Ever since I became a disciple of Jesus in 1974, I have looked for ways to help those who are needy. Jesus has a heart filled with love and compassion for those who are poor, sick, or in trouble, and He calls us to share his love with others in whatever ways we can. Thus, when I moved to Merced County in 1998, I looked for ways to help people in need. The Merced Rescue Mission, which at that time had a homeless shelter in a building on Canal Street, was reaching out to needy people with the love of Jesus, so I began contributing to them financially.

Then, in 2001 the September 11 attack stirred me up to try to find a way to reach people with the love of Jesus in a more personal way, so I began teaching a Bible study in the evenings at the Merced Rescue Mission. I did this for several years and was encouraged by the way that the men responded. After a few years, other commitments made it necessary for me to stop teaching there, but over a year ago, I was able to start teaching once again. It has been a great blessing to interact with the men in the Rescue Mission’s program, and I’m hopeful that some of what I share with them will have a lasting impact.

I encourage everyone else who is not already doing so to consider contributing on a monthly basis to help the Merced Rescue Mission touch the lives of many men and women with the love of Jesus.

Blessings,

Richard Weikart

Department of History

California State University, Stanislaus