the way home / By Rockford Rescue Mission

What happens when someone who once faced 120 years in prison becomes a leader helping others find hope?In this episode of The Way Home, we sit down with Brian Butler, Director of Residential Ministries at Pathway Ministries in Peoria, formerly known as Peoria Rescue Mission. Brian shares his powerful story of addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and the moment everything changed.“He showed me that He was real and that He was God and I was not.” — Brian ButlerFrom a life marked by addiction, crime, and incarceration to now helping lead transformational recovery and homelessness programs, Brian’s story is a reminder that no life is too far gone for redemption.Brian also gives us an inside look at how Pathway Ministries is helping people move from crisis to transformation through Christ-centered recovery, housing, community partnerships, and long-term support. Along the way, we explore the similarities between Pathway Ministries and Rockford Rescue Mission, what effective recovery ministry looks like, and why homelessness is far more complex than many realize.“There is no one easy answer except that we can tackle it one person at a time.” — Brian ButlerIn this episode, we discuss:• Brian’s journey from addiction and prison to ministry leadership• The evolution of Pathway Ministries and its connection to rescue mission work• Why transformation—not just temporary relief—matters in homelessness recovery• The role of the Church in walking alongside people in crisis• Stories of redemption, healing, and hope happening every dayListen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.Rockford Rescue Mission / Rescue + Recover + Restorerockfordrescuemission.org🎧 More episodes: https://rockfordrescuemission.org/podcast📱 Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfordrescuemissionFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockfordrescuemission

What does true healing look like for someone rebuilding their life after trauma and addiction?In this episode of The Way Home, we sit down with Rick Meyer—counselor, pastor, and longtime volunteer at the Mission—who faithfully gives his professional time to serve residents in our Life Recovery Program. Through years of counseling and pastoral care, Rick has helped many men and women begin the hard but hopeful process of healing.In our conversation, Rick shares insight into how biblical truth, counseling practices, and psychological understanding can work together to support real transformation. We also talk about the role of trauma, why compassion is essential when walking alongside those experiencing homelessness, and what it looks like when someone begins opening up in a counseling session for the first time.Rick also offers a glimpse into what residents can expect when they sit down with him—creating a space where honesty, reflection, and grace allow deeper healing to begin. It’s a reminder that recovery is not only about addressing immediate needs, but about caring for the heart, mind, and soul of every person we serve.As the conversation unfolds, we’re invited to consider a bigger question:How can we see those experiencing homelessness not just through the lens of their circumstances, but with the compassion and dignity every person deserves?Whether you serve in ministry, support the Mission, or simply want to better understand the journey of recovery, this episode offers thoughtful perspective on the importance of listening well, caring deeply, and walking patiently with those seeking a new path forward.Whether you’re a ministry leader, supporter, volunteer, or someone seeking deeper understanding, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a hopeful vision for helping people find the way home.Rockford Rescue Mission / Rescue + Recover + Restorerockfordrescuemission.org🎧 More episodes: https://rockfordrescuemission.org/podcast📱 Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfordrescuemissionFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockfordrescuemission

What does faithful leadership look like in a season of growing need, complexity, and public debate?In this Season 2 premiere of The Way Home, we sit down with Tom De Vries, President & CEO of Citygate Network, a faith-based association serving rescue missions and life-transformation ministries across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Tom brings decades of ministry leadership and a wide-angle view of how the Church can engage homelessness with conviction, compassion, and clarity.Citygate Network represents hundreds of missions working on the front lines of homelessness—providing not only meals and shelter, but pathways toward healing, dignity, and lasting transformation rooted in the Gospel. As President & CEO, Tom draws from his background as a church planter, multi-site lead pastor, and national leadership influencer to help ministries navigate today’s cultural, organizational, and spiritual challenges.In this conversation, we explore:- The evolving landscape of homelessness and poverty across North America and beyond.- The role of government, churches, and local communities in responding to homelessness—and where those responsibilities intersect.- Why faith-based rescue missions remain essential in an increasingly complex system of care- Leadership insights for staying grounded in mission while engaging public policy, funding pressures, and community partnerships.- What true transformation looks like when relief, discipleship, and restoration work together.As Season 2 begins, this episode invites listeners to wrestle with bigger questions: How should the Church faithfully engage systems designed to address homelessness? What does collaborative leadership look like amid differing philosophies and approaches? And how can communities work together without losing sight of the people at the center of the issue? Whether you’re a ministry leader, supporter, volunteer, or someone seeking deeper understanding, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a hopeful vision for helping people find the way home.Rockford Rescue Mission / Rescue + Recover + Restorerockfordrescuemission.org🎧 More episodes: https://rockfordrescuemission.org/podcast📱 Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfordrescuemissionFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockfordrescuemission

