HEART of the MISSIONAUGUST 2015

W

THE HARVEST OF HOPE

Thousands of homeless men and women come through Nashville Rescue Mission’s doors each year. A few are simply looking for warmth and the relief of a hot meal and clean bed for the night. But many want so much more!

Those who join our Life Recovery Program are seeking to satisfy a hunger from within—they are looking for answers that will bring them new and more meaningful lives. Each person in our program is like a seed that needs to be carefully tended. As we water that seed through counseling, Bible study, addiction recovery, HSE (High School Equivalency) prep classes, and life-skills classes, it begins to grow and bloom.

As you read this month’s newsletter, take note of the seeds planted and harvested in the lives of William, our cover story who gave his life to Christ while at the Mission, earned his HSE, got new teeth, and graduated.

We pray for the day when we reap the harvest—mature men and women, grounded in Christ and moving ahead to plant fields of their own.

The harvest is plentiful at Nashville Rescue Mission, but we need more workers! We invite more of you to help in this mission field where, daily, we tend a harvest of hope.

REV. GLENN CRANFIELDPRESIDENT AND CEO

2 HEART of the MISSION AUGUST 2015

REAL PEOPLE. REAL LIFE CHANGING STORIES.Visit our website and click on the STORIES page to hear first hand, how your gifts are changing lives.

nashvillerescuemission.org/stories

I live to sing and play music. I thought playing on the streets of Nashville would be glamorous, that I would make lots of money. A student at Lee University at the time, I was learning how to work hard. As a member of Lee’s Campus Choir, touring on weekends and school breaks, I was applying my work ethic to my music. In doing so, I became comfortable singing for people. Playing on the streets during the summer and Christmas breaks seemed like easy money.

My first night I staked my claim at the corner of Third and Broadway, my guitar case open to receive spare change from those passing by. After an hour I counted what I’d collected so far—$2. The streets are the ultimate equalizer. There is no glamour in watching people ignore you or, worse, go out of their way to avoid you. I would learn the ropes, but it took time.

Of course, playing on the streets, I saw people living on the streets. One night I’d been playing for a while when a man walked up. We talked. He didn’t ask me for anything. I asked him if I could get him something to eat. He let me buy him a hot dog, and we sat and talked. He wanted to change the course of his life, get off the streets, he said, adding that he had a job interview in a couple of days. I thought he was genuine, and I wanted to help. I offered to put him in a hotel until his interview. He looked at me, unbelieving. Then, convinced I was serious, he jumped up and spun around like a kid on Christmas morning. He didn’t care what people thought. He was on his way to a hot shower!

A few weeks later, I was competing in the Hollywood Week phase of American Idol. On camera the judges

asked me a question, to which I replied, “I think America is hungry for the groove.” That phrase, “Hungry for the groove,” got some media attention, inspiring my friend Zeke to design a T-shirt. I knew I wanted the proceeds from the sale of the shirt to help the homeless. Nashville Rescue Mission was the obvious choice. The Mission is making a real and practical difference in the lives of the homeless, and the money they receive is used to provide hot meals and shelter. (The purchase of one of my T-shirts provides two homeless individuals a hot meal.)

The Mission is also a faith-based organization. What good is it to have a home on earth if you don’t have one in heaven? The Mission is working to set people free from the chains of addiction that have bound them, so they may run the course God has for them. People are people, whether they have a home or not. Jesus says if we are asked and have the ability to give, we are to give. Living without shelter, without income, without enough food is no one’s God-given destiny. The homeless do have a course to run. Because of Nashville Rescue Mission, they also have somewhere to run to.

MISSION IN MY WORDS

CLARK BECKHAM, is a singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born in Nashville and grew up in White House, Tennessee. He graduated Lee University with a degree in History, with most of his musical experience from playing in church or on street corners. Beckham finished as “American Idol Season XIV” runner-up. Visit clarkbeckham.com to learn more.

AUGUST 2015 HEART of the MISSION 3

TO BUY CLARK'S T-SHIRTS, GO TO CLARKBECKHAM.STORENVY.COM. ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE MISSION.

PLAYING ON THE STREETS WASN’T WHAT I EXPECTED.

At 42, William has experienced more tragedy than most people do in a lifetime. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, William’s mom was a coal miner, and his dad left when he was five. He was abused and rebelled by drinking and dating older women. “My mom beat me for dipping. I refused to cry. She wouldn’t take me to school, so I walked two hours to get to school. When they saw my bruises, the state took me away from her and placed me with my biological father. I didn’t know him and hadn’t seen him in years.”

