Knowing Jesus - June '22 Mission Moments

JUNE 2022

Knowing Jesus

FATHERING THE FATHERS!

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KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO; EVEN WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.” Proverbs 22:6

eing a father is a huge responsibility that does not come with manuals or instructions and can only be learned through on the job training. Luckily, I have a great Christian dad that through the years has been a good Christian example for me in my own fatherhood. As a child he spent time with me, playing with me, loving me, teaching me and correcting me. He made sure I knew how to be a successful Christian man in this sinful world and to deal with life and its many twists and turns. Thanks dad!

And happy Father’s Day! I have two daughters, Marylee and Kristin. They are joys of my life. There isn’t anything I would not do for my girls! It brings me joy to see my daughters learn, grow and mature into young adults. It makes me think of our heavenly Father who must take great joy in seeing His children learn, grow and mature in their walk with Him. At the Downtown Rescue Mission we are teaching and training men, women and children that God, their Heavenly Father, loves them, cares for them and corrects them because He wants

them to believe in Him and have a relationship with Him. Many of our guests do not completely understand that dynamic because many never had a father figure in their life or their father was not a good example of what a father should be. Proverbs 4:10-12 states, “Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. And the years of your life will be many. I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.”

Please keep the ministries of the Mission in your prayers as we continue to reach out with our Heavenly Father’s love to all who come to us in need. And pray for the many fathers that are at the Mission that we can help train them to be Godly men and fathers to their children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Happy Father’s Day!

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” Philippians 4:13

M

y name is David Wilson, Jr. and I’m from Athens, Alabama.

I was born October 15, 1976 and I am the only child of David and Brenda Wilson. Christian values were instilled in me at a young age, by my mother who made it a priority to be at church and bible study. Good family values were a priority to my entire family. We were tight knit and we spent every holiday and birthday together. In my teenage years, those values became a calling on my life to be a leader of men and follower of Christ.

My denial of God’s will and His calling caused a major turn of events in my life. I became a follower of my own flesh and whatever self-righteous act would further my fleshly desires. Sin became more sin and I loved this world more than God. In my flesh, I am a drug addict, alcoholic, mean-spirited, violent, filthy, unorganized, cheating, lying thief who hurt people physically and mentally, whenever it benefitted me. I would tell you a 20 year long horror story that would turn your stomach and reveal the animalistic nature of a demon. I want to tell you that story because that story doesn’t belong to me anymore, it belongs to God. John 3:16 says that God gave me his only begotten son. In return, I gave Him that horror story. His son, Jesus, died for all my sins in that story.

My loving, wonderful mother found the DRM life program when God revealed it at a time when I was close to my demise.

My mother and God never left my side and Christ through her saved my life. I came here to clean up and get sober. But, God revealed a much bigger and better plan than just getting clean. My sovereign God, who controls everything good and bad, tried me

with 20 years of trial and I failed. But, He revealed gifts here that can only be from God through Jesus. I have known about Jesus my entire life, but I have just recently met Him. Knowing about Jesus and meeting Him are two very different things. The personal relationship has revealed gifts that have encouraged me to walk in His likeness. Though I will sin again, I know I am forgiven for my transgressions. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is wonderful news knowing that I was guilty but now justified by my judge Jesus. In Phil 3:13, the apostle Paul says “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But, one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” God’s will through the Holy Spirit will reveal to me what lies ahead or what will come, but I won’t worry or be anxious. Matthew 6:33 says “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you”. Phil 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I will never be six feet tall, I will never bench press 300 pounds. But, I will speak and live for God through Jesus Christ, because these are the things I’ve been adopted, elected and gifted to do. I love God, people, my family, especially my mama, brothers in Christ, teachers and people that aren’t in the name of Jesus Christ. I must be an example of Christ. In Romans 15:1 Paul says “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not please ourselves.” I pray the ones in Christ may discern between good and bad, I pray for a spirit of wisdom, I pray for the lost to have a revelation in the knowledge of Christ. I pray for hope, I pray for love, I pray for endurance, I pray for rest, I pray for peace, I pray for whatever trial may be in front or behind that we seek God in or about it. I pray that Jesus lives in my heart.

–Amen, David

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MI S S ION IN M Y WORDS

JEAN DOWNS Volunteer

G

iving back to the community through volunteer

veterans. As a Girl Scout leader, I have access to the

service has increasingly become a passion of

resources of hundreds of girls in the City of Madison

mine. I have been blessed with many things, amongst

to gather donations and make cards for the veterans at

those are my relationships with other members of the

the Mission. I feel it is so important for our youth to

community through various volunteer organizations.

honor and appreciate our veterans.

As a veteran, I am particularly sensitive to the needs of

No one who served this country should be

the homeless veterans in our community. My position

without a place to call home, but oftentimes there

in the American Legion and American Legion

are circumstances that lead them to being in this

Auxiliary in Madison have given me the opportunity

situation. Veterans made a commitment to serve and

to bring those organizations together to provide for

protect our nation, and it is our duty as a community to

the veterans at the Downtown Rescue Mission through

ensure they are supported when facing the challenges

care packages and acknowledgement of their service

of being homeless.

on Veteran’s Day. Through the American Legion, we can also reach out to local JROTC units and schools to provide donations and cards for our homeless

“I KNOW THAT THE WORK DONE AT THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION IS VITAL TO OUR HOMELESS COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.” I am also fortunate to work for a company that supports the Downtown Rescue Mission through donations and service. Teledyne Brown Engineering has been a longtime supporter of the Mission and actively encourages its employees to engage in volunteer opportunities. In addition to volunteering through various organizations, I like to find the time to give back personally through volunteering at the Mission by supporting special events, serving meals, or dropping off donated items. I know that the work done at the Downtown Rescue Mission is vital to our homeless community through its faith-based programs and services, and that any resources I can provide are impactful to the success of their mission.

MISSIONMOMENTS | June 2022

DRM KITCHEN RENOVATION COMPLETE

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ust as we all look forward with anticipation to the beauty of God’s renewal of His creation every spring and summer, the kitchen “replacement” IS now fully realized. What a blessing! The final phase is just a matter of shipping delays on the new commercial kitchen equipment arriving to the Mission. No further construction or modification needs to be done to install the new equipment.

This project has touched so many in so many ways.

What used to feel like an “institutional” dining and working environment is now welcoming, peaceful and humbling. Everyone from staff, volunteers, kitchen workers and all that seek shelter at the Mission have voiced the personal emotional impact this project has had on them. The complete change truly does capture all the senses… seeing all the “new”, touching the textural elements, hearing music and conversations, the smell of meals being prepared and experiencing Kingdom Work first-hand.

We look forward to the next update being the final segment. There are many to thank for their generosity, hard work and endurance. The gratitude and appreciation cannot be put into words.

Thanks and glory be to God for His timing and gifts He has given to all of us.

Bryce Miller

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED APRIL 2022

7,554

Lodging Provided

is a proud member of

27,089

Meals Served

1,162

Food Boxes/ Sack Lunches

®

82060

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