HEART of the MISSIONJULY 2015

BEATINGTHE HEATON THE STREETSYOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THOSE IN NEED TO FIND REFUGE

W

A CUP OF COLD WATER

Matthew 10 begins with the premise that as disciples we are all potentially homeless in a world with radically different values. Immediately after Jesus calls his disciples, He warns them they will be misunderstood and mistreated. Then Jesus gives them a charge of discipleship. I call it the “cup of cold water” discipleship test.

A cup of cold water is the minimal requirement for what the Scripture calls hospitality or in the original language, xenophilia—love of the stranger. Jesus says that whoever gives a cup of cold water to these nomadic disciples will not fail to receive their reward. Hospitality is a Christian virtue. In fact, the writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for some have entertained angels unaware.”

When we extend hospitality to strangers, especially those in need, we are offering them more than just a cup of cold water to quench their thirst—this cup represents a reprieve, a welcome, and a new start.

With your help, at Nashville Rescue Mission we are going to exceedingly and abundantly pass the “cup of cold water” test. Your gift makes it possible for us to extend radical hospitality to the homeless by offering them so much more than a cup of cold water—we can love them and show them there is hope for eternity.

REV. GLENN CRANFIELDPRESIDENT AND CEO

2 HEART of the MISSION JULY 2015

“AND IF ANYONE GIVES EVEN A CUP

OF COLD WATER TO ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO

IS MY DISCIPLE, TRULY I TELL YOU,

THAT PERSON WILL CERTAINLY NOT

LOSE THEIR REWARD.”

MATTHEW 10:42 NIV

ARE YOU TWEETING?WE ARE!Follow @NashvilleRescue on Twitter! You'll see how your donations help and learn more about the people you're helping.

And if you'd like to tag us when you're here volunteering be sure to include @NashvilleRescue #HopeLivesHere.

It started with a partnership between the Mission and NewsChannel 5 and has evolved beyond the scope of what I do at work. Volunteering at the Mission is something my wife, Yolanda, and I look forward to doing together with our children, Kayela (20) and Taylor (13).

Our family is fortunate and blessed. As parents, we believe it is our responsibility to teach our children the value of serving others.

The first year we volunteered, my daughter Kayela, who was around 10 at the time, kept asking about the people we were serving. She wanted to know why they were at the Mission and not at home. As a father, it was a valuable teaching moment for me. I was able to explain some of the reasons people are homeless and how the Mission helps them get back on their feet. Today, she and my son Taylor both look forward to volunteering at the Mission.

As a meteorologist, I spend a lot of time studying the weather. One thing many people don’t realize is there are more heat-related deaths than there are any other weather-related deaths. In Nashville, this is definitely a concern for the homeless community. It’s not uncommon for temperatures in the summer to reach into the 90s for days at a time. It was only a few years ago, we had an all-time high of 107. On hot days, if someone is homeless and not in a sheltered environment, they probably aren’t properly hydrated. If their health is compromised, they aren’t going to listen to the cues their body is giving them—ignoring their thirst. It’s a good chance this person is dehydrated and at a great risk for heat stroke.

I’m thankful Nashville Rescue Mission exists in our community. They are out on the streets during these hot days handing out bottles of water to those in need, doing what they can to help the homeless stay hydrated. I can only imagine what Nashville would be like if the Mission didn’t exist. I think we’d see a much bigger crisis than there is already. There would be many more people with no place to go.

I don’t know what brings a person to the point of seeking help at the Mission. But I know regardless of the situation or circumstance, the Mission extends hope and a helping hand to those in need. It’s why I support Nashville Rescue Mission and look forward to volunteering my time there.

MISSION IN MY WORDS

LELAN A. STATOM, is an Emmy Award winning meteorologist who has been helping families in Middle Tennessee start their day for more than 15 years. Since 1999, he has been part of NewsChannel 5 This Morning, the station's #1 rated morning newscast. Lelan joined the station in 1993 to do the weekend weathercasts and became co-host of Talk of the Town in 2006.

JULY 2015 HEART of the MISSION 3

I’ve considered myself a part of Nashville Rescue Mission’s family for almost 15 years.

“ONE THING MANY PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE IS THERE ARE MORE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS THAN THERE ARE ANY OTHER WEATHER-RELATED DEATHS. IN NASHVILLE, THIS IS DEFINITELY OF CONCERN TO OUR HOMELESS COMMUNITY.”

He had been camping along the Cumberland River for two days trying to find a spot with some shade, he said. Although he could easily have stayed cool under a bridge, he chose to endure the heat so he could camp alone, hidden behind trees, boulders, and bushes.

