HEART of the MISSION MARCH 2016
WHO ' S
AT
Y OUR
Table
BECAUSE OF YOU, THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM FOR EVERYONE.
BE C AU SE H E LI V E S THERE ARE NO LAST CHANCES
REV. GLENN CRANFIELD
President and CEO
I N H I S G R E AT M E R C Y HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM T H E D E A D, A N D I N T O A N I N H E R I TA N C E T H AT CAN NEVER PERISH, S P O I L O R FA D E .
1 P E T ER 1:3- 4 NI V
T
here are no two ways about it— Nashville Rescue Mission is the last stop for almost all of the people who come to us for help. Most of us, if we were being completely honest, would do everything we could to keep from going to a shelter for help. Whether that means borrowing money from family or friends, or sleeping on someone’s couch … we would try all these different options before entering the doors of the Mission. Why? Because to come to the Mission means we have nothing, and we have no one to help us—this is our last chance. The good thing is—at the Mission we believe in second chances, third chances, and always giving one more chance. We believe in doing what Jesus did—accepting people for who
they are and loving them. This gracefilled approach allows people to feel valued when they have been made to believe they have no value. We call it changing lives in the name of Christ. Thanks for coming along side us as we reach out to those who have no other place to go. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for helping us to be a refuge of hope and encouragement for those in need, like Norman (story on pages 4 and 5), who found a new life at the Mission.
WHAT WORDS INSPIRE YOU MOST? We love to share hopeful and inspiring quotes, verses, and stories online—and want to encourage you to do the same! Use your social media for good today and share a verse or phrase that gives you hope. Tag @NashvilleRescueMission so we can share it!
2 HEART of the MISSION
MARCH 2016
Inspire
MISSION IN MY WORDS
PA S T O R
M IK E
GLENN We don’t have a homeless problem. Sure, there are people that don’t have homes, and yes, that’s a problem. In reality, however, being homeless is a consequence of a series of other problems. There are many reasons a person might end up homeless, and there is no one solution that answers all of the challenges that can lead to homelessness. Sometimes, the issue is addiction. Other times, it’s mental illness. Abuse or abandonment can leave a mother on the streets with her children, and other times, changes in our economy leave an entire family without anywhere to go. Most people, as well intentioned as they may be, don’t understand how complicated and complex the issue of homelessness is and because of this, their efforts to minister to the homeless aren’t as helpful as they could be. In fact, sometimes these efforts can end up hurting the homeless. So, if you feel convicted about the homeless and want to do something to help them, where do you begin? With food? That’s a start, but there’s more to the problem of homelessness than meals. Shelter? Again, a good start, but how many shelters can one person build? How many people can you actually get off the street? The tough answer is this: not many. That’s why being involved in Nashville Rescue Mission is a matter of stewardship as much as compassion. Nashville Rescue Mission has the systems and processes needed to engage the homeless at their point of need. Addicts need one kind of response. The unemployed, whether temporary or long term, need a different kind of response. A single mom with children needs a
different kind of response. No one person can handle the complexities of each of these situations. The Mission has opportunities in place so you can engage in ways that maximize your resources and gifts. They can train you, which means you don’t have to learn the hard way. You can be connected to a meaningful ministry a lot faster than you would ever be able to do on your own. As you give to the Mission, you can be assured your resources are being spent in ways that have been proven to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of those being served.
“ T O G E T H E R , W E F I N D O U T IT’S A GOD THING.” Do you want to know the best part? Working with Nashville Rescue Mission, allows us to work together, not independent of each other. A problem—homelessness— is being addressed as God brings us together with the needed resources, talents, and experiences to bring solutions no one person could have thought of themselves. Together, we find out it’s a God thing. And like always, we leave thinking we showed up to help, only to find out we were the one who was helped most. Like I said, it’s a God thing. PASTOR MIKE GLENN is the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and received a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife, Jeannie, have two married sons. Visit his blog at: mikeglennonline.com. MARCH 2016
HEART of the MISSION 3
WHO ' S
AT
Y OUR
Table
BECAUSE OF YOU, THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM FOR EVERYONE.
4 HEART of the MISSION
MARCH 2016
As you gather around your table this Easter season, who will join you? Will you invite your family, friends from church, coworkers, even neighbors? For the man, woman, or child who is homeless … where can they find a seat? What table will they sit at this Easter? At Nashville Rescue Mission, there is enough room for everyone. Easter is a time for the Christian community to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the gift of new life. It’s a time when the Mission hopes to lift the hearts of the poor and homeless in the community with a traditional Easter meal and bless them with the gift of love.
The Easter meal can be an opportunity for the homeless to seek renewal. Nashville Rescue Mission provides an opportunity for everyone to participate in the festivities. The Mission expects to serve over 6,000 meals between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Volunteers will serve heaping helpings of eggs, bacon, hash browns, and fruit for breakfast, followed by a traditional Easter lunch of ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad, and dessert … not to mention a friendly smile. “A meal can be the entry point to the Mission for someone who is struggling with homelessness,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission. “As someone gets filled up with a good, nutritious meal, we also hope to introduce them to other services and programs we offer that can help them get off the streets permanently. So many of those coming to the Mission are newly homeless—they were not homeless a year ago, but due to job loss and other difficult situations they are now seeking our help. We know many are looking for a program based on Christian values, which is something we offer at Nashville Rescue Mission.”
my training as a chef to prepare meals for the very men I once walked the streets with. It’s my prayer they’ll find their way upstairs to the Life Recovery Program, like I did. And maybe, just maybe, it might start with a meal I’ve helped prepare.” “At Easter, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus and the freedom and redemption He brings,” said Cranfield. “Norman experienced that freedom and redemption every day here at the Mission. For him, it’s more than just a second chance. It’s an opportunity for a new life.” This year, the Mission will serve a special Easter meal on Good Friday, as well as Easter Sunday. We pray the love of Jesus will shine brighter through the gifts of a meal and humble service to our homeless friends and neighbors in need. Because Jesus lives, there is room for everyone this Easter season. “O N T H E T H I R D D AY H E W I L L BE RAISED TO LIFE.” Matthew 17:23 NIV
“ S OME T HING CHANGED F OR ME T HAT DAY.
