"New Life with Christ" - April '21 Mission Moments

APRIL 2021

New Life WITH

Christ

THE FREE GIFT

W

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE.” EPHESIANS 1:7

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 the 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 gift of salvation 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 27 years of working at multiple 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. In turn, Jesus brings them from death to life, forgiving their sins, and seating them with Him in the heavenlies. Through the years, I have seen thousands of lives changed through the 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 this Easter Season.

New Life WITH

Christ

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD NOT COME TO THE MISSION THAT DAY. I KNOW I WOULD BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE AND MY CHILDREN WOULD NOT BE HERE WITH ME.“

I

In November 2020, I decided that the best thing for me and my children to do was to come to the Downtown Rescue Mission. I had been staying on the streets a week prior without my kids and it was killing me to be away from them. In order to have a stable roof over our heads,

was born here in Huntsville but raised in Tuscaloosa.

I swallowed my pride and asked for help. The people here

I moved back to Huntsville to live with my biological

at the Mission welcomed us with open arms. My children

father in April 2012. Things went great there for a while,

now call this place home. The Mission has helped me

but we ended up moving to Arizona due to the fact that my

accomplish so much. My children got into school and see

great-grandfather passed away and my grandfather was

the doctors that they need, not to mention me receiving

very ill. While in Arizona, I met the father of my oldest

the help that I need.

son, but things went sour and I ended up moving back to Alabama the same year as I was three months pregnant.

I don’t know what would have happened if I had not come to the Mission that day. I know I would be in a lot

Life was pretty good until my son was three months

of trouble and my children would not be here with me.

old. I became addicted to cocaine with the help of my

The Mission has helped me stay sober and clean not only

family. I continued to be addicted to cocaine until October

for my children’s sake but my own. For that reason, I am

2017 when I traded that habit for methamphetamines. My

very thankful! I look forward to welcoming my baby girl

addiction lead me to jail, serving a six month sentence in

into the world. Until we get a place, my children and I

2019. When I got released, I worked as an escort to support

will continue to stay here at the Mission. I thank DRM for

my family and habit. When I found out that I was pregnant

being here for me when I needed them the most. God is

again, I stopped escorting and doing drugs. All of my so-

good!

–Abigail C.

called friends left me.

donate.downtownrescuemission.org

THE IMPACT OF

E

aster is coming. Lord willing, churches from all over will be able to gather in some capacity to celebrate and worship our risen Savior. Now, what I want to bring to our attention is this, “How has Easter changed us?” After all, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”

We have all been through a journey of suffering and pain over the last twelve months or so. Covid-19 has impacted us all in different ways. The reality is, however, people on this earth have experienced the pain and suffering that flows from a cursed world since the fall in Genesis 3. This curse could only be reversed by God Himself. He is the only one holy enough, powerful enough, and sufficient enough to accomplish that.

“AND IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED, THEN OUR PREACHING IS IN VAIN AND YOUR FAITH IS IN VAIN.” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:14 Good news! He did! He reversed the curse the day Jesus was crucified. Now, the power of the Christian life comes in not only receiving forgiveness from the work of Jesus on the cross, but through the resurrection power that comes flooding into our lives through the Spirit of God the moment we abandoned self and call on Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. This resurrection power changes everything.

What are some evidences of the resurrection?

The first evidence of the resurrection is the attempt of cultural leaders to stop the spread of the story. Consider this passage for a moment.

In Matthew 28:11-15 we read, While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

What are the chances that the story of a rag-tag group of followers was received over the cultural leaders of the

Easter

day? The answer is simple, their story was the real one. Real stories end up coming to the surface.

The second evidence of the resurrection is the transformation of the disciples. Consider the life of Peter for a moment. He went from fearful to fearless. That doesn’t just happen. Saul went from a murderer of Christians to a leader of Christianity. That doesn’t just happen. We could spend time on each disciple that followed Jesus, and you would see in each one of them a radical change. This radical change continues to change lives today.

How has the resurrection changed you? Again, consider the gospel story. God didn’t just send His Son to set a good example for us. He sent His Son to rescue and empower us.

We have been empowered through the resurrected Jesus to live lives that are freed from the penalty of sin, freed from the power of sin, and one day, we will be freed from the presence of sin. What a Savior! What a game changer.

Has your life been changed by Christ? If so, you should notice a disdain for sin, a deeper reason for rejoicing that carries you even when the world is falling apart, and you should have a melted heart that radically seeks to display and declare the gospel in our world. If that describes you, let’s celebrate!

Alive in Christ, Paul Whaley

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2021

MI S S ION IN M Y WOR DS

CINDY COOPER

R

enewing. Jesus is renewing all of us throughout our lives. His defeat over death and His blood covering our sin is a merciful renewing each and every day. I am transformed daily because of His grace, and I am thankful that He changes lives, mine and others!

Through my work at the Mission, I am afforded the opportunity to witness God work in the lives of

the women and children who live at Owen’s House.

Through the simple act of serving meals and cleaning up, I am able to connect with people who are proof of the goodness of God.

“THE MISSION IS CHANGING LIVES, AND I AM GRATEFUL THAT I AM ABLE TO HELP OTHERS IN THEIR JOURNEY. MY TIME SERVING OTHERS EACH WEEK BLESSES ME BEYOND MEASURE.” Women living at the Mission are just like me – in need of a Savior and a few of God’s people to help them along in their journey. I am thankful for the relationships that I am able to develop volunteering at DRM. I enjoy hearing about the lives of the women who live there, and we have some fun while we work.

Listening to music and singing during our clean up time is a refreshing way to glorify God together. The Mission is changing lives, and I am grateful that I am able to help others in their journey. My time serving others each week blesses me beyond measure. Thank you DRM for your mission!

To God be the Glory, Cindy Cooper

JOIN THE TEAM May 7, 2021 8 am Shotgun Start Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove

AUGUST 14, 2021

START TRAINING NOW! Event kicks off from the Adtran parking lot. More details to follow.

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