“When I first got here, I had no idea what I was getting into.” When Arnold Farlow became the Mission’s Executive Director 21 years ago, he was immediately confronted with a crisis: the Fire Marshal threatened to shut down the building. He soon discovered hazardous wiring and a lack of fire sprinklers—serious safety issues with no budget for repairs. Former CLRP Director Carlton Hill was a resident at the time. “About 40 of us lived in bunk beds. We had no air conditioning; we all had stand-up fans—and half of them did not work. We didn’t have a sprinkler system. When Arnold came in, he saw wires hanging out of the ceiling.”
Undeterred, Arnold sprang into action. Around this time, State’s Attorney General Charlie Smith joined the Mission’s board of directors. Charlie recalls how Arnold raised the funds to make the repairs and install a sprinkler system: “Arnold is exceptional at impressing upon others the financial needs of the Mission.”
The board asked Arnold what changes to programs and ministries he intended to make. Observing the Mission’s impact—helping those struggling with addiction to recover, feeding and clothing the poor, and offering spiritual guidance—Arnold resolved not to alter these core ministries.
“I didn’t want to change any of those things; my vision became doing those things better.”
Dining Facilities
When people came for breakfast and lunch, the Mission’s dining area was far too small to accommodate everyone. Many ate on the steps or sat on the ground outside, and meals had to be served in shifts. In 2011, Arnold led a major two-level expansion, resulting in a spacious new dining hall and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Last year alone, the Mission served nearly 100,000 meals! Outreach Manager Teri Kwiatek says, “The position that I was hired for was to be in the dining hall and be the representative of the Mission. It’s my favorite thing to do: visit with people, hear their needs, and pray with them.”
Classroom
With the new multipurpose room above the dining hall, Arnold established a new classroom for the Changed Life Recovery Program (CLRP). Every day, the men gather there for support, prayer, training, and Bible study. The space also hosts CLRP graduations and other important events.
Faith House
Arnold’s drive to help those in need knew no bounds. Years before his arrival, the Mission had operated a shelter for women and children called Faith House, but it closed after facing many challenges. Working with the board, Arnold found a new location for Faith House on North Market Street. He appointed Kathy Schey to lead the reopening of Faith House, a role that honored and challenged her: “He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s how he made me better. He is the ultimate prayer warrior and a man after God’s own heart.” Together, Arnold, Kathy, and the board overcame numerous hurdles, and Faith House reopened in 2016. Since then, it has helped 313 women and 234 children on their journey toward independence.
More improvements
Arnold spearheaded the creation of the Food Distribution Center (FDC), increasing grocery distribution from 25–50 people a day to over 100 daily visitors. He also managed the renovation of Rescued Treasures, a former garage, which clothed more than 22,000 people last year. Working alongside Chris Bugher, Arnold enhanced the Learning Center, empowering individuals to earn their GEDs and develop essential job skills. Every project faced obstacles, but Arnold’s determination ensured their success.
Parking lot
Arnold recalls, “One of the first problems I tried to solve when I came to the Mission in 2005 was our parking lot. The gravel, mud, and dust made it challenging for those we serve, volunteers, and staff working every day. We could not get a permit because paving would cause water to flood the surrounding neighbors.” In 2023, Arnold partnered with Danielle Adams, Executive Officer of the Frederick County Building Industry Association (FCBIA), who helped to finally overcome these obstacles. Danielle says, “It’s important that we give back to the communities that we build. I was going to be relentless in helping Arnold achieve his dream of providing dignity, safety, and a shared humanity in paving the parking lot.”
Over the past 21 years, Arnold has unquestionably made the Mission better. Yet, his true legacy is not just better fundraising or building renovations—it’s his commitment to improving people’s lives. Teri Kwiatek ponders Arnold’s impact on people at the Mission: “If you just change one life, the concentric circle of what that does to their relationships is such a beautiful thing. And that’s just one life; Arnold has touched so many lives over the years!”
Throughout his tenure, Arnold has kept the Mission’s focus on loving individuals as Jesus loves them. Your support of the Mission enabled Arnold to make the Mission better year after year. “Changing the Mission was not a sprint; it’s been a marathon. It was 21 years of just trying to be faithful, keeping my eyes on Jesus.”
