OCTOBER 2017
YOU MAKE
THANKSGIVING Great VOLUNTEERS COME TOGETHER TO SERVE THE HOMELESS
To the Glory of God THANK YOU FOR BLESSING THOSE IN NEED
P REV. GLENN CRANFIELD President and CEO
“I ALWAYS THANK MY GOD FOR YOU BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE GIVEN YOU IN CHRIST JESUS.” 1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV
aul began his first letter to the Corinthians with thanksgiving for all the blessings God had bestowed on those who had been called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ. Later on, in Chapter 10, he talks about seeking the “good of others,” and concludes by saying, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” From now until spring, we’ll serve more meals, provide more shelter, and have the opportunity to change more lives than at any other time of the year. We have so much to be thankful for. For food that nourishes hungry men, women, and children. For being able to shelter our neighbors who are homeless. And for the programs and services that transform their lives!
Save the Date
But it is only through you and your partnership with this ministry that this is able to happen. With your support and your prayers, hundreds of men, women, and children will find not only food and shelter, but bright new futures through faith in Jesus Christ. As we prepare for the holidays, we will be giving thanks to God for His many blessings, and thanks to you for helping make those blessings available to people in need! Your gifts really do make a difference in the lives of people who are without food and shelter or friends and family to help them through difficult times. I look forward to seeing how God will use your generosity in these awesome days just ahead!
TRACY LAWRENCE MISSION:POSSIBLE TURKEY FRY
Tuesday, November 21st..................................8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
NASHVILLE PRAISE SYMPHONY CONCERT
TRACY LAWRENCE MISSION:POSSIBLE TURKEY FRY CONCERT
Saturday, November 11th................................7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 21st................................7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
94FM THE FISH MEAL CHALLENGE
GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY BANQUET
Tuesday, November 14th.................................6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15th.........................6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 22nd............................................noon Thursday, November 23rd................................................noon
SUPER TALK 99.7 WTN RADIOTHON
LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM GRADUATION
Monday, November 20th.................................5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 22nd............................................10:30 a.m.
Hea rt of t h e M i ssio n / O ct o b er 2017
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Ron Hall M ission in m y Words
Debbie’s final words to me were, “Do not give up on Denver. God is going to bless your friendship in ways you can never imagine.” Twelve years earlier, my wife convinced me to build her dream home in Fort Worth. We’d been Christians since 1974, but our marriage was on the verge of collapse. Yet instead of divorce papers, she offered me the path of lovingkindness. One day, she dreamed about a poor, homeless man— and by his wisdom our lives and city will be changed (Ecc 9:15). Determined to find him, she began volunteering at Union Gospel Mission—and convinced me to join her. Two weeks later, a man charged into the dining room screaming he was going to kill everyone unless whoever had stolen his shoes returned them. That’s when Debbie said, “That’s the man I dreamt about. And I believe God is saying you have to become his friend and find out what my dream is all about.”
man on Sunday, then turn your back on the first one you see on Monday?” I felt like I’d been hit with a stun gun before finally admitting I didn’t have an answer for him. He then said, “Mr. Ron, you never know whose eyes God is watchin’ you out of. I’m tellin’ you, it ain’t gonna be your preacher or Sunday school teacher. It might just be one of them fellas sittin’ on the curb like me.” One of the greatest pearls of wisdom Denver shared was this, “Whether we is rich or poor or somethin’ in between, this earth ain’t no final restin’ place. So in a way, we is all homeless—just workin’ our way home.” I learned so much from my friend, which led to my writing the book, Same Kind of Different As Me. My hope and dream for both the book and movie is for people to see the homeless through the lenses of God. The biggest misconception about the homeless is that they got themselves in the mess, so let them get themselves out. Many people think they are simply lazy. I urge those to make a friend at a local mission like Nashville Rescue Mission. Together, Denver and I did nearly four hundred events in the ten years after Debbie’s death. Using our book and story at those events, we helped raise nearly fifty million dollars together for the homeless. In 2009, we had the privilege of participating in an event to benefit Nashville Rescue Mission. After Denver’s death in 2012, I’ve continued to share our story at rescue missions, universities, and churches all across America.