“MY FATHER was an alcoholic,” says William. “He was married and had a new family. I moved schools and struggled to fit in. Eventually I spent four months in a juvenile detention facility because of all the trouble I was in. It was either that or be put up for adoption.” William quit school in the 10th grade. By the age of 19, his first marriage (of only six months) ended in divorce. William’s second marriage lasted 16 years before it too ended in divorce.

All the while he continued to drink, was unfaithful, and got hooked on prescription pills. “I can’t blame her for divorcing me,” says William. “I wasn’t a good husband.”

IN 2007, William met Laurie, a school teacher, and fell in love. “We met online and after a long-distance relationship, I moved to North Carolina to be with her. We married in 2008. We both enjoyed drinking, but she had no idea I was an alcoholic. At first I did a good job of hiding it from her. When we found out she was pregnant with Dakota, she immediately stopped drinking. I, on the other hand, did not.”

Following knee surgery, William found himself again abusing prescription drugs. “Things went downhill,” shares William. “I was using drugs around my kid. I got fired. I couldn’t find another job. My wife was pregnant with our second child, Jayden, and I was still lying to her. I went through a 90-day program, but three months later, I was using again.”

Still trying to find a way to make things work, William landed a job as a truck driver. “Three months in, I was a co-driver, when the lead driver got pulled over. I wasn’t driving, but I was drunk. Once the police contacted my employer, I was fired on the spot and stranded in the middle of Nebraska with only fifty dollars.”

Afraid to call his wife, William started walking. He walked over 100 miles before coming to a bus station in Des Moines, Iowa. “The ticket agent told me I didn’t have enough money to get to North Carolina, but I could get to Atlanta or Nashville. I chose Nashville.” While in

4 HEART of the MISSION AUGUST 2015

“I have two children and have never once

held them while sober. Today, I am a new

man in Christ. I can’t wait to hold my kids

and tell them I love them. I can’t wait for

them to see me smile and hear me talk and

read to them with a full set of teeth, I might

add. I’m grateful for a new beginning.”

%TRAGEDY

TRIUMPHTRAGEDY

I CAN SMILE TODAY BECAUSE OF YOU

route, William heard about the Traveler’s Aid program at Nashville Rescue Mission.

“It was 10:30 p.m. when I got to the Mission and the doors were closed,” says William. “They gave me a bed, but I was stuck there for the night. Turns out it was a blessing in disguise.” The next morning, William met with Peter, a case manager at the Mission, hoping to get a bus ticket home. “Peter asked me if I had a drug and alcohol problem. Boy did I ever. I had lost several jobs, my family, and my dignity. Peter then told me about the Mission’s Life Recovery Program. I didn’t have to think too hard to know I needed help, and it was right there in front of me for the taking.”

THAT DAY, William laid down his cigarettes and gave away everything he owned, including the last few dollars he had and committed to starting a new life. “When I arrived at the Mission, I was hopeless and scared. Today, I am redeemed. My sins have been forgiven. There are no words to express the deep gratitude I have to Nashville Rescue Mission, staff, volunteers, and those who faithfully give. You have given me a reason to smile.”

William waited two weeks before trying to contact his wife. “At first, she wouldn’t talk to me,” says William. “I don’t blame her. I wasn’t a good husband or father to our kids. She was filing for divorce, but after a couple of months, we started talking and instead of getting divorced, we’re planning to date, and start a new beginning.”

While at the Mission, William started attending First Baptist Nashville, where he was baptized in March. “I am

so blessed. I’ve found joy in Jesus! I have a great church home where I met Ms. Carol—who at first was a complete stranger to me. She sent me a card almost every week filled with words of encouragement.”

WILLIAM’S TRAGEDIES started turning into triumphs and for the first time in a long time, he had hope. “After trying seven times to get my high school diploma, I finally passed!” exclaims William. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of faithful volunteers like Jim Shackleford, Jim Coonce, and Shane Ryan, the Mission’s education assistant. “These men invested their time in me. Their faith in me gave me confidence in myself.”

“I’m blown away by the kindness and care complete strangers showed me and other men in the program,” says William. “They never expect anything in return. It’s humbling. When I arrived at the Mission, I had four teeth. Today, I have a complete set of dentures and can’t stop smiling. It’s the first time in a long time I can smile—and today, I actually have something to smile about.”

“Before, it was always about me,” says William. “I was hopeless. Today, I want to share the joy I now know with others. I’m thankful for those who give, because your gift gives me hope. I’m looking forward to the future, and because of you, I have a future. Thank you.”