“Believe me, I appreciate it when the sun goes down,” said Paul, 40, who called himself homeless. “Summers in Nashville can be brutal. But sleeping on the streets can also be very scary. I’m not sure which one is worse.”

NEWCOMERS to the area quickly learn, this city is well known for its humid weather. A common saying in Nashville is, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” The summer months are by far the most intense, when temperatures top out in the 90s or above, and the dampness ratchets up the heat index even further. No doubt about it, July and August can be uncomfortable outside of air-conditioned environments. There’s also a moderate amount of rainfall in Nashville during the summer. If you’re homeless, that’s a lot of external elements to contend with.

“Many of the homeless men, women, and children in our community do not have ready access to water,” said Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of Nashville Rescue Mission. “We recognize that extremely hot weather poses hardships for homeless people who are elderly or disabled, struggle with

alcohol or drug addiction, suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or who take medications that cause sensitivity to the hot sun. People can become dehydrated rapidly in extremely hot weather and anyone ‘passed out,’ lying in the sun, or badly sunburned is medically at risk. It’s why we activate our Hot Patrol teams whenever the temperature rises above 90 degrees.”

“With more than half of summer days in Nashville experiencing highs in the 90s, the heat can cause lots of problems for the homeless, especially those who are unsheltered,” said Eric Grindeland, senior director of guest services ministries at the Mission.

“Our Hot Patrol teams are riding around, handing out bottles of water, with the hope of reaching those who are homeless, addicted, and possibly sick, and who may not have the insight and judgment to get out of the heat. We want to bring them back to

4 HEART of the MISSION JULY 2015

Paul grabbed the half-empty, plastic bottle he planned to fill with water from the bus station later that afternoon.

BEATINGTHE HEATON THE STREETSYOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THOSE IN NEED TO FIND REFUGE

the Mission, where they can get out of the heat, get cold water, and in the midst of providing them with radical hospitability, we can give them hope for a better future.”

HOMELESS PEOPLE die much earlier than the general population, with a life expectancy of 48 years, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Sometimes offering a bottle of water to a homeless person could make the difference between life and death.

“I’ve slept on the streets of Nashville in the summertime,” says Joe (58),

“and it’s not fun. Nashville can feel like an oven, especially when the wind is not blowing. It costs $2.00 at one of the gift shops downtown for a bottle of water. When you only have a few dollars in your pocket, you start to wonder how thirsty you really are. Thirst and hunger make people do crazy things—like getting water from

places, you wouldn’t normally. I’m done with sleeping on the streets. Nashville Rescue Mission makes it an easy decision for me. At the Mission I have a safe, cool place to sleep. I can get three meals a day. And in the summer, cold water is available all day long. They are giving me a chance to change my life and I’m grateful.”

“I’ve been homeless off and on for over 10 years,” says Dewayne (53). “It’s rough sleeping outside. Not only is it hot in the summer, but it’s also dangerous. Whether it’s dealing with fleas, ticks, wild dogs, spiders, or snakes to worrying about who’s going to sneak up on you while you’re sleeping and steal your stuff or attack you.” Since coming to the Mission, Dewayne has gotten off drugs and alcohol. He’s currently interviewing for a job and hopes to eventually move into his own apartment. “Staying at the Mission has been a blessing. I have a roof over my head, and I

don’t have to worry about things like the heat, lightening, or other environmental issues.”

“Whether it’s the summer or winter, we try to accommodate people in any way we can,” said Grindeland. “During the day, if it gets really hot our guests can come into the dayroom, where it’s nice and cool. This is something we make available at our Men’s Campus as well as our Women’s Campus.”

JULY 2015 HEART of the MISSION 5

“NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION MAKES IT AN EASY DECISION FOR ME. AT THE MISSION I HAVE A SAFE, COOL PLACE TO SLEEP. I CAN GET THREE MEALS A DAY. AND IN THE SUMMER, COLD WATER IS AVAILABLE ALL DAY LONG. THEY ARE GIVING ME A CHANCE TO CHANGE MY LIFE AND I’M GRATEFUL.”

At Nashville Rescue Mission, those in need find more than just a cool place to rest, or a cold drink of water. With your help, those who are broken, homeless, and hurting, find hope.

THANK YOU

As a volunteer with Star Ministries, Eddie was constantly on the lookout for ways to serve those in the urban community. Whether it was giving food to those in need from their food pantry, or hosting picnics in the Napier neighborhood for the families who live there—giving back has always been at the heart of their ministry.

“When I saw the Mission’s parking lot back in 2003, they had not been in their current building that long, so I guess that’s why it never had occurred to me before,” said Eddie. “But in that moment, I knew it would be a great place to host a cookout and a wonderful ministry to partner with. The Mission was already helping those in need, and we could come alongside them in giving back to the community.”

