"Halellujah, thank you Jesus!" - Mission Moments April '19

APRIL 2019

Hallelujah, T H A NK YOU JE S U S !

T HE F REE GIF T W

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES: THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.” ISAIAH 53:5

e celebrate Christmas because God gave the greatest gift in history, His Son. That gift was not truly fulfilled until that first Easter when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected on that third day.

Without the shedding of His blood as a remission for our sins the gift of salvation would never have been fulfilled. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

At the Downtown Rescue Mission it is our goal to share that free salvation gift with everyone, whether rich or poor, young or old, homeless or a regular donor to the Mission. We are going to let people know about Jesus and His gift that was fulfilled when He died for our sins on the cross.

After 25 years of working at rescue missions, I know first hand that the only way for anyone to truly become free from their addictions

and turn away from a sinful lifestyle is to give their life to Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 tells us, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” All anyone has to do is give their life to Jesus and believe that He is their Savior and they will be forgiven of their sins. Through the years I have seen thousands of lives changed through that life changing power of Jesus Christ!

Many come through our doors on a daily basis looking for something to fill the void in their heart. Thank you for helping us provide food for the body and the soul as we help our neighbors in need. And if you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior consider doing it during this Easter Season.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

April 7-13th

WHEN YOU GIVE OF YOURSELF, YOU CHANGE LIVES! In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’d like to thank our amazing volunteers. Your time and talents do make a difference!

Would you like to be a difference maker?

Sign up today for one of our upcoming Volunteer Training sessions at https://www.downtownrescuemission.org/get-involved/volunteer

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2019

Week

Hallelujah, T HANK YOU JE SU S !

“MY TIME AT THE MISSION HAS GIVEN ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET CLOSE TO GOD AND LEARN HOW TO LOVE HIM AND LOVE OTHERS.”

M

y encounter with God started as a toddler. I can remember, for some reason, a big white Bible on our living room coffee table with a picture of an angel. I used to look at that Bible and feel something I couldn’t explain.

All of my life I have been blessed by the grace of God. I grew up in Huntsville and had a loving family. We had the house on the street that all of the kids came to hang out at.

I played sports year round as a child, football, basketball, and baseball, and was competitive at all three.

When I was young, I always wanted to hang out with the big boys. My older brothers introduced me to alcohol and weed at 12 years old. Things gradually went from bad to worse. At 14, I was using drugs, stealing, and doing small convenience store robberies. At the age of 17, my mother signed papers for me to join the United States Marine Corps and off I went to the big city – San Diego, California. However, the big city had more alcohol, drugs, and women.

I was eventually discharged from the marines at 19 for failing multiple drug tests. I came back home to Huntsville with worse problems than when I left. I knew that I

was out of control. At the age of 20, I received a 20 year sentence in state prison for forgery of payroll documents.

After 5 years, I was granted parole. This time I thought I was in control, but began using again. My behavior led to a violation of parole, and I was sent back to prison for 10 years at a penitentiary located in southern Alabama, referred to as “The Bottom”. I think the name speaks for itself.

Last July, I entered the LIFE Recovery Program after two weeks in the emergency shelter. As I thank God for Downtown Rescue Mission, I think about the Godly people on staff. My time at the Mission has given me an opportunity to get close to God and learn how to love Him and love others.

Many years ago, while in prison, this is what God Almighty spoke to me, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain. That whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you,” (John 15:16).

So here I am at the Mission - on a mission, as I like to say. I used to look at the big white Bible on my family’s coffee table and feel something I couldn’t explain. I still feel it today. Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that’s within me!

-Alonza Heulett

https://donate.downtownrescuemission.org

MISSION IN MY WORDS

PASTOR TIM

ANDERSON

SENIOR PASTOR CLEMENTS BAPTIST CHURCH

A

t Clements we are one church in three locations.

Our Central Campus is located at 8690 Highway 72 West in Athens. We have “The Creek” campus located at 10880 Snake Road in Athens, just minutes away from our Central Campus. And Clements Church Huntsville located at 1413 McClung Avenue.

We believe in relationships, second chances and that everyone needs the gospel. Missions is personal and relational.

The book of Acts begins with Jesus instructing the twelve disciples to take the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world. For us, Huntsville is our Judea and Samaria mission field.

“FOR EVEN THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE…” MARK 10:45

We have been involved in the women’s ministry there for a number of years. Our ladies regularly go to the “Mission” and provide a meal or dessert and childcare so the mothers and program women can attend a devotion or Bible study and birthday party.

We rejoice when we see someone making progress and have seen so many trophies of grace walk out of the Mission over the years we have served there.

