FEBRUARY 2017
HER
HEARTʼS DESIRE W O R K I N G T H R O U G H Y O U, SEE HOW GOD CHANGED T H I S M O M’ S H E A R T
YOUR BLESSING & GOD'S PROMISE Your Gif t Gives Hope
REV. GLENN CRANFIELD
President and CEO
YOU HAVE BEEN A REFUGE FOR THE POOR; A REFUGE FOR THE NEEDY IN THEIR DISTRESS. ISAIAH 25:4 NIV
“The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” Proverbs 11:24-25 (MSG)
I
like to contemplate God’s promise in Proverbs 11 because of how it directly impacts Nashville Rescue Mission donors like you. When you make a gift to the Mission, your world and your circle of influence actually expand! You’re expanding our ministry by helping even more people in need, and you’re also expanding the lives of those who hear about Jesus’ saving love. Homeless men and women who reconcile with estranged loved ones; mothers who find nourishing food for her children; and those struggling
with addiction who develop loving safety nets within their community are only a few of the people your expanding world has sustained. But the verse goes on to promise that as you bless and help Nashville Rescue Mission, God is bringing blessing and help to you. What does that look like in your life? God’s promises never fail, so you know your compassion for the poor is always rewarded. Thank you so much for your continued commitment to helping poor and homeless men, women, and children in our community. We see your love in every contribution, and it touches the lives and eternities of God’s children. Thank you for giving the gift of hope.
SHARE THE LOVE @nashvillerescue instagram.com/nashvillerescue
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR THE MISSION? Post your picture volunteering at the Mission on Instagram. Include #sharethelove and you might see your photo in next month's newsletter!
#SHARETHELOVE
2 HEART of the MISSION / February 2017
share the love
Charles Esten Mission
IN MY WORDS
I grew up in Pittsburgh. While the homeless numbers there are much bigger than here in Nashville, I must say, for the most part, I was shielded from it. I do remember a time when our church hosted a breakfast for the homeless. Word spread fast and the turnout was huge. It’s really hard to see so many people in need and not know how to help them. Simply knowing that the need for a meal is only a small part of what these individuals face. I find myself asking, “What can I do to help?” Because not helping … that’s not an option. I am hesitant to give out cash, not sure if it is the best way to help. At times my family and I have handed out Subway gift cards—hoping it might provide a hungry person with a meal or two. I’ve also heard giving out local bus passes can be helpful. These things might help, but only for a few, and only for a short period of time. I’m left wondering … what is the best way to feed and care for the most amount of people who are in need?
“IT’S WHY THE WORK NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION IS DOING IS SO VALUABLE.” In Nashville, the answer is Nashville Rescue Mission. The Mission provides meals, clothing, and shelter to over 800 men, women, and children in our community. And yes, I said ‘our community.’ I love this city so much, I moved my family here and we now call this home. Yet for many who live here, there is no place to call home. A few years ago a friend invited me to be a part of an amazing fundraising event at the Schermerhorn
Symphony Center called Music with a Mission. It was to help the homeless and benefit Nashville Rescue Mission. I was delighted to be a part of it. In the process, I learned more about the incredible work the Mission is doing in our city to care for those experiencing homelessness. Performing at the event was an amazing experience. I got to sing with the Nashville Symphony, and more importantly, I got to give back, by helping raise awareness for a cause I care deeply about. The show Nashville is what brought me and my family to this wonderful city. In the show, my character Deacon is an alcoholic, who struggles with a relapse, along with many other difficulties. I know this doesn’t make me an expert on this issue. In fact, I know I cannot completely understand what the homeless men and women in our community face. But I do care and I still have compassion for them and what they are going through. It’s why the work Nashville Rescue Mission is doing is so valuable. Through their network of support and resources, homeless men, women, and children in our city have a place to go. They have outstretched arms ready to love, care, and comfort those in need. It’s also for this reason that I support the work of the Mission. They are giving hope to many who might otherwise be hopeless.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Charles Esten is a recording artist and actor, best known for his role as Deacon Claybourne on the popular show Nashville, now airing on CMT. Taking an innovative approach to sharing his music, Charles launched #EverySingleFriday exclusively on iTunes where he releases a new single every week. February 2017 / HEART of the MISSION 3
HER
HEARTʼS DESIRE
F E AT U R E D
W O R K I N G T H R O U G H Y O U, SEE HOW GOD CHANGED T H I S M O M’ S H E A R T
PREGNANT AT AGE 12. MARRIED AT 13. DIVORCED AT 25. ADDICTED TO METH AT 26. Despite her pregnancy and marriage at an early age, Polly was an overcomer. She graduated from high school with honors, attended college on a scholarship, earned her teaching degree, and found a teaching job she loved. She had everything going for her. That all changed when her marriage ended. “After getting divorced, I needed to make some extra money,” said Polly. “I found a job detailing cars. Between teaching and raising my daughter, I was tired all the time. Someone I worked with told me he had the answer. I can still remember his words today—‘I have something that will keep you from being tired.’ That’s all it took and I was hooked.” That something turned out to be crystal meth. According to Polly, it was “readily available and free.” But it cost her almost everything. Over the next three and a half years she lost her job, her car, her house, custody of her daughter, and found herself in and out of jail on drugrelated charges. 4 HEART of the MISSION / February 2017
“JUST WHEN I DIDN’T THINK THINGS COULD GET ANY WORSE, they did,” said Polly. “It was in February of
2007, I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to stop using meth, but I couldn’t. It went from bad to worse. I had been staying with a friend who moved away. I had nowhere to go. No place to live. I ended up living in a cinder block building, no power, no water. I slept on a box spring with no mattress until the day I went into labor.” This former honor student and college graduate who had overcome some of the biggest obstacles anyone could ever face had no answer for the situation she was now in. At least, not until she met Jesus.
