History

On January 19, Melvin E. Trotter drunkenly stumbles into the Pacific Garden Rescue Mission in Chicago and accepts Christ as his Savior.

In February, three years after his transformed life, city leaders from Grand Rapids call the Pacific Garden Rescue Mission for help. Mel Trotter, a leader at the Mission at that time was sent to start a rescue mission in Grand Rapids.

Mel Trotter is ordained as a minister.

City Rescue Mission moves to the old Smith Opera House.

Mel Trotter begins a ministry to solders in World War 1.

In May, Mel Trotter fills in for Billy Sunday in Memphis, TN.

The Mission initiates its Morning Mission radio program.

On September 11, Mel Trotter passes into the presence of his Lord. City Rescue Mission becomes the Mel Trotter Mission. John Shy becomes interim superintendent.

Mel Trotter Mission initiates wartime outreach.

Rev. Fred C. Zarfas is appointed as superintendent of the Mel Trotter Mission.

Branch Mission is established to care for transient men.

The Mission headquarters are remodeled and repaired.

In September, Rev. Claude J. Moore is appointed as superintendent of Mel Trotter Mission.

George Bontekoe is appointed superintendent of Mel Trotter Mission.

Old Mission headquarters are sold.

Mission leases the Heyman Building on Monroe Avenue as the temporary quarters.

Mission purchases Kent Theater and Oaks hotel properties for new permanent headquarters.

The dedication ceremonies for the new permanent headquarters are held between October 18-21.

The Mel Trotter Missions newsletter pays tribute to the women who have worked at the Mission.

On April 6, Mr. and Mrs. Hale McKay donate a building to Mel Trotter Mission.

Mel Trotter Mission is displaced by urban renewal.

The new Mission headquarters opens at 225 Commerce Avenue.

Mel Trotter Mission acquires land for a children's Bible day camp.

Camp Mel-Tro-Mi holds its first activities as a children's Bible day camp.

In May, Rev. Henry Hoekstra is appointed as superintendent of Mel Trotter Mission.

Jim Lenters is appointed as the new executive director (formerly superintendent) of Mel Trotter Mission.

Harold Koning is appointed as the executive director of Mel Trotter Mission.

Richard Roberds is appointed as the new executive director of Mel Trotter Ministries.

In October, John Willock is appointed as the new executive director of Mel Trotter.

Rev. Donn Rainbolt is appointed as the interim director of Mel Trotter Ministries.

The following new outreach programs are initiated, State of Michigan's Center for Substance Abuse Services treatment (CSAS), "Biggest Bar-B-Q in Town" for the heartside district, and the children's Back-to-School program.

In May, Rev. Thomas J. Laymon is appointed as the new executive director of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Mel Trotter Ministries purchases the John K. Burch Building for the new Women and Children's Shelter.

The First Annual Thanksgiving Banquet is held.

The first annual golf event is held to benefit the Women and Children's shelter.

In June, Mel Trotter Ministries hosts the International Union of Gospel Missions conference.

The new Women and Children's Shelter opening dedication ceremonies are held.

The Vision clinic opens.

The City Wide Center for Publicly Intoxicated Shelter opens and nurses are hired to manage and provide ministry and medical care.

Tom Meyers becomes the CEO after serving as interim CEO.

Mel Trotter opens its first Grand Rapids retail store on 29th Street.

Mel Trotter opens its Sparta retail store.

Rev. Chico Daniels becomes the CEO.

The Belding retail store opens.

The Grand Rapids retail store on 29th Street closes.

The Auto Training and Sales Center opens.

The Middleville retail store opens.

The Mel Trotter Summer Camp closes as well as the Dental and Vision Clinics.

The Chiropractic and Legal clinics open.

A fifth retail store opens in Jension.

The Mission board affirms the mission and vision statements and approves the new strategic plan.

In February, the renovated Food Pantry and new Day Center open. The Day Center provides a safe space and resources from Mel Trotter Ministries and other ministries and agencies.

The Chapel is renovated and renamed the Bob and Betty Kregel Chapel.

Mel Trotter Ministries purchases the property on the SW corner of Commerce and Williams with funds from a generous bequest.

Gordon Oosting becomes the interim CEO.

Dennis Van Kampen becomes the CEO. He served as the Vice President of Mission programs from 2012-2015.

Step Up, the revamped substance abuse recovery program for men and women, opens at Mel Trotter Ministries which addiction services provided by Arbor Circle.

Pathway Home, a collaboration established by Family Promise Ministries, to work with and secure permanent housing for homeless families opens at Mel Trotter Ministries.

Pilgrimage Program opens targeting ministry, services, and housing for men who are chronically homeless, mentally ill, and physically disabled. In the first year, 39 men were helped in permanent supportive housing.

In September, the First Annual Season of Hope fundraising event is held at Frederik Meijer Gardens. The Keynote Speaker is author Liz Murray.

The retail store and Auto Repair Center at 555 28th Street closes. Donated automobiles are still accepted.

Y.E.S. (Youth Emergency Shelter) opens, providing separate space for unaccompanied homeless male youth ages 18-24. The pilot opened with 6 beds and was expanded to 10 beds.

The Mission board approves a new strategic plan: "Vision 20/20".

MTM opens an off-site transitional Youth House for men ages 18-24.

An outreach case manager is hired to help families experiencing homelessness in rural, northern Kent County.

The R&R Space is opened; a shelter space for individuals who identify as transgender. This is the first shelter space of its kind at a Christian organization in Michigan.

Renovations from the Immeasurably More Capital Campaign are complete. This includes transforming dorms into suite-style rooms, and renovations to the Atrium and Clinic.