VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 6 • JUNE 2018

Proud “Certified Excellent” member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and recognized as a “Four Star Charity” by Charity Navigator.

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Make Us Your Mission

Happy Fathers Day!I AM MADE NEWp.8

BARGAIN CENTER VOTED TOP 10 BEST THRIFT STORES IN GEORGIA!p.14

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EXECUTIVE BOARDCharlie Cantrell CHAIRMAN

Stewart Vernon VICE-CHAIR

Beverly Olson SECRETARY

Susan Collins TREASURER

Blake Sullivan

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Dr. Bill Argo

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBobby Cramer

Frank Malloy

Robby Redmond

Chris R. Sheridan

Louis Frank Tompkins

Jeff Thompson

Wimberly Treadwell

ADVISORY BOARDOliver Bateman III

Martha Blue

Senator Saxby Chambliss

Ashley Copelan

Carolyn Crayton

Sheriff David Davis

Ed Defore

Jimmy Fain

Michael Ketterbaugh

Tommy Mixon

Mayor Robert Reichert

PRESIDENT/CEOPat Chastain

03 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK God Bless Our Dads

04 STAFF SPOTLIGHT Ms. Vernice Chappell

05 NEEDS LIST Women’s and Men’s Division Needs,

Kitchen Needs

06 WOMEN’S DIVISION Loved by God

07 MEN’S DIVISION HAPPENINGS Warriors for Christ

08 TESTIMONY FROM THE MISSION I Am Made New

10 SCENES FROM AROUND THE MISSION Baptism, Men’s Outing and Kickball Game

14 BARGAIN CENTER Top 10 Best Thrift Stores in Georgia

15 UPCOMING EVENTS Graduation

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 6 • JUNE 2018

A community service product of Panaprint.

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Father’s Day is right around the corner and what a wonderful time for us to express to our Dad just how much we love him. This day will give us an opportunity to tell him what he means to us and how much we appreciate all he has done to make life so much more enjoyable. So many times, Father’s Day is just another day for our Dad to get another tie or pair of socks, but this Father’s Day can be different. I believe this is exactly what Sonora Louise Smart Dodd had in mind when she first brought the idea of Father’s Day up in 1909. She wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. When Sonora’s mother died in childbirth with her sixth child, William was left to raise the newborn and five other children by himself on a farm in Washington State. As an adult, Sonora realized how strong and unselfish her Dad had been, raising his kids as a single parent. It’s dedication and commitment like this that gives so many people around the world a chance to show their fathers the love he gave them. In closing, ask God to guide you and direct you in what he would have you say and do. If you’re father has since passed, pray to your heavenly Father and let him know what’s on your heart! Make this Father’s Day the best Father’s Day ever and then thank our Lord Jesus Christ for all he’s done in giving you the best dad ever! We love each one of you and God Bless!

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These

commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up. ” - Deuteronomy 6:5-8

FROM THE President’s Desk

Pat ChastainPresident/CEO

God Bless OUR DADS

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I grew up right here in Macon, GA and have been working at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia for the last ten years. The Love of God calls me to serve, and I love working with the women and children here. I get to walk with them as they recover from their hurtful experiences. My job is so very fulfilling and I have a soft spot in my heart for the women and children here.

I get excited to come into work every day because I get to see how God transforms the lives of the women and children and I get to play a role in the transformation. What an honor it is to see how God changes them. I am so very thankful God allows me to be a part of this.

I serve wherever I am needed here at the Mission, whether that’s driving people to where they need to be or just pausing and taking time to listen to the women and children. When I’m not at the Mission, I can be found at home baking or on Sundays at my church, this is my favorite place to be. I love to bake and cook for my family and I am really happy when my house is full. I truly enjoy serving others and get some much joy from this. I love serving at my church and enjoy a weekly bible study on Wednesdays of each week.

I can’t stop talking about the Mission staff and all the good things that happen here each day. I can’t wait to see what is next for the Rescue Mission! I pray God will allow me to be here for another 10 years or more.

