ThanksgivingWithout You!

It Wouldn’t Be

Your gifts give hope tothe hungry and homeless

Make thisThanksgiving special

for the homeless, go tonashvillerescuemission.org

for a list of the itemsbeing collected.

Mayor Karl DeanMission In My Words

It’s More Than a PlateVolunteer enjoys serving others

What About Christmas?Your gifts make a di!erence!

page 3 page 7page 6

Heart of the MissionNOVEMBER 2013

Join in the conversation:

facebook.com/nashvillerescuemission

@NashvilleRescue

@NashvilleRescue

“Glad we got to serve with @NashvilleRescue today! We always love serving with you!”

@TNUVolleyball

“Nashville Rescue Mission Women’s Shelter - LOVE the ladies there! I feed them lunch,

they feed my soul. I GET so much more than I give.”

@BittaSweetC

“Just preached @Nashville-Rescue. Four men accepted Christ! God moved in a powerful way. #ilovethesemen”

@globalvictory

“On our way to the Nashville Rescue Mission to ful!ll Kameron’s birthday wish to volunteer. She is 10 today! :) #proudmom #happybirthdaykam”

@amandagmeador

For the countless homeless men, women and children in our community, it’s hard to imagine sitting around the dinner table celebrating Thanksgiving when some days you have no idea where your next meal will come from. Overwhelmed by the challenges of homelessness, it’s no wonder many lose hope. Jesus knew this—and throughout the New Testament, there are numerous examples of His compassion for the poor as He feeds the hungry, first with physical bread, and then with the Bread of Life. Our Lord was not above serving others and He calls us to do the same: to “feed my lambs… feed my sheep.” At Nashville Rescue Mission, we follow the example Jesus set before us. The men, women and children we assist not only need a hot and healthy meal, they are also in need

of hope—hope for a brighter future, one filled with possibilities. With your help, we provide them with nutritious food—to strengthen their bodies and allow them to experience Christian love and radical hospitality. Then, we offer safe shelter, essential clothing and access to appropriate medical care—the life necessities all of us need to survive. Finally, we teach them God provides all the physical and spiritual food they could ever want or need. As Jesus showed us, hope starts with a meal—but it is only the beginning. We’re so grateful for partners like you, who, in so many wonderful ways, make it possible for Nashville Rescue Mission to feed His hungry sheep. Thank you and God bless.

Your gifts provide more than a meal

“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the

hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then

your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the

noonday.”–Isaiah 58:10 NIV

Glenn CranfieldPresident and CEO

So Thankful for You

2 Heart of the Mission NOVEMBER 2013

SHAREWORTHY

WHAT YOU’RE SAYINGON SOCIAL MEDIA

This year marks my seventh holiday season as Mayor and my seventh year participating in the Great Thanksgiving Banquet at Nashville Rescue Mission. Each year, alongside generous volunteers, I have had the privilege of serving Nashville’s homeless men, women and children with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I’m pleased to be participating again this year.

Service to the community—to the “least of these”—is an often-overlooked part of what makes Nashville such a great city. Often the headlines discuss Nashville as an “it” city or as a “boomtown” for economic growth. These accolades are great, and I certainly think Nashville has earned them. What doesn’t get so much attention is that Nashville also tops the list as a compassionate and engaged city. Nashvillians look out for one another, and they aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to help those who need a helping hand. Nashville Rescue Mission is a shining example of that Nashville spirit. All year long, the staff and volunteers of the Mission work tirelessly to not only provide shelter and safety to Nashville’s homeless citizens, but to help change their lives for the better. Helping those who can’t help themselves—or just need a little help up—does another thing for our community. It helps our city grow and prosper. When we help a homeless man heal his life, retool his skills and ultimately find work, we build a more economically secure Nashville—for all of us. When we help a single mother off the street, assist

her with life-skills and encourage her to get her GED, we make her family stronger and Nashville stronger. All of us have a role to play in ensuring Nashville’s continued prosperity. By engaging volunteers and resources to provide help, hope and healing, Nashville Rescue Mission plays a critical leadership role. You, as a supporter of the Mission, are also supporting the broader Nashville community and for that I would like to simply say “thank you.”

MAYORKARL DEANMISSION IN MY WORDS

KARL DEAN is the sixth Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Nashvillians look out for one another, and they aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to help those who need a helping hand.

NOVEMBER 2013 Heart of the Mission 3

Your gifts give hope to the hungry and homeless

Most people celebrate Thanksgiving around the dinner table enjoying a traditional meal of turkey and dressing shared with family and friends. But for a person without a home, it can be a very difficult time of year—away from family and friends, reflecting on broken promises, people they have let down and hearts they have broken.

There are more

children staying at

the Mission now than

ever. Learn how you can

make their Christmas

memorable on

page 7.4 Heart of the Mission NOVEMBER 2013

Your gifts put a smile on

a homeless child’s face.