In this episode of The Way Home, Zach Pitney takes us behind the scenes of a life lived in ministry. Growing up in the Mission, he shares what it was like seeing faith and service modeled every day, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. From discovering his purpose in a family ministry to reflecting on Rockford’s growth, Zach offers a firsthand look at why the Mission matters—and why a place like this can change lives, one story at a time. Honest, grounded, and full of perspective, this conversation will challenge how you see purpose, community, and faith in action.rockfordrescuemission.org

Happy Thanksgiving! We pray you all are having a blessed season of holidays. In this episode of The Way Home, Nathan and Jim talk with a familiar face and name at the Mission. Zach Pitney shares his story of redemption and how his faith was challenged.rockfordrescuemission.org

Don, a Life Recovery Resident at Rockford Rescue Mission, went through numerous recovery programs, but nothing seemed to work until he arrived at the Mission.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

Want to help shape Season Two? Send in your feedback or questions—we’d love to hear from you!In this season finale of The Way Home, co-hosts Nathan and Jim sit down to reflect on the stories, themes, and surprises from the first six episodes of the show. This episode highlights how the Mission helps people recover their value—and how storytelling can help break harmful stereotypes.We also talk about where the podcast is headed next: featuring more voices from partner ministries across the nation, spotlighting behind-the-scenes areas of the Mission (like our child care center and thrift store), and maybe even launching a mailbag segment based on your questions and comments.

Our education and career training center at Rockford Rescue Mission is called the Works! Center. This is where Brittany White serves as an instructor, and she has had a significant impact on our guests and residents in her classes. The outcomes include job placements or securing an apartment ... and sometimes, decisions with eternal significance. Here's our interview with Brittany.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

“I didn’t know there was homelessness in America,” says Sabuj, the Mission’s Volunteer Supervisor. The Mission can search far and wide for its next hire—but Sabuj came from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Now, as our Volunteer Supervisor, he recruits, organizes, and inspires volunteers with his encouraging words.This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!

Meet Brandi, a resident in our Life Recovery Program. She has an incredible story about how she came to the Mission, which she entirely credits to God watching over her. When she was in desperate need, the Mission was there to give help and hope. We also spoke with one of Brandi’s church friends and mentors, Amy Hershberger, who volunteers at the Mission. We discussed the impact of community in recovery and the differences between mentorship and discipleship.Homelessness. Addiction. Abuse. Mental health challenges. Life is messy. Faith can be hard. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help.This is The Way Home, a podcast produced by Rockford Rescue Mission. Hosts Nathan Haglund and Jim Killam talk frankly with their guests about second chances, compassion, leadership — and the messy, beautiful work of loving people like Jesus did. 

What if “not being okay” is actually okay with God?Serving those with experiences of Homelessness, Addiction, Abuse, and Mental health challenges is an uncomfortable calling. It’s messy and challenging to our faith when we see such despair every day. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help. Our mission is to show hospitality to everyone we serve, just as Jesus modeled. That’s what our episode is about: practical ways to show hospitality that you can apply in your own life. Kurt Pazdra, the Mission’s Homeless Services Director, says “...in summary, is for believers to be okay to not be okay, to be okay to not be comfortable, to be okay to take risks and see what the Lord can do when we share our life and our resources and the gospel with those around us.”This podcast is powered by Rockford Rescue Mission—a Christian nonprofit serving Rockford, Illinois, since 1964. Open 24/7 and free to all, we offer hope and help in Jesus’ name to the hungry, homeless, and those seeking recovery. Learn more at rockfordrescuemission.org. Thanks for listening!