Nashville Rescue Mission March 2018 Newsletter

March 2 0 1 8

Easter C E L E B R AT I N G

Your support brings hope to the hopeless

A Living HOPE

L E T T E R f rom the P R E S I D E N T

HE’S MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

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Rev. Glenn Cranfield | President and CEO

1 PETER 1:3 HCSB Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …

bout two thousand years ago, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life, and to die for our sins. But Jesus did not stay dead; He rose from the dead! When we celebrate Easter, we are actually celebrating Jesus’ death for our sins as well as His resurrection.

That is why many people call Easter, Resurrection Sunday, because that is exactly what it is.

According to the Bible, Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for the sins of others, but His resurrection represents something even more powerful: the potential for rebirth, salvation, and a renewal of faith.

Easter celebrates Christians’ belief in the divine power of Jesus and the hope that loss leads to something new. This is something we see and experience every

day at Nashville Rescue Mission. Loss brings people here, but HOPE is what opens their hearts to a new way of living.

In the end, the meaning of Easter is as simple as it seems: it says that life triumphs over death.

Thank you for making it possible for us to welcome the hungry, homeless, and lost through our doors. Your support gives them the opportunity to experience living hope that leads to new life.

SPRING CLEANING Cleaning out your closet this spring? Donate your extra or unwanted items to Nashville Rescue Mission and help someone in need.

#MISSIONSPRINGCLEAN You can drop-off your gently-used items at:

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DONATE

616 7th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37203 OPEN: Mon. – Sat. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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Heart of the Mission | March 2018

MISSION IN MY

words

ROB FRAZIER

F O R M E R LY WITH PETRA

I have lived in Nashville for nearly 40 years, but only in the last 18 have I had an awareness of Nashville Rescue Mission.

In 2000, I retired from a full-time music career as a Christian recording artist, songwriter, and producer, went to seminary, and became a pastor at a local downtown church. It was there I first encountered the problem of homelessness in our city.

Through almost daily interaction with people coming to our church for food and other assistance, I began to grapple with the social problems that often produce homelessness: addiction, mental illness, lack of education, dysfunctional families, domestic abuse, poor social skills and work habits, spiritual poverty, and more.

I began to ask myself: who is addressing these issues and where do people go when they fall off the bottom rung of the economic ladder? The answer came up again and again— Nashville Rescue Mission. I began to learn more and started encouraging some of the people I met to consider the Mission, even taking some to the Mission when they were finally ready to make a move off the streets.

… I WITNESSED THE MIRACLE OF RESTORATION AND GOD’S INCREDIBLE POWER RELEASED IN THE LIVES OF MEN …

It was only after repeated interaction with Mission staff that I learned more about the additional aspects of their work. First, their Guest Services area provides the most basic requirements needed for survival, such as food and shelter, to those experiencing homelessness. Second, their Life Recovery Program, which is a one-year, faith-focused drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, is available to men and women battling addiction.

As God would lead me, I left my church post in 2013, and the following year became a Case Manager at the Mission working directly with homeless guests. I experienced both great challenges and wonderful breakthroughs, including 03

reuniting a homeless man with his family whom he had not seen for nearly 30 years. They thought he was dead, but he was simply lost in a fog of mental illness and despair until, by God’s grace, we were able to intervene.

In late 2015, I become a Chaplain and Life Coach in the Life Recovery Program where I witnessed the miracle of restoration and God’s incredible power released in the lives of men who were finally willing to surrender to Him. The highlight of every month is graduation where the men who finish the first six months of the program are celebrated and have the opportunity to praise God for what He’s done, as well as the option of moving into Transitional Housing. To see, bitter, broken, and despairing men transformed—now beaming with life and gratitude as they stand before their families—always fills my heart with joy.

While ministry work has taken me elsewhere, I am still an active volunteer and supporter of the Mission and plan to remain involved as long as I live in Nashville. It is truly the place where hope lives.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rob Frazier enjoyed a 25-year career in Christian music as a songwriter, artist, and producer before becoming a pastor, teacher, mentor, and creative coach. Initially coming to Nashville to play keyboard and guitar with the band Petra, he recorded and toured with them, then subsequently produced seven solo albums. Rob has over 200 recorded songs including ones by Kansas, Petra, Steve Camp, Ricky Skaggs, and more receiving multiple Dove and Grammy award nominations.

