Blue Water Area Rescue Mission

Some of the most important ministry at BWARM looks like this—two volunteers at a table, chopping produce and sharing smiles. 🥗

Today we’re thankful for friends like Carla and Orlando, who show Christ’s love in small, faithful ways so our guests can experience good meals, good conversations, and a sense of home. Your behind‑the‑scenes service makes a real difference here. 💙

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to serve at BWARM, this is it: ordinary people using what they have to bless our neighbors in need.

⏰️ Drop‑in volunteer times:
• Mondays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Come for a couple of hours, meet the team, and help us care for our neighbors—no long‑term commitment needed.

Sometimes ministry looks like Bible study and case management. And sometimes it looks like dodgeball. 😄

This past weekend, our friends at Crossroads and BWROC invited BWARM to a nonprofit dodgeball tournament. Our Shelter Coordinator, Joshua, rallied a team of current and former guests, and we took the house out for a Saturday of fun, laughter, and a lot of dodging, ducking, and diving.

We didn’t bring home the trophy, but our guys had an amazing time just being together—cheering each other on, joking around, and remembering that they are more than their past and more than their circumstances. Moments like this help restore a sense of normalcy and remind our guests that they have value, gifts, and a community that enjoys doing life with them. 💙

Huge thank you to Josh, to Crossroads and BWROC and to everyone who helped make this day happen. We’re already looking forward to the next one.

If you’d like to help more men experience this kind of stability and joy, one simple way is to sponsor a bed at BWARM—providing a safe place to rest while they work, heal, and, yes, have some fun again.

Many of you remember “Myron’s Miraculous Journey Home.”

Recently we learned that Myron has gone home to be with the Lord, and we want to honor his life and the part God allowed BWARM to play in his story. ⬇️

When we first met Myron, he was living in his car. A concerned neighbor reached out on Facebook, and over several days of conversation, prayer, and gentle persistence, he agreed to come into shelter. Before he ever stayed the night at BWARM, we helped connect him with medical care and with House of Hope in Sandusky—situated literally in the backyard of his old home.

At House of Hope, Myron found safety, support, and people who cared for him deeply. He heard the gospel, received treatment for serious health issues, and became known by name—not just as “a man in a car,” but as Myron, a friend and neighbor. In time, we received the news that Myron had passed away. ✨

We grieve his loss, but we’re also grateful: grateful that he did not die alone and unseen, grateful for our partnership with House of Hope, and grateful for the way God allowed Myron to experience love, dignity, and connection in his final season.

Please join us in praying for Myron’s family, friends, and the team at House of Hope. And as you do, remember that every act of kindness—every bed sponsored, every prayer, every meal served—matters more than we may ever see on this side of eternity. 🙏🏾

Erin didn’t just work hard to graduate—he graduated with honors, all while staying at the Mission. 🎓

Here’s the story behind that moment ⬇️

While Erin was staying at BWARM, he was quietly putting in the work on his GED. Most people will only see the cap and gown. What they won’t see is the way he was grinding away at his studies after long days at the shelter, choosing consistency when it would have been easier to quit.

Along the way, our team—and I personally—had the joy of praying with him, checking in on his progress, and nudging him to keep going when it got tough. The hard work was his. We just had a front‑row seat to what God was doing.

This week, at Port Huron Schools’ Phoenix Academy and Adult Learning Center, Erin walked across the stage under that phoenix logo—a picture of rising from the ashes. Not only did he receive his GED, he was named one of just a few graduates in a class of more than 90 to finish with honors. 💛

Moments like this don’t happen in a vacuum. They happen because there was a safe bed, a hot meal, and a community cheering him on while he studied and pushed through discouragement.

Help us celebrate Erin in the comments—show him some love for his hard work and dedication. And if you’d like to help more Erins take steps like this, would you consider sponsoring a bed so another man has a place to rest, recover, and pursue his goals?

Steve and Michelle didn’t just run a business—they blessed a city. Even as Country Style Market closed its doors, they made sure that generosity had the last word. 💙

Here’s a little of the story behind that blessing ⬇️

When Steve and Michelle moved Country Style Market downtown, they wanted it to be a blessing to Port Huron. Even as they closed their doors, that heart never changed.

Before their last day, Steve reached out to local shelters and soup kitchens—including Blue Water Area Rescue Mission—and invited us to come “shop” their shelves for free. Cart after cart, we were able to restock our pantry so our guests could keep receiving hot meals, fresh bread, and everyday essentials. 🙌🏽

What moves me most is how they chose to close: not in bitterness, but in generosity. In their final days downtown, they were thinking about neighbors in need. That’s the kind of quiet, faithful love that keeps our community strong.

