JUNE 2023 TRANSFORMED
LIFE
KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
“NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS”
Overthe last few months, my heart has been broken as I have heard people making comments about the men, women and children we serve at the Downtown Rescue Mission. Comments ranging from “Why would you help those kind of people?” to “Tell them lazy people to just get a job” or even “I wouldn’t help anyone like them!”
Every day, when I walk the halls of the Mission, I see smiling faces of folks who are children of God and are our friends or neighbors or even family members. We see people come to us looking for help that come from every background and neighborhood, whether they are rich or poor, highly educated or highly skilled laborer. The need for the ministries of DRM can touch any family — it even touched mine
I have a younger sister who has been struggling with homelessness. She is not an addict or alcoholic and grew up in a good Christian home. She has two very young daughters and has made some bad choices that have taken her down this path. Our family has tried to help her and even getting her into a good program of another ministry up North. She is a good person and grew up in a good situation, but still she needs help.
The Bible tells us in James 2:1-5, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
The Mission is here to help anyone and everyone. Personally, I have a lot of good friends who were once homeless or drug addicts or even in prison and now are living their lives for Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
While under my leadership, the Mission will always be here to love on, hug on and treat respectfully the men, women and children who come through our doors. If you have never experienced homelessness or addiction or know someone close to you that has, please count your blessings and pray for those who have.
Thanks for your continued support as we are in need of some items: CANS OF VEGETABLES, SUGAR, CONDIMENTS, MAYO, MUSTARD, KETCHUP, SALAD DRESSINGS, COFFEE, SPAGHETTI SAUCE, WATER, & POTATOES. If your church, company, school or organization would like to host a barrel-to-fill Food Drive, contact: Ashleigh Hayes at 256-713-4316 or volunteer@downtownrescuemission.org To donate or learn more, visit: downtownrescuemission.org MISSIONMOMENTS | June 2023
“LISTEN, MY BELOVED BROTHERS, HAS NOT GOD CHOSEN THOSE WHO ARE POOR IN THE WORLD TO BE RICH IN FAITH AND HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM, WHICH HE HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM?”
James 2:5
TRANSFORMED LIFE
A TESTIMONY OF HOPE
The above is my interpretation of the quarterly phases that the DRM freely gives to those (me) that are hopeless over the course of one year. This journey has completely shifted my priorities. I pursued my life completely selfcentered, materialistic, self-glorifying, success driven, angry, stressed, addicted to work, alcohol, pills, etc.
Did I fall again during this journey? Yes
Hi,my name is Bryce Miller, and I am honored to share my transformation story with you.
The Downtown Rescue Mission has changed not just my life, but also my soul, spirituality, and introduced me to our Lord and Savior. I arrived at the Mission on May 19, 2019 fresh out of the hospital, house foreclosed, possessions put on curb, pets gone, etc. I had nothing but a suitcase and a ratty car.
I want to share what the LIFE Transformation Program involves and still means to me:
L Love - GIVEN shelter, food, empathy and His Word.
I Intensity - Looking into my heart, recognizing the disregard I have for my existence, GIVEN to me by God.
F Fellowship - GIVEN countless brothers and sisters in Christ that I can talk with, vent to and still feel loved without judgment or shame.
E Embrace - The excitement that comes from being GIVEN His Spirit working within me to desire experiencing His Church and continued relationships with His children.
Was I shown massive grace and mercy? Yes!
Today, I’m a Store Manager at the DRM Thrift Store in Madison. Daily, I have the opportunity to witness to those that are in far greater need than me. Through God, we all have His covenant to obey Him, love Him, love our neighbors as ourselves, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This world has quotas, objectives, agendas, performance expectations, budget requirements, deficit reduction plans. The list goes on and on. God gives us a better hope, a relationship with Him forever.
It has taken me 50 years to embrace His purpose for me. When we embrace Him, we are blessed with His plan and for His glory, and by His grace we receive exactly what we need.
downtownrescuemission.org
“THIS WORLD HAS QUOTAS, OBJECTIVES, AGENDAS, PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS, BUDGET REQUIREMENTS, DEFICIT REDUCTION PLANS. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. GOD GIVES US A BETTER HOPE , A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM FOREVER.”
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY TO THE MISSION
I’vealways wanted to have a job where I could help people.
In finding the Downtown Rescue Mission, I have found my place. Not only do I help raise funds and awareness for the Mission, but I get to go out into the community and get others involved and excited about helping.
As the PR Coordinator, I’m able to reach out and educate the community about the amazing things we do here at the Mission and to inspire them to get involved by volunteering, conducting food drives, and so much more.
Being involved in three Chambers of Commerce allows me to connect with business leaders in Limestone, Morgan and Madison Counties.
Schools and churches take tours, donate and volunteer with us. We’ll even come speak at your upcoming event. We’re grateful for community involvement from businesses, corporations, churches, schools, and civic groups.
If you’d like to host a food drive, take a tour, or volunteer, please contact me, Ashleigh Hayes at 256-713-4316 or volunteer@downtownrescuemission.org.
Acts 20:35
It’s great working with local TV and radio stations to feature the impact the Mission is making in our community with things like our Turkey Box giveaways, Earth Day clothing swap, Thanksgiving banquets, and other events or activities throughout the year.
Volunteers feel good about what they do at the Mission because they’re making a difference!
It is such a blessing to be able to share what we do and inspire others to want to be the change. I enjoy what I do and look forward to the amazing things coming for the Downtown Rescue Mission.
Getting kids excited about volunteering is another amazing thing we get to do here!
MISSIONMOMENTS | June 2023 MISSION IN MY WORDS
“IN ALL THIS I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE THAT BY SUCH WORK WE MUST SUPPORT THE WEAK, REMEMBERING THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS, FOR HE HIMSELF SAID, ‘IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.’
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Downtown Rescue Mission is increasingly grateful for the thoughtful planning of life income gifts, gift annuities and other plans. If you have not yet made a will and would like to explore the benefits of gift planning, please contact our donor engagement officer, Zane Drost at 256-713-4313 or donors@downtownrescuemission.org
Your legacy of generosity will continue to make a difference in the lives of the hurting and needy.
1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | downtownrescuemission.org LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED IN APRIL 8,635 Lodging Provided 31,209 Meals Served 192 Food Boxes ® 82060 is a proud member of Writing a will is an incredible opportunity to bless family members and charities that you support.