Lighthouse NewsCELEBRATING 65 YEARS!

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Richard Lopez, a Community Care Provider, works with a new guest, helping him navigate his next steps off the streets. “Our goal is to carefully listen to their stories so that we guide each person or family in their best first effort toward a new life. Sometimes that’s through our ministries, but often it’s helping them connect with another agency, better equipped to meet their first need.”

Pictured left, Vanessa and her children at Rescue the Children. Her journey begins on page 3.

February 2014 Issue 2, Volume 65

From the Director

www.fresnorm.org

Rev. Larry J. Arce, CEOFresno Rescue Mission, Inc.

Christ Focused, Community StrongThis year our message is simple. We are focused on Jesus. Though this is not new, the message is important for all who support our ministry efforts. It is because of Jesus that we experience success, both in cultivating meaningful relationships with all of you, and in yoking the strength of community partners. We are blessed with a reputation of excellence, making all that we do within our community possible. His purpose and plan is our hope and our vision. In Him we find strength, so in Christ we remain focused.

Let me share what I mean by being focused. In Scripture, the Apostle Paul visited the city of Corinth, a community with immense wealth and a thriving commercial center. However, the community of believers-the church at Corinth-had developed a number of problems. They had lost focus on Jesus and instead had: (1) found their purpose through competition, self-achievement, and self-promotion; (2) found worldly freedom through self-sufficiency, autonomy, and indulgence in thoughts of entitlement; (3) developed a misguided understanding of what it meant to be spiritual; and lastly, (4) valued knowledge, wisdom, worldly freedom and personal rights over and above having love and a respect for others.

As an organization, we do not promote an individual or a cause - only the cause of Jesus Christ. He teaches us to be loving and respectful to our fellow man, humble to God, obedient to the calling our Lord has given us and faithful to His Word, the truth that sets us free. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and knowledge –even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you –so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

Notice the use of our Lord’s name and reference; repeated over and over, to the point of being unmistakable. For Paul, all was of little value if not for Jesus. So when he addressed the church, he reminded them that they needed to remember that too! God had set them apart for His special purpose. This is what Paul meant when he wrote that they were sanctified in Christ Jesus. Having been sanctified, they were to align themselves with Jesus and cooperate with Him – leaning not on their own understanding, but on His Truth alone, so that God would be glorified and praised. We must remain mindful of this too. It’s too easy to have spiritual vision fade when the things of this world entice.

My friends, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega. We can trust Him for every good thing that happens, whether here at the Mission, in our own homes, or in our community as a whole. Scripture reminds us that when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began sinking in the stormy seas around him. Let’s not make that same mistake. By being Christ focused, we find our strength, our purpose, our freedom and our true value. Because of Him, ALL that we do in and for Him makes us stronger together. Christ is the Light and we are the lighthouse, casting His hope and His joy to those who are lost in total darkness and caught in raging seas. Our community has Great Hope! His Name is Jesus!

God bless you! Thank you for being a partner in making our community strong!

www.fresnorm.org

Vanessa had issues she needed to work through. Abandoned with 3 children, poor communication and parenting skills, an addiction to cigarettes, meth and vodka, and a very limited education, Vanessa’s options were few and her daily choices were placing her children at great risk. She needed help, ... but she wasn’t ready.

Randy was tired. Kicked out of his home at age 16, he had been living off of friends and out of a vehicle for nearly a decade. He made money dealing drugs to support his own addictions and homeless lifestyle. He needed answers, ... but he wasn’t hearing any.

GOD ENTERS IN...

“I was walking home with my kids and a hawk, flying overhead, began squeeling at us. It wasn’t stopping. We walked faster and it was following, yelling louder! I know this sounds weird, but I knew it was God getting my attention. He was telling me it was time to make the call!”

“I woke up in my truck in front of a school. Someone had placed a Fresno Rescue Mission business card on my windshield, but no other cards were on any other vehicles around me. Sprinklers were spraying water against my side window, not at the grass where they were aimed... and I kept hearing a voice - a really loud one - saying, ‘Leave your belongings and walk to the Mission!’ So I did.”

Stories like these are not uncommon in ministry. God will use whatever means necessary to help those who are lost to take their first step toward the future He has for them. The most common reason for it taking so long... “I wasn’t ready.” This can be frustrating to battle, especially when we point the way and they refuse to try. We want what’s best for those who suffer. The truth is, until each person is prepared to hear the truth, they just won’t. This is why we provide COMMUNITY CARE - an umberella to serve those who are still walking in blindness. They may not need, or be ready for, a structured rehabilitation program. Sometimes they simply need to be directed toward a first step. God will take care of the rest!

