to the question in the last issue: The tallest statue in Texas is a 67.5-foot giraffe near the Dallas Zoo.)

We've moved some things around
While this isn't the official call for the AGRM annual meeting, it is an unofficial notice that the annual meeting will now be held on Wednesday, May 28, starting at 2 p.m. We expect it to conclude by 4 p.m. This is different from the time posted in the early-bird convention brochure. We had to make the changes to accommodate some program nuances. Speaking of brochures, a 16-page brochure can be found in your March/April issue of Rescue magazine, due out this week. Inside are all the seminar descriptions and a complete schedule for the event.

Online video effective in telling California mission’s story
Union Rescue Mission (Los Angeles, Calif.) is using YouTube in innovative ways to publicize the ministry of the mission. View a recent video of executive director Andy Bales posted by the mission at http://tinyurl.com/2n26w6. Look for a feature article about YouTube in the March issue of Rescue, coming in the mail soon.

Trade school honored for sweet treat
Culinary students from Victory Trade School, a ministry of Springfield Victory Mission (Springfield, Mo.), took the prize for “best pastry” at the 8th annual Art and Romance of Chocolate fund raiser in Springfield. Their chili-pepper brownie torte was the talk of the event and surely generated even more business for the trade school’s restaurant, Cook’s Kettle. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/328pna.

Large furniture donation is team effort
Hope Gospel Mission (Eau Claire, Wisc.) teamed with the local truck-driving school and a furniture manufacturer in Aurora, Illinois, to bring $175,000 worth of water-damaged household furniture to the mission’s thrift store. The manufacturer was willing to donate the furniture if the mission would haul it away. The school needed to give students the experience of driving a loaded truck, so they donated the transportation. Mission director Gary Steward says the donation cost the mission a little planning and “some Old English furniture polish.”

Looking down the street . . .
Paul Vyzourek resigned as executive director of Victor Valley Rescue Mission (Victorville, Calif.) to add more support to his wife’s ministry in Colorado Springs. Congratulations to Vern and Barbara Deatherage, who are celebrating 20 years of service at the Modesto Gospel Mission (Modesto, Calif.).   Mike Edwards, president/CEO of City Mission Ministries (San Bernardino, Calif.) is recovering from back surgery in Nashville, Tennessee. After the surgery, he couldn’t feel his arms or legs for two days, but he is now able to do occupational and physical therapy daily.   Good Samaritan Rescue Mission (Bay City, Mich.) opened its new men’s dormitory last week. This is the first time the mission has been able to house single men.   Last week also marked the opening of a new facility for Isaiah House (Willisburg, Kent.). Mark LaPalme says, “To minister to 70 plus men and their families at one time…wow!”

Changes made for deductible donations
Tax codes that affect charitable contributions have changed recently. In order for certain donations to be deductible, donors must keep more documentation. Nonprofits are also required to provide donors with additional information about what was given. A quick overview of many of those changes is available at http://tinyurl.com/v8mgr.

Former “bum fighter” cleans up his act
Five years ago, Rufus Hannah starred in homemade movies, known as “bum fights,” which glorified fighting between addicted homeless men. Now he’s sober, employed, speaks to young people about his experiences, and is working to get attacks on homeless people included in “hate crime” legislation. View his inspirational story at http://tinyurl.com/2o3dbz.

No expectation of privacy on ministry-owned computers
A Florida court ruled recently that child pornography evidence gained during a police search of a church-owned computer could not be used against the alleged offending pastor because the pastor had expectations of privacy in regard to the church-provided office and computer. The court noted, among other things, that the computer was used exclusively by the pastor, the locked office was not accessible with the church master key, and the pastor’s computer was not networked with other church computers. The court concluded these facts established an expectation of privacy for the pastor that was not afforded other church staff. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/2ldyhh. In the January/February 2008 Nonprofit Alert newsletter, law firm Gammon and Grange suggests ministries implement a policy that employees are to have no expectation of privacy in their use of information stored on organization-owned computers or networks (including the use of email and the Internet). This policy should be clearly communicated to employees on a regular basis.

Survey finds religion is fluid
People are confused about connections with God, according to a survey of more than 35,000 adults released recently by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. An amazing 44 percent said they were no longer tied to the religious or secular upbringings of their childhoods. They’ve changed religions, adopted faith for the first time, or abandoned religious practices altogether. Protestants made up 51 percent of those responding; about one-third of the people in that group were “unable or unwilling” to describe the denomination in which they fit. Read a full report at http://tinyurl.com/2ecy9y.

