By Laura Lee Leathers
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10b, NIV
What do you know about Gateway Rescue Mission, located in the heart of Jackson? Many of us tend to think of a soup kitchen. However, it is so much more!
Recently, I spoke with Mitch Lott, Gateway’s director of Donor Ministry, about their new three-year initiative to renovate a 24,000-square-foot warehouse on Gallatin Street. One thing is certain: Executive Director Rex Baker and other staff members are excited about how the expansion will benefit the men who come to live and heal at Gateway.
The warehouse was given by an anonymous donor in the 1990s. At that time, Gateway didn’t have the funds to remodel the building. Then came the pandemic of 2020. That year, a surplus of donations began to accrue. They were placed in a reserve account for a future purpose.
The purpose became evident: Now was the time to renovate the warehouse, beginning with a capital campaign designated “Restore Life to Jackson.” Within the first 18 months of the three-year campaign, $4 million was raised.
Groundbreaking for the New Life Center took place on August 5, 2026, with Jackson Mayor John Horhn, approximately 75 guests, the Alliant Construction crew, and the media attending.
The top floor, otherwise known as Phase 1, is expected to be completed in April or May of 2027, with Phase 2, the bottom floor, and the end of the campaign set for March 2028.
The New Life Center will include:
- Dorms for 36 men in Gateway’s addiction-recovery program
- A new, larger chapel — large enough to host community events and guests
- Six new offices and a conference room
- Two new classrooms
- 10-12 efficiency apartments for transitional living for recovery graduates
- New parking lots and additional staff — counselors and caseworkers — to support the expanded program.
Architectural plans for the New Life Center are available at GatewayMission.org/restore-life-to-jackson.
It’s been 78 years since Jackson fireman Capt. Lynn Martin and his wife founded Gateway. Would they be surprised to know that their vision to help the homeless has grown exponentially? Probably not, because they knew there would be others willing to invest in men’s lives and share the gospel.
Rex Baker wrote in a letter to the public, “We can cut and run, leaving Jackson at the mercy of all the wrong forces. Or we can make a stand and carve out a new future for our Capital City. At Gateway Rescue Mission, we are committed to making a stand. We invite you to join us on this journey to ‘Restore Life to Jackson.’”
Donate online or contact Mitch Lott, director of Donor Ministry. For volunteer opportunities at Gateway, contact Rusty Ryan, director of IT / Volunteer Services.
Gateway Rescue Mission
- Phone: 601-353-5864
- Website: GatewayMission.org
- Email: info@gatewaymission.org
- Facebook: @GatewayRescue