“Whether we is rich or poor or somethin’ in between, this earth ain’t no final restin’ place.” - DENVER MOORE
After pursuing him for five months, I finally got him in my car, though he was screaming at me to just leave him alone. I told him I would love to, but my wife told me I had to be his friend. He liked Debbie, so he promised to think about it. I recall Denver asking if I was “one of them Christians?” After answering yes, he asked me a question I never forgot. “Why is it that all you Christians worship one homeless
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Ron Hall and Denver Moore co-authored the books Same Kind of Different As Me and What Difference Do It Make? and created the Same Kind of Different As Me small-group Bible study shortly before Moore passed away. A film based upon the book opens in theaters October 20th. Oc t o ber 2 0 1 7 / He ar t of t he M is s ion
FEATURE STORY
YOU MAKE
THANKSGIVING Great VOLUNTEERS COME TOGETHER TO SERVE THE HOMELESS
T
hanksgiving is just around the corner. For many, this includes feasting, four-day weekends, football games, floats, family reunions, or a forerunner to Christmas festivities. The holiday’s origins are found in the early settlers setting aside a time to give thanks for one’s blessings, along with holding feasts to celebrate a harvest. And while the celebrations may differ somewhat from those early years, the importance of being thankful still holds true.
Yet, for the homeless and hurting in our community, Thanksgiving might be just another day—nothing special. Or worse, perhaps they see it as a bitter reminder of the things they don’t have … like a home or a job, or family and friends to share it with. For them, finding something to be thankful for might come as a challenge. But with your help, it doesn’t have to be this way. Your support of Nashville Rescue Mission makes it possible for the Mission to prepare and serve nearly 6,000 traditional Thanksgiving Day meals over the course of the holiday weekend and serve them to our neighbors who are most in need. At the Mission, the doors are open wide and all are welcome. A MEAL OF SUCH MAGNITUDE requires a significant grocery list that includes 9,000 pounds of turkey, 5,000 dinner rolls, 1,000 pounds of potatoes, 100 gallons of gravy, 600 pounds of dressing, and 800 pounds of green beans. And the task of preparing and serving this meal is enormous. Which is why the Mission will see over 1,000 volunteers providing more than 2,700 hours of service during the week of Thanksgiving. “So many of the things we do would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our great Hea rt of t h e M i ssio n / O ct o b er 2017
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… the Mission will see over 1,000 volunteers providing more than 2,700 hours of service during the week of Thanksgiving.
volunteers,” said Joy Ferguson, director of volunteer services. “They embody the Mission’s values and desire to help make a difference in our guests’ lives. These are selfless, generous people who dedicate their time and resources to a great and noble cause. We see them as superheroes: single individuals, families, organizations, churches, and businesses who serve with us in a variety of capacities.”
“We all go through ups and downs,” said Jim. “When I was down, someone helped me up. Now it’s my turn to return the favor.” “I absolutely love serving at the Mission,” said Donna. “I come on a regular basis, but there’s something special about being there over the holidays. Seeing a guest smile as I walk with them and carry their meal to their table— it gets me every time.”
“FOR MANY, VOLUNTEERING WITH US IS A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE,” said Rev. Glenn
WITH THANKSGIVING A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AWAY, the Mission is accepting donations of turkeys, and
Cranfield, president and CEO. “It takes away the ‘stigma’ of being homeless in order to see our guests for who they really are—people. And while our volunteer spots fill up quickly during the holiday season, there is always an opportunity to serve with us in other areas and during other times of the year: donation drives, classes for our adult clients, arts and crafts with the children at our Women’s Campus, and even helping us sort and organize some of our donations.”
all the Thanksgiving fixings including potatoes, green beans, rolls, and pies. Donations can be dropped off at the Mission’s Donation Center located at 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. Or visit nashvillerescuemission.org to make an online donation. If you would like to volunteer during the Thanksgiving holiday, sign ups begin in early November, and spots will fill up quickly.
Young or old, man or woman—those who serve have their own reasons for volunteering. But one thing they have in common is a contagious attitude of gratitude.
“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays,” shared Cranfield. “It is a blessing to see how the community comes together to support the homeless men, women, and children the Mission serves through donations of time, food, and finances. It’s because of you that Thanksgiving at the Mission truly is great!”
“Volunteering at the Mission is a lot of fun,” said Teresa. “I feel like my help is appreciated not only by the staff, but by the guests, too.”