Executive compensation on the rise
A recent GuideStar study reports a 7.3 percent median increase in compensation for CEOs of nonprofits with annual budgets that exceed $50 million. This compares to a median 4.2 percent increase for CEOs of organizations in the $1 million to $2.5 million range, and 2.1 percent of those with budgets of less than $250,000. Median CEO compensation for organizations exceeding $50 million was $336,000, compared to $38,300 at nonprofits with budgets under $250,000, as reported by Gammon and Grange in the January/February 2008 Nonprofit Alert.

Expect food prices to grow
Skyrocketing fuel prices, combined with increases in futures prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat, add up to an estimated 3 to 4 percent increase in food prices in 2008. Considering that there was also a 4 percent jump in the cost of food in 2007, requests for food boxes and supplemental meals at rescue missions may be at an all-time high before year-end. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/2zowzt.

Hot dogs help workers share heartbeat of mission
The Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission (Toledo, Ohio) uses a unique tool to reach into neighborhoods. Volunteers and program guests take the “Weenie Wagon” to block parties, church functions, sidewalk Sunday schools, and VBS outings to spread the word about the mission. The wagon, which has served more than 70,000 hot dogs, chips, and sodas, has given the mission great community recognition. People all over Toledo are talking about the “Weenie Wagon.”

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Positions available…

Aurora, IL: Director of Development - Oversee entire development operations of organization. Seven years development experience. Major gift solicitation/capital fundraising experience. Ability to motivate and coach volunteers. Contact Wayside Cross Ministries, 215 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL. Phone: 630 892 4239 Fax: 630 892 4259 To contact via email: wgreenawalt@waysidecross.org

Clinton, IA: Women's Shelter Resident Manager - Looking for resident manager willing to live in beautiful home to run program for six single women. Room and board and small salary. Contact Victory Center Ministries, PO Box 1694, Clinton, IA 52733-1694. Phone: 563-242-9016 Fax: 563-357-8552 To contact via email: jeremiah3117@yahoo.com

Colorado Springs, CO: Program Director - Help manage program women. Case management, record keeping and individual pastoral counseling. Requires some knowledge of the dynamics of addiction/recovery and have computer skills. Annual salary - $25,000. Gospel Shelters for Women dba Liza's Place, 2934 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. 80906. Phone: 719-291-3406 Fax: 719-634-2257 To contact via email: gospelhome@juno.com

Dalton GA: Cook/Kitchen Manager - Full time person with heart for people and God to manage ministry's kitchen. Must have supervisory skills. Non-smoker preferred. Minimum one year clean time if coming from a recovery background. Salary and benefits. Contact Roy Johnson, Providence Ministries, PO Box 4598, Dalton GA 30719. Phone: 706-275-0268 To contact via email: johnsonroy@hotmail.com

Destin, FL: Executive Director - (Non-Member Mission) Seeking ED to oversee new residential facility for 16 women. Must have BA, good communication skills, mental health/women's rehabilitation experience, heart for God and lots of energy. Email resume. Hosanna House, PO Box 5094, Destin FL, 32540. Phone: 850-837-7430 To contact via email: hosannahouse@embarqmail.com

Lafayette, IN: Manager of Retail Operations - Provide leadership/oversight for thrift stores - coordinate sheltered workshop program portion of residential addictions ministry. Requires retail/business experience with ministry background. Contact Trinity Mission Ministries, 817 N. 12th Street, Lafayette, IN 47904. Phone: 765-742-1060 Fax: 765-742-1061 To contact via email: dtaylor@trinitymission.org

Long Beach, CA: Two Openings - Executive Assistant to CEO & Exec. Staff; Men's Program Director. Fax resume w/ salary req. Long Beach Rescue Mission, 1430 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813. Phone: 562-591-1292 Fax: 562-216-7667 To contact via email: jlewis@lbrm.org

New Orleans, LA: Family Center Director - Seeking a Family Center Director for the New Orleans Mission. Requires at least 2 years of experience. Please contact Linda Gonzales, New Orleans Mission, PO Box 56565, New Orleans, LA 70156. Phone: 504 523 2116 To contact via email: linda_gonzales@bellsouth.net

Nogales, AZ: Program Director - Able to work with recovery and probation clients. Teach Bible classes, handle daily operations of mission. Bilingual with two years of rescue mission experience. Contact Ben Wenke, Crossroads Nogales Mission, 456 N. Morley Avenue, Nogales, AZ 85621. Phone: 520-287-5828 Fax: 520-397-9623 To contact via email: crossroad@dakotacom.net

Norfolk, NE: Evening Pastor/Chaplain - Responsible for leading chapels and classes, counseling with men, supervising the evening shift. Requires college degree, working knowledge of the Bible. Computer skills a plus. Norfolk Rescue Mission, 111 N. 9th Street, Norfolk, NE 68701. Phone: 402-371-6484 Fax: 402-371-2339 To contact via email: jfisher@norfolkrescue.org