AUGUST 2015 HEART of the MISSION 5

“WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE MISSION, I WAS HOPELESS AND SCARED. TODAY, I AM REDEEMED. MY SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS THE DEEP GRATITUDE I HAVE TO NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY GIVE. YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A REASON TO SMILE.”

William proudly shows off his high school diploma, which he earned with the help of volunteer, Jim Shackleford (on left).

6 HEART of the MISSION AUGUST 2015

THE RIPPLE EFFECT VOLUNTEERING

Jim Shackleford recently celebrated his one year an-niversary as a volunteer in the education department at the Mission. “I’ve been donating to Nashville Rescue Mission for over 30 years,” shared Jim. “But I never stopped to consider how I might be able to serve until I read a volunteer story in a Mission newsletter about Jim Coonce.”

Having worked for IBM for 27 years, Jim S. had a lot in common with Jim C. Both men were retired. Both were engineers. Both had donated to Nashville Rescue Mission. It’s surprising they didn’t know each other. And today, they share one more thing in common—a passion for volunteering at the Mission.

“As a donor, I fully support and believe in the ministry of the Mission,” said Jim. “My wife Peggy and I love that it is faith-based and that they do not accept any government money so they can share the message of hope with those in need.”

Jim grew up in the area. He attended Hillsboro High School and graduated from Vanderbilt University.

“I was familiar with the Mission, but other than financially supporting the ministry, I was not involved.” Jim had no idea his passion for math and teaching would intersect at a place he faithfully supports.

“After I retired from IBM, I took a job at Montgomery Bell Academy teaching math and became head of the math department where I worked for 16 years. When I was in college, I thought about becoming a teacher, but didn’t think it would support myself and family. I never imagined later in life I could find a way to blend my knowledge and experience with my passions, and help men who are trying to change their lives.”

Jim says teaching adults is different from teaching teenagers. “The men I’ve met at the Mission come from all walks of life. Most of them are struggling with addiction. They’ve faced greater tragedies than dropping out of school. I admire their efforts and determination in seeking to further their education, regardless of their age or situation.”

“Volunteering in the education department at the Mission is different than anything else I’ve ever experienced,” said Jim. “After working with the men, seeing their faces when they succeed, how proud they are when they receive the news of passing their HiSET

AUGUST 2015 HEART of the MISSION 7

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(High School Equivalency Test) exam … I’m even more enthusiastic about giving today than I was before.”

One of the highlights of Jim’s time volunteering has been working with a 19-year-old man who dropped out of school in ninth grade. “Dalton was the first person I worked with who passed the HiSET exam and received his diploma. It was exhilarating to see his face when he learned he’d passed. Seeing his photograph on the wall brought joy to his face, as well as mine.”

Jim loves that the Mission displays photos of students who pass the HiSET exam. “It’s a reminder there is hope. And that you’re never too old or too young to try. Having your high school diploma opens doors and for those struggling, this is a small thing that can make a big difference.”

Recently, Jim worked with William (cover story). After trying to pass the test seven times over the years, William was ready to give up. But Jim didn’t give up on him. “I knew William could do it. He just needed a little help, some encouragement, and dedication.”

“I couldn’t have passed the test with out Mr. Jim’s help,” said William. “He is more than just a teacher—he is a friend and mentor to me.”

“One of the biggest blessings of volunteering at the Mission is that I can teach math, but I can also talk about Jesus,” said Jim. “I couldn’t do that in my other jobs. It’s so great to be in this environment.”

Perhaps you’re like Jim, reading this in the newsletter and wondering how you might be able to help. Let the ripple effect touch you.

“The Mission can benefit from more good teachers volunteering their time to help those in need prepare for and take the HiSET exam,” said Jim. “And we need help in more areas than just math. There’s also science, social studies, reading, writing, and English. Consider donating your time and talents to the Mission. There are people who need you. I hope my story will inspire someone to volunteer the way Jim C.’s story did for me.”

“I COULDN’T HAVE PASSED THE TEST WITH OUT MR. JIM’S HELP,” SAID WILLIAM. “HE IS MORE THAN JUST A TEACHER—HE IS A FRIEND, AND MENTOR TO ME.”

TEACH

TUTOR

READ

is a proud member of

Meals Served

Nights of Lodging

Chapel Attendance

Education Hours

Bible Class Attendance

Decisions & Prayers

Volunteer Hours

Travel Assistance

Program Graduates

1,660

781

558

80

24

31

180

n/a

n/a

DailyAvg

Monthly

49,813

23,429

16,745

2,404

716

920

5,411

29

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JUNE 2015

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