b'The storm quickly moved to socialwont allow a man to stay in the media with scores of attackingwomens shelter or if we dont hire a reviews and comments on MHMsprospective employee whose lifestyle Facebook page. Then came letters,is antithetical to Christianity. phone calls, and emails, mostly angryIts important for rescue missions and vindictive, from across theand similar ministries to identify Rescue missionscountry. Board members receiveda media crisis when its happening. generally have clearpornographic, threatening letters,A crisis is an event that significantly and an anonymous writer threateneddisrupts the organizations normal doctrinal beliefs to set fire to our headquarters. operations. While a negative event Gospel rescue missions risk manymay not be widely felt, a crisis has a often in conflict withpotential crises. A service grouplarge negative impact and can affect the culture.comprised of adults experiencingeveryone involved. A negative event homelessness, addiction, low impulsebecomes a crisis if it (1) comes as a control, and mental illness undoubt- surprise, (2) poses a significant level edly will bring unpredictability andof threat for the organization and its risk. Many guests have criminalstakeholders, and (3) forces a short records; some are convicted felons.response time. Crises sometimes arise Rescue missions generally have clearfrom unprofessional actions, sloppy doctrinal beliefsoften in conflictprocesses, and/or poor accountability. with the culture. We are easily accusedOthers come from unexpected behav-of intolerance, discrimination, hatefulior by one of our guests, natural beliefs, and even illegal behavior if wedisasters, or outside attacks.32 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022'