1954 – Open Door Mission provides services for men

In 1954, thousands of men swarmed the city of Omaha searching for work on the ten railroads that were headquartered in the city. The men congregated in bars and slept in flophouses.

Garland Thompson, a student at Omaha Bible Institute, felt a burden to reach out with Christ's love and compassion to these men. Fueled by faith, guided by his vision for an evangelical mission, and assisted by Pastor Jerry Dunn and a group of Christian businessmen, Garland opened Open Door Mission in the Ballenger building at 13th and Douglas Streets on November 1, 1954.

Seventeen men attended that first service and the number steadily increased until it averaged one hundred. Many of these men trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior; however, Garland wanted to provide the men with an opportunity to study God's Word. He knew that the men needed a decent environment to live in and an opportunity to receive Bible teaching. Thus, the vision for a shelter and a ministry of discipleship was born.

1955 – Open Door Mission moves to 13th and Howard

Prayer under girded every decision involving Open Door Mission. God provided miraculous solutions and innovative ideas for ministry. When the owner of the building at 13th and Douglas decided to sell it, Garland and Jerry prayed that God would give them another one. They believed that a building at 13th and Howard was perfect but the owners did not want to rent it for a mission. God intervened and the Open Door Mission moved to 422 South 13th Street. This building was 20 times larger than the original building and perfect for their needs. Eventually the Mission purchased this building.

1957 – Auxiliary forms

On November 30, 1957, 30 ladies met with Dorothy Barmore to pray for the needs of Open Door Mission and discuss ways they could help with the ministry. In January, they formed an auxiliary and made the decision to meet at Open Door Mission rather than in another location. This was a good decision because the men at Open Door Mission wanted to keep it clean for their visitors and the women were able to see firsthand what the needs were. The auxiliary continues to meet at Open Door Mission today.

1960 – Mission Develops programs and support

During the next 30 years, Open Door Mission continued to offer food, shelter and rehabilitation programs to men who were homeless or had alcohol addictions. It also provided medical and dental care, and a Bible-based discipleship program that helped changed lives. Open Door Mission continued to receive support from the community, including citizens like Bob Cornett, the leading bondsman of Omaha and Douglas County, and the Eppley Foundation.

1971 – Founders leave

As Open Door Mission grew, it experienced severe growing pains and some serious setbacks in leadership. When Godly men like Garland Thompson and Jerry Dunn left their leadership positions in 1971, the new leaders tried to create a new secular entity. Evangelical programs were dropped and funds began to decline. God however, kept His hand on the ministry and preserved it during this time.

1986 – Open Door Mission moves to new location

The city of Omaha recognized the value of Open Door Mission’s service to the community. Yet in 1983, the city began implementing the Urban Renewal Plan and decided to move Open Door Mission from the downtown area. The mission negotiated to sell its building for $1 million and the remaining money was deposited in an account to pay the bills during lean times. Mission income dropped from $200,000 a year to $100,000 when the mission relocated.

1987 – Open Door Mission is revived and expands under new leadership

With the move to east Omaha, the Open Door Mission was not visible to people and this cost a great deal of support. Rev. Robert O. Timberlake, hired to be the Executive Director in the spring of 1987, began to change that. Open Door Mission had three staff members, Pastor Bob and two women. There was no food pantry, no clothing programs, and no rehabilitation programs. Pastor Bob worked untiringly to remedy this situation. The current programs were initiated and developed under Pastor Bob’s leadership.

1990 – Lydia house opens for women and children

Open Door Mission had a small women and children’s wing which had never been used.. Pastor Bob opened it and soon it filled to capacity. He added two mobile homes behind the main building. Soon those were occupied and Pastor Bob realized they needed a separate building. He looked for a building in the same general area and found a two-story office structure two blocks away. This became the Lydia House. During the year that the facility was being remodeled, ODM raised the money for the work and continued to maintain its operating budget.

1999 – Open Door Mission expands outreach to families

In the 90’s, homeless families began seeking shelter at missions across the US. In response to the need for family shelter and rehabilitation, ODM expanded its services to families and developed a New Life Recovery Program of Christian Rehabilitation for families. The programs graduated 12 families at the beginning of 2000.

2000 – Open Door Mission develops strategic community alliances

For years, Open Door Mission has been the beneficiary of the skills and expertise of professionals in this community. Several organizations have partnered with Open Door Mission to provide therapeutic and educational services.

2001 – Open Door Mission opens its Emergency Temporary Housing wing for families

On October 1, the mission opened its Emergency Temporary Housing wing for families. Reconstruction of the former office area provided immediate shelter for nine homeless families.

2004—Open Door Mission acquires the Timberlake Outreach Center

Formally Harold’s Grocery Store, 2107 E. Locust is now a spacious outreach center providing preventive measures to empower families struggling in poverty. More than 250 families receive empowerment every month through free clothing, food, furniture, GED, life-skills classes and much more.

2005—Open Door Mission opens its Men’s Day Facilities

Homeless men can freely access the internet, rest, do laundry, eat nutritious meals and seek case management every day of the year.

2006—Present Open Door Mission strategizes for growth with the Building Lives Campaign

Today, Open Door Mission provides 320 men, women and children with safe shelter beds, serves nearly 1,500 hot nutritious meals daily, and provides preventive measures to more than 250 families living in poverty. Hunger and homelessness happen every day of the year; they know no vacation. That’s why Open Door Mission continues to make a difference. Contact Cris by email to learn how you can become a volunteer in the work today!