Nashville Rescue Mission March 2015 Newsletter

HEART of the MISSION MARCH 2015

CHOOSING

Hope!

You can help the homeless celebrate this Easter

AT THE CROSS You're helping make all things new

Rev. Glenn Cranfield President and CEO

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away: behold all things have become new.”

At Nashville Rescue Mission, a hot meal served with love is often the beginning of a life-changing journey filled with hope. That’s what Easter is all about!

No matter how broken and bitter we are, Jesus promises new life to those who believe in Him. Christ can take what is old and worn and make it new.

So many of those coming to the Mission are bound by selfdestructive behaviors and believe there is no way their chains can be broken. But when one of our guests accepts the free gift of Christ and is able to experience the freedom of a life in Christ—oh how marvelous and awesome it is! Suddenly the chains are broken. And because

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NKJV

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MARCH 2015

you give and support the ministry of the Mission, this happens on a regular basis.

This year, as we celebrate the resurrection day of our Lord, may we also celebrate the victory and freedom He has made possible for those who will believe. Living an honest and joyful life in Christ doesn’t mean we have it all together.

But it does mean we can rejoice in the new life He gave us at the cross.

Thank you all so much, and thank You Father for Your faithfulness. We pray you all have a blessed and happy Easter.

MISSION IN MY WORDS

Dr. Frank Lewis Pastor of First Baptist Nashville

I’ll never forget my first night in Nashville, back in 1994. I was in town for a job interview and stayed at a downtown hotel. Being from Henderson, Nevada, my interaction with the homeless population had been limited.

So, when the man at the hotel recommended a restaurant within walking distance, I didn’t hesitate to put my feet to good use, despite his suggestion of taking a cab or driving.

As I walked from the hotel to the restaurant, it didn’t take long for me to realize why he’d suggested a cab. Nashville was very different from Henderson. The urban poor were highly visible. I saw a city with many needs.

After accepting a position with the Baptist Sunday School Board, my family and I moved to Nashville in 1995. While my job required a lot of traveling, I was honored to accept an interim position with First Baptist Nashville to lead a new contemporary worship service.

Over time I began to recognize men from Nashville Rescue Mission, whether they self-identified themselves by proudly telling me they were in the Life Recovery Program or if they were only a temporary guest of the Mission.

I still vividly recall the day during the Lord’s Supper when one of the men from the Mission who had been coming to our church for a few weeks asked me if we used grape juice or wine. He was quick to say, “I’m battling alcoholism, and one drink is all it’s going to take to get me off track.”

I told him we offered grape juice with absolutely no judgment for his question. In my heart, I celebrated with him. Just knowing he had hope, that he’d picked himself up, went to the Mission for help, and was getting the tools he needed to build a better life, was such a blessing.

Once on staff full-time, I saw the issue of homelessness in Nashville on a much larger scale. There were days I would pull up to our church only to discover someone asleep in the bushes, seeking whatever little bit of shelter they could find.

Anytime I see someone who chooses to sleep on the street, I’m saddened, because I know they have a place they can go. Nashville Rescue Mission has been on the front lines in our city for over 60 years. There, those in need can find a safe environment where they have the opportunity to build a new life in Christ.

Getting our congregation involved at the Mission is never a hard sell. With all the great work they are doing in our community, many members of our church volunteer there on a regular basis.

I’m thankful for Nashville Rescue Mission and what they provide to those in need. It’s why First Baptist Nashville has made a bottom line commitment to support their work and ministry. They give people in need help and hope. It’s an honor to be a part of it.

DR. FRANK LEWIS has been senior pastor of First Baptist Nashville since October 1, 1997. Prior to moving to Nashville, he pastored in Henderson, Nevada for ten years. He is a graduate of Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Lori, are parents of two children.

MARCH 2015

Heart of the Mission 3

CHOOSING

Hope!

You can help the homeless celebrate this Easter

4  Heart of the Mission

MARCH 2015

For many people, Easter is a time of new church outfits, family gatherings, home-cooked meals, and fun activities that generate fond memories… but no one thinks of

being homeless—

especially at a time like Easter.

When you have no place to call home, discouragement may set in and Easter merely becomes another day for a homeless person to feel sad and down. However, the simple message of Easter is one of hope. There is new life because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. He conquered sin, death, and Hell.

“Easter is a time of new hope for anyone who is homeless, because a person’s past does not have to dictate his or her future,” said Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO. “Even someone who thinks they’ve made a mess of their life can see a new life filled with victory through Jesus Christ. This is a promise to anyone—not only to someone living in a homeless shelter—because Christ lives, there is hope for anyone who is willing to seek Him.” MICHAEL MADE a point to volunteer to serve during the Easter holiday because he wanted to offer this same hope and hospitality to those who were still homeless and hungry. So much has changed in his life since his time at Nashville Rescue Mission. He was able to get into his own apartment. His hope was restored. The transformation that happened on the inside is finding its way out.