WITH YOUR HELP this Thanksgiving can be different

for countless hungry and homeless men, women and children in the Nashville community as their lives are touched through the Mission’s annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet. While there are many without homes to go to, there is a place where the door is always open—Nashville Rescue Mission.

It’s through your generosity; the homeless and hungry can find a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings at the Mission. And it doesn’t stop there. Every day, those in need can find the comfort of hot, nutritious food, essential clothing and safe shelter—all be-cause of your heart for the home-less, your compassion for the poor.

While most come for the deli-cious Thanksgiving meal, your gifts allow the Mission to greet everyone like family. Tables are covered with tablecloths. Walls are decorated with messages of hope. Music is softly playing in the background. Thoughtful steps are taken to make this an extraordinary day—filled with special memories for those who call the Mission their home.

“Thanks to Tracy Lawrence and his annual turkey fry, serving fried turkey has become a regular tradition at the Mission during Thanksgiving,” says Tony Baxter, food services director. “We will also serve many of the traditional Thanksgiving day foods, like dress-ing, creamed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and lots of pump-kin pie. It might not be the same as having Thanksgiving dinner at home, but it’s pretty close.”

WHEN IT COMES to sizable guest lists for Thanksgiving, the Mission outnumbers even the biggest of families. With

your help, over 5,500 meals will be served to Nashville’s homeless this Thanksgiving. Volunteers will arrive early to start preparing for the day’s meals. Every fried turkey must be carved, every potato chopped, every pie sliced. So much time and effort goes into preparing and serving an extra-special Thanksgiving meal.

“This is a wonderful time of year for most families,” says Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO. “It’s enjoying time spent together as a family, celebrating God’s many blessings. Yet, for those without family or a place to call home, it can be very sad and lonely. At Nashville Rescue Mission, we welcome those who are hurting, homeless and alone with the love of Christ. It might start with a meal, but after they’ve been fed, we want them to leave with something much greater—hope for a brighter future through Jesus Christ.

“I’M LOOKING FORWARD to Thanksgiving this year,” says Rick. For him, being homeless on Thanksgiv-ing had only welled up feelings

of pity and spite inside of him. But this year he’s excited to graduate from the Life Recovery Program the day before Thanksgiving and is especially thankful for all he has learned during his recovery.

“I am so grateful for everything the Mission has done for me,” continues Rick. “I have a solid relationship with the Lord. I will soon be starting a new job. I have re-established a relationship with my children. I am extremely blessed!”

“It’s not just about serving them a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” says Cranfield. “This meal just might be the first step in reaching a man or woman struggling with homelessness or in the grip of ad-diction or other life-debilitating situation and guiding them down a new path. It’s an opportunity to show them there is hope.”

Thank you for giving the gift of hope this Thanksgiving!

NOVEMBER 2013 Heart of the Mission 5

Volunteers of all ages lending a helping hand.

Lisa Spencer, WSMV weather anchor,

enjoys serving at Thanksgiving.

Kathy has been volunteering every week at the Mission since May 2012. “I love giving my time away,” shares Kathy. “My father was a veterinarian. Growing up, I watched him demonstrate care and compassion to those he served. It instilled in me a desire to help others. Volunteering fulfills that desire. It fills me with joy.”

KATHY SPENT many years living in Houston, Texas. “There was a big rescue mission in Houston. I can’t say I gave homelessness a lot of thought back then. I donated blankets and other items, but never volunteered.” After moving to Nashville, Kathy began looking for ways to get involved in her new community. She found a church home, volunteered to tutor at a local high school and found other opportunities to serve.

“I remember seeing a story on TV at Easter about Nashville

Rescue Mission,” recalls Kathy. “It caught my attention. I pulled up the website and decided to sign up to serve lunch one day a week. I’ve been coming almost every week since. I really enjoy connecting with the guests. They are gracious. I constantly hear them say ‘thank you.’ I enjoy seeing them smile when they receive their tray of food. And on the weeks I’ve been out of town and missed my day of serving, many of them will ask, ‘Where have you been? I missed seeing you last week.’ It just warms my heart.”

AFTER YEARS of being a teacher, Kathy now teaches new volunteers the ropes. “I can spot a first-time volunteer a mile away,” says Kathy. “It’s written all over their face. I’m honored to show them where to get an apron, how to put on a hair net and where they can wash their hands. It’s a great way to meet people. I’ve made so many new

friends… in fact, they are more than friends—they are family.”

“This year I hope my daughter and son-in-law can join me during the Great Thanksgiving Banquet,” shares Kathy. “I really enjoy volunteering at the Mission and I think they would be blessed to experience it as well. It’s amazing to see so many people from the community give their time and talents to those in need, especially during the busy, holiday season. At a time when many of the guests might otherwise be discouraged, they respond differently… they smile… they are happy. I think for a moment, they forget they are homeless and they feel at home.”

