Businesses or Organizations You Should Know About: The Old Town Mission
by Mycenay
"…and said your Master Son [Jesus], 'He who would be greatest among you let him be server of all'." (The URANTIA Book; pg. 316:5). Over the years I've
heard good things about The Old Town Mission in Cottonwood and their
work, so I decided to go there for a visit and see for myself. I
arrived on a sunny Friday afternoon at a clean, flaxen-colored,
charming building that resembles an old Spanish-style mission. (I later
learned that parts of the building are over 100 years old originally
made out of broken brick and sticks.) Upon entering I was greeted by a
woman with kind eyes named Fran. We chatted briefly and I learned that
after two years of retirement Fran decided she had too much time on her
hands that could be used to help others, so she began volunteering at
The Mission.
Soon after meeting Fran, I
met Bryan Detwiler, Executive Director of The Mission, who showed me
around the facilities. Begun in 1987, The Mission is a Christian-based
charitable non-profit organization in Cottonwood which provides a
variety of services and physical ministry to the homeless and “working
poor.” On the premises they have a Medical Clinic, Vision Clinic,
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Clinic, Legal Clinic, a kitchen and
dining room where they serve lunch Monday-Thursday, an area with
clothing, and even showers for those in need. I was impressed by the
cleanliness and orderliness of everything I saw and the love and care
that obviously goes into it. I was also impressed by Bryan who is
devoted to the work and service they provide to people in need.
Currently the three main focuses of their work are health care,
children, and emergency services such as food and clothing. Bryan says
The Mission “provides approximately nine tons of food and four tons of
clothing each month to people in need, with a desire to help them
transition into getting on their feet, finding jobs, etc.” Being a
minister and involved in service-work myself, I was interested in what
inspired Bryan and wanted to learn more about him. What he shared was
quite beautiful and unexpected.
As we sat in his office and
talked, this clean-cut, Christian gentleman in a tie began telling me
of his Bohemian past, passion for theater, and adventures as a street
performer. Originally from Missouri, at age 18 Bryan moved to Europe
and began doing “danger acts” on the streets—acts involving “escape,
fire, and knives!” He also did vaudeville-type performances and loved
the rawness of street performing and the diversified audience of people
from different cultures and all walks of life. “I loved that you could
look around and there'd be a millionaire standing next to a homeless
person,” says Bryan. Though he loved the performing arts, God had other
plans for Bryan. About 15 years ago in Baltimore he had a life-changing
experience. Unfortunately, the sight of a drug-addicted woman begging
for money, holding a listless infant in her arms is not a terribly
unusual sight in any big city in America. Though he had seen her
before, one day when Bryan was confronted with the tragic state of this
soul before him, something shifted inside and he thought, “Someone's
got to do something about this”. Bryan had a spiritual awakening,
realizing at a deeper level the pain and suffering in the world, and
decided he could live for himself, but he'd rather live for others. And
so The Mission and its patrons are blessed by Bryan and others like him
who give of themselves, their time and talents to help their brothers
and sisters. Each choice we make to put God's will before our own
self-will blesses others. “The more people whom you can place into your
sphere of responsibility, the higher your spirituality.” (The Cosmic
Family, Volume I; pg. 119)
The Old Town Mission is
located at 116 East Pinal St., Cottonwood, Arizona. The majority of
their funding is donated by individuals, churches, and businesses.
Whether you are in need or in a position to donate funds, time or
talents, their doors are open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a..m.-4:00 p.m.
Phone: (928) 634-7869 Fax: (928) 639-3818. You can visit their website
at www.oldtownmission.org.