January, 1967 - the Ladies' Auxiliary was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Lena Lindley. Doris Pollard was the first president. They have been a valuable service group to the ministry since that time.

January, 1972 - when the ministry on the Peninsula had become self-supporting, it incorporated as the Peninsula Rescue Mission, with its own Board of Directors. At this point the Mission occupied two buildings - the shelter on Huntington Ave., and a thrift shop/warehouse on Jefferson Ave., also in Newport News.

November, 1973 - our first-ever appreciation banquet was held in the Newport News National Guard Armory. With the exception of the year of Rev. Lindley's death, we have held these each autumn since.

July, 1974 - this month marked the opening of a new ministry, Camp Open Arms, first located in Lanexa, Virginia. Lena Lindley, wife of the superintendent, was the director of the camp. This great ministry has prospered since that summer, with hundreds of boys and girls finding the Savior and thousands having a wonderful summer camping experience free of charge.

May, 1983 - the Rescue Mission occupied its new facility at 3700 Huntington Avenue. This building contains offices, chapel, foodservice, and residence capacity for 32 men. The old office building became "Sheltering Arms," residence for homeless women and children. This operated until December, 1992, but was changed to men's shelter when the need for that became so great.

September, 1983 - Rev. Lindley passed away as a result of a massive heart attack. This was a huge blow to the ministry, since he was the founder and only superintendent the Mission had known. Mrs. Lindley remained to help through the difficult months ahead. At the same time, the lease on the camp ran out, and could not be renewed, meaning another major transition.

November, 1983 - Rev. Lindsay Poteat was called by the Board to carry on the work Rev. & Mrs. Lindley had begun and led for 17 years. Rev. Poteat had worked two years full time and nine years part time in a support role at the Mission. He had served as a pastor locally for the nine year period.

July, 1985 - after a one-year visit to Virginia Beach, Camp Open Arms moved to Surry, Va., where it still utilizes the facilities of Eastover Retreat Center. This move has been a great one for the camp program. The amenities and management of the Center have been a blessing to COA.

May, 1985 - after serving the Lord at the Mission for over nineteen years, Mrs. Lena Lindley retired and moved home to North Carolina to care for her aging mother.

December, 1985 - with a final payment on the Jefferson Avenue property, the Mission became debt-free, and remains so today.

October, 1988 - the thrift shop on Jefferson Avenue was demolished in the summer and replaced with a beautiful new building that opened this month. Further renovations have made this a first-class facility for recycling donated articles and giving men a place to constructively use their time.

June, 1993 - the Lord opened the door for the Mission to purchase a warehouse in Hampton, Va., which houses large quantities of donated items. There have been many donations we would have had to turn down without this 7500 square feet facility.

April, 1999 - Mr. Alan DeFriese was called by the Board to become the Assistant Superintendent of the Mission. He has been a valuable addition to the staff, and brings many gifts and much passion to the ministry here. God willing, he will be the next Executive Superintendent.

July, 2000 - on the 30th day of this month we dedicated and occupied a new and additional facility at 314 37th St. in Newport News. The "Lindley Building" houses a clothing and food distribution center, a handicap room, and fifteen additional beds for men on our Overcomers Program.

While many changes, additions, and improvements have come over the years, one thing in our history remains the same. We exist to reach people with the gospel of Christ and to relieve human suffering along the way. The heart of our ministry is the ministry to the heart. We pray that will ever remain the same.