My name is Jim Folsom and I have been acquainted with ICM for a little over a year. Our fellowship made a firm decision to be more involved with people who had real needs as we sought to follow Jesus in His heart for the poor. Shortly after making that decision, we met Jeff Higginson as his band played at our youth camp. We began spending weekends at ICM and it was love at first sight. People who used to be homeless are not homeless at ICM. I have been able to bring a number of people to spend a weekend and each of them senses something different about the place. One friend who is a county nurse came to me 15 minutes after we arrived and said "I could tell as soon as I walked in that this place was all about Jesus." That is the best endorsement that any ministry could receive.

In my experience, I have become friends with 3 people who work at ICM: Jeff Higginson, Mystery Sallade, and Candace Maynard. Maybe I should refer to them as the Dream Team from here on out! Jeff calls the residents at ICM his friends, and that is not just lip service. His desire is to have his friends at ICM spend time with other friends who love Jesus, so that anyone who is hurting can know the love of Jesus personally.

I initially wanted to become friends with Mystery because she has one of the coolest names I've ever heard. Later, but not much later, I realized that she is on a mission in life, loves Jesus, and therefore belongs on the Dream Team :) Candace is her own classification of person. She has been in the difficult places of life that many residents coming to ICM have also experienced. I have listened to residents say that they go to Candace with certain needs or that they are willing to listen to Candace on difficult subjects because Candace has been there. Candace has described herself as a "biker broad for God," however, I am convinced that Jesus views her as a princess in His Kingdom.

Each of our group that comes to ICM has made friends with different staff and residents at the mission. The reason I have come and will continue to come to ICM is that I believe that the kind of ministry that goes on there is close to the heart of God and that He is backing it. It is fun to be part of something that God is doing and somehow you end up receiving more than you tried to give.