Christian Middle Georgia ministry funds recovery

Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia offers a path to recovery for addicts and victims of domestic violence, providing housing, work and food.

The mission’s approximately 200 acre campus is located off Zebulon Road and several dorm-style homes house around 200 men, women and children. The property was formerly a children’s home before it was sold to Rescue Mission by Wesleyan Church.

“We came along and they sold it to us,” CEO Pat Chastain said. “They said ‘you’re exactly what we want.’ They wanted ministry here and that’s exactly what this is.”

Chastain started at Rescue Mission 13 years ago, when the organization pivoted from providing temporary housing in downtown Macon to a recovery program.

The program accepts anyone struggling with drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, mental health and homelessness and enrolls them in a nine to 14 month program.

At its core, Chastain said the organization is a ministry and aims to help people recover through faith in God.

“I can give you a plate of food,” he said. “I can give you a jacket. I can give you a place to stay. I can give you a roof over yourself, but if I do not introduce you to Jesus, I think we failed.”

Rescue Mission has a roughly $5 million budget, Chastain said, and while much of that comes from donations, the organization gets about 38% of its revenue from two thrift stores, one on the campus and one on Napier Avenue.

Residents spend half their days in the class learning about religion and life skills and the other half on a work assignment. The property is almost completely staffed by residents who are contributing by making meals, maintaining the grounds or working at one of the thrift stores.

“Some of the best employees in Bibb County are right here right now and are being developed through change, and they are considering doing life different,” Chastain said.

Wayne Ellerbee was incarcerated before he was accepted into Rescue Mission. He’s been there for over a year — set to graduate soon — and works in the cafeteria. 

He restored relationships with his children after reconnecting with his faith at the program.

He said the brotherhood and camaraderie within the program has helped him be more “gung ho” about his recovery. After he graduates in a few weeks, he hopes to open a comfort food restaurant in Warner Robins.

“They feed you chicken and Jesus,” Ellerbee said.

Anthony Thomas, who was only at Rescue Mission for a couple of weeks, said he came to Rescue Mission because of his addiction but has stayed because of his connection with Jesus Christ.

While he’s been to other recovery centers, Rescue Mission stood out to him for its emphasis on Christianity as part of the process.

Michael Sapp, a 25-year-old working in the kitchen, was in jail before he came to Rescue Mission. He said being able to not only get a hot meal but also self evaluate has helped him recover.

He said he hopes when he’s done with the program he can go back to working with his dad framing houses.

“I don’t think I could go back to living outside of here and do right just yet,” Sapp said.