Portland, OR: Two Openings - Men’s New Life Recovery Manager, Life Skills Training Manager. See the website for further details or contact: Portland Rescue Mission, 700 NE Multnomah Ste. 400, Portland, OR 97232. Phone: 503-906-7602 To contact via email: miekog@pdxmission.org Web site: http://www.portlandrescuemission.org

Seattle, WA: Multiple Openings - Children's Activity Center Coordinator-Women and Children's Shelter, Director of Recovery Ministries, Dental Assistant-Dental Clinic, High School Outreach Staff, Children's Ministry Outreach Staff - White Center, Gym Assistant-Youth Services, Computer Lab Assistant-Youth Services, Administrative Assistant/Children's Ministry Outreach Staff - Burien. Contact: Roslyn Alake, Seattle's Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 202, Seattle, WA 98111. Phone: 206-723-0767 Fax: 206-723-1076 To contact via email: rosalake@ugm.org Web site: http://www.ugm.org

St. Paul, MN: Development Director - Create successful fundraising programs. Structure/implement fund raising efforts; increase gift/grant income, expand base support, strengthen the organization. BA and 5 years development/fundraising experience. Email/fax resume & cover letter. Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, 77 9th Street E., St. Paul, MN 55101. Phone: 651-228-1800 Fax: 651-222-7968 To contact via email: jobinfo@ugmtc.org

Turlock, CA: Executive Director - Expansion mission seeking individual with strong organizational skills, proven experience in fundraising, public relations, counseling, teaching, community team building. BA degree or combination of education/related experience desired. Contact: Turlock Gospel Mission, PO Box 1231, Turlock, CA 95381. Phone: 209-634-3294 Fax: 209-320-3526 To contact via email: chris_k@pacbell.net

Twin Falls, ID: Multiple Openings - (Non-member mission) Executive Director, Program Director, Evening Supervisor/live in House Mom for new start up Women's Ministry Recovery Program. Contact Cherise Merrick, Jubilee House, PO Box 5684, Twin Falls, ID, 83303. Phone: 402-841-2868 To contact via email: jubilee.house@hotmail.com

Victorville, CA: Rescue Mission Director - Provide leadership, direction & mgmt for programs/outreach. Speak at churches/community groups. Create donor letters. Hire, direct & develop employees. Bachelor’s Degree + ministry, mgmt, non-profit exp. desired. Strong writing, computer skills. Fax or email resume. Contact Rescue Mission Alliance, 315 N. "A" Street, Oxnard, CA. Phone: 805 487-1234 Fax: 805-385-4126 To contact via email: jobs@erescuemission.org

Coming Events…

March 2–4
Christian Addiction Rehabilitation Association (CARA) Track, Heartland Conference Center, Kansas City, Missouri

March 12–14
Education and Employment Track, Chase Suites, Kansas City, Missouri

May 24–28
95th Annual AGRM Convention, Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas

For more information on any of these conferences, log on to www.agrm.org/events, or call
(800) 624-5156.

To advertise in future Market Street Classifieds:
Individual or organizational members of the AGRM may place a 30-word classified ad listing one available position in one issue of Street Smart at no charge, and may renew that ad one additional time at no cost. Ads are due the 10th of the month before the ad is to be listed. Ads exceeding 30 words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-member ministries, businesses, and individuals may place an ad for $25.00 per issue for a 30-word ad. Additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Ads are also placed on the AGRM website. Member ministries may renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. E-mail desired ad placement to editor@agrm.org (subject line: Market Street Classifieds).

Growing intentionally
“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Pet. 1:5–7).

I love to hop in my truck and drive with no particular destination—just cruising. But with gas at $3 a gallon, that’s not very practical. I put wear and tear on my truck, add miles to the odometer, and end up right back where I started.

Driving with a particular destination in mind is much different. I make a plan to go someplace, and when I am done driving, I have reached my desired location.

We can do the same thing in our Christian walk. Walking implies that we are moving with a destination in mind. Too often, however, in my “spiritual activities,” I’m just cruising. I’m busy, but I end up right back where I started.

We need to be intentional about our Christian walk. The passage in 2 Peter encourages us to grow in each specific area. Is your Christian walk intentional, or are you finding yourself in the same place today as yesterday? How are you growing in your faith?

Contributed by Mike Barclay, program manager at Wheeler Mission Ministries, Indianapolis, Indiana

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Would you like to write an encouraging devotional thought for a future issue of Street Smart? If so, send your submission of 200 words or less (including a related Bible verse) to editor@agrm.org.