Staff SPOTLIGHT

Ms. Vernice Chappell

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is

love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world,

that we might live through Him. - 1 John 4:7-9

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Needs LIST STAFFPat Chastain

President/CEO

Tina Hicks Vice President of Finance

Dawn Burns Vice President of Operations

Artecia Knight Logistics Coordinator

Greg Brooks Food Service &

Maintenance Supervisor

PROGRAMSJason Beck

Vice President of Programs

Linda Wessells Women’s Program Director

Emily Smallwood Women’s Assistant

Claudine Boynton Women’s Assistant

Vernice Chappell Women’s Evening

Supervisor

Anthony Wade Men’s Resident Supervisor

Lester Ward Case Manager

DEVELOPMENTAmy Walker

Development Coordinator

Jaime Kaplan Special Events Coordinator

To Donate: Visit www.rescuemissionga.com call us at 478-743-5445 ext. 314 or

Email us - donate@rescuemissionga.com

Assorted reader glasses Laundry detergent

Large size bath towelsShower shoes – sizes 9-14 Single subject notebooks

Underwear – size L and XL

Men’s DIVISION

Diapers – Size 4 & 5Wipes

Toilet PaperPaper TowelsStorage Totes

Kids and Family friendly CD’s – ages preschool and up

Women’s DIVISION

Ziploc bags

Plastic cups

Kithcen

Thanks to your generosity every month our men, women and children have their needs met. We can never thank you enough for loving on them through your donations!

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Women’s Division HAPPENINGSby Linda Wessells, Women’s Program Director

Loved BY GOD

Linda Wessells Women’s Program Director

One of the greatest things to watch, as I walk with the women here at the Rescue Mission, is their hearts opening up to receive the love of our Heavenly Father. These women have been continuously hurt by the very people in their lives that were supposed to love them the most. They have now built up walls of protection around their hearts. Having only experienced conditional love it is hard to truly understand the unconditional love of our Father God. They find it difficult to stop playing the lies over again in their heads that make them believe that they are unlovable or not good enough.

It has been beautiful to witness the growth of these women as they believe through scripture how much God the Father loves them and knowing that they are His precious daughters not because of anything that they have done but because of what He has done for them through Jesus Christ. They are now able to embrace who they are in Christ and know that they can trust Him as their Father.

What an honor it is that God calls us His children and gives us the assurance that as His children we are heirs and co-heirs with Christ. The simple fact is that we are God’s children and He is our Heavenly Father.

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you have received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” - Romans 8:15-16

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Today we live in a world where fatherlessness is at an all-time high. All we have to do is open our eyes and immediately we’re flooded with images of the effects that unengaged fathers are having in the culture we live. Massive amounts of resources are exhausted in researching, studying, and reporting the impact this is having on lives of children worldwide. Years ago, I heard someone say “As fathers, our sons will grow up like us and our daughters will marry men like us.” What a statement! It definitely speaks of the importance of how, we as fathers, model out manhood. It carries a lasting impact, very reminiscent of a stone being thrown in a pond and watching the ripples it creates. The size of the stone determines how big the splash and how far the ripples reach. What kind of stone will you be? One brings ripples of trust, peace, nurturing, and unconditional love. The other ripples of chaos and deep wounding. As men, one of the most amazing things God uses to bless us is the gift of fatherhood. We are given the awesome responsibility of modeling, in front of our children, what trusting God looks like versus trusting what culture would have us model.

Here at the Rescue Mission, many of the men in our program are fathers. Not only are we able to witness God break the chains of addictions and other forms of destructive behavior, we get the privilege of walking with new men! Now trusting who they are in Christ, they are choosing, for the first time, to no longer model dysfunction and to no longer direct the steps of their children in the direction in which this world screams they should. They are choosing to heed to the soft whisper of a deeply loving and highly involved Heavenly Father.

“Children are a gift from the Lord; babies are a reward. Children who are born to a young man are like arrows in the

hand of a warrior.” Psalms 127: 3-4Wow! Did you hear that? A warrior! That’s exactly what this world is in desperate need of, warriors.......Warriors for Christ, Warriors for justice, and Warriors against oppression. A warrior is very intentional about where he sends his arrow. He needs to concentrate, a steady hand, controlled breathing, and line of sight. He knows who and what he’s fighting for.

Warriors FOR CHRIST

Men’s Division HAPPENINGSby Jason Beck, Vice President of Programs

Jason Beck Vice President of Programs

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I AM Made NewTestimony FROM THE MISSION

My name is Tony Crenshaw, I am 37 years old. I was born on December 9, 1980 in Milledgeville, Georgia.

My dad was a Navy vet and was a machinist for Boeing Aircraft. My mom worked with Brown & Williamson. I was an only child living in severe dysfunction. I was very spoiled by both of my parents.

Around the age of 6, I was introduced to sex by a babysitter. My parents never knew and I thought it was okay because I enjoyed the activity and it occurred on more than one occasion.

My parents only disciplined me occasionally. I was really allowed to do whatever I wanted. Whenever I did get a spanking it was really a beating from my dad. My mom would pop me on my behind but never really spanked me. Both of my parents did drugs and sold them as well.

