First Baptist Church Helps Those in Need

Heeding our call from the Lord to feed and care for the needy, First Baptist Church of Hammond finds another way to do so in the new City Rescue Mission, formerly the Calumet Area Warming Center.

 

For more than 120 years, First Baptist Church has been a place of caring and sharing to those in need. On Sept. 1, 1963, we started the Hammond City Rescue Mission, which ministered to the homeless, helping them get back on their feet.

 

In 2003, a chapter of the highly successful Reformers Unanimous program was started. It helps anyone in the local community who wants to beat his addictions. In 2008, First Baptist Church was awarded "Church of The Year" by Reformers Unanimous International; of the 400 chapters in operation, ours was selected as the most influential in the nation. This program has enjoyed a 78 percent success rate. The RU Home began in 2005, and currently houses 53 men at the building on State Street. It gives those captured by their addictions a place to live, learn and get back on their feet.

 

In an effort to further help the community, the church recently began managing the former Calumet Area Warming Center. We were glad to be in a position to help when the city called upon us. We began managing the center on Dec. 31.

 

As we enter our third month, we find ourselves grateful to many people.

 

First, we are grateful to the 30 other local churches who assist in feeding the precious souls who come to us for help. These churches are a blessing, and we value their involvement.

 

Second, we are grateful to the area businesses who continue to help us in numerous ways: from donations to services, they have all been great to work with.

 

Third, we are grateful to the center's residents, who are supportive of the new program. We understand that change is awkward and sometimes unnerving; the vast majority, however, have embraced the change, seeing it as an improvement to a well-worn facility. We also understand that during change communication is vital, and as hard as we try to keep all informed, we might fall short sometimes.

 

Occasionally, there will be misunderstandings, and we will work to clarify things as much as possible should they happen.

 

Recently, some people were unnecessarily upset by a columnist's opinion. His opinion was based on misinformation. We would like to set the record straight.

 

The basis of his story is inaccurate. There is no forced evangelism. Of course, we have policies, procedures and life training classes. We really don't think any reasoning person would expect any organization to operate without rules.

 

We might disagree on what these should be, but ours have proven effective. Our purpose is to help people get back on their feet. We have been successful at this for more than 45 years.

 

Our mission is always about people first. As such, we minister to all types of people, from all walks of life. Some will understand and embrace the scope of our mission; others will not. Our church's first and Great Commission is to introduce people to truth. Any mission of the church would be incomplete without it. Those who have made this an interim home appreciate the food, the fellowship, the shelter and the structure that our program offers.

 

Today, the City Rescue Mission has increased the services provided. Since Dec. 31, we have provided shelter for about 50 people every night and more than 8,400 meals for those people.

 

Lastly, we are grateful to the residents of Hammond and Northwest Indiana for their faith and support. They have witnessed a portion of the 122-year history of First Baptist Church and more recently have seen how we have not abandoned downtown but have invested millions of dollars rehabbing empty retail stores into Sunday school spaces. We built a new 175,000 square-foot facility three years ago. All of this has been done without the aid of government money. Many have seen how we have worked and are working to keep our part of Hammond clean and attractive.

 

We appreciate the multitudes in the region who see the great worth of Hammond's First Baptist Church, Indiana's largest church.

 

You've got a friend at FBC.