Heart of the Mission | March 2018

Easter FEATURE STORY

C E L E B R AT I N G

Your support brings hope to the hopeless

Easter is more than bunnies, baskets, and colored eggs. Easter is about hope, resurrection, and new life. It’s about celebrating the greatest miracle the world has ever known—Jesus rising from the dead and bringing HOPE to a hurting world.

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ut for too many people in this community, life has gone from bewildering to discouraging to hopeless.

Chris, a recent guest staying at the Mission, describes feeling worthless, like he was stuck. He was at rock bottom for a long time, and during that time he attempted suicide. He felt hopeless like there was no way out. He came to the Mission looking for a meal and a safe place to sleep.

Sadly, there are many more people like Chris in the community. They face different circumstances, from joblessness to debt to debilitating illness to loneliness to addiction to powerlessness to depression. Leaving them feeling trapped, disheartened—and hopeless. Hopelessness sucks the life and resilience out of people.

IT’S WHY EASTER IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY

at Nashville Rescue Mission. “The hope of Easter with its 04

promise of new life is truly a cause for celebration,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of the Mission. “It’s a great time to remind people dealing with homelessness and poverty that their dark and cold season in life can transform into a season of new growth—and that there is always hope.”

Celebrating Easter at the Mission starts with a Good Friday service held in the chapel where guests, family, and friends gather to reflect upon the sacrifice Christ made. And while the service is underway, volunteers and their families will be busy in the Mission’s kitchen preparing food and cooking to make sure the feast is fit for a king’s family. Following the service, everyone will gather in the dining room for a traditional Easter meal, like the one you might eat a home. Guests will enjoy ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls, along with a delicious slice of pie.

Heart of the Mission | March 2018

Sunday is celebrated similarly with a special Easter service for guests followed by the traditional Easter meal for lunch.

Over the course of the holiday weekend, thousands of meals will be prepared and served by hundreds of volunteers contributing countless hours to make this holiday special for guests of the Mission.

… THEIR DARK AND COLD SEASON IN LIFE CAN TRANSFORM INTO A SEASON OF NEW GROWTH … ” “WHILE THE MISSION PROVIDES SO MUCH MORE THAN FOOD—a hot, nutritious meal may be just what it

takes for someone who is experiencing homelessness to step through our doors and, in the process, learn more about the other services we offer that can help them get off the streets permanently,” said Cranfield. “A traditional meal, like maybe their mom used to make—served by volunteers from all walks of life who have chosen to spend their Easter serving at the Mission—goes a long way in creating a loving, home-like atmosphere for our guests to enjoy. This act of kindness has a visible and indelible impact on our guests.”

As many come to the Mission this Easter season, please join us in praying that God will make visible to them the things in their lives that are in need of His resurrecting power. Like the Father, there is rejoicing over each one that comes. And while there may be more who choose not to come, it is because of your support that the Mission’s doors are always open.

Your gifts can help turn death to life for a suffering person in our community and restore hope when all hope seems lost.

If you’d like to share this hope with someone in need, visit: nashvillerescuemission.org.

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

I T E M S

N E E D E D :

Boneless Buffet Hams

Potatoes

Green Beans #10 & #20 Cans

Salad

Other Canned Vegetables

Dinner Rolls

Or you can make your gift online at: nashvillerescuemission.org 05

DONATION DROP-OFFS

616 7th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37203 Open: Mon. – Sat. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Heart of the Mission | March 2018

FAITHFUL TO

e v r e S

VOLUNTEER STORY

THE HEART OF A

VOLUNTEER

THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER

W

hen John walks through the doors of the kitchen, eyes light up, and he is greeted with hellos and high fives. He’s no stranger to the Mission.

Since retiring from his work as a veterinarian almost a year ago, John has been a faithful volunteer in the kitchen at the Men’s Campus serving at least twice a week.

