Faith-based survey distributed
The results of the National Recovery Pilot Project were released September 15 on Christian News Wire. Seventeen AGRM member ministries participated in the project, which examined how faith influences faith-based social services. The study was designed to determine if faith in God, relationships with others, or both factors “are the pathway to a clean, sober, and more responsible lifestyle.” View the report, including a link to the study results, at
www.christiannewswire.com/news/841937863.html.

AGRM receives campaign mention
On his campaign website, presidential candidate John McCain encourages people to get involved in volunteerism with organizations that are “serving a cause greater.” Among the charities mentioned is the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. View the site at http://tinyurl.com/5btcbq, and look under “Serve your Community” on the right side for a pull-down menu of states. In states where AGRM has member ministries, we are among the first groups listed as possible places for service.

Mission highlighted at art gallery
The Springfield Victory Mission (Springfield, Mo.) is the beneficiary of a photograph exhibit that highlights the work of the organization. The exhibit, which is on display through October at the Bellwether Gallery of the Arts in Springfield, tells the stories of men and women whose lives have been touched by the mission: where they’ve been, what they’ve overcome, and where they are today. Congratulations to Jim Harriger and staff!

Judge rejects reopening of New Jersey mission
A New Jersey superior court judge rejected a petition to reopen the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission (Asbury Park, N.J.), further disrupting the 13-year effort by Dave Scott, CEO of Market Street Rescue Mission (Morristown, N.J.), to establish a mission there. The judge cited a potential increase in the number of homeless men loitering in the city, increasing the burden on the community, as his primary reason for ruling against the mission. Mission officials have not yet decided if they will appeal the ruling. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/4tnvaw. Please pray for the Market Street Mission board. This issue could set a precedent on zoning and NIMBY for municipalities across the country.

New salary survey in the works
An often-requested resource from AGRM is an employee salary and benefits comparison. Unfortunately, the last time such a survey was conducted within AGRM was 1994. Since then, the association has been sending the outdated document and instructing users to factor in CPI. But so much else has changed; the need for a new survey is quite obvious. We will send an AGRM salary and benefits survey (currently being developed) to members for completion in the weeks ahead. More information will be available in Street Smart and Executive Session.

Looking down the street...
Springfield Rescue Mission (Springfield, Mass.) received word last month that its application for federal surplus property had been declined; they are still looking for an appropriate location to serve women and children in Springfield. Ron Fox, executive director of Open Door Mission (Rochester, N.Y.), was named to the Monroe Community College Foundation Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Ron! Leo Gray stepped down as executive director of Waterfront Rescue Mission (Pensacola, Fla.). Board member Mick Breault is the interim director. Last week, Open Door Mission (Omaha, Neb.) announced a $21 million campaign to expand services to people in need. Groundbreaking on the first phase of the project, a new facility for single women and children, takes place in October. Next week, Gateway Rescue Mission (Jackson, Miss.) celebrates 60 years of ministry. Congratulations to Rex Baker and staff!

Street drug use declines, prescription abuse grows
Use of cocaine and methamphetamine among young adults dropped in 2007, while abuse of prescription drugs jumped, according to a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Among adults ages 18 to 25, cocaine use decreased by 23 percent; 1.7 percent of the age group are users. Meth use fell by a third to 0.4 percent. At the same time, abuse of pain killers by young adults rose 12 percent to 4.6 percent of young adults. Read the report by HealthDay News at http://tinyurl.com/5yw6e7.

New card serves those without bank accounts
This summer, the Social Security Administration began delivering Social Security and SSI benefit payments to individuals who do not have bank accounts through a card account. Called Direct Express, the card will be available nationwide this fall. It can be used to make purchases, pay bills, and even get cash, often without fees. Find out more at  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/newsletter/.

States move to ban mind-altering herb
The recent popularity of the hallucinogenic herb salvia divinorum—many YouTube videos shows users describing or displaying the results of its use—has prompted states including Florida and California to ban or restrict use of the drug. The mind-altering herb, a member of the mint family referred to as Sally D and Magic Mint on the street, is available for legal sale online and in head shops. Nearly 3 percent of males ages 18 to 25 report using the drug within the past year, making it nearly as popular as ecstasy. Those who oppose salvia say that because it is legal, it promotes experimentation among those who wouldn’t be inclined to touch illicit street drugs. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/3l7d5g.

Many agree churches should care for homeless
Should churches host homeless people if their neighborhoods object? In response to this question from Christianity Today, most readers (60 percent) said the Bible especially urges Christians to take care of the poor. Twelve percent said this would be acceptable only if homeless people were already part of the community, 15 percent simply approved of the practice, 8 percent felt churches should avoid offending their neighbors, and 2 percent said churches should not house homeless people if they are not housing everybody in the congregation.

Students addicted to tanning
More than 25 percent of university students surveyed by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center reported symptoms of tanning (both sun and artificial) dependence, which some experts call "tanorexia." These students, who took an online survey to assess their tanning habits, exhibited symptoms similar to those of people addicted to alcohol and drugs. Forty percent of the survey participants had used a tanning booth at some point. According to the American Cancer Society, about 90 percent of skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet radiation. The cancer center is concerned that extreme exposure to ultraviolet rays will increase the occurrence of skin cancers in the future. Get the full report at http://tinyurl.com/3r7nod.

