Kylie revels in seeing god work in clients’ lives
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-37.
When Kylie Alsin was in college, she felt God wanting her to put these words into action in her everyday life. She attended Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, completing her education with a master’s degree in Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. “I wanted to be at a school that saw the entire church body as workers in furthering the Kingdom of God, not just pastors,” she said. Seeing everyone as part of growing God’s Kingdom has been a consistent theme in Kylie’s life.
Kylie joined the Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast staff in August 2021 as the Community Relations Coordinator. In her role, Kylie converses with donors and coordinates volunteers, but her favorite aspect of her job is working with clients to connect them with educational and job resources.
Kylie has spent many years studying the Bible, even spending a year at a church in Scotland teaching and preaching. “I had studied theology and knew the academics of theology, but working here (at the Mission), I can use that knowledge in a tangible and meaningful way,” she said.
Seeing clients’ lives change in a direction closer to God has given Kylie a passion to help be part of that change. “It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s story, and an even bigger privilege to be a part of life change when residents begin to recognize that even in brokenness, God carries us,” she said.
While working at the Mission, Kylie has been humbled to be part of assisting the residents with educational and employment resources. “It can be difficult when a resident can’t see past their struggles and only see themselves as stuck, but then they see that God can shepherd them into a life that is separate from addiction.”
Kylie also finds joy in donor development and coordinating volunteers. “Getting to help others see that they are tangibly making a difference and supporting a ministry is encouraging,” she said.
Even though Kylie’s formal education is over, she continues to learn about God and His Word. “It is a convicting job,” she said. “I am learning that there are gaps in my perceptions and preconceived notions about who are the least of these, the strangers, the marginalized. When I meet these people, I learn so much from those who are struggling and yet are so strong in the midst of that.”
As the ministry grows, Kylie is excited to see more opportunities for changed lives. “For so many years we have served men, and now for the first time, we will get to serve women and fill that need in our community,” Kylie said. The Mission is opening a women’s Life Recovery Program this year. “This will be a place for women who are struggling with addiction, trauma, and abuse. They need a place to feel wanted and a place to discover
who God made them to be.”
Kylie looks forward to furthering God’s Kingdom as men, women and their families will now all have a place to reunite and find restoration at the Mission. “I think it is exciting to see how God has ushered in this new chapter for the Mission and how we can provide for the different needs in
our community.”