the way home / By Rockford Rescue Mission
the way home / By Rockford Rescue Mission
Podcast Description
Homelessness. Addiction. Abuse. Mental health challenges. Life is messy. Faith can be hard. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help.
This is The Way Home, a podcast produced by Rockford Rescue Mission. Hosts Nathan Haglund and Jim Killam talk frankly with their guests about second chances, compassion, leadership — and the messy, beautiful work of loving people like Jesus did.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on issues such as homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and the importance of faith and community in recovery. Episodes include discussions about the Works! Center's impact on job placements and personal transformation, candid conversations with residents about their journeys to recovery, and volunteer experiences highlighting the mission's outreach work.
Homelessness. Addiction. Abuse. Mental health challenges. Life is messy. Faith can be hard. But in the face of all that … there’s hope and there’s help.
This is The Way Home, a podcast produced by Rockford Rescue Mission. Hosts Nathan Haglund and Jim Killam talk frankly with their guests about second chances, compassion, leadership — and the messy, beautiful work of loving people like Jesus did.
What happens when someone who once faced 120 years in prison becomes a leader helping others find hope?
In this episode of The Way Home, we sit down with Brian Butler, Director of Residential Ministries at Pathway Ministries in Peoria, formerly known as Peoria Rescue Mission. Brian shares his powerful story of addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and the moment everything changed.
“He showed me that He was real and that He was God and I was not.” — Brian Butler
From a life marked by addiction, crime, and incarceration to now helping lead transformational recovery and homelessness programs, Brian’s story is a reminder that no life is too far gone for redemption.
Brian also gives us an inside look at how Pathway Ministries is helping people move from crisis to transformation through Christ-centered recovery, housing, community partnerships, and long-term support. Along the way, we explore the similarities between Pathway Ministries and Rockford Rescue Mission, what effective recovery ministry looks like, and why homelessness is far more complex than many realize.
“There is no one easy answer except that we can tackle it one person at a time.” — Brian Butler
In this episode, we discuss:
• Brian’s journey from addiction and prison to ministry leadership
• The evolution of Pathway Ministries and its connection to rescue mission work
• Why transformation—not just temporary relief—matters in homelessness recovery
• The role of the Church in walking alongside people in crisis
• Stories of redemption, healing, and hope happening every day
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.
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