Rebuilding lives

Charity: A century ago, famed journalist Ray Stannard Baker was struck by the testimony of a former “drunken wretch” whose life was transformed when he stumbled into the McAuley Mission in New York City and came to believe “that Jesus Christ had the power to save me when I could not save myself.” But what is that place—now called the New York City Rescue Mission—like today? | Adam Kail

James Allen Walker for WORLD

NEW YORK CITY—Many New Yorkers walk past 90 Lafayette Street in downtown Manhattan without knowing they are walking past the New York City Rescue Mission. The three-story yellow-beige brick building is unimpressive. A vertical sign above the entryway reads "New York City" in small, washed-out letters, and "Rescue Mission" in a faded font.

Inside, though, a sign jumps out: "JESUS SAVES." Down the hall to the left of the entryway sits the chapel, where rows of rickety plastic chairs face a carpeted stage with an old piano. The walls, though, speak loudly: They are adorned with Scripture verses, including Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," and Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."