ABOUT US

HARTFORD RESCUE MISSION, serving in the

capital city since 2005, is an expanding

Christian ministry serving the Greater Hartford

community.  By sharing the Gospel of Jesus

Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are

meeting the spiritual, social and physical

needs of men, women and children in need. 

Hartford Rescue Mission serves an ever

changing society through direct rescue

mission work.  As God leads, we partner with

churches, individuals and organizations to

maximize our total effectiveness. 

The Mission is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit

organization that depends on donations for its

support.  The executive director is Rev. Gregg

Woods (M.Div., Asbury Seminary), former

football standout in Connecticut who earned a full scholarship to the

University of Kentucky and played pro football in the NFL and CFL.  He

and his wife, Lenora, have three children at home.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hartford Rescue Mission benefits from a experienced, passionate voluntary board of directors that governs our nonprofit organization.  We are grateful for these gifted and committed men and women who comprise our board:

Would you like to stay current with Hartford Rescue Mission?  Please ask to be placed on our mailing list.

OUR HISTORY

Crossroads Rescue Mission (CRM) was formed on January 30, 2004, stemming from a movement of local pastors meeting together for prayer.  An idea was voiced that we, as churches of differing denominations and backgrounds, should come together to make an impact on the Meriden Community.  We believe that the body of Christ should be touching lives in a meaningful way.  CRM applied for and received the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit status and joined the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM). During the following year, Crossroads Rescue Mission, a non-denominational organization, served the poor and homeless by holding devotionals, and making and serving lunches in the Meriden area.

Sensing a call to expand our ministry and outreach to individuals and families in need, the Board of Directors of Crossroads Rescue Mission confirmed some exciting changes on May 18, 2005:  Crossroads would move to Hartford and become the Hartford Rescue Mission.

The Board was confident that this change will allow the Mission to receive additional financial support to better meet the needs of the homeless and needy families of Central Connecticut.  Board Chairman, Joel Rissinger stepped aside while a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue

ASSOCIATION OF GOSPEL RESCUE MISSIONS (AGRM)

The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM), formerly International Union of Gospel

Missions, is an association of over 300 rescue missions and ministries that help the needy,

including Hartford Rescue Mission.  Member organizations provide more than 33 million meals

and 12 million nights lodging to homeless and poor people in the inner cities of the United

States, Canada, and overseas each year.  Since 1913, AGRM member ministries have offered

emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, prison and jail outreach, rehabilitation,

and specialized programs for the mentally ill, the elderly, the urban poor and street youth.

The purpose of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions is:

• To serve local ministries with education, training and resources to more effectively care for the homeless and poor in their communities
  

• To start new rescue ministries and to help ministries develop new outreaches, to network internationally to assist struggling ministries
  

• To share the message of RESCUE with the world, to focus the attention of the church and the community on the needs of the poor
  

• To seek the spiritual wholeness of rescue mission workers
  

Missions, Jim Varnhagen, also Executive Director of New York City Rescue Mission, is now Chairman of the Board of Directors.  We sincerely thank Rev. Joel Rissinger for his tenure as Board Chair.  His vision and passion for the needs of the homeless and materially poor were a guiding force in bringing a Gospel Rescue Mission to the central Connecticut area.  Thank you, Pastor Joel, for being obedient to the call of God!

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There is no doubt that this is a painful time for everyone. We are all suffering through one of the toughest financial downturns in history. Add this to the fact we are at war, and this is a presidential transition year, and uncertainty -- even anxiety -- can result.  I personally do not know anyone who has not felt the impact of these turbulent times in some way.

People frequently ask me, “How are things at the Mission? Are you seeing more people?” We are seeing more people in need.

As you know, there are many reasons for being homeless or simply in a bad situation,

such as loss of a job, the high cost of housing, foreclosure, medical expenses,

domestic violence, and substance abuse. Whatever the reason, HRM has always been

committed to helping everyone who comes to us for help. And they have been coming.

As we continue to reach out during this time of human urgency, I hope that you will

remember those who are less fortunate than you and I.  Meeting the growing needs

during these difficult times is not easy, and we need your help.

Occasionally, I have heard a donor say, “My small gift is insignificant.” Please know we

do not feel that way. A lot of small gifts may be just what we need to be able to continue

meeting the increased demands during this tough time.

You are important to us. We need your help financially, as volunteers, and with gift-in-kind donations, so we can meet this urgent need.

And if you happen to be a dad or a mom who has just lost a job, we can offer you a food box to help you feed your family.

Finally, I want you to know we are praying for you as we face these times together. We serve an awesome God and know that we can trust in Him!

Rev. Gregg Woods, M.Div.

- January 2009

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Whatever the reason, Hartford Rescue Mission has always been committed to helping everyone who comes to us for help

Amy Sumner, LCSW, President

Craig Turner, Vice President

Jim Melough, Secretary

Tobias Lewis, Treasurer

Terry Wilcox

James VarnHagen

Rev. Perry Jones

Ron Willoughby

Sonia Guttierez