Recently Curt Lewis and Ernie Giardino went to visit Captain Darrell Calhoun at the Salvation Army Facility at Liberty Pole Way in Rochester, NY. This facility consists of a church, office areas, a cafeteria, down stairs breakfast/meeting room, and 35 living quarters. We found that the Salvation Army has the capacity to feed many people every day. This is a remarkable task considering the fact that budgets are cut when the money doesn’t come in. With the price of fuel going up and the budget going down it becomes difficult to maintain even last year levels of service. The facility is a very clean environment where people of the street can come for some basic human needs. But the most important work of the Salvation Army is the spiritual needs of the people that come here.
John 21: 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
They have the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ, and what he did for them. They are shown with scripture how Christ died on the cross to cover our sins. They are asked to come back to learn more about our Savoir and get more than their basic needs met.
John3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The Salvation Army will find out the education level of these people and may help them further their education. They help them get a GED or a driver’s license. They will help them find jobs as well as ask them to help in serving the needs of others. Darrell stated he is looking for volunteers, good men not afraid to speak up, help out and keep the facility safe.
1 John 17: 17-19 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
When we went in the church, we found old hymn books and King James Version Bibles.
Mattew 26:29-30 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
The level of detail and dedication of the people here is a memorial to the Lord. As for Curt and me, we found it to be a blessing to have an opportunity to spend time here today. If you would like to give some of your time to a good ministry please contact Captain Darrell Calhoun: email comroc@aol.com, phone: 585-202-5590.
Matthew25: 33-36 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
