We were one of the first facilities in the nation founded for women. We are proud of our history and thankful for those early pioneers who had the vision, the courage and the compassion to found Evangel Home in 1955. The woman who led the establishment and early development of our ministry was Pauline Baker Myers.
 
Here, in her own words, is a brief overview of that time.
 
“Every opportunity I had, I visited the Fresno Rescue Mission, and saw both men and women in the service. What bothered me was, after the evening services and meals, the men were given lodging, but the women were turned out on the street. 'Sorry no place for women.'"
 
“I told the Lord that I’d do anything if the mission could open a shelter for women, but one door after the other closed and it became a real burden to my heart. The Lord started speaking to my heart about it and I said, “Oh no, Lord, not me. I don’t have the ability. I had nothing to offer. It dawned on me He didn’t want what I had. He was going to give me what He had. It wasn’t ability. It was availability. Was I available? I told the Lord, 'Yes.'”
 
Later Pauline told her husband, George Baker, about her conversations with the Lord, fully expecting a bombshell and not much support. However, George surprised her with these words: “It’s about time. They have homes for orphan children, cats and dogs, and horses and men, and no place for women.”
 
Once she had George’s support there was no stopping Pauline and her band of men and women dedicated to opening a shelter for women and children. Yet before they could begin, a tragedy happened that would have discouraged anyone of less faith to turn back.
 
After telling the Lord she was available, getting her husband’s support, and doing all the legal and leg work Pauline turned her attention to finding a building.
 
On Labor Day of 1954, George, his brother and another man decided to take a break from their Evangel Home work and go fishing at the coast. Pauline didn’t want them to go, but she said, “He had a date with destiny. When he left that evening I was standing at the sink. As he left I looked out and waved. I had the strangest feeling I would never see him again.”
 
Sadly she was right. The men’s boat capsized and they were all lost. As Pauline dealt with this, she once again had a conversation with God. “Lord, if this work (Evangel Home) is of Thee, give me my husband’s body.”
 
His body was returned and shortly thereafter Pauline and others were back at work on a ministry that would soon begin to rescue the lives of women and children from the streets of Fresno. Some tried to discourage her from going ahead with her plans, but Pauline said, “I put my hand to the plow and I’m not going to turn back because God said if we do, we are not worthy to be called his

disciples.” Over 50 years later, we still have our hands on the plow.

Merabelle Eitzen guided Evangel Home from 1970 until her unexpected death in the fall of 1987. Merabelle left a long-reaching legacy of love, and she affected the lives of hundreds of women and children.

 
She came to Evangel Home at nearly the same time the current Crisis Shelter was completed. Merabelle saw that women needed more than a short stay in the shelter, and she began to pray and dream about acquiring the apartments to our immediate south. Her prayers were answered. The apartments were purchased and in 1985 she founded our CrossRoads Program.

 
Merabelle had a deep passion to win women to the Lord. She was also concerned that there was not enough attention being given to homeless women at a national level. With her determination, vision and persistence The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions founded a Women’s Track. This brought attention and expertise to many women’s issues.

Merabelle Eitzen left an indelible mark on the ministry of Evangel Home. Greater though is the impression she left on the lives of those women and children she loved so dearly.

View a Timeline of Evangel Home's Growth»»