Wichita Falls Faith Mission, Inc.

Our Story

Every person has a story and every story matters to God.

Through its two shelters Faith Mission for men, and Faith Refuge for women and children, Wichita Falls Faith Mission, Inc. provides Christ-centered programs and services that lead the homeless and addicted toward self-sufficiency.

We offer the following services at both locations.

Chapel Services for men, women, and children who wish to attend and hear the message of the Gospel.

Homeless Shelter Services - meals, beds, showers, and clothing are offered to the homeless and people in our community who are in need.

Case Management Services - case managers work with individuals to help them set goals and acquire the necessities like securing ID's, medical services, legal aid, employment, transportation, and housing.

Addiction Recovery Programs - is a residential 13 month program to help clients seeking victory over alcohol and drug addictions (New Beginnings Addiction Recovery Program).

Job Readiness Programs  - for men and women to help them prepare for the workforce.

Transitional Supportive Housing - for individuals who have graduated from the New Beginnings program will reside in a house with other program graduates in order to transition from shelter living to independent living.

History

In 1951, Faith City Mission of Amarillo, TX opened a branch location in Wichita Falls.   By 1958, Faith City Mission became Wichita Falls Faith Mission.  The original shelter was located on Ohio Street above the old Hornsby Heavy Hardware.  In 1968 the former Lamar Baptist Church at 402 Lamar was purchased for the Mission's first permanent home.   As programs and services grew, it became evident a larger facility was needed and property was purchased at 1300 Travis Street.  New construction began in the spring of 1987.   Three weeks prior to completion of the new building, the old facility was destroyed by fire.   The current facility was opened on May 23, 1988.

To address the growth in the need to shelter women and children, a second shelter was added.  The Faith Refuge was opened on May 3, 2012.   This new $4.4 million facility is located at 710 E. Hatton Rd. and opened debt free with the support of local partnerships and friends across the nation.   The Chapel and classrooms were completed in July 2012.

Throughout the years, individuals, foundations, churches, and community groups have supported the ministries of Faith Mission and Faith Refuge with their donations, their gifts, and by volunteering their time.  Because of this unwavering support, Wichita Falls Faith Mission has existed without the need for any State or Federal funding.

Impact

Donavan's Story

"Running to the Right Place" 

Donavan never imagined finding peace in a dish pit or purpose in a thrift store. But today, as a student in the New Beginnings Addiction Recovery Program at Wichita Falls Faith Mission, he sees those moments as part of his healing. “I came to Faith Mission because I was tired of myself,” Donavan said. “I never really completed anything in my life. I knew something was missing, but I didn’t know what.” A lawyer gave him Faith Mission’s information. He stayed two weeks, then left. But pain brought him back—and this time, he stayed. 

What changed? For Donavan, it wasn’t just the program—it was the people. “There is no doubt in my mind—I ran to the right place,” he said. “The encouragement through God that we get here… it’s in everything we do.” 

Donavan grew up in a home with clashing beliefs—Catholic tradition from his mother’s side, and Eastern philosophies from his father. But Faith Mission introduced him to a Christ-centered approach to life. “I can do this through God” became his anchor. He learned self-discipline, emotional balance, and the power of humility—first in the kitchen, then in the store. 

“The kitchen will humble you,” he said. “It shows you how to love people without expecting anything in return. And it starts to make you feel whole again.” 

The biggest transformation, though, came in his heart. He found a way to forgive his father and recommit to his daughter. “I want to be the dad who shows up,” he said. “It’s not about sitting in the past. It’s about moving forward.” Donavan’s dream is to work in IT by day and create music by night that tells his story and points others toward healing. “You can mess up a lot in life and think it’s the end. But it’s not. You always have a choice to turn around.” 

He added, “I couldn’t have done this without God.”