In Vanessa’s case, she had friends, family, a church community and various contacts within her small town, all telling her she needed to do something to help herself. It wasn’t until she broke her foot and was incapacitated that she was ready to take that first step. Irony at its best! That step led her to reaching out to a friend, sister Aubria, through Riverdale Assembly of God Church; then to our emergency overnight shelter - meeting with a case manager, and agreeing to wait for an opening at Rescue the Children by staying in a community shelter in another city. “It was awful, but we stayed out of town and we waited for an opening. Sister Aubria told me, ‘If you want life change, you need to prove it!’ So we did what was necessary. Two weeks later we were in the park, waiting to report back to the shelter, when the hawk flew over. I look back now and I know that I wouldn’t have appreciated what Rescue the Children was providing me and my kids had we been placed here that first day. God needed my commitment to His plan for my life. It’s been four months. Now I can read! I can read really well! I’m learning to be a godly woman and a mom to my children.”

We will revisit these personal testimonies in the summer. For now, we know God has a plan for Vanessa and Randy. Both are off to a great start! We are happy they are now Christ Focused. Our goal is to introduce them back into their communities when they are ready, applying their gifts and talents to the good God intended. The future hope... Community Strong!

www.fresnorm.org

SAVE THE DATE! Fresno - Clovis Prayer Breakfast

A CHRISTIAN CELEBRATION IN PRAYERFUL SUPPORT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND ITS LEADERS

March 4, 2014 6:30 am - 8:30 am

Valdez Hall, Fresno Convention CenterTickets: $25 per person; $225 per table of 10

“This community tradition celebrates our blessings as a community and upholds our public officials

in prayer as they carry out their duties.”

For more information, go to: www.fresnoclovisprayerbreakfast.com

Register online at: www.eventbrite.comType in, “Fresno Clovis Prayer Breakfast”

Keynote Speakers Dr. & Mrs.Pete & Virginia Menjares

Over the past months we have talked about wills, estate planning, stewardship, and some basic sound financial practices. Hopefully, all of us have made the necessary plans, essential for our future and the future of our families.

At the Fresno Rescue Mission we try to instill these same values into the lives of the guests we serve. Many of those we serve do not have the most basic skills in financial planning or money management. Most of those who come to us are financially at the bottom and do not have the resources to pay for the services received or the help given – nor do we ever require payment of them. Our goal is to get these individuals to develop a dynamic vital relationship with Christ, reconcile with their families, be free from addictive behaviors, and become productive members of the Kingdom and society.

We never tell our guests the services we offer are free. We tell them that there are people that care for them enough who prepay the costs to have them in the program. It costs approximately $1,600 per month ($19,200 per year) to give services to a woman or child at our Rescue the Children community. It costs approximately $1,250 per month ($15,000 per year) to bring services to one of the men in our Academy Program.

Would you consider being one of those caring individuals who prepays the services for one of our guests – be it for a week/month/year?

For information, please contact me.

Don Eskes, Community Partnerships (559)268-0839, Ext. 134 deskes@fresnorm.org.

Responsible Stewardship

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ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES Rev. Larry J. Arce, Chief Executive Officer larce@fresnorm.orgPastor Rob Cravy, Chief Operating Officer rcravy@fresnorm.org

Jessica Turner, Executive Assistant jturner@fresnorm.org

310 G Street, Fresno CA 93706P. O. Box 1422, Fresno CA 93716-1422Phone: (559) 268-0839 – Fax: (559) 268-1317

THE ACADEMY – Pastor Bud Searcy, DirectorPhone: (559) 268-0839, Ext 115 - bsearcy@fresnorm.org

FOOD SERVICES – Dewayne Martin, Director Phone: (559) 268-0839, Ext 107 - dmartin@fresnorm.org

COMMuNITY CARE - Chaplain Jay Carroll, Director315 G. Street, Fresno CA 93706Phone: (559) 268-0839, Ext 205 - jcarroll@fresnorm.org

RESCuE THE CHILDREN - Deborah Torres, Director2141 North Parkway Drive, Fresno CA 93705Phone: (559) 227-2190, Ext 104 - dtorres@fresnorm.org

MISSION AT THE MISSION - Margie Prout, DirectorPhone: (559) 268-0839, Ext 102 - mprout@fresnorm.org

