What is a real homeless shelter? Well, for that, we should go back to the first one in America. The Gospel Mission movement was rooted in Christian evangelism, providing food and shelter to “rescue” individuals, particularly those struggling with alcoholism.

In 1872, Jerry McAuley founded the first North American rescue mission after a transformative personal experience. The Helping Hand for Men was located at 316 Water St. in New York City. Today, it still exists as The Bowery Mission. McAuley’s impactful ministry led to the establishment of hundreds of rescue missions across the U.S.

In 1906, Mission leaders in New York founded the National Federation of Gospel Missions (NFGM) to provide accountability and support for the rapidly growing number of city missions. The Salvation Army played a key role in the original NFGM, helping to unify and strengthen the mission movement across the country

Today, that organization is called Citygate Network (citygatenetwork.org) By bringing together leaders from across North America and beyond, Citygate Network has fostered a community where ministries can thrive, empowered by strategic support and a shared vision for gospel-powered life transformation.

A 2024 analysis found that about 75 percent of emergency shelter beds in the United States are in faith-based facilities, particularly through The Salvation Army and Citygate Network. Beacon of Hope Ministries has been a member of the Citygate Network for the majority of its 16-year tenure and remains a faithful member today. The Beacon of Hope Ministries is not an exception in how we operate; we are like most other shelters in the United States.

The Beacon of Hope Ministries is a Christian shelter. This was the intent when we were formed, and our mission hasn’t drifted. Our management staff at the Beacon all have lived experience in the power of the gospel. We have all had addiction issues and have been on the street. Each one of us has found healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ.

The Beacon of Hope Ministries welcomes men who are hurting, hungry for food, or a new life. We welcome men who have broken relationships. We deal with men, almost 90 percent of whom either deal with addiction or mental health; 80 percent have both.

There are no requirements to stay at “the Beacon” — especially no financial requirements. We take men who have nothing and ask nothing of them, other than to follow some simple boundaries that will help them when they move on from here. Our rules are simple: you must get up at a set time, shower daily, change your sheets weekly, be on time for check-in, be on the property at designated times, go to bed by a specified time, and help around the shelter when asked. Men are also required to attend recovery meetings or chapel events.

Our rules for entry are for the safety of everyone. Men cannot be intoxicated or visibly high when they come in. Our staff knows, since we’ve been through it ourselves, that if you are living in close quarters with people who are drunk or high, you struggle to stay sober and clean — no matter how badly you want to. We are trying to help men live differently. That is why they chose to come to The Beacon of Hope Ministries. They want to put barriers between themselves and the people and environments that pull them toward old habits.

We work to create an environment that shows the men we care for them, and encourage them in a new life of faith, free from the things that catapulted them into homelessness and isolation.

As a staff, the discouraging days are the ones when we lose a guest to the streets because they don’t want to follow the rules and boundaries we set. Though some believe we should let them stay regardless, this is unfair to the men who truly want change — men who ask for a second or third or fourth chance to overcome barriers to success. Men who are determined to succeed!

We must do everything we can to edify, encourage, and guide these men. For those who aren’t ready and break the rules, we always have hope that maybe they will come back and try again. If they do, we will welcome them in.

Being homeless is not just about the lack of a job or a home. There’s so much more to it…

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” –Mother Theresa

The Beacon of Hope works to create an environment of holistic healing and to restore men to a better way of life. That restoration is important not just to us but to our community as well. This keeps men from roaming the streets, living in uninhabitable spaces, squatting, and/or even dying because they have no place to go for the chance to change their lives. We will continue to help as many men as we are able; this is our mission, this is why we exist.

Homelessness in the United States has grown at an alarming rate. A sad fact is that women and children are the fastest-growing segment of homelessness. The Beacon of Hope Ministries is responding with a vision for the future — a shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness right here in Fort Dodge. Until our community can offer hope, help, and healing to every vulnerable person on our streets, we have work to do. And we hope you will come alongside us.

Brian Bidleman is the executive director of Beacon of Hope Ministries.