Don, a Life Recovery Resident at Rockford Rescue Mission, went through numerous recovery programs, but nothing seemed to work until he arrived at the Mission.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

Want to help shape Season Two? Send in your feedback or questions—we’d love to hear from you!In this season finale of The Way Home, co-hosts Nathan and Jim sit down to reflect on the stories, themes, and surprises from the first six episodes of the show. This episode highlights how the Mission helps people recover their value—and how storytelling can help break harmful stereotypes.We also talk about where the podcast is headed next: featuring more voices from partner ministries across the nation, spotlighting behind-the-scenes areas of the Mission (like our child care center and thrift store), and maybe even launching a mailbag segment based on your questions and comments.

Our education and career training center at Rockford Rescue Mission is called the Works! Center. This is where Brittany White serves as an instructor, and she has had a significant impact on our guests and residents in her classes. The outcomes include job placements or securing an apartment ... and sometimes, decisions with eternal significance. Here's our interview with Brittany.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

“I didn’t know there was homelessness in America,” says Sabuj, the Mission’s Volunteer Supervisor. The Mission can search far and wide for its next hire—but Sabuj came from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Now, as our Volunteer Supervisor, he recruits, organizes, and inspires volunteers with his encouraging words.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

Meet Brandi, a resident in our Life Recovery Program. She has an incredible story about how she came to the Mission, which she entirely credits to God watching over her. When she was in desperate need, the Mission was there to give help and hope. We also spoke with one of Brandi’s church friends and mentors, Amy Hershberger, who volunteers at the Mission. We discussed the impact of community in recovery and the differences between mentorship and discipleship.

Homelessness. Addiction. Abuse. Mental health challenges. Life is messy. Faith can be hard. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help.

This is The Way Home, a podcast produced by Rockford Rescue Mission. Hosts Nathan Haglund and Jim Killam talk frankly with their guests about second chances, compassion, leadership — and the messy, beautiful work of loving people like Jesus did. 

What if “not being okay” is actually okay with God?

Serving those with experiences of Homelessness, Addiction, Abuse, and Mental health challenges is an uncomfortable calling. It’s messy and challenging to our faith when we see such despair every day. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help. Our mission is to show hospitality to everyone we serve, just as Jesus modeled. 

That’s what our episode is about: practical ways to show hospitality that you can apply in your own life. Kurt Pazdra, the Mission’s Homeless Services Director, says “...in summary, is for believers to be okay to not be okay, to be okay to not be comfortable, to be okay to take risks and see what the Lord can do when we share our life and our resources and the gospel with those around us.”

This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!