I knew God was speaking to me." “I came to the Mission on Good Friday of last year to eat lunch,” recalled Norman. “It was a big day with TV crews and even Nashville’s Mayor. I was escorted to my seat and sat next to Brian, who asked me many questions. I thought he was a reporter so I shared my story with him. I was surprised when he told me he wasn’t a reporter, but rather a counselor on staff at the Mission. He didn’t judge me, but instead invited me in to the Mission’s Life Recovery Program. Easter Sunday was the first time I ever spent the Easter holiday in a church. Something changed for me that day. I knew God was speaking to me. I entered the Life Recovery Program the next day. I graduated the program in November. Today, I’ve been set free from the chains of addiction. I am using
N O R M A N B E G I N S H I S WA L K W I T H C H R I S T MARCH 2016
HEART of the MISSION 5
SPREADING HOPE AND
dessert.
A DIFFER EN T K IND O F B I R T HDAY PAR T Y. Several years ago, Lexi and her family volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner after hearing about Nashville Rescue Mission from country star Tracy Lawrence. Lexi admits she was a little nervous. Maybe even a bit frightened. She’d never been to a rescue mission before, didn’t know what to expect, and wasn’t sure what she’d be doing. Now, when she looks back, she has no idea why she ever hesitated. “IT WAS really cool being able to serve homeless families with my own family and my friend who came along,” she recalls. That Thanksgiving also happened to be my birthday. By the time I left, I decided to have my birthday party there the next year.” She couldn’t wait an entire year though. Soon after, Lexi and her mom and dad began serving in the kitchen at the Men’s Campus twice a week. They bonded with the staff and guests. “We don’t have family outside of the three of us. 6 HEART of the MISSION
MARCH 2016
The Mission has become family. The men in the Life Recovery Program, along with the staff, and so many others have been a huge blessing to our family. They have given more to us in love and respect than we can ever pay back. We are so grateful.” ON HER 10TH birthday, Lexi invited her friends and
their parents to serve alongside her. It was a birthday to remember. “WOW, the experience was amazing and the turnout was huge,” Kerry, Lexi’s mom says. Lexi’s birthday guests filled the kitchen and dining room, serving food and offering smiles and hope.
“ B Y T H E T I M E I L E F T, I D E C I D E D T O H AV E M Y B I R T H D AY PA R T Y T H E R E T H E N E X T Y E A R .”
For a now 13-year-old girl, Lexi’s big heart and love for others is more than evident each time she serves at the Mission. All of her free time is spent in dance classes,
focusing on perfecting her skills for competitions. But no matter what, volunteering comes even before dance, which is a selfless act for such a young girl. “I learn the most when I choose to come to the Mission instead of dance class. I know God told me to be here. God always comes first, and therefore helping others comes first above my hobby. I love helping people. I want to make sure none of them go to bed hungry.”
“ T H E Y H AVE G I V EN M O R E T O U S
IN LOVE AND R E S P E C T T H AN WE C AN E VE R PAY B A C K . W E ARE S O GR AT E FU L .” LEXI and her parents have seen homeless guests walk
by with grateful smiles, and others with downtrodden and sad faces. No matter who they interact with at the Mission, they continually strive to spread hope … and desserts. “My favorite part is always when I get to be the one to serve the desserts!” Lexi exclaims. “Who doesn’t love dessert?”
L E X I A N D H E R FA M I LY S E R V I N G S M I L E S
Do you want to celebrate your birthday by volunteering? Gather your family and friends and login to: www.nashvillerescuemission.org/get-involved
Easter
SALAD
NEEDS
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 at the Mission’s Donation Center: 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. Open Monday - Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
DINNER ROLLS
PLASTIC FOAM DISHES; BOWLS, CUPS, UTENSILS
BONELESS BUFFET HAMS
POTATOES PIES
GREEN BEANS
hope
#10 AND #20 CANS
ALUMINUM FOIL AND PANS MARCH 2016
HEART of the MISSION 7
LIVES YOU HAVE
BE C AU S E H E LIVE S C H E C K O U T O U R L AT E S T C O M M E R C I A L
nashvillerescuemission.org
BEC AUSE H E LI V E S ‌ T H E R E IS HOPE. HOPE LIVES HERE
Be sure to watch the Behind the Scenes video and hear from Paul, an actual guest at Nashville Rescue Mission.
Note of Hope
TOUCHED JANUARY 2016 Daily Avg
Monthly
Meals Served
1,741
53,976
Nights of Lodging
794
24,627
Chapel Attendance
627
19,432
Education Hours
87
2,692
Bible Class Attendance
28
881
Decisions & Prayers
41
1,279
Volunteer Hours
135
4,193
Travel n/a Assistance
77
Program n/a Graduates
9
is a proud member of
With Easter just around the corner, we invite you to return the enclosed Note of Hope, along with a few words of encouragement to be placed on the tables during the Easter season.
639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org