I recall countless nights of arguments and fights over money. I was showered with gifts all the time. Anything my little mind could think of I would ask for and if I was told no I would pitch a fit until I got my way. My mom said she would feel bad about telling me no and she didn’t want me to hate her so she always gave in.

I rarely got into trouble in school and as far as I can remember I was a very good student. I was taught how to wear a mask and taught how not to talk about what was going on in my home. I thought that as long as I was getting what I wanted nothing was wrong. This was normal home life or so I thought.

I witnessed my dad getting busted by the drug squad a couple of times and mom would bail him out of jail and he would end up on probation. I do remember going to visit him in jail a few times and had become familiar with jail life. My parents thought they could run from their problems by moving out of the city limits. We moved to East Macon towards Dry Branch. My family dysfunction continued and by the time we moved I was going with my dad on drug deals. I must have been around 8 years old when this started. My mom would encourage me to go with my dad so he would return home in a timely manner. I enjoyed going with him because I worshipped the ground my dad walked on. I craved his love and attention, though I got very little of it. During these drug runs I felt important to be with him and would often be in the middle of the actual transaction. Many times he would take me with him to the bar. I didn’t know any better and because I craved his love I went with him any chance I could. My parents didn’t know how to love

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8and were told by so many others that they didn’t need kids. My dad had many affairs and he let me know about them. It was our secret to keep from my mom. I felt special that he trusted me with this secret. This taught me to remain hidden and that it was okay to be secretive.

I do remember times when my mom started going to church and she tried to get me to go with her but I refused often. I remember that she would tell everyone at church that my dad was sick or working when people would ask where he was. That was a lie. Mask wearing was something my family was very good at.

My dad introduced me to marijuana at the age of 14. I felt as if I had finally won his approval and by the age of 15 we were using buddies and he showed me how to smoke crack. I was allowed to drop out of school and life was really out of control. I began using other drugs and occasionally shooting up. Dad taught me how to do this too. I was a full blown addict. I became greedy and started stealing to feed my habit. I became involved with gang activity and was reckless.

I had multiple girlfriends and because my mom always told me I was handsome and encouraged me to dress nice. This formed a mask of me being conceited. No matter how messed up my home life was I always thought I could win any girl I wanted. I had absolutely no remorse for my actions.

I started feeling very depressed and used self-harm (cutting) as an outlet. I dealt with this on and off throughout my teenage years. My mom placed me in multiple mental health facilities to keep me from cutting myself. I would stay there for weeks at time only to return to the same home life as before. I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. I was prescribed many mental health medications.

A monster was created within me. My parents lost their jobs and my dad had several car wrecks. I witnessed him lying on the ground at the scene of a wreck with 4 broken ribs, a collapsed lung and ruptured spine. I thought he was dead. This was devastating for me. As he recovered from this accident their fast lifestyle seemed to slow down some. By this time my parents were living on a low income and we no longer lived in a big house. I am around 16 by this time and getting into all sorts of trouble. I never ended up in juvenile but when I turned 18 I was put on probation for the first time for theft. I violated probation over and over again. I had almost 4 years left on paper when they revoked me and

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SCENES FROM Around the Mission

Baptism, Men’s Outing & Kickball Game

Pastor Davin baptized one of the men in our program, Brad Tinker, at Cross Point Baptist Church

Georgia Power Security Department collected and donated toiletry items for the men, women and children here. Pictured – Marquetta McElveen and Jimmy Outler

Phase I outing for the Men’s Division to downtown Macon

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The Staff vs. Residents Annual kickball game– it was a great time of fun and fellowship for the RMMG family!

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Testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

sent me to prison. This was really hard for me because not only did I feel that I had to portray this tough guy image, I was forced to live by it. Life in prison was not easy. I willingly started engaging in inappropriate activity and was still getting high while in prison. I was allowed to parole out after a few years but soon went back because of a parole violation after maxing out on November 4, 2003. I was back in jail on November 7, 2003 for armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession. Because of my track record I was facing a minimum of 20 years. I thought my life was over. In the past, whenever I was desperate I would turn to God and this time was my most desperate plea to Him. After several months in jail, crying out to God in despair I went to court and was miraculously acquitted of the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges. The possession charge stuck and I was given 5 years of probation.

