"Faith? That's the plan? I couldn't find the faith button on my calculator," said Joey McLane, a 30-year member of the United Gospel Rescue Mission Board of Directors. "But we bought the building and I waited for us to fail."
Except, he added, failure never came.
The United Gospel Rescue Mission celebrated phase one of its Golden Anniversary on Thursday with a banquet at the Black River Coliseum. More than 500 community members gathered to recognize those who have helped make the Mission what it is today -- a Christian organization serving, "the least, the last and the lost for half a century."
Phase two of the anniversary celebration is the UGRM@50 Family Fun Day sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Rescue Mission's facility on Broadway.
Now the president of First Midwest Bank, McLane said when he joined the Board he wasn't yet 25 years old, but had a penchant for numbers. He said at the time, the Board was comprised of, "Older church men and women with golden hearts, but not a lot of business focus," and the Mission's financial status could only be described as poor.
McLane recounted a story from back then when long-time mission director Rev. Jim Dunn hoped to purchase a former Coca-Cola plant on Cherry Street to house the facility.
McLane and his calculator said it wasn't an affordable move, but Dunn told him, "God will provide." Today, through community donations, grants and a lot of hard work, the UGRM operates debt-free with a half million dollar annual budget and money in the bank.
Through his experiences with the United Gospel Rescue Mission, McLane said, he's learned to rely on faith just a little bit more.
The evening also served as an opportunity to honor those who work diligently behind the scenes year after year.
Local historian John Stanard introduced his best friend, Joe Scott, who has been the chairman of the UGRM's Board of Directors for nearly 30 years.
The University of Missouri basketball record holder was recruited to lead the Rescue Mission by Rev. Dunn. Stanard said the organization would not have achieved its current success without his fine leadership.
As he approached the stage, Scott was welcomed with Mizzou's fight song and a round of applause. He was then honored with a proclamation from Sen. Doug Libla, who emceed the event, and Rep. Jason Smith. Stanard presented his friend with two flags, which were previously flown at the state capitol in Jefferson City. When he left the stage, Scott was carrying a box full of mementos.
He was seated with his wife, Judith Wangelin Scott. The pair will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary in a few days, he added.
Current mission director Rev. Greg Kirk also received recognition from Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker.
Stucker bestowed honorary fire captain status upon the department's chaplain, which means he now may officially be referred to as "Capt. Kirk."
Many other speakers graced the stage to commemorate the last 50 years. Rev. Dunn was in attendance and led the group in prayer before dinner. Bishop Ronnie Webb spoke on the importance of "the real rescue mission," using the parable of the Good Samaritan. Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers honored first responders and UGRM@50 co-chair Jeff Shawan offered his words in support of the Rescue Mission's work.
Two men shared their testimonies about how their lives were changed through the Mission's New Life program, which offers hope and healing to those men caught in the throes of alcohol or drug addiction.
A community choir directed by Cheri Dawe performed with the piano accompaniment of Kirk Mondy.
"A lot of you sitting in the audience have given blood, sweat and tears to keep the mission going," Libla said during the ceremony.