Steve Kmetz is passing the baton he’s been running with for 22 years – to Chad Young as the new Executive Director at the Salina Rescue Mission.

The two stopped in during the KSAL Morning News Wednesday with a look back and ahead at what’s to come.

“I don’t think God is through with me,” Kmetz said.

“Retirement is not me doing nothing. Whatever God puts on my heart to do, I know he’s going to equip me to do it.”

Kmetz announced this week that he will be stepping down from his post in September, allowing the promotion of Chad Young from Operations Director to Executive Director.

The transition has been in the works over the past several years since Young joined the Mission in 2007.

“I really connected with the ministry there and the struggles the men were going through,” Young said.

“I knew what a great impact Jesus had on me in my life, and that’s what I wanted to share with them and say, ‘Look, I’ve been there and I’ve been where you’re at and I know how hard it is. But I also wanted to give you some hope and some encouragement,'” he said.

When Kmetz took the lead, the organization was located in a small building that could house 18 men, providing 18,000 meals a year.

Today’s facility can house 85 men and provides 41,000 meals a year.

As Young takes over on September 1st, the Rescue Mission is beginning a new capital campaign.

Kmetz will lead the “Promise of a Bright Future” campaign.

The goal is to finish the third floor of the facility, update the first two floors, and upgrade and replace worn out equipment.

The community is invited to the Salina Rescue Mission’s 35th Anniversary Banquet at the Webster Conference Center on September 13th to learn more about the mission, and the “Promise of a Bright Future” capital campaign.