Mom and dad were split up at the time I got out and I went to live with my dad. I used God as a gumball machine and was soon back at it. It was just me and my dad and we were using together living in a ton of sin. I ended up tapping out and landed in a recovery program in Atlanta. I got clean for a while and skipped through 3 places before I got high again. I did things my way and excluded God from my life. I was in and out of treatment facilities, in and out of jail, breaking promises to God, myself and my family. No one wanted anything to do with me and I burnt every bridge. I’ve had guns pulled on me and the catastrophic life I have lived I really shouldn’t be here today. But I know God has had a plan this whole time and He says the steps of a good man are ordered. I lost my dad in 2014 and before he died I was in the process of recovery. I stumbled and went back to it. I ended up in jail again and my probation officer recommended that I go to an RSAT program. It is an inpatient recovery program through the Department of Corrections. I had 9 months to do and was able to grieve from my loss, my failures and reflect on the choices I have made. God was allowing all of my circumstances to break me and I didn’t see it. I would often be mad at God, saying “why me”?

While in the RSAT program I developed a staph infection in my shoulder and the doctors misdiagnosed the infection for a sinus infection. I had no signs of infection on my shoulder except soreness that progressed to me not being able to use my left arm. When I got out of the program I was in the ER the following day and had surgery. The surgeons said I was lucky because I could have lost my arm. I ended up needing 4 surgeries and only had 30% use of my left arm. Thankfully I am now at 90% use of my arm. God has performed powerful restoration. I was blind to the fact that I was on my way to eternal destruction. I was dead in spirit and the message of the Gospel was foolish to me.

God led me to the Rescue Mission recovery program and I checked in on August 29, 2017. I am learning that there is a place so safe that the worst of me can be known and I will be loved more not less for it. There is a place and it is the Rescue Mission of Middle GA. The entire staff is spirit filled and they share the love of Jesus Christ with all of the men, women and children in the program. I am so thankful to be here and truly feel loved here. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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Testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Since surrendering my life to Jesus Christ my life certainly hasn’t been easier. I have less pain and am more joyful. Healing has taken place in my heart. I no longer question “why me” but now say “why not me”? Some things I still don’t understand but I know without a doubt that it is all with great purpose so Christ will receive the glory for which it is intended.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17I believe this with all my heart, He has created in me a new heart!

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Bargain CENTERBARGAIN CENTER STAFFShannon Haskell Vice President of Retail Operations

Niger Brown Store Manager

Tina Stovall Assistant Manager

Shameka Davis Production Manager

Barbara Tyler Sales Associate

DRIVERSArt Ellis Curtis RoundtreeDaniel Baggett Tony Travick

Please visit our

BARGAIN CENTER FACEBOOK PAGE

to find out about sales and see photos of some

of the available inventory.

www.facebook.com/ MissionBargainCenter/

We are proud to announce that the Rescue Mission’s BARGAIN CENTER has been selected as one the 10 BEST Thrift Stores in Georgia by Best of American Towns. What does it take to be one of the best?

For us at the BARGAIN CENTER we are driven by four things: To Glorify God, Support the Mission, Be our Best Selves, and to Encourage each other!! We believe if we glorify God he will fill our barns with great donations. Those great donations will generate the revenue needed to support and grow our Mission. As we walk with the LORD and learn to surrender, He helps us become our best selves and helps us to love and encourage others. Being the best starts with glorifying God!

We would also like to thank our amazing Donors and Shoppers. Without you we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

If you would like to donate to the Bargain Center we have 25 bins, 2 drop off locations, and we pick up mid to large size donations from your home or business. For more info and a full list of drop off sites please visit our website at: www.RescueMissionGA.com located under the Thrift Ministry tab.

AND remember when you DONATE LOCAL + THRIFT LOCAL = YOU CHANGE LOCAL!!

Shannon Haskell Vice President of Retail Operations

Top 10 BEST THRIFT STORES IN GEORGIA!

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Bargain CENTER

THE RESCUE MISSION OF MIDDLE GEORGIABOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFFREQUEST YOUR PRESENCE AT OUR

Graduation CeremonyFRIDAY, THE THIRTEENTH OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN AT SIX THIRTY IN THE EVENING

GREATER FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1220 REV JL MILLS SR. WAY | MACON, GA 31201

(RIGHT NEXT TO THE RESCUE MISSION)

COME SEE THE RESULTS OF YOUR COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY AS WE CELEBRATE THE

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR LATEST GRADUATING CLASS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE RESCUE MISSION OF MIDDLE GEORGIA

AT 478-743-5445.

6:30PM PRAISE | 7:00PM GRADUATION | 8:00PM REFRESHMENTS KEYNOTE SPEAKER: JAIME KAPLAN

P.O. Box 749 | M

acon, GA 31202

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