A New Addition: 4121 Forest Park Avenue

MORE GOOD

By: Steve Hanusa

Ninety days ago, the building was empty. Clean, but empty.
Grey paint glistened on the expansive floor.

The white walls reflected light. The rooms were clean, but
empty.

Entering the building today, colors pop out as the rows of
orange, yellow, blue, red, and white T-shirts., racks of berets, and display
counters shine with jewelry and knick-knacks of every description. Beyond the
huge room are clothes, furniture, dishes, and all kinds of goods as far as the
eye can see. There is order to all things: rows of clothes-winter coats,
sweaters, skirts, blouses, shirts, ties, and suits.

There are couches, sofas, beds, dining sets, TV’s, stereo
equipment, armoires, exercise equipment, and items of every kind imaginable.

It is not hard to imagine what shoppers are thinking. “Where
could I put that? How would it fit in my house? I guess I will have to get rid
of something if I buy it.”

Or, “I need winter coats for my kids. My stove is broken and
there’s a new one I can afford!”

New! The new Salvation Army Thrift Store at 4121 Forest Park
Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, reopened.

The Salvation Army has ‘grand openings’ all over the world.
The Army feeds the hungry and the displaced, brings clothes for the cold and
naked, the Army dries the tears of the bereft, comforts those who suffer, and
brings the love of Jesus and the Gospel to the world.

Many are reborn through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Centers admit men and
women to facilities where they receive work therapy, addiction counseling
services, Bible study, and participation in worship.

In all things the beneficiaries are renewed. Renewed and
able to work again. Taught how to become clean and sober freed from active
addiction. Learning from Scripture. Participating in worship services with joy.
The joy of worshipping God and Jesus Christ.

The renewal of life pops out at the St. Louis ARC like the
bright orange and yellow of the store’s T-shirts. Like the smile of a newborn.

The success of the stores depends on the donations of the
public and the hard work of the beneficiaries. Their capacity to work hard
expressing gratitude for the opportunity is strengthened by the rehabilitation
and recovery program. The recovery program enables personal insights and
behavior changes, such as attending church and AA, which sustain recovery.

It all works together-

To renew life, restore dignity, and be reborn in God’s grace
and salvation through Jesus.

Majors Kendall and Katrina Matthews glow with grace and
gratitude as beneficiaries complete the program and some become adherents and
go on to become soldiers. Soldiers who may one day join the ranks of officers
who administer the Adult Rehabilitation Centers.