FRESNO RESCuE MISSION THRIFT STORE AND CARS Sandra Patel, Director - spatel@fresnorm.org181 E. Sierra, Fresno CA 93710Phone (559) 440-0870

ACCOuNTING - Marco Jacobo, Director(559) 268-0839, Ext. 103 - mjacobo@fresnorm.org

DONOR DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Janet Steinhauer, Director (559) 268-0839, Ext. 204 - jsteinhauer@fresnorm.org

Don Eskes, Community Partnerships(559) 268-0839, Ext. 134deskes@fresnorm.org

TOuRS/VOLuNTEER OPPORTuNITIESTina Searcy - Volunteer and Events Coordinator (559) 268-0839, Ext. 202 - tsearcy@fresnorm.org

LIGHTHOuSE NEwS EDITORS Donna Scully * Janet Steinhauer

ADDRESS CHANGES – Angie Gonzales (559) 268-0839, Ext 209 - agonzales@fresnorm.org

FRESNO RESCuE MISSION & FRESNO RESCuE MISSION FOuNDATION &FRESNO wORKS BOARD OF DIRECTORSSteve Pearson, Chairman Daral Kennedy, Vice-ChairmanJarrod Martinez, Treasurer Steve Ocheltree, Secretary Leonel AlvaradoJustice James A. ArdaizTim BaloianPastor Vito BrugettiChief Jerry DyerDon MacAlpineJim MosquedaLonnie PettyEmil “Butch” RusconiJames Sullivan

LEGAL COuNSEL James McKelvey

AuDIT COMMITTEEVicki Crow, CPABen Krikorian, CPA

Please remember the Fresno Rescue Mission

in your will or trust

Corporate, Service Organizations & Foundation Supporters (November 1, 2013 – January 31, 2014)

4 Paws Pet Salon7up Bottling CoA & R Cunha FarmsA Clean StateA G MoistureA Medical CorporationAAA Steam Carpet CleanersAATAK TowingAbbey Door ServiceAbby Car CareABC InterpretingAbrames Record SearchesAccess ADPAG Soil AmendmentsAgape DuBois AcademyAir Control BalancingAir National GuardAlan’s Tree ServiceAlpha Iota Chapter Fresno Alumnae ChapterAmerican Quality ProductsAmeriPrideAon FoundationAram’s Auto RepairArrigoni FarmsArrow Electric Motor ServiceAshwood ConstructionAuberry GarageAuto Pawn of FresnoAutosound LabAvakian Custom HomesB & J Petroleum SalesB & J Trailer StorageBaloian Family Foundation

Bandy & AssociatesBank of the SierraBassam E Michiel, DDSBeautiwood Unfinished FurnitureBelt FarmsBerberian RanchesBernard L Liscano Sole PropBette S Johnson DecoratingBill Idsinga DairyBlanchat MFGBlast FitnessBob Lewis ConstructionBorges Bros Inc DBA All American ConstructionBorrelli RentalsBrighton’s Boot & ShoesBrown RanchBruce Friesen FarmsBuchanan High SchoolBudles FarmsBuildtec & Fidelity Real EstateBullard Dental GroupBullard-Marks Veterinary Medical CenterBusey BankButler’s Pool ServiceC & J RanchCaan & AssociatesCal West RainCalifornia Epsilon Alpha Master ChapterCalifornia - Fresno Oil CompanyCalifornia Business MachinesCalifornia Financial ServicesCalifornia Fire Chief’s AssociationCalifornia Water Service

Caprice Ornamental IronCarr BazaarCars 4 LessCaruthers Auto SupplyCaruthers Raisin Packing CoCasa Quintero Mexican RestaurantCBS47Central Valley Hydro-SeedingChaney Cabinet and Furniture CoCherry Avenue AuctionChesterton Yard ServiceChick-fil-AClark Family ResidentialClassic Lady - House of BeautyClay Miranda TruckingClay’s Home MaintenanceClovis Glass CompanyClovis Laundry MattClovis Senior CenterCoca-Cola BottlingComfort KeepersCommunity Medical Providers Woodward ParkCoronado Smogs & Auto RepairCVS PharmacyD2 AutomationDaddino’s Egg RanchDalena & Benik & Associates Insurance ServicesDalena FarmsDan Souza Family FoundationDanilo R. Manimtim MDDave Meyers Construction