Our mission statement is “making disciples at home and around the world”. We believe one way we are doing that is through the Downtown Rescue Mission’s Owen’s House. Our prayer is that these women will disciple other women and further spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2019

D

WHY IS THE REGIONS TOWER PURPLE?

id you see the Regions tower lit purple the 3rd week in March? The tower will be purple again the week before Mother’s Day too! Regions is supporting Two Men And A Truck in a really cool collection event for the Mission this year. Movers For Moms® Collects much needed items for women and children’s charities and they have chosen Downtown Rescue Mission and the ladies of Owen’s House this year! We would love to encourage you to volunteer to help at their events like the Fill The Truck and drop off the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Here are a few of the unique partners and events included in the Movers For Moms® collection this year: • The Fraternities through UAH are jumping on board to donate through their houses • Minuteman Press is donating their resources to be our printing sponsor • Madison Chamber is collecting at their location, as well as, dedicating an Ambassador luncheon in April to collect donations • The Dessert Fork is offering 10% off purchases when people donate there.

• (3) Chick-Fil-A locations are collection sites • Clean Juice and/or Juice Bar offering special purple drinks for Movers For Moms® donors • EarlyWorks will be raffling (2) tickets to WhistleStop for those who bring donations to the museum

• DRM Kitchen team will be competing at WhistleStop and Movers For Moms® will be the very next booth to take donations • Hawthorne at the Ridge Apartments is doing an event at their complex • Huntsville Chamber will be hosting an Ambassador lunch dedicated to collecting donations as well as collecting right now at their location • Insanity Complex will be hosting a free skate day for those who donate • Kroger on University & Jeff Road is hosting a Fill The Truck event April 13th 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• Madison Police Department is challenging Madison Fire to collect the most donations To find a donation location and donation list visit

www.moversformoms.com

EVENT COMMITTEES

Do you love to run, shoot, golf or network? Would you like to use your passion to assist a great ministry? Carts4Hearts – Adventure Race, DRM Golf Classic, Run to Rescue – Glow Edition, and Shoot4Shelter are all looking for passionate people to lead and promote an event. Committees help get the word out, develop ideas for growth, and share the DRM story of faith and hope. If you are interested, please contact Tonia@downtownrescuemission.org or 256.713.4343 for more information.

O

4TH ANNUAL RESURRECTION BANQUET

n Friday, April 19, the Mission will be hosting its 4th Annual Resurrection Banquet. Similar to our popular Thanksgiving and Christmas banquets, the Resurrection Banquet will take place during the lunch hour at both of our facilities. We need volunteers to decorate the dining halls and serve our guests and residents a meal with all the fixins’. The meal will be served restaurant style in which volunteers act as waiters and waitresses at each table while also overseeing the food line, dessert and drink stations, trash detail, and more. Christ died on the cross for our sins on Good Friday, to be resurrected as He said He would be three days later. Volunteering for this banquet shows His love through your actions.

Sign up today by contacting Corey, Director of Operational Support. His contact number is 256-536-2441 ext. 316 and email corey@downtownrescuemission.org. Men, women, and children can volunteer at either facility. This is a great way to prepare your heart for Easter and serve those He loves!

WE HAVE THIS NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE:

MAIN FACILITY

OWEN’S HOUSE

Decorating, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: 10 slots Meal serving, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: 15 slots

Decorating, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: 10 slots Meal serving, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: 15 slots

FORE! T

interjection, Golf. (used as a cry of warning to persons on a golf course.)

his is your cry of warning! Don’t be in danger of missing the 13th Annual tournament. It’s time to get outside and enjoy some golf with your friends and colleagues. The Downtown Rescue Mission Classic is at Huntsville Country Club, on Monday, May 6, 2019. The scramble tournament will include games and prizes with continental breakfast and lunch catered by Huntsville Country Club. This is a great way to have fun with great clients or reward your staff, all while supporting the hurting and homeless men, women and children in our community.

We are very excited about this year’s Classic. With your help this will be the best tournament yet. Preparations are well underway and there are a few sponsorship opportunities still available. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Downtown Rescue Mission counts you and your friends in the community to help make fundraising events like this successful. The proceeds from this tournament will ensure that we can continue to provide essential care to homeless and hurting men, women, and children in the Tennessee Valley. At Downtown Rescue Mission we believe in change from the inside out, and that means taking care of the entire person. Your donations, sponsorships, and participation helps directly provide physical, emotional, and spiritual help to those in need. YOU make it possible! Register your team or sponsorship now. Contact Tonia at tonia@downtownrescuemission.org or 256-713-4343 for more information.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED FEBRUARY 2019 Meals Served

25,280

1,940

Volunteer Hours

Lodging

7,894

Food Boxes

Clothing Provided

5,352

Into Permanent Housing

is a proud member of

475 12

®

82060

1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | www.downtownrescuemission.org