The History and Ongoing work:
The Fort Myers Rescue Mission was founded in 1973 in downtown Fort Myers in a rented house by Reverend Robert Walker, who passed away May 19, 2019. Since its beginning, it has had as its Directors, Rev Robert Walker, Rev George Schaeffer, Rev David Light and Rev MarJoe Wooten. It has a Board of Directors of 12 men from various states.
In 1984 the Mission was incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
In 1986, 1 & 1/2 acres of property on Dr. M.L.K. Jr., Blvd was bought and 1 & 1/2 acres was donated connecting that property, giving the Mission 3 acres.
In 1987 the doors of the Mission were opened at its present location.
In 2015 , five acres north of its present location was puchased. Hopefully, in the future the Mission will expand to house more men.
In 2016, the dorms were expanded to be able to house an additional 19 men.
The long range plans of the Mission is to open a women/women with children shelter. Then, women and children will be brought in off the streets of Fort Myers and get them started on a better path for their life.
Since it’s founding, the Mission has served hundreds of thousands of meals, and provided shelter for men, women, and children. However, at the present time the Mission is a men’s shelter only.
The central heart beat of the Mission has remained to bring the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to all that will come to Him. Countless lives have been transformed by the power of God, delivering souls from drugs, alcohol, and immoral living, making them fit citizens of this world and the world to come. The Mission believes in a One-Step Program for deliverance from sin and addiction.
The Mission originally took care of 15 people per night. Now the Mission houses 84 men, and feeds around 400 daily. It continually strives to grow with the need. Each recipient of the Mission’s assistance is expected to actively pursue a productive life and have a desire to escape homeless wandering, beginning a new life as a productive person. All must take responsibility for their actions and follow a course of self improvement. Weekly accountability is maintained for each person.
Spiritual Counseling and Bible Study are required for all Mission residents. A 6 week Discipleship Class and a weekly Bible Study Class is required of all.