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Oc t o ber 2 0 1 7 / He ar t of t he M is s ion
VOLUNTEER STORY
A Helping Hand
How one doctor spends her spare time serving others
“I first learned of Nashville Rescue Mission through some of my patients. I worked at the UT Medical Clinic handling ER admissions. Unfortunately, a number of our patients were homeless.” Since moving to Nashville in 1985, Dr. Doering has shared her passion for volunteering with her friends and coworkers. “I have also brought my God-daughter to the Mission to serve alongside me,” said Dr. Doering. “It has been wonderful to share this experience with her.” “My first time volunteering was during the Thanksgiving holiday,” recalls Dr. Doering. From there, she added serving meals during the Christmas holiday, then Sunday lunch, volunteering as often as she can. “I enjoy serving. I’m inspired by the stories I hear, especially from those who were once homeless and are now employees of the Mission. I’ve had the opportunity to serve meals at both the Men’s and Women’s Campus and wish I could go more often.” TWO YEARS AGO, DR. DOERING BROUGHT A GROUP OF MEDICAL RESIDENTS to the Mission.
“I wanted them to experience the environment first hand, as they too will encounter homeless men and women in their medical careers. I felt it was important they learn that these are real people, with real stories, with real problems. This has now become a regular part of their curriculum.”
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According to Dr. Doering, the best part about volunteering during the Thanksgiving season, is the opportunity to carry each guest’s meal as she escorts them to their table. “Carrying their tray and walking with them really does make it extra special, not just for them, but for me, too. I enjoy chatting with them and learning a little bit about them.”
know if they truly want to turn their life around, the opportunity is available to them at the Mission.” While Dr. Doering isn’t able to volunteer as frequently as she would like, she is still committed to giving back through financial donations, dropping off food and clothing, bringing her medical residents to the Mission to take a tour, and serving meals. “I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about the Mission and how homelessness impacts our community to sign up for the ‘I Had No Idea’ tour,” said Dr. Doering. “It will truly give you a better understanding of those in need. When I bring residents for tours, they are amazed when they learn about the Mission’s programs and classes that are available to those in need… all for free. Whether you invest in the Mission through your finances or time, it is an excellent investment with a great return. I’m glad to be a part of the Mission’s volunteer family.”
“AS I ENCOUNTER PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING,
If you’d like to offer a helping hand to the homeless, visit nashvillerescuemission.org/get-involved
whether it’s homelessness or addiction, I am quick to point them to Nashville Rescue Mission,” said Dr. Doering. “I
THANKSGIVING
Wish list
1,000 TURKEYS STUFFING CRANBERRY SAUCE POTATOES GREEN BEANS CANNED VEGETABLES (#10 Cans) LETTUCE/SALAD MIX TOMATOES SHREDDED CARROTS SALAD DRESSING DINNER ROLLS BUTTER PATTIES EGGS ONIONS BELL PEPPERS
The Mission will serve 6,000 traditional Thanksgiving meals to hungry and homeless men, women, and children over the Thanksgiving holiday. As you shop for your own meal, please consider picking up a few of these essential items we need to make Thanksgiving special for our guests.
CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUSAGE BISCUITS COFFEE CREAMER SUGAR PIES/PASTRIES ALUMINUM FOIL FOIL TURKEY PANS STYROFOAM CUPS STYROFOAM BOWLS PLASTIC FLATWARE DIVIDED PLATES NAPKINS SALT PEPPER
Donations may be dropped off at the Mission’s Donation Center located at 616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203. Open Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. For finanacial donations, you can give online at: nashvillerescuemission.org.
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Oc t o ber 2 0 1 7 / He ar t of t he M is s ion
Y AC R T
L AW R E NC E
Tracy and friends will be frying over 500 turkeys to help feed Nashville’s homeless a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Please stop by, drop off a turkey, purchase a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal with a donation of $50, and see which of Tracy’s celebrity friends are here to help. T U E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 21, 2017
TURKEY FRY
BENEFIT CONCERT
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Doors open: 6:00 p.m. | Concert starts: 7:30 p.m.
Nashville Rescue Mission - Men’s Campus Parking Lot
PLE A S E BE SU R E T O W R I T E A
note of hope
Wildhorse Saloon
hope
D
On the enclosed card for those in need this holiday
L I V E S Y O U H AV E T O U C H E D AUGUST 2017
Daily Avg.
Monthly
Daily Avg.
Monthly
Meals Served
1615
50,077
Bible Class Attendance
25
790
Nights of Lodging
764
23,689
Volunteer Hours
130
4,042
Chapel Attendance
508
15,736
Travel Assistance
n/a
50
89
2,766
Program Graduates
n/a
9
Education Hours
639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org