Open Door Mission

I recently attended a graduation celebration for Open Door Mission guests that completed the New Life Recovery Program or the Journey to Work Program. We praised God together in worship and then heard the testimonies of the graduates before a time of food and fellowship.

As I heard the graduates tell where they have been (unemployed, incarcerated, suffering an addiction, and/or victims of domestic abuse) and where they are now (sober, disciples of Christ, employed and filled with hope) I viewed their months in their Open Door Mission program as a marathon for each of them.

I am a marathon runner and I know that in the midst of the run there are points of joy as one passes mile markers and hears the crowds cheering you on. In addition, there are many instances of pain, suffering, and wondering if you can finish. Our graduates have passed through many joyful thresholds of accomplishment in their programs and they have been cheered on by staff, fellow students, and family members. Yet, each graduate has also experienced much pain and suffering along the way as they have withdrawn from addictions and changed thought patterns and actions that have been destructive in the past. They have crossed the finish line because in Christ all things are possible and they are now ready for a new life that breaks the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Praise God that each graduate is now ready to run the race ahead of them in life and become a blessing to others as they draw on blessings from God each day!

Scott Shreve
Senior Development Director
402-829-1538

Con Agra Enterprise Procurement decided to initiate team building with a mission. The mission was to not only to build a stronger team, but also provide blankets for Open Door Mission. So the 30 people on their team went to work making fleece blankets. There was laughter, hard work, fun and two hours later there were 21 handmade blankets for the Mission. Their efforts are much appreciated because these blankets will provide a special warmth this winter with hope for the holidays and a better life.


Would your group, organization or church like to provide hope also? Please visit Open Door Mission's website to find out how you can bring Hope for the Holidays to the thousands of hungry and homeless in your community.

Make a difference this holiday season…

• Set up your Hope for the Hungry food drive.
• Schedule your Project Santa drive.
• Request your set of Christmas Bells to provide gifts for hurting adults.
• Sign up to Adopt-A-Family.
• Deliver TURKEY 'N' FIXIN'S boxes.
• Sort and bag new, unwrapped toys.

Thank you for helping break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.


Maggie Cope
Communications Coordinator

As I sit here on a Friday, I am contemplating the end of one week and yet the beginning of a new one and how that is true over the whole spectrum of life. Every ending is a new beginning for something. For instance, in recovery, one has to end their old life style in order to begin a new one. Someone once told me that every change in life is both a loss and a gain depending on how one chooses to focus on it. That is definitely something that we teach our men here at Open Door Mission and it is greatly empowering as well. Rarely do we find anyone who has been through more losses than our men here on the recovery program. If they can begin to view those past losses as changes instead of meaningless experiences they suffered and trust God who was and is still in control, they can begin for the first time in their lives to realize some of the true power of Christ in setting them free. Not so much freedom from the pain as freedom from slavery to it. We call it “reframing”. Taking an experience, looking at it realistically, and figuring out what God has to offer and teach us from it.

As I write this, I must admit that I am so proud of our men. Lately, they have been put through a barrage of changes and have chosen to focus on them in a positive life-changing way. The Word of God teaches us that we are all made in His image and therefore people carry so much more potential than we realize. It is definitely a privilege to see our men prove that daily.

That’s why our Lord died on a cross 2,000 years ago, isn’t it? This certainly was a horrendously evil event, definitely an incredible loss. Yet, God brought out of that very act the most blessed event in mankind’s history - He redeemed us and made us righteous. The most evil act was made the most righteous act; the biggest loss in history was made into the greatest gain of all time. I can’t think of a more important message for our men to understand.

It was my privilege just 2 days ago to be setting with one of our men explaining this to him when he told me that he was already saved but needed to act upon it and start building his life on this foundation. So he decided to rededicate his life to Christ on the spot. I don’t have to tell you what an honor that was for me. Further, that is something we get to experience all the time here. Our men have the same potential that we do, just different experiences. When those experiences lead to life-altering beliefs, the only cure is Biblical beliefs. Recovery is essentially replacing faulty belief systems (in several areas) with appropriate belief systems. Isn’t it great to have that from an objective source? Thank God for his revealed Word or all I would be able to offer is my own faulty beliefs. Beliefs have tremendous transforming power. No wonder the Word of God has so much to say about belief from cover to cover.

The weather is changing, the economy is changing, and the world is changing around us, but I just praise Him for the anchor He has provided and hope to teach others to do so too.

Stan Latta
Men’s Recovery Services Director