David G Edwards, Attorney at LawDC Photography StudiosDelightful Dolls of Central ValleyDenard & Pamela Fobbs, MDDenis EquipmentDeran Koligian Farms LPDerrel’s Mini StorageDesign NatureDetailed Cleaning ServicesDiman G FarmsDiversified FarmingDouble E TruckingDowling Aaron & KeelerDr Eric Scheid, DDSDritsas Groom McCormickDriver Leasing ServicesECI Property InspectionEconomic ServicesEd Sweitzer Sales & LeasingEducational Employees Credit UnionEischen EnterprisesElia Painting ContractorsElite LiquorsEller PlumbingElmer’s Septic ServiceEmmett’s ExcavationEncore Fine CabinetryEstero EnterprisesEvangel HomeExcel Sign CompanyExpress BillingExtreme CommunicationsEye Do Windows

What a difference Your vehicle donation makes

www.fresnorm.org

open mon-fri 9-6 • saturdays 9-5 (559) 440-0870 • 181 e. sierra ave.

(Between Blackstone avenue and Fresno street)

donate your used car to the fresno rescue mission thrift store and cars

here’s how:

1. drop off your used vehicle — we also accept trailers, boats, motorcycles and motor homes.

2. get a tax deduction — it may even be more than the trade-in value! 3. make a difference — proceeds help expand our services for

homeless and at-risk men, women and children.

www.fresnorm.org

Corporate, Service Organizations & Foundation Supporters (November 1, 2013 – January 31, 2014) Continued

Eye-Q Vision CareFancy Touch Janitorial ServiceFarroll HomeFather’s Love MarketFavagrossa FarmsFinancial FoundationsFino Supply CompanyFirst Health Medical Center of FresnoFlower Foods BakingFood 4 LessFoster’s DonutsFour Bar C FarmsFour C’s ContstructionFresno Livestock CommissionFresno Organization of Retired City EmployeesFresno Police ChaplaincyFresno Spine & SportFresno TowingFresno Truck WashFringeFrosted CakeryFruit FillingFruit HarvestGalleria GiftsGamma Psi ChapterGary’s Pool CareGene R Conley M DGentry FarmsGiai V Pham DMDG-K EnterprisesGolden Farms ExpressGonzales FarmsGrocery OutletGypsy Hands JewelryH & D TaylorH & H LiquorH & J ChevroletH J Baker & BroHal’s Mobil WashHammonds RanchHanford ToyotaHarlan Family FoundationHarris Ranch Beef CoHaven’s OrthodonticsHeadfirst ManufacturingHeritage BomaniteHernandez Law OfficesHigh Desert AgHighway City Thrift StoreHi-Tech HomeHolcomb ProductsHome StarHume Lake Christian CampsHuter FarmsI Cee FashionsImpact Pest ControlIndependent Building MaintenanceInfinity FastenersIntrade Industries Inc Trucking DivIsaak FarmsIsland EnterprisesIsnardi FoundationJ & J Custom PickingJ Pitts EnterprisesJanzen PropertiesJay HomesJay’s ConstructionJ-D Electric & Co IncJD FoodJerico Fire Protection CoJewels UnlimitedJim Armas ConsultingJim Phillips EnterprisesJimmy Wingfield TruckingJMR Custom FinishJohal ExpressJohann Dairy

John Q Hammons HotelsJohn Zweifler MDJones FarmsJ’s CommunicationK-Jewel 99.3K & L DistributingKaiserKaiser Permanente Optical EmployeesKaprielian FarmsKarsyn ConstructionKasco FabKasparian’s Paint CenterKatch Environmental ConstructionKen Melvold Sales & ServiceKenoyer Pump CoKercher Land DBA Riverdale Mini StorageKGED AM1680Kids Kare SchoolsKings Dairy SupplyKingsburg OrchardsKingsview Blue Sky Wellness CenterKiper & KiperKipp Investment ManagementKMJ Peak BroadcastingKoretoff RanchesKrazan & AssociatesKSEE24Lane Blue EnterprisesLaser Service CoLaw Office of Alex BerlinLaw Office of John K OrmondLaw Offices of Nicholas Wagner & JonesLaw Offices of William C HahesyLinda Clay FarmsLinda Henderson InteriorsLisle Funeral HomeLMC SolutionsLoring Citrus FarmLoss Protection Investigations‘Luz’ Beauty SalonLyle Brewer EngineeringM & M Convenience at the TowerM & S Pool & Spa ServiceM Scott & CoMachado Dairy LPMachine Experience & DesignMacy’s River ParkMalcom E Ghazal MDMana FinancialManning AutomotiveMarie Calender’sMark Woodley Fire ProtectionMarks Bloxom ArchitectsMB TechnologyMCB Dental LaboratoryMcCain ElectricMcGrayel CompanyMDM PropertiesMichael J Madrigal DDSMid Cal Ag AviationMid Valley Packaging & Supply CoMid Valley RoofingMid-State Metal CastingMid-Valley Financial ServicesMiller InvestmentsMinistry Partners Investment CompanyModern Welding CompanyMother Mary’s BakeryMountain PressNelson’s Ace HardwareNielsen FarmsNi’s LaunderlandNL Christensen EnterprisesNopporn’s Automotive RepairNorth India Bar & GrillNorton Chiropractic Wellness CenterNuttall & Coleman

