When Fred was found, he lay almost unconscious under a downtown railway bridge. His face and hands raw with the cold. Just then an old woman, toothless and worn, stooped down and offered Fred a blanket and a meal. He pulled the blanket around himself, thankful for momentary comfort. Fred ate quickly-ravenously-yet grateful for the hand of God that had reached down in the night through an old woman and countless others who had taken the time to care.
This was the beginning of Fred's road to recovery. Now three months clean, free from alcohol and drugs, he stays in a dry house for recovering addicts. Fred has reconnected with life and found new hope, new love and new truth. It's a story that is repeated every day in the city, when the Son of God reaches down through loving hands and touches the heart of man.
Jesus said the poor will be with us always (see Matthew 26:11). Nowhere is this more evident than in the inner-city rooming house community of Toronto. Theirs is a need for social justice in the form of affordable housing, assistance with addictions and solutions to crime-in short, compassion for those in the margins of society.
Side by side with the urgent need for social justice remains the most critical need of all-the revelation of Christ to a lost and dying world. The Salvation Army's new Warehouse Mission is designed to meet the spiritual needs of those who find themselves in such despair.
The inner-city community is home to countless poor and needy individuals. Some are lifelong residents who know no other life and others drift in and out finding temporary refuge in various area shelters. Often in recovery, mostly unemployed or underemployed, they live with a sense of hopelessness that only Christ's love can transcend.
Individuals from this street culture are uncomfortable in typical church congregations, which they perceive as elitist and unable to meet their day-to-day needs. The Warehouse stands in the gap to meet this need by demonstrating the way to Christ through love in action.
Through the Warehouse Mission we are building a positive Christian community. Our programs help break the cycles of addictions and homelessness and restore community pride. This in turn reduces the crime rate, helping tenants maintain a stable existence and move forward in their personal lives. When individuals are impacted by this practical outworking of the Gospel, a community is transformed one encounter at a time. When lives are touched by truth in action, the liberating power of Christ sets free those who are in bondage to sin.
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Ministry Overview
Many organizations help meet the practical needs of inner-city residents in downtown Toronto, but a strong Christian presence is just as important to provide spiritual support. Understanding the psychological and sociological barriers that prevent many impoverished people from linking with formal church congregations, The Salvation Army Warehouse provides one-on-one mentorship for new Christians and those still on the path to discovery. It offers a missionary presence that transcends inner-city culture, accurately portrays the truths of Christ and allows marginalized believers to fully integrate with the church. When this is achieved both cultures are enriched.
Our ministry uses well-grounded Christians from established churches to provide:
• Weekly coffee houses/evangelistic services
• Monthly events (barbecues, movie nights, etc.)
• Personal mentoring relationships
• Victory in Christ substance abuse program
• Bible teaching ministry
• Alpha program
Our Mission:
To equip, empower and mobilize the people of God for servant leadership by demonstrating the love of Christ through meeting the needs of the lost and leading them to a saving knowledge of Jesus through words and deeds.
Our Purpose:
To win souls for Christ and then equip the believer for servant leadership. This is done by sound biblical teaching, appropriate worship and communion and by acts of servanthood to the lost. Servanthood in action is the ultimate act of worship.
by Lieutenant Ron Farr
Pastor, The Warehouse Mission, Toronto