Sacred Spaces of Hope - Denver Rescue Mission

Spiritual guidance is one of the most valuable resources offered within our shelters and programs. Our chaplains lead the way, engaging with our guests and participants in many ways, including: Bible Studies, Movie Nights, Prayer Meetings, and Walk & Talks

Chaplains connect with between 30 to 50 individual guests per week and up to 1,500 in groups each month.

I think a sacred space is vital in a rescue mission,” Rene, Director of Chaplaincy and Community Care, explained, “because it says that God is here, and this is a place where you can meet God.”

To help foster and encourage spiritual growth within our shelters and The Crossing, our chaplains have set aside sacred spaces—designated areas for guests and participants to have quiet time, pray and read the Bible. For New Life Program participant, Doug, the Mission is where he became a believer, and the sacred space is where he goes each day to grow in his newfound faith.

“Coming into the sacred space reminds me of going into any church. It’s calm. It’s peaceful. I just feel more connected,” Doug said. “It can get chaotic here sometimes with all the people. It’s a nice quiet place to come to pray and reflect. It’s a safe place.”

Doug came to the Mission after struggling with drug and alcohol addiction for several years. He always knew about God, but never made Him a part of his life until he came to the Mission and started engaging with the chaplains. “

“It can get chaotic here sometimes with all the people. It’s a nice quiet place to come to pray and reflect. It’s a safe place.”
Doug

As a new believer, Doug is looking forward to this Easter, where he will go to church and truly reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“This will be my first Easter as a believer. I was raised Catholic but fought it the entire way. So it’s kind of exciting,” he said. “It’s comforting to know that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins and so we could be saved. God gave His only Son to us and to be persecuted. It’s mind blowing because I have one daughter, and I could not think of giving her up for anything or anyone. So it kind of astounds me.”

A Life of Calling: Rene Palacios

“I had a family member who was having some very bad addiction issues. He had called me in the throes of withdrawal, and I was able to take him to a program. Eventually, he turned his life around. Then on Christmas morning that year, I got a call that he had been murdered.

He was just having a quiet meal with another family member, and there was a wild party going on at another house down the street, and people started chasing each other, and somebody shot a bullet right through the front window and killed him. I was so sad that I couldn’t give him back to his mom or sister.

Within two years, I was serving as a chaplain in a rescue mission, running programs and shelters for men and women. I remember one time a mother called me and said, ‘I haven’t heard from my son. Can you please go check on him?’ And so I found the room where he was, and he was lying on a bed, just covered in blood with empty alcohol bottles on the floor. I took him to the hospital and told his mom, ‘I found him. He’s in a good place.’

Once he got out of the hospital, he came into our program, and I thought, ‘I wasn’t able to give my family member back to his mom, but over the years, God has allowed me to call many moms, dads, wives, and husbands, and tell them that their family member is in much better shape.’ And so over the years, I’ve been able to give that kind of good news back to people and, in a sense, give people back their loved ones, and that’s really what drew me into rescue mission ministry.”

The Folding Stool

“In our chaplain’s office at 48th Avenue Center shelter, there are Bibles, study books and all those things, but to me, the most important thing in that office is a little folding stool. When a chaplain goes out to do their rounds, visiting with people at their beds, they take their folding stool, sit down and look at our guests, eye-to-eye.” -Rene

Folded, I am carried around, 
seeking anyone who’s looking to be found 
In the hands of chaplains, 
we are there for those with lifted and lowered chins 
Unfolded, I become a seat 
for a chaplain and guest to meet 
They sit eye-to-eye, 
and I’m grateful that I’m the reason why 
We talk, listen and pray 
as we sit with those hurting and struggling every day 
I may just be a folding stool, 
but there’s a reason I’m here that’s not so miniscule: 
To sit with those in need and fulfill a greater vision; 
that’s what I’m called to do here at the Mission

Chaplain interacting with guest on folding stool.

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