IF YOU’D LIKE TO LEARN MORE about volunteer opportunities at the Mission, visit nashvillerescuemission.org/volunteer or call the Volunteer Hotline at (615) 312-1544.

IT’S M RE THAN A PLATE

Volunteer enjoys serving others

6 Heart of the Mission NOVEMBER 2013

“I’m serving more than a plate of food,” says Kathy, a regular volunteer at the Mission. “It’s oh so much more! It’s showing a person who doesn’t have a home they are loved. It’s letting a hungry person know they are valued.”

CHRISTMASWISH LIST*

FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN

WOMEN- Granola bars/healthy snacks - Candy bars/gum/mints - Board games - Pens/stationary - Small note pads/journals- Jewelry- Nail clippers- Small !ashlights - Picture frames - Purses/tote bags - Cosmetics/perfumes- Lotions/soaps- Hair care products for African American hair including heavier combs & hair oil - Women’s clothing- Hats/gloves/scarves - Socks/underwear (sizes 6-13) - Metro bus passes - Restaurant gift certi"cates- Phone cards

CHILDREN #AGES 0$7% - Learning toys/books - Baby/Barbie dolls - Baby toys (rattles, teething ring) - Musical toys - Matchbox cars- Infant and children clothing- Socks/underwear

CHILDREN #AGES 8$18% - Hand-held radios - CD/MP3 players with headsets- Jewelry - Electronic games- Cameras - Books/personal journals - Christian CDs - Remote control cars - Watches- Makeup/lotions- Bubble bath/scented soaps - Children and teen clothing

Donations can be dropped o! at the Mission’s Donation Center (616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203) Open Monday " Saturday 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

*For the purpose of this list, we request items be new.

HELP SPREAD THE CHEER

PICK UP AN ITEM or two o& the Christmas Wish List (tear o& list to the right) while you’re doing your Christmas shopping.

GATHER A GROUP from church and bring a craft or host a party at the Mission to make the holidays merry and bright for those who are homeless.

ORGANIZE A TOY DRIVE at your church, school or workplace to collect gifts for the children who call the Mission their temporary home during Christmas.

Call the Mission’s Volunteer Hotline at (615) 312-1544 or email volunteer@nashvillerescuemission.org for details.

There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child’s face light up as he or she discovers presents under the tree on Christmas morning. But, there is also nothing more heartbreaking than a homeless child without a home or hope on Christmas day—or any other day for that matter.

Last year, you made Christmas a very special time for homeless women, mothers and their children staying at Nashville Rescue Mission. Your gifts put smiles on faces and filled hearts with joy.

This year, the Mission anticipates serving more children than ever before and with your help, these families can also have a Christmas to remember. Of course, it isn’t just about toys—it is about celebrating the love God demonstrated for us through the birth of His son Jesus Christ. This sacrificial love is the true meaning of Christmas.

With your help, the homeless women and children who call the Mission their home can experience this love. Your gifts will not only help them celebrate this holiday, it will fill them with the hope only God can give.

NOVEMBER 2013 Heart of the Mission 7

What About CHRISTMAS?

Your gifts make a difference!

DONATE

$2.26 canchange a life

connect with theMission online

CONNECT

sign uponline today

VOLUNTEER

stay up-to-date onMission news

EMAIL

SAVE DATE

NASHVILLERESCUE

MISSION639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203(615) 255-2475 www.nashvillerescuemission.org

SEPTEMBER 2013

49,088Meals Served

20,898Nights of Lodging

18,807Chapel Attendance

5,209Education Hours

4,583Bible Class Attendance

1,903Decisions and Prayers

5,950Volunteer Hours

61Travel Assistance

10Program Graduates

LIVES YOU HAVETOUCHED

13 RADIOTHON 94 FM The Fish 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

16 NASHVILLE PRAISE SYMPHONY 7 p.m. in the Men’s Mission Chapel

17MUSIC WITH A MISSION CONCERTConcert at 7 p.m. at Schermerhorn Symphony Center to bene"t Nashville Rescue Mission featuring Restless Heart, Amy Grant, Big Daddy Weave and many more

25 RADIOTHON Super Talk 99.7 WWTN 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.

PICTURES OF HOPE’S “Meet the Artist Reception” at Tom Bannen Chevrolet - noon

26 TRACY LAWRENCE TURKEY FRY in the Mission parking lot - all day event

27GRADUATION FOR MEN & WOMEN in Life Recovery Program - 10 a.m.

27GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET - noon

28Thanksgiving Day

2ND ANNUAL MUSIC CITY THANKSGIVING DAY RUN/WALK hosted by What Do You Run For? Event Management to bene"t Nashville Rescue Mission - 8 a.m. start

GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET - noon

Mark your calendar for upcoming events at Nashville Rescue Mission. For more details, visit us online at nashvillerescuemission.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

THE

NOVEMBER