While the issue of homelessness wasn’t always on John’s radar, his heart for giving back and serving others has permeated his life. A three-year stint in the Peace Corps in West Africa gave John a unique perspective on interacting with individuals who have so little.

“I retired in April and started looking for a place to serve, a place where I could give back,” shared John. “Someone mentioned Nashville Rescue Mission to me, so I visited the website, then signed up to volunteer. I try to go twice a week.

I usually sign up for lunch, but if all the lunch spots are full, I’ll sign up to serve dinner. Volunteering at the Mission has been a deeply rewarding experience for me.”

WITH A LOVE OF VOLUNTEERING,

John contributes his time to a variety of organizations in the community. With his experience as a veterinarian, he will occasionally fill in at Animal Rescue Corps, a nonprofit organization that 06

conducts large-scale rescues of animals that are abused, neglected, or are victims of natural disasters. And while John enjoyed his years working in the field of veterinary medicine, today he says he’s enjoying the one-on-one interaction he has with the people he’s serving at the Mission.

“SEEING SOMEONE’S NEEDS BEING MET FIRST-HAND IS MEANINGFUL.” “There’s something special about handing someone a tray of food and hearing them say ‘thank you,’” said John.

“Seeing someone’s needs being met first-hand is meaningful. You can tell by the looks on their faces that these men Heart of the Mission | March 2018

are extremely grateful for the meal they are receiving. I also have the opportunity to interact with men in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program who are working in the kitchen. Over time, it’s been a joy to watch them grow and change. In many cases, I’ve seen men go from being sad and quiet to smiling, joking, and being happy. The transformation is amazing.”

RECENTLY, JOHN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to attend a monthly graduation ceremony where he and his wife were deeply moved by the compelling stories shared by the men graduating. “We will definitely be back for more graduations,” said John. “It was an incredible experience.”

When asked what keeps him coming back each week, John replied, “I’ve had a good life, and I want to give back out of my abundance. I encourage others who are looking for something to do with their time to get involved at the Mission. It’s a great place to serve.”

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET INVOLVED? Learn more about how to get involved by visiting us online at: nashvillerescuemission.org/volunteer

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT

DALAMAR HOMES In 2009, our production team served breakfast at Nashville Rescue Mission.

Right away, we were all deeply impacted by the experience. After hearing many amazing stories of life change and transformation from men in their program, we knew that it was an extraordinary place. Volunteering allowed us to see the heart of the Mission and the embodiment of excellence the organization maintains in it’s operations. As business owners in Nashville we respect results as much as we do a worthy cause, and Nashville Rescue Mission has been a proven investment in the impact it has on the lives and community of Middle Tennessee and beyond.

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In addition to volunteering and monthly support, we wanted to find a new and tangible way our team could get involved in giving, as well as draw attention to worthy organizations, including Nashville Rescue Mission. We’ve recently launched Dalamar Homes’ House of Hope. We plan to build a beautiful home in one of our developments with all the profits from the sale of the home going to one of our giving partners. We’re challenging our vendors and suppliers to do likewise. We believe this will be an exciting and rewarding project we hope to continue year after year in blessing those who have diligently served our communities.

Heart of the Mission | March 2018

BECAUSE HE LIVES. H AV E Y O U R S E E N O U R EASTER COMMERICAL?

To see Paul’s behind the scenes story, visit: nashvillerescuemission.org/easter-2018-bts

MEAL TICKET

8 93 4 2

Easter

You can help provide your neighbors in need with hope … starting with a meal this Easter season by returning the enclosed Easter Meal Ticket along with your best gift.

S E N D Y O U R M E A L T I C K E T T O D AY !

D E A D L I N E : A P R I L 1, 2018

L I V E S Y O U H AV E T O U C H E D | JANUARY 2018

HOPE lives HERE E st. 1954 639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org

Daily Avg.

monthly

Bible Class Attendance

26

792

21,405

Volunteer Hours

135

4,173

470

14,582

Travel Assistance

n/a

43

99

3,081

Program Graduates

n/a

5

Daily Avg.

monthly

1,624

50,351

Nights of Lodging

690

Chapel Attendance

Meals Served

Education Hours