Lender-owned home numbers escalate
Two years ago, properties returned to the lender accounted for an estimated 5 percent of all of the homes on the U.S. market. Today, the National Association of Realtors calls up to 35 percent of all listings distressed: either on the brink of foreclosure or lender-owned. As the housing crisis continues, look for additional families who will require the services of rescue missions. Read the story at http://tinyurl.com/5vk2at.

Room enhances public relations, security
A room in the main facility of the Holland Rescue Mission (Holland, Mich.) is stocked with coffee, soft drinks, snacks, and a computer. It’s available only to members of the Holland police force. On-duty officers can use the facility to take a quick break, write up a report, or perform other job responsibilities. The room promotes positive relationships between the police department and the mission staff and acts as a round-the-clock security office. Clients never know when a Holland police officer will stop by the mission.

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AGRM's Online Want Ads

POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Denver, CO: Multiple Openings - Seeking an Executive Office Manager and Education Coordinator. See job descriptions on the website. To apply, send resume and cover letter to lbrown@denrescue.org or Fax 303-294-9503. Denver Rescue Mission, PO Box 5206, Denver, CO 80127-5206 Web site: http://www.denverrescuemission.org Date Added: 08/27/2008

Las Vegas, NV: Executive Director - Oversee staff, overnight shelters, recovery program, Christian counseling, feeding program, fundraising/grant writing, public relations. Requires BA, 5 years supervisory experience in rescue ministry/related experience, strong communication skills. Salary/benefits. Las Vegas Rescue Mission, President of the Board, 8608 Desert Bird Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89145 Phone: 702-382-1766 Fax: 702-474-7535 To contact via email: haases@cox.net Date Added: 08/18/2008

Portland, OR: Men's Life Change Program Manager - Work on a dynamic staff in a culture that embraces change! Responsible for oversight and implementation of all aspects of the program which include addiction recovery, pastoral care, life skills. Position collaborates with the team to plan, implement, evaluate, modify programs to match the vision and culture of the Portland Rescue Mission. Submit cover letters/résumés to Erin Holcomb - erinh@pdxmission.org. Visit website for more information. Web site: http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/about/employment Date Added: 09/09/2008

Redding, CA: Director of Guest Services - Oversee shelter, resource center,
mental health program. Strong leadership/management skills. Requires rescue mission ministries experience. Salary w/benefits. Email or mail resume w/cover letter to Good News Rescue Mission, Attn: Pastor Dave, P.O. Box 991626, Redding, CA 96099-1626. Phone: 530-242-5920 To contact via email: pastordave@gnrm.org Date Added: 09/04/2008

Saint Paul, MN: Multiple Openings - Hotel Operations Manager, PT Director(Prison Re-entry Program), PT Dental Assistant, Seasonal Donor Service Associates, Instructor-Learning Center. Job descriptions available on website. Contact Sandy Ulrick, Union Gospel Mission, 77 9th St E, Saint Paul, MN 55101 Phone: 651-228-1800 Fax: 651-222-7968 To contact via email: jobinfo@ugmtc.org Web site: http://www.ugmtc.org Date Added: 08/22/2008

Seattle WA: Multiple Openings - Dental Assistant, Donor Relations Officer, Women and Children's Shelter-Case Manager, Recovery Counselor, and Children's Program Coordinator, Middle School Outreach Staff, Children's Ministry Outreach Staff, Athletic Program Coordinator. Job Descriptions available upon request. 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 Date Added: 09/08/2008

Spokane, WA: Director, Anna Ogden Hall - Provide servant leadership, staff administration, operations, programs, and public relations. Requires rescue ministry experience, strong leadership/organizational skills, public relations ability. Salaried with benefits. Contact Union Gospel Mission Ministires of Spokane, PO Box 4066, Spokane, WA 99220 Phone: 509-535-8510 Fax: 509-535-0315 To contact via email: ugmteri@ugmspokane.org Date Added: 08/18/2008

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).

Impossible victory
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands’" (1 Sam. 17:45, 47).

When Goliath met David on the battlefield, he mocked the very sight of a young boy without armor. While the giant had size, battle experience, and the latest military technology upon which to rely, the young shepherd boy was a representative of the one true God. Goliath showed up to win a fight; David was there to win the war!

David was certain that God would bring the victory, prompting everyone everywhere to talk about how the giant was slain (and we still do!). I can imagine David’s thoughts: “Just think how many people are going to praise God when this enemy is destroyed.”

What man-sized faith this boy had in his God. What purpose in his task: He was determined to complete this difficult assignment so that people would know God is alive.

Whether your next enemy is a financial challenge, program difficulty, staff conflict, or a burgeoning workload, remember the smooth stones of prayer and faith that God has made ready for you. As you allow Him to bring the impossible victory, those around you will know that God is alive, the Lord saves, and the battle is His.

Contributed by Randy Shaw, senior development officer, Nashville Rescue Mission (Nashville, Tenn.)

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.