Compassionate Ministries and Changed Lives
by Chaplain Ron Rogers

I am the chaplain for the Salvation Army social services programs in Las Vegas. My parish encompasses a homeless services campus in the inner city; a drug and alcohol treatment facility for adults; and a residential treatment facility for homeless men and women who are chronically mentally ill. This is a challenging parish, but God has touched many lives transforming darkness into light and despair into hope. The following two stories reflect what God is doing over and over in one life after another.

“Bob” came to our homeless campus a couple years ago. He was a Christian, but he was in the throes of an active alcohol addiction; a severe suicidal depression; and his marriage was on the rocks.

Initially, we placed Bob in the fast-track addiction program that he successfully completed. Afterwards, he was asked to enter one of the programs for the mentally ill. It was here I met Bob and led him to recommit his life to Christ.

At first, he was slow in “getting it” because he had had so much church and religion that he had a hard time dropping several of his unhealthy habits and attitudes. Yet, Bob learned how to walk in the Spirit and his life was changed. His judgmental attitude toward others changed; his love for his wife was rekindled; and he began asking God what His purpose was for his own life.

As a result, Bob started playing the organ again. He also took courses at a local community college and at an extension campus of a quality Bible college. He felt like God’s desire was for him to be in full-time worship and music ministry.

 Today, he is almost totally medication-free. Apparently, his wife didn’t share Bob’s ardor for Christ because she recently divorced him. Not long ago this would have sent him into an alcoholic binge, but he knows God is empowering him and directing his life. Even though the failure of his marriage is extremely painful, Bob chooses not to find comfort of the “southern” kind, instead to find solace in the Holy Spirit.

Recently, the process was initiated for Bob to become the praise and worship leader for our mental health programs and chapels. Hallelujah! He’s on his way!

Another man, “Joe,” came to our shelter broken and sick. His wife of seven years had just left him and recently he had been diagnosed with a chronic, progressive disease as well as being severely depressed.

The other mentally ill brothers and sisters rallied around him, providing encouragement. Joe was at every chapel service, Bible study and prayer gathering, quietly absorbing God’s love and grateful for God’s care in tough times.

A few weeks ago, Joe addressed the entire congregation of the Army’s Corps church, sharing his story of how God plucked him out of despondency and set him in a secure place. God loves Joe and Joe loves God.

He is probably dying because the symptoms of his illness are becoming more aggressive. Yet, his spirit is soaring as Joe is looking forward to the reunion with his Lord Jesus. This is a story with a happy ending … an eternally happy ending.

People are so hungry for love and encouragement. They plead for truth that will aid them in conquering the destructive effects of sin and the obstacles life has tossed their way. The Truth … Jesus is their Overcomer.