KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
GIVING THANKS AT THE BANQUET TABLE
Growing up, Thanksgiving always meant that 35 to 40 aunts, uncles, cousins and of course grandma and grandpa would get together. Where we met was always hot and cramped with everyone crowded around a few card tables connected to a dining room table. No matter how uncomfortable it might have been, it was always great because we were all together as one family eating great food, but most of all taking time as a family to fellowship and thank God for all of His blessings.
is our goal to treat each person with dignity and respect and show them Christ’s love and care for them as part of His family.
“BUT WHEN YOU GIVE A BANQUET, INVITE THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED, THE LAME, THE BLIND, AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED. ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT REPAY YOU, YOU WILL BE REPAID AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS.”
Luke 14:13-14
If you have ever volunteered at our “Community Thanksgiving Food Box Give-a-way” or our “Great Thanksgiving Banquet” many of the same qualities about Thanksgiving, that I cherish while growing up, are the same at the Mission. It will be hot and crowded, but it feels like everyone is family and most importantly we are all together as God’s children giving thanks for all He has done.
I was lucky to have grown up in a Christian home where God was the center of our family. Many of the people who stay at the Mission have not had those same advantages, but it
At the Downtown Rescue Mission, we have so much to be thankful for. Without our donors, volunteers and our prayer warriors much of what we do would not be possible. The Bible tells us in Luke 14:13-15, Whenever you give a banquet, invite people who are poor, who have disabilities, who are limping, and people who are blind; and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Now when one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” THANK YOU, for being faithful to God’s work at the Mission and partnering with us to help men, women and children who come to eat at our banquet table.
RESTORED AND RENEWED
“THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT GOD CAN DO AND WILL DO IN THIS LIFE IF WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO HIM WHILE CONTINUING TO WALK IN TRUTH AND LIGHT.”
My name is Mitchell I am 27 years of age. At the age 26 I became a born-again Christian! Through my life there has been a lot of darkness. At an early age I was introduced into my addiction to Meth and other ungodly things. This eventually led me to becoming homeless and hopeless. In the midst of all the darkness, there was still a light. I was led to the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville Alabama.
Here they offer a yearlong Life Recovery Program. This time away from the world gave me time to overcome my fleshly desires along with my selfish ambition, and to focus more on other’s needs and wants. I also saw a lot of brokenness during my time at the Mission. This opened my eyes to how much we are all lost and in need of a savior because without the love of Jesus Christ we all long for something greater.
The more that this sunk in the more I understood how important the teaching that I was receiving in Biblical studies was for my life. The more that I meditated on and read the word the more hope and peace I felt. This led me to become a member of Capshaw Baptist Church. Having this knowlege led to me feeling convicted to be baptized which was a huge leap for me when I was lost in addiction just nine months earlier.
I recently graduated the Life Recovery Program, and I have been reunited with my children after three years apart from them. I have been given a chance to be the father to them that I was meant to be and to show my boys what being a Christian really means.
I was recently hired to work on the security team at the Mission where I know I can connect and relate to broken people. I hope God’s authority will be seen in my life and in return change some hearts and save some souls. There is no limit to what God can do and will do in this life if we remain faithful to him while continuing to walk in truth and light.
CALLED TO SERVE MY JOURNEY AS A CHAPLAIN AT THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION
My name is Aaron, and my family and I moved to Alabama from Idaho about 3 years ago and started attending a local church. I told my pastor I felt called to work with men who were struggling with life controlling issues and he got me connected with the Downtown Rescue Mission. I took a tour and knew this is where I wanted to serve, and I eventually came on staff as a chaplain.
“THIS SAME GOOD NEWS THAT CAME TO YOU IS GOING OUT ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT IS BEARING FRUIT EVERYWHERE BY CHANGING LIVES, JUST AS IT CHANGED YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU UNDERSTOOD THE TRUTH ABOUT GODS AMAZING GRACE.”
Colossians 1:6
I love my job because I get to see broken people finding real joy in a relationship with Christ. If you want to see evidence that God is still working miracles, come talk with one of our graduates. The testimonies I hear strengthen my faith daily. The staff that work here are some of the best people you can find. They sincerely love God and love people. I thank God daily for the opportunity to be a part of such a great team.
Fall 2024 Calendar
THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX SIGN-UPS
• Monday & Tuesday, November 4 & 5, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at our main campus
CELEBRATION OF VETERANS
• Monday, November 11, starting at 10:00 a.m. in our main facility chapel
LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM GRADUATION
• Tuesday, November 12
THANKSGIVING FESTIVITIES
MISS MILLIE’S GOSPEL SHOW
• Friday, November 22, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX GIVEAWAY
• Monday & Tuesday, November 25 & 26, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS*
• Wednesday, November 27, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
THANKSGIVING DAY BANQUET FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS*
• ursday, November 28, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
GIVING TUESDAY
• Tuesday, December 3 – support the Mission’s Ministries through tax deductible gi s!
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
CHRISTMAS DAY BANQUET FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS*
• Wednesday, December 25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For any information on all events or services call 256-536-2441 events@downtownrescuemission.org
*To-Go boxes available for those needing in our community
We are starting to collect Thanksgiving items to serve to our community Items Needed: Yams, Corn, Green Beans, Canned Cranberry, Stuffing, Powdered Gravy, Instant Potatoes. If yo ur church, co mpany, s cho o l or organizatio n wo u ld like to hos t a barrel-to-fill Food Drive, co ntact: Ashleig h Haye s at 256 -536-2441 or vo lunteer@do w nto w nre s cuemissio n.org To do nate or lear n more, visit: do w nto w nre s cuemissio n.org
LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED IN SEPTEMBER
10,451 Lodging Provided 39,035 Meals Served 276 Food Boxes ® 82060 is a proud member of