Steve and Michelle, thank you for the way you’ve served this city. You’ll be missed downtown, but your impact will keep showing up in every meal we serve at BWARM 💙

Stories like theirs remind us how much local businesses mean to our neighbors in need. We’re grateful for every shop, restaurant, and workplace that quietly shares what they have to help keep our pantry full and our doors open.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17

We’re grateful for the generous grant from Sam’s Club and the partnership behind it. This support helps provide shelter, care, and hope for men who are working hard to rebuild their lives at BWARM. 🙌🏾

And because this gift comes through the Walmart/Sam’s Club Spark Good program, it’s also a reminder that everyday shopping can make a difference. When you round up through Spark Good, you help extend that same kind of impact to our neighbors in need.
Thank you, Sam’s Club, for investing in real help and real hope. ✨️

Next time you shop at Walmart or Sam’s Club, choose BWARM in Spark Good Round Up. 💙

I’ve got to say—we were blown away by Girl Scout Troop 77610, who showed up and showed out with backpacks packed for our neighbors in need. 🎒 Their generosity is a beautiful reminder of how powerful a child’s simple faith and love can be.

They didn’t just drop off supplies; they noticed people who are often forgotten and responded with compassion—a gentle nudge for all of us to keep stepping in and caring for those on the margins. 🙌🏾

To Troop 77610 and your leaders: 🫡 thank you for shining so brightly and blessing the men at BWARM and our neighbors in need. 💛 If their kindness stirs something in you, there are so many ways to join in—praying for our guests, sponsoring a bed, or volunteering your time to help keep this ministry moving forward.

And if you spot Troop 77610 out selling cookies this year, you already know—they’re the real deal. 🍪

🛒 Did you know you can support Blue Water Area Rescue Mission through Walmart’s Spark Good Round Up program when you shop at Walmart, whether online or in the app?

We’re excited to share that BWARM is now part of the Walmart Spark Good Round Up program at Walmart. 💙 Every time you shop on Walmart.com or in the Walmart app, you can round up your total at checkout and donate your spare change to help men experiencing homelessness right here in St. Clair County.

Getting started only takes a minute ⭐
1. Open your Walmart app or go to Walmart.com/sparkgood.
2. Log in and search for “Blue Water Area Rescue Mission.”
3. Select us as your preferred nonprofit and turn on “Round Up” to donate your change at checkout.

These photos are from our local Fort Gratiot Walmart, but you can select BWARM as your Spark Good nonprofit no matter which Walmart you shop with.

Every cent goes directly to providing safe shelter and dignity care for our neighbors in need. Thank you for loving your neighbors while you shop. 🙏🏽

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40

On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who laid down their lives for others—and we’re also reminded of the quiet, daily service happening right here in our community. 🫡

At BWARM, it takes a whole community to care for our neighbors in need. As a non‑governmental ministry, we rely on God working through volunteers, staff, churches, businesses, and donors—people who give time, prayer, finances, and in‑kind gifts so men without much can find safety, stability, and hope.

To every volunteer, team member, and supporter serving on the “front lines” with us for men who are often forgotten or overlooked: thank you. Your faithfulness behind the scenes is a living picture of loving your neighbor. 💙

Talk about grace… 🙌🏾

Barry was down and out when one of our team members met him and told him about the Blue Water Area Rescue Mission. He showed up, but those first couple of stays were short and rocky. This time, something was different—he found hope, community, support, and a new kind of joy that kept him coming back and moving forward.

As Barry leaned in, we watched him grow. He started to shine as an encourager and chose better things. Now, you’d rarely see him without a fresh hat, his bike shining, and a smile that lights up the room. ✨️

Now Barry has keys to his own place. He’s got a beautiful apartment with a view, new appliances, and a real fresh start. Barry talks about how much he’s grown at BWARM and how the love and support he’s received—and also given back—is a living picture of what transformation can look like.

We believe God created every person with value and purpose, and Barry is a testimony of that. Barry, we’re proud of you—not just for surviving, but for thriving. Many more blessings to you, brother. 🌅

If you’d like to support Barry and men like him, here are a few ways you can help:

🌟Pray for Barry as he settles into his new place and keeps growing.
🌟Help with a few practical items for his new home (message us for details).
🌟Volunteer your time to serve alongside us at BWARM.
🌟Sponsor a Bed so there can be a “next Barry” moving from homelessness to housing—learn more at BWARM.net.