“SHE WAS A MIRACLE BABY.” “Despite using meth every day I was pregnant … despite not having any prenatal care … despite my living conditions, my little girl was born perfect,” said Polly. “I know that had to be God. While she did have drugs in her system and had to stay an extra week at the hospital for observation, she had no side effects or permanent damage because of my drug use. She was a miracle baby.” It was in that moment of hearing her newborn baby girl’s cry that Polly knew she had to break free. “Her cry jarred something deep inside of me,” said Polly. “It was the first time in a long time I wanted something different. I was done with drugs.”
Polly’s mother and sister stepped in, taking custody of her daughter, while Polly went to a detox center. “After finishing up detox, I needed to find a long term recovery program. I received a list of 32 different places with recovery programs. I called each of them. Nashville Rescue Mission was the only one that didn’t turn me away.” “When I came to the Mission, I had no idea who I was,” said Polly. "But through the classes, counselors, church services, preachers … I had this broad view shown to me I'd never seen before. I finally understood what it meant to be able to choose to live for the Lord. Their program showed me who I was in Christ."
Polly thought she had it all together. “I was wrong. Jesus is the only one that can take the overwhelming desire for drugs out of a person’s heart. Today, I have no desire whatsoever for any type of drugs. I am truly free. He changed the desires of my heart. He gave me the desires He wants me to have. I have come to discover that life with Jesus is so full and rich.”
“I HAD BEEN AT THE MISSION ALMOST THREE MONTHS, when during one of those church services, I
heard a still small voice—that I knew was the Holy Spirit — telling me the only thing I needed to break free from these chains of addiction was Jesus. A couple of days later at another service, I surrendered my life to Jesus.” This was the day life radically changed for Polly. “I had been in church when I was a kid. I knew the process, but I didn’t understand what that meant for me. I found out when you don’t have Jesus you are just in survival mode. And that’s all I was doing in life until I surrendered to the Lord.”
“JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN TAKE THE OVERWHELMING DESIRE FOR DRUGS OUT OF A PERSON’S HEART.” Polly graduated from the Mission’s program in May 2008. Besides setting her free from drugs, Jesus also has restored her life. Today, at 38, Polly and her husband, Craig, and their two daughters attend Oakland Baptist Church in Corinth, Mississippi. She also has a relationship with the daughter she lost custody of, who is now 26. Polly works for Living Free Ministries as its Women’s Director and is helping women to overcome their addictions. “It’s never easy listening to the pain they are going through, but I understand and want to help.” As for what the future holds, Polly said, “Whatever I do, it will be God’s will and it will all be for His glory.”
I surrendered to the Lord
February 2017 / HEART of the MISSION 5
BEI N G A
Light
VOLUNTEER SEEKS TO SHINE FOR CHRIST
YO U A R E TH E LIGH T O F TH E WORLD . A C IT Y SET ON A HILL CANNOT B E HID DEN.
VOLUNTEER
M AT T H E W 5 :14 E S V
“AS THE LORD LEADS,” SAID NEAL MORSE. “WHATEVER HE DESIRES. THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO.” Every third Saturday of the month, Neal and a group of volunteers from City on a Hill church arrive at Nashville Rescue Mission ready to serve those in need. For Neal, the desire to serve comes from a place of intimate knowledge of the pain and suffering many of those struggling with addiction experience. Two years ago, Neal flew out to California to bring his son home. His son was battling an addiction and needed help. “It’s tough to watch someone you love struggle with addiction,” said Neal. “As we drove across the country headed back to Nashville, I told my son he had two options—he could either figure out a way to make it on his own, or he could go to Nashville Rescue Mission and get help.” With gratitude, Neal says his son chose to come to the Mission. “The time he spent at the Mission opened him up to the Scriptures,” said Neal. “And while he did not complete the program, he did experience radical transformation. This was his turning point.” 6 HEART of the MISSION / February 2017
ONE YEAR LATER and life is very different for Neal
and his son. His son has been clean for over a year now and continues to participate in Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery program. And Neal has started a church in the heart of downtown Nashville called City on a Hill. “I spent most of my life in Los Angeles pursuing a music career. After years of struggling, we moved to Nashville in 1995,” says Morse. “And while I did find success in the genre of progressive rock, there was still something missing. I didn’t know what that was until 2002, when I became a born-again Christian.”
