We’re working to secure funding for a chapel space and two years of a full-time chaplain at our new building, providing vital spiritual support.

Your contribution to this challenge will help us ensure this crucial resource is available. Please consider inviting us to your church to educate your parishioners on this project. Pastor Tim Runtsch of Redeemer Lutheran Church and Pastor Rob Cowles of The Genesis Project recently mailed out a letter to many Northern Colorado churches addressing this challenge.

Dear Community Pastors,

I hope you are doing well. At both Redeemer Lutheran Church and The Genesis Project, we have been blessed to partner with Fort Collins Rescue Mission in recent years to serve those experiencing homelessness in our community.

As you may already know, FCRM has been operating out of a small facility on the corner of Jefferson and Linden Streets since 2012—serving up to 89 men each night with meals, shelter, and case management services. But the space is limited.

Church Challenge: 2

Our new facility will provide more services to our neighbors experiencing homelessness than ever before.

Last year alone, more than 1,200 individuals were turned away due to capacity constraints.

Plans are now moving forward to build a new FCRM facility about a mile north of the current location on Mason Street, just west of College Avenue. This “homeless resolution center” will provide expanded services and a renewed pathway to stability and transformation.

In January, FCRM staff and volunteer leaders launched the public phase of a $27 million capital campaign with the theme More Than…, based on Ephesians 3:20. To date, $24 million has already been secured, leaving a $3 million gap. You can learn more by visiting FortCollinsRescueMission.org/MoreThan or reviewing the enclosed brochure.

We would like to invite you and your congregation to join us in this mission of offering More Than… meals, shelter, and services—offering hope and transformation through Christ.

Let us introduce you to Kevin:

Since the age of 14, Kevin struggled with addiction. After a traumatic experience in childhood, he turned to alcohol to cope with the pain. Years into homelessness, Kevin took shelter at Fort Collins Rescue Mission.

After 20 years of addiction and hardship, Kevin met Jesus. Today, he has a home, a job, and a renewed sense of purpose.

“My faith keeps my spirits up and keeps me headed in the right direction. My faith has grown so much that regardless of the situation, I know I am going to be okay—because of Jesus.”

Sometime in the next six months, we would love to have a member of the FCRM Campaign Committee visit with you—either individually, with your staff or missions/outreach team, or even your entire congregation—for just 15 minutes. The visit includes a brief video and a conversation about how your church can become a Missionary Partner in this vital work.

Our hope is that several churches will join us to help raise $400,000, which would:

  • Fund the construction of a dedicated chapel space within the new building
  • Underwrite the cost of hiring a full-time chaplain to meet the spiritual needs of guests for the first two years after the facility opens

Together, we can help close the final funding gap and open this new 250-bed facility, providing essential care and stability to our neighbors in need.

Ultimately, our goal is to care for the least of these in our community and introduce them to the love and hope found in Jesus. We can’t do that without the partnership of churches like yours.

Please let us know a time that works for you—or reach out directly to Mary Vivo, Director of Philanthropy for FCRM, at MVivo@fortcollinsrescue.org.

Thank you for your heart for ministry and your commitment to serving others. We are excited to partner with you in this Kingdom work.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim Runtsch
Lead Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Member, Campaign Honorary Committee

Pastor Rob Cowles
Lead Pastor, The Genesis Project
Member, Campaign Honorary Committee