History

At our core, we are a Christian ministry whose primary focus is presenting the Gospel. The Gospel is demonstrated by our Food Service Ministry, Men’s Shelter Ministry, the Women’s & Family Shelter Ministry and Bargain Center’s Ministry. These ministry areas grow out of an understanding that God cares deeply about the poor and homeless; and in serving our neighbors, we are serving Him.

The many services provided by the Montana Rescue Mission pave the way for us to share the Gospel through the message of hope, reconciliation and new life that is available to all who believe. There truly is hope for the homeless, and it is found in the message shared in our chapels, our classes, and our praise and worship times.

All of this would not be possible without the efforts of so many people who have served the Lord at the Mission and for the prayers, volunteers and financial support that have come from our great and caring community. Staff members, Board of Directors, community leaders and a whole host of people have helped us grow into the broad-based compassionate ministry that we are today.

Since the late 1940’s the Montana Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope for the poor and homeless in Billings and greater Yellowstone County area. This ministry of compassion formally organized as a Christian non-profit organization in 1955 and was named Christ’s Rescue Mission. Later, the name was changed to Montana Rescue Mission. The beginnings of the Mission were a response to God’s prompting within the hearts of a group of Christian men from our community. In responding to that call, these men set in motion a ministry that, over the years, would serve millions of meals, provide hundreds of thousands of nights of shelter, give away clothing to untold thousands of men, women and children and provide the tools to help move folks from hopelessness and despair to new life in Christ. That is real hope for the future.

Over the years the Mission has provided services out of several different facilities on the south side of Billings. In the beginning, the Mission was located on Minnesota Avenue and occupied different locations during the 1950’s and 1960’s. As the number of people being served increased, the ministry sought out more suitable facilities. During the late 1960’s through the late 1970’s, the Mission was located on North 26th Street in what is now the Don Luis restaurant. Homeless men, women and later, families, were ministered to in this location until crowding and a deteriorating building prompted the Mission to seek a new home.

In the late 1970’s, with the support and cooperation of the community, the Mission moved to 2822 Minnesota Avenue, (the former location of the Salvation Army) and began to serve the poor and homeless in a completely renovated building. Space was available to serve men and women and opened the doors to begin ministry to a rapidly growing population of homeless families. The Mission was able to provide small rooms for families, offering housing space for as many as 6 family members in one room.

Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s the need for ministry services offered by the Mission increased dramatically; most evident in the number of homeless families that were in desperate need. This growing population of homeless families coupled with a growing number of homeless men, prompted the Board of Directors to plan for a facility that would more adequately and compassionately serve these families in crisis. This planning resulted in the Mission’s ability to serve more effectively through the opening of the Montana Rescue Mission Women’s & Family Shelter in 1991. Located in the building that was formerly the Lincoln Hotel, the Women’s & Family Shelter at 2520 First Avenue North has been at, or near, capacity since it’s opening; serving as many as 125 people per night.

In addition to these ministries, the Mission also operates 3 Bargain Centers in our community which serve as a distribution point for non-food and non-cash donations. These Bargain Centers are an integral part of the Mission. With these donations, the Bargain Centers are able to offer high-quality, low-cost items for the poor in the community, generate additional revenue for vital ministry programs, and provide free items to those who need them.

While the size and complexity of the Montana Rescue Mission Ministries has grown over the last 60 years, at its heart is the love and compassion of God demonstrated through service to others; the Gospel lived out!