Mission Moments June 24

FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

NO MORE LAZY DAYS!

The“GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I COMMANDED YOU; AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.”

Matthew 28:19-20

beginning of the summer season is upon us. Many of us will head to the beach or take the family to an amusement park, and spend time outdoors fishing, swimming, or hiking. It is often known as the “lazy days of summer”. It used to be the same here at the Mission. Things would slow down, and the summer months were just not as busy, but that is no longer true. With all of our programs and community outreach ministries, we are just as busy, if not even busier than the cold weather months. It is awesome to see God’s hand move on the Mission as He continues to give us opportunities to share the Gospel with our community and beyond. I am always amazed at all of the growth that He has accomplished here over the last few years. It also is a tremendous blessing that through the 49 years of DRM’s history, we have had support from the community with your prayers, volunteering, and giving. This support allows us to keep our doors open, continue to grow, reach more lives for Jesus

Christ, and provide hope to many who once felt hopeless.

The Mission’s Board, my Senior Staff, and I have been working on our long-range vision and planning. It is exciting to see where God is leading us with new ministries and community outreach possibilities. Some of these programs could involve elderly care, transitional housing, preventative homelessness care, satellite missions in other communities, farm ministry, job readiness, children’s camp ministry, and many more. I am excited to see what God has in store for DRM’s future.

The Bible instructs us in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” That is and will always be our goal to go and make disciples! And I’m proud to say that there are no more “lazy summers” at the Downtown Rescue Mission. We would love for you or your group to come and see God’s work firsthand by taking a tour.

FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE

“A GOOD NAME IS TO BE CHOSEN RATHER THAN GREAT RICHES, AND FAVOR IS BETTER THAN SILVER OR GOLD. THE RICH AND THE POOR MEET TOGETHER; THE LORD IS THE MAKER OF THEM ALL.“

Proverbs 22:1-2

WhenI came to the DRM I had no active relationship with God and my family had all but stopped talking to me. My mom kept encouraging me and I didn’t believe her. As I sat in on classes we worked through books in the bible I had read before, but now I had a different perspective. I saw more in His words because I had fallen to my lowest point. I had nowhere else to look except up. I didn’t quite understand what I saw yet.

Seeing a God who was the maker of all things in

the universe big and small, and I somehow mattered to Him. I felt unworthy of any grace given or undeserved of mercy granted. And my biggest fear in life was living as a nobody, not leaving a mark or being remembered. As I spoke with my teachers and friends Adam, Corey, Mickey, Lowen and Morgan, I learned that our lives mean something to God. We matter to Him.

I understood everything but I still wasn’t seeing God’s work in my life. One random Wednesday in chapel service I had a moment where God came flooding through my mind. That changed things for me and I finally saw God’s hand in my life. I don’t understand what He has in store for me, but as I step into my future I do so knowing God uses all things good or ill to shape us for our intended purpose in life.

DISCOVERING MY PURPOSE

Itwas a coincidental and random day that I was introduced to DRM. I had no knowledge of what the mission was or what was to be offered. But it was at a time that my life could not be much darker. At this time in my life, I truly felt in my heart that if something did not change that my time in this world was running out. A friend introduced the idea of me giving the mission a try and I was on board.

“THE PEOPLE AROUND THE MISSION INVESTED IN MY LIFE AND GAVE ME OPPORTUNITIES AND I FOUND PURPOSE IN MY LIFE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MISSION WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF MY LIFE AND BE A PLACE CLOSE TO MY HEART.“

The opportunity was life changing. I was introduced to Christ and was given the opportunity to set a foundation for my life that had never existed. That foundation was the walls that built what my life is today almost 4 years later. The people around the mission invested in my life and gave me opportunities and I found purpose in my life for the first time. The mission will always be a part of my life and be a place close to my heart.

I have now been employed by the mission for over 3 1/2 years. I love what we do here. I have a daily opportunity to fellowship and work with a great team. Most importantly I have the opportunity to invest into others lives and give them the opportunities that I was

given to find purpose in their life as well. That is what I love about my job and being a part of the mission is seeing lives changed. Hope can truly be found at the Downtown Rescue Mission.

–Ryan

invites you to attend our annual

PICNIC

FREE OPEN TO ALL 1400 Evangel Drive NW

FRIDAY, JUNE 28 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Enjoy Food, Fun, Games, Shaved ice, Bounce Castle, Karaoke, Face-Painting, Giveaways and More!