Regardless of the fact that Michael lost his legs and is wheelchair-bound, he still rides the bus from his apartment, five miles away from the Mission, to go and serve others in need on a weekly basis. Most people

Regardless of the fact that Michael lost his legs and is wheelchairbound, he still rides the bus from his apartment, five miles away from the Mission, to go and serve others in need on a weekly basis.

recognize him at the end of the serving line handing guests their napkin and utensils. Michael is on a new path, one filled with grace, hope, and opportunity. He’s chosen to share that hope with those at the Mission because others shared it with him.

“SOMETIMES HOPE is found in a meal served by a compassionate volunteer,” said Cranfield. “Or it might be in having access to a hot shower or a good night’s sleep that is somewhere safer than the streets. It could easily be getting a new coat to replace the one that is falling apart. Whatever it is, we want those in need to know they can choose hope! Easter serves as a reminder that there is always hope for a better tomorrow.”

This year, the Mission will serve a special Easter meal on Good Friday, as well as Easter Sunday.

“Easter is the most important holiday we celebrate at the Mission,” said Billy Eldridge, senior director of operations. “Guests are seated by volunteers and served a big, traditional Easter meal that includes ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, and a delicious desert. Our prayer is that in meeting a hurting person with a smile and a delicious meal served by a kind stranger, we can show them just how much God loves them and wants to change their life. Hope is available to all who enter here.”

WITH YOUR HELP, those who are most in need of hope can celebrate Easter surrounded by people who genuinely care about them.

MARCH 2015

Heart of the Mission 5

IT'S MORE THAN JUST

VOLUNTEERING

Sometimes serving changes YOU

“I came to the Mission to help, but I soon realized, serving those in need helped me probably more than it helped them,” said Justin.

“Initially, I was looking for a place to volunteer with my co-workers. My brother is a youth pastor and had told me about Nashville Rescue Mission. It was within walking distance from my job, so it seemed like a good choice.”

6 Heart of the Mission

MARCH 2015

A visit to the Mission’s website sealed the deal. “When I saw the Mission is 100 percent faith-based and takes no money from the government, that meant something to me. I knew it was a place I wanted to be a part of.”

Despite losing his job, Justin decided to continue volunteering in the kitchen at the Mission on a regular basis. He found encouragement in hearing the stories of lives being transformed through the Mission’s programs and services.

“SERVING at the Mission was humbling,” Justin said. “When I lost my job, I quickly realized it could be worse. As I served alongside men in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, I was inspired by their stories. It certainly increased my faith.”

While looking for a new job, Justin found ways to stay busy, volunteering

at the Mission two to three days a week, sometimes every day. “I was grateful to have something productive to do with my free time.”

Even after finding a new job, Justin continues to serve. “I’ve made friends with many of the men I’ve met at the Mission,” he said. “It’s been a blessing to me to see the changes that have taken place in each of their lives. I can see the ‘light’ of Christ in them shining brightly. It’s an amazing transformation to witness.”

JUSTIN has also discovered a new

community of friends with other volunteers he’s met during his time of serving. “If you think this is just about feeding the homeless, it’s not. It’s so much more. I now have a community of friends. People I hang out with on the weekends. Friends I now do life with.”

IF YOU THINK THIS IS JUST ABOUT FEEDING THE HOMELESS, IT’S NOT. IT’S SO MUCH MORE. I NOW HAVE A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS. PEOPLE I HANG OUT WITH ON THE WEEKENDS. FRIENDS I NOW DO LIFE WITH.

VOLUNTEERING at Nashville Rescue Mission has

put things in perspective for Justin. “There are times when I’ve let things really get me down. But coming to the Mission and serving those in need has changed me. It is one of the most inspirational things I have ever experienced. After meeting so many men who have come through the Mission’s program and have made lasting changes in their lives… I’m inspired to be a more godly man.”

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Visit nashvillerescuemission.org/volunteer and discover where your time and talents will make a difference.

EASTER NEEDS WISH LIST Help fill the homeless with hope

With your donation of any of these items, YOU will help make this Easter special for those who are hungry and homeless.

Donations may be dropped off for both the Men's and Women's Campuses at the Mission's Donation Center, 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Boneless Buffet Hams Green Beans (#10 Cans) Potatoes Dinner Rolls Salad Pies Plastic Foam Dishes; Bowls Cups & Utensils p Aluminum Foil & Pans p p p p p p p

MARCH 2015

Heart of the Mission 7

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Nights of Lodging

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Chapel Attendance

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22,681

Education Hours

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8,723

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33

1,009

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1,141

Volunteer Hours

134

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

GIVE

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639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475

nashvillerescuemission.org