“ SE RVIN G AT THE MISSION H AS BE E N A G R E AT E X P E RIE N CE FOR OU R CON G R E GATION”
As Neal continued to write, perform, produce, and record music, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith.
relationships and connecting with each other on a much deeper level. I’m so grateful for the Mission and the services they provide to those in our community who are in need.” Nashville Rescue Mission is thankful for Neal, his church, and other volunteers like them in our community who are committed to giving back and helping serve those in need. If you’d like to learn about more ways you and/or your church can get involved, visit: na s hv i l l e re s cue mi s s i on. org/ge t-invo lved
“IN PRAYER, GOD STARTED SPEAKING to my heart
and it became quite clear that I was to start a church,” shared Neal. “So I did. In the midst of this, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about Nashville Rescue Mission. I’ve performed at their Friday night coffeehouse and started volunteering on a regular basis. As a congregation, partnering with Nashville Rescue Mission makes perfect sense. We are both in the heart of downtown and trying to connect those who are lost and hurting with a God who loves them.” “Serving at the Mission has been a great experience for our congregation,” said Morse. “Not only are we giving back to those in need, our members are building
WINTER CHILL
KEEPING THE HOMELESS SAFE & WARM
W H E N T E M P E R AT U R E S D R O P, T H E M I S S I O N ' S C O L D PAT R O L M O V E S I N T O T O A C T I O N
At 29 degrees or below, the Mission’s Cold Patrol vans roll out. One van leaves at 2:45 p.m. and a second at 6:45 p.m. On these trips, the Mission travels to homeless camps and other outside areas people might go to avoid the cold. No one needs to be on the streets. With your help the Mission can offer them a warm, safe shelter where they can receive a hot meal and a safe place to sleep. WITH YOUR HELP, THE MISSION'S COLD PATROL HAS MET THIS CRUCIAL NEED FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
February 2017 / HEART of the MISSION 7
We REMEMBER On Saturday, December 17, 2016, Mayor Megan Barry and members of the Nashville community gathered at Riverfront Park to honor and remember 87 men and women who were homeless or had experienced chronic homelessness and passed away during the year. This is a sharp rise from last year’s number of 69. MEMBERS OF NASHVILLE’S HOMELESS COMMUNITY WHO DIED IN 2016:
Alan (from Berry Hill camp) Alessio Emmanuel* Allen Seale Alyce Sanders Amos Wilson Andrew Lynch Beachboard Anthony Riggs* Antonio Harris Arthur Day Billy Poore Blaine McGhee Brett Hall Charles W. Armstrong Christina Williams Christine Collins Christy Dean Chuck Lake* Clarence White* Darrell King David McKenzie* Derek Murray Donald Garrow Donald Price Douglas Odom Edward Garrett Elvis Batey Eric Paul Stepp Ethan Harris
Everctt Barbee Frank Baxter Jr. Fred ldlebird Horace Horton James Richard (Jimbo) James Bradstreet James Estes* James Gathers, III James Lytle James Picco Jasie Najera Jason English Jeremy Green John Gray Johnny Spiceland Keith Birch Kenny Biggs* Kimberly Williams Lamont Wilson Larry Frency (Pretty Tony) Lashawn Knox Laura Sponaugle Lisa Margie Kindrick Michael Bond Michael Bradshaw Michael Cook (Pontiac) Michael Heil Michael Myers
Michael Gerakios Mike Ritenour Nick Paul McKeen (Toy Man) Pedro Viart Romana Nofsinger Robert Cross Robert Norwood Robert Oldham Roger Demoss Ronnie Lanier Roy Thompson Stanley Cordwell Starleen Woods Terry Lynn May Terry Miller Terry Netherton Thomas Patton Thomas Turner Tiffany Shelton Tina Nicols* Tonya Polk Trenholn Copeland Unknown Person (Metro Center) Walter Rouse William Carter William Darby +3 unnamed
LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED
December 2016
Daily Avg.
Monthly
Meals Served
1,415
43,855
Nights of Lodging
800
24,814
Chapel Attendance
518
16,049
Education Hours
92
2,865
Bible Class Attendance
26
819
Decisions & Prayers
21
656
Volunteer Hours
209
6,487
Travel n/a Assistance
47
Program n/a Graduates
9
*denotes the person was formerly homeless
is a proud member of
“We remember these who are no longer with us. They were mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters—their lives matter to God and they matter to us,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission. “With your prayers and support we remember them and pray fewer lives will be lost because of homelessness in the years to come.”
AOF NOTE
Hope
You can encourage someone in need who is at the Mission right now by writing a note on the enclosed card.
639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org