Celebrating 70 Years of Love in Action 1956–2026
The main purpose — and the very reason the Martinsburg Union Rescue Mission exists — is to fulfill the Great Commission as given by Jesus Christ in Gospel of Matthew 28:19–20.
In that passage, Jesus commands His followers:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This command is not simply about meeting physical needs. It is about making disciples. It is about introducing people to Jesus Christ, helping them grow in their faith, and walking with them as they learn to live transformed lives.
At the Rescue Mission, this Great Commission mandate shapes everything we do.
We provide meals — but we also provide prayer.
We offer shelter — but we also offer Scripture.
We meet physical needs — but we never neglect eternal ones.
Every breakfast served, every bed prepared, every class taught, every chapel service held, and every conversation had with a program member is an opportunity to point someone toward Christ.
The Mission does not exist merely as a social service agency. It exists as a Gospel-centered ministry. While compassion compels us to care for immediate needs, our deeper calling is to see lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ. True transformation happens not just when someone finds stability — but when someone finds a Savior.
The Great Commission reminds us that:
We are called to go — not wait.
We are called to make disciples — not just provide services.
We are called to teach obedience — not just offer inspiration.
We are called to trust Christ’s promise that He is with us in the work.
For nearly 70 years, the Mission has sought to be faithful to that command — creating disciples, restoring hope, and helping individuals rebuild their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
The meals matter.
The shelter matters.
The programs matter.
But above all, the Gospel matters.
That is the heart of the Rescue Mission.
That is why we exist.
Programs
The Martinsburg Union Rescue Mission is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals who seek our assistance receive the Gospel accurately and directly from the authority of the Bible. We employ a range of programs as a means of introducing the Gospel. For further information on each program, kindly click on the link below.
Community Meals
Volunteer
Our dedicated volunteers serve as the foundation for our organization’s success. We would be delighted to engage in a conversation with you regarding the opportunity to join our volunteer ranks. To initiate the application process, CLICK HERE. We currently have openings for volunteers in the following areas:
Kitchen
Front Desk
Thrift Store
Haven House | Hope House
Donation Center
Meal Takeover
Values
The Martinsburg Union Rescue Mission is dedicated to equipping individuals with discipleship in Jesus Christ. To facilitate this mission, our programs are structured around six fundamental values:
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We believe that we first exist to glorify God and advance His kingdom; through grace, we receive, and through grace, we share
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We highly value and intentionally serve each other, our guests, and our ministry partners, leading by following Christ’s example.
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We invest in the spiritual, personal, and professional development of one another, restoring and equipping each other for intentional living
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We are responsible for the time, talents, and treasures entrusted to us by God and our ministry partners and strive to maximize the impact of these resources
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We strive to provide excellent services, achieve results, impact our community, and be innovative and collaborative in our approach
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We give praise. We set others up to win. We celebrate and champion those God has placed around us. What we honor is what we receive.
❊ FAQs
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No, the Rescue Mission has never received any financial assistance from any government organization. We remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining our independence from government funding.
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The Rescue Mission is fully funded through private donations from both individuals and businesses, churches, and organizations.
Additionally, we receive funding from our thrift store and donation center.
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Our donation and recycling center provides numerous avenues for supporting the Mission by accepting the following items:
* Clothes, towels, blankets, sheets, and shoes in any condition
* Metal and aluminum
* Small household items in working order
* Cardboard
* Paper and shredded paper
* Books and magazines
* Furniture in salable condition (excluding couches, loveseats, mattresses, box springs, bedframes, and desks)
The center is located at 112 Elijah Street, situated behind our main facility on King Street. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You may drive up, and our staff will assist with unloading your vehicle.
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A Meal Take Over presents an exceptional opportunity for your organization or group to collaborate with the Mission. Your organization will assume responsibility for all aspects of a single meal. We will provide our kitchen, complete with all necessary cooking utensils and serving implements, while you will be responsible for selecting, preparing and serving the meal.
For a Meal Take Over, expect:
80 for breakfast
150 for lunch or dinner
If you are interested in organizing a Meal Take Over for your company, restaurant, or church group, please contact Patrick today for further details.
**Contact Information:**
(681) 283-0791
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The most convenient method for an individual seeking assistance through the Rescue Mission is to complete the application available on the program page corresponding to the program they wish to join. After the application is submitted, you must wait until you hear from a Program Case Manager before coming to the Mission program you are seeking to enter.
For the Hope House and Haven House Programs, we DO NOT accept walk ins. All candidates for these programs must have received direct acceptance from the Case Manager.
Alternatively, they may visit the front desk of the Rescue Mission to obtain the application.
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Pray: Please keep the people we serve and our team in your prayers.
Give: Your financial support allows us to continue and expand our programs. You can make a secure online donation through the link at the top of every page on the website
Volunteer - Whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare, your contribution can make a significant difference. Volunteers are the heart of the Mission, providing essential support and kindness to the families in the Have House, our transitional family and single parent Spiritual Recovery Program. By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to meet new people, and be part of a community dedicated to making disciples for Jesus.
Share: Help us spread the word about our work by sharing our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Rumble and TikTok which are linked throughout the website.