The Harvest Missions Team is working alongside the Fred Jordan Mission and a contracted construction company to help renovations on the 4th floor of the Fred Jordan Mission, where the mission hopes to eventually house their school of evangelism. This has been a longtime dream of Willie Jordan, who founded the mission with her husband Fred in 1944 and continues to run it with her son Tom and his wife Teresa Jordan.
The mission sits on the corner of 5th and Towne Avenues in downtown Los Angeles and provides daily meal services to the homeless. “Jesus came to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and give good news to the poor. That’s why we’re here,” says Willie. “We preach the gospel and feed the homeless.” The Fred Jordan Mission is the last place on Skid Row that still feeds the homeless.
The fourth floor of the Fred Jordan Mission provides a panoramic view of Skid Row. “You can live in California your whole life and never see Skid Row,” says one of the contracted construction workers (Steve Brooks, Bergman Construction), looking down on the homeless gathering for lunch service. “This is it.”
The Fred Jordan Mission School of Evangelism will be a training program where church leaders, looking to provide similar services, can bring their teams to stay for a short time to receive hands-on experience in learning the daily operations of the mission and working with the homeless. In December 2012, a private donation was given to the mission to help start construction on this new project, renovating their former children’s area into seven bedrooms and a conference room/meeting area.
On January 16, 2013, the Harvest Missions Team began working on the “rough” of the project, which includes framing, drywall, electrical, and some plumbing and insulation. It should take about three weeks to complete this phase; then there are plans to return and do finishing touches on fixtures, lighting, etc. “Harvest believes in what the Fred Jordan Mission is doing and supports their efforts,” says Pastor Rick Schutte, who oversees the Harvest Missions Team. In addition to assisting with the construction of the school of evangelism, the team plans to help feed the homeless, preach the word, and whatever else God leads them to do. “We’re excited to be a part of this project. The Lord will make it happen.”
Find out more about the Fred Jordan Mission Center for Evangelism and Outreach here.