IIn January 1985, the Waterfront Rescue Mission opened the Ft. Walton Beach Mission, and like the original Pensacola Mission, the Fort Walton Beach Mission serves as a first-response facility for the broken and addicted. In 2006, the Fort Walton Beach Mission served more than 35,000 meals and provided more than 10,000 nights of shelter.

The Fort Walton Beach Mission opens its door wide to feed those in need daily at lunchtime, and opens its dining hall to all during the evening meal. This distinctive service unveils unique opportunities to demonstrate God’s love.

The mission is the catalyst for change for the many transient men that enter its doors, as many decide to remain for the Mission’s discipleship program. In addition, this facility provides first phase treatment for those who enter into the Waterfront Rescue Mission’s Recovery Program. Staff chaplains work diligently to prepare these men for further and continued treatment in WRM’s New Hope Home’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

In recent months, the mission in Fort Walton has expanded its accommodations for transient women, enabling them to provide comfortable shelter for 12 women and children. With the aid of a full-time social worker, the women’s length of stay at the mission has increased to three to four weeks to assist them to obtain jobs and save money to move into their own apartment or home. Now today, the women have been provided their own dorm in which to take pride in, with plans for further growth and structure in the near future.

Because of the care and concern shown by qualified and experienced chaplains and staff at the Fort Walton Beach Mission, lost men and women are being led to the saving grace of Christ and are being taught how to live an abundant life.