Today, the celebration, which usually takes place around Labor Day, is much more than a cookout. “Besides the food, there is entertainment, music, and there is ALWAYS

a message,” said Eddie. “Sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ is crucial, especially when you’re serving men, women, and children who find themselves at a low point in their lives. They need hope and we are there to share it.”

Eddie, who says he loves working for the Lord, looks forward to the annual event that has now evolved into a partnership between his church, Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church and Fellowship Bible. While these two churches may be on opposite sides of the city, they have joined in one accord to help those in need.

“BACK IN 2009, Fellowship Bible approached us,” said Eddie. “They wanted to support Star Ministries’ Food Pantry. One thing led to another and they decided to come alongside us in several other outreach ministry opportunities, including this annual event at Nashville Rescue Mission.”

“Between the two churches, we have over 100 volunteers who come together to cook the food, serve the food, and fellowship with the guests and with each other. We’ve expanded and now host the event at the Mission’s two campuses … so everyone—men, women, and children get to take part in the day’s festivities.”

“We believe strategic partnerships are the life-blood of an effective and sustainable ministry,” said Joel Guinness, adult ministries associate at Fellowship Bible. “Our aim is to lock arms with like-minded churches and organizations that are already doing great work in particular areas of the

6 HEART of the MISSION JULY 2015

What happens when the Body of Christ comes together

COME ALONGSIDE

Eddie Sanders was driving down Lafayette Street when he first spotted Nashville Rescue Mission’s parking lot. It would be the perfect place to host a cookout he thought to himself. Turns out he was right.

community and throughout the world. Through these relationships we can bridge cultural gaps and answer the question, ‘What can we do to help?’ Sometimes the answer isn’t as simple as you might think.”

What Fellowship has in plenty is sometimes exactly what partners’ lack—financial and equipping resources, and exposure to different kinds of strategies that can make a big difference in moving Kingdom initiatives forward. “Sometimes helping looks like giving money, sometimes it’s donating material goods, and sometimes it’s volunteering,” said Joel. “Whatever the case may be, we want to join with partners such as Morning Star and Nashville Rescue Mission to figure out how we can best help.”

“It is amazing what we can do when we work together to bring glory to God,” said Joel. “It’s the church—the body of Christ—serving together. It’s a beautiful thing.”

JULY 2015 HEART of the MISSION 7

It’s hard to leave the house these days without grabbing a water bottle on the way out the door. Tennessee is HOT in July!

Can you imagine living outside in this heat, with access to very few public drinking fountains?

Help us hydrate the homeless and keep them safe during the intense summer heat.

“OUR AIM IS TO LOCK ARMS WITH LIKE-MINDED CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY DOING GREAT WORK IN PARTICULAR AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.”

IT’S OUT THERE!

Bring all WATER donations to the Mission’s Donation Center at 616 7th Ave S. It’s open Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

GET INVOLVEDIf you or your church would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit nashvillerescuemission.org and click on Get Involved.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

VOLUNTEER

PRAY

GIVE

SHARE

Meals Served

Nights of Lodging

Chapel Attendance

Education Hours

Bible Class Attendance

Decisions & Prayers

Volunteer Hours

Travel Assistance

Program Graduates

1,665

756

503

81

20

31

145

n/a

n/a

DailyAvg

Monthly

51,627

23,438

15,606

2,500

616

960

4,500

37

7

LIVES YOU HAVETOUCHED

MAY 2015

639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org

We need your help in filling more than 100 backpacks with essential school supplies for the kids who call the Mission home.

o Backpacks

o Pencils (#2), pencil box

and sharpener

o Ink pens (blue, black, red)

o Crayons and colored

pencils

o Highlighters and washable

markers

o Glue sticks and white

school glue

o Scissors and rulers

o Pocket folders (3 prong)

o 3 Ring binders (1 & 2 inch)

o Notebook paper (not

college ruled)

o Spiral and composition

notebooks

o Copy paper

o Combination locks

o Facial tissues

o Antibacterial soap and

wet wipes

o Plastic freezer bags (quart

and gallon)

o Kindergarten mats

o Regular and scientific

calculators

SCHOOL UNIFORMS:

o Bottoms: navy blue or

khaki slacks

o Tops: white button-up

or polo

o Socks and underwear

o Sizes: 5 to 14

(boys and girls)

BACK-TO-SCHOOL LIST

Back-to-SchoolHELP A HOMELESS STUDENT HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL

WRITE THEM A NOTE

Bring all school supply donations to the Mission’s Donation Center at 616 7th Ave S. It’s open Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or donate online at nashvillerescuemission.org/donate.

You can help an outstanding student start the year off right. Write them a note of encouragement on the enclosed tag.