Among the thousands of counselors at the Billy Graham Mission in San Diego were some unlikely candidates: homeless men completing the year-long rehabilitation program at the San Diego Rescue Mission. The San Diego rehabilitation center for addicted and homeless people had 15 residents go through training to counsel people who responded to Billy Graham’s message.
“Unfortunately, many in society want to marginalize the homeless, dismissing that they are real people often battling addictions and life-shattering events,” said Keith Hammond, communications coordinator at San Diego Rescue Mission. “The Billy Graham Mission presented a once in a lifetime opportunity for some residents in our program to spiritually give back to San Diego.”
The Rescue Mission let residents who were in its leadership class know about the counselor training and encouraged them to go. These advanced members of the program have been sober for over 9 months, completed courses in a variety of areas and demonstrated their ability to lead effectively. Most importantly they have a passion for the gospel and life experiences that could not be denied.
“The people I meet don’t seem to have trouble believing there is a God, their problem is finding out how to connect to Him,” said Daniel, a resident at the Rescue Mission, who volunteers when he can in several evangelism ministries. “I know how important it is to share that God not only loves them, but that He will change their lives if they let Him.”
Most of these residents went to the Billy Graham Mission numerous times and got to counsel multiple people. In addition to getting blessed themselves they fulfilled several divine appointments.
“One night the supervisor asked me to speak with a guy in a wheelchair who had been drinking,” said Andy, another resident at the Rescue Mission. “Many times when I had been drinking I ‘called out’ to God, but it wasn’t until I ‘gave’ my life to God that I changed. I told him my testimony and explained to him how he could make a lasting change to his life. That was the best feeling, getting down on my knees so he could hold my hands and accept Jesus through his tears.”
