FINDING STRENGTH IN FAITH
KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
SHARING HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON
Aswe enter this special season of Christmas, I’m reminded once again of how much God has blessed the Downtown Rescue Mission through faithful friends like you. Because of your generosity, men, women and children who once felt forgotten will experience the warmth of a hot meal, a safe bed and, most importantly, the hope found only in Jesus Christ.
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What a powerful reminder that true peace and lasting hope can only be found in Him.
“FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN; AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ON HIS SHOULDERS. AND HE WILL BE CALLED
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.”
Isaiah 9:6
Each year, December is one of the busiest and most meaningful months for us. The dining rooms will be filled with laughter and joy as hundreds come together for Christmas meals. Gifts will be given, carols sung and the message of Christ’s love will be shared with everyone who walks through our doors. This is what your support makes possible — real hope, real change and real lives transformed.
The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be on his
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I want to personally thank you for the love and compassion you’ve shown this past year. Your partnership has allowed us to continue our mission of rescuing, restoring and transforming lives through our Christ-centered ministries.
Together, we’ve shared true hope for over 50 years, and I believe the best is yet to come. May your Christmas be filled with joy, peace and the blessing of knowing your kindness has made an eternal difference in so many lives.
Merry Christmas and God bless you,
FINDING STRENGTH IN FAITH
“AND THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO CALLED YOU TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST, AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE, WILL HIMSELF RESTORE YOU AND MAKE YOU STRONG, FIRM AND STEADFAST.”
1 Peter 5:10
Hello, my name is H. David Venable, but I go by Wolf. Growing up, I had a good childhood overall with a few rough spots, like any other child. At the age of 15, I experimented with alcohol and marijuana for the first time, using them just for fun.
It wasn’t until my mid to late 20s that I became addicted to marijuana. After my momma made her trip to Heaven, I started drinking more to cope with the pain of her being gone. Over time, I began turning to alcohol more and more as a way to deal with my problems.
It wasn’t until late August or early September of 2019, when I started living at a rescue mission in Decatur, that I finally slowed down and stopped using for a while. That’s when life started to go well for me. I landed a good job, began living on my own and was reunited with my dad.
After my dad made his trip to Heaven in October of 2020, my alcohol addiction spiraled out of control. I spent some time in jail and lost everything. I came to the Downtown Rescue Mission in 2022 and started working again, but eventually relapsed.
In January 2025, I joined the Life Recovery Program. The program has helped strengthen my relationship with God, giving me the courage to stay sober, stay focused on what God wants for me, and keep my eyes on Him.