Ocheltree EnterprisesOld Clovis Winery PropertiesOrowheatPack DCPalm Olive Car Wash Paloutzian FarmsPapa Murphy’sPatrick’s Massage Therapy & BodyworksPaul’s Rentals & StoragePayroll PeoplePearson RealtyPerformance Glass & WindowPeter S Cooper AppraisalsPhilco FarmsPhillips Garage DoorPhipps Dale Funeral ChapelPick-N-PullPlanet HairPleasant MattressPrather Pizza Factory CrewPreferred PoolsPro Pack Equipment SalesProducers Dairy FoodsProfessional Personal Injury Law CorpProsperi-Tee IndustriesProvost & Pritchard EngineeringQuality Electric CompanyR & C Food ProductRainbow Ball RoomRancho RealtyRasmussen Pump CoRatzman’s MarinaReal Time Information ServicesRealty FresnoRedline SolutionsReedley Physical TherapyRenaissance TileResource LendersReyna Chiropractic ClinicRHARitchie Trucking ServiceRiver Park Properties IIRobert K Buckenberger DPMRod’s Body & PaintRoger T NuttallRoland E Parr RentalsRoyal T ManagementS Leonard InsuranceSaddleback Veterinary HospitalSalinas NurserySan Joaquin Gardens Resident CouncilSan Joaquin ImperialSan Joaquin Valley Doll ClubSarabian FarmsSave MartSchmidt’s Auto BodySchutz FarmsSenior Citizens VillageSGI InvestigationsShahbazianShambourger & ScottShapazian RealtyShinen Landscape & EnterprisesShuken Racing FabricationSierra Heights Baptist Church Voyager ClassSierra HydrographicsSilveira FarmsSilveira RanchSilver Creek BuildersSilver Dollar HofbrauSisters YogaSloan Backhoe ServiceSmart WaySmith’s ConstructionSmittcamp Family FoundationSole 2 Sole SportsSons of Norway Scandia Lodge 6-075

Sorensen FarmsSpecialty SalesSportspoint PhotographySpyglass Real EstateStandard Truck & Trailer SalesState Farm InsuranceSteelconSteve Wilson Produce DistributingSteven T Wells ConstructionSummerfield FarmsSumner’s Carpet ServiceSun Down FarmsSunnyside DonutsSusan’s Interior DesignT & M Hazardous Waste ManagementT/S Matthews ConstructionTabitha SocietyTable Mountain RancheriaTaylor FarmsTG Schmeiser CoTH Commercial PropertiesThe Cinderella CellarThe Dancing SchoolThe Daniel CompanyThe Design StudioThe Grind Coffee HouseThe Home DepotThe Monis FoundationThe Performance LinkThe Ultimate SalonThe Vernal GroupThompson Motor SalesTJ Magic EnterprisesTM ConceptsTodd’s Hardwood FlooringToledo’sToomajian ConstructionTorNino’s BanquetsTorres Fence CoTotal Concept EnterprisesTouch of Class Painting & DecoratingTrader Joe’sTrinity Fruit SalesTyson FoodsUltimate Baskets ImportsUnderground Boring SystemsUnited MissionUS Sewing Machine CompanyValerie Forward PhDValley MissionsValley Oak RealtyValley TrenchingVeco TechnologiesVeterans of Foreign Wars AuxiliaryVietti EnterprisesVineyard PoolsVons GroceryW T Capital Lenders ServicesWagon Wheel FarmsWalgreensWally’s Tire & WheelWalmartWard Chiropractic ClinicWear I GiveWeed ManWerner Business ParkWeymouth Pest ControlWhole FoodsWildwood Recyclers And PhilanthropistsWindham Retirements AssociationW-N Art Bronze CompanyWoodham’s ConstructionWoods FarmsYarra, Kharazi & ClasonYung’s HobbyZacky FarmsZenger’s Backhoe Service