4
ACRescueMission.org/newsletter
Living in a place called trust
Hurricane Sandy:
One year later One year ago Hurricane Sandy blew into our neighborhood causing destruction and displacing many local families. In the midst of overwhelming need, God put the Mission in a unique position to be a hub for relief efforts. Even without power we were able to reach out to our community, bringing food, clothing, blankets, shelter and spiritual support for those who had lost so much. Through those difficult weeks God provided in unexpected ways. Looking back after one year, it’s wonderful to see the ways Atlantic City has been restored. And we remember with deep gratitude all those who gave talent and funds to “love their neighbors.” Every day we still deal with people struggling to overcome personal loss and difficult life situations. We’re so grateful to our faithful friends who help us bring God’s hope to these dark places. One thing we’ve learned from Hurriane Sandy is that with God, we can weather any storm.
A lady was sunbathing when a little boy in his swimming trunks came up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” Surprised, she replied, “Yes, I do.” Then he asked, “Do you read your Bible and pray every day?” Again she said, “Yes!” He sighed with relief, “Okay, will you hold my money while I swim?” We practice trust in God each day. But did you know God trusts us too? He entrusts us with many things, including finances. One way we can prove trustworthy is by choosing to support Christ-centered ministries by giving a one-time gift or by including them in our Will. You can even support ministries like Atlantic City Rescue Mission from your Roth IRA. Now is a wonderful time to do that too, thanks to new legislation that extends the IRA Charitable Rollover, allowing you the benefits of donating while avoiding federal tax liability. (Source: Confrontation by Gordon Curley). For a FREE copy of our stewardship bulletin, “One Giant Leap in the Journey of Faith,” simply check the box on the enclosed reply card or contact Tom Davidson from Atlantic City Rescue Mission at 609-345-5517 or tomdavidson@acrescuemission.org
Go and do likewise Are you ready to make giving an important part of your faith walk? Consider joining the Samaritan Club, a special group of individuals who have made a spiritual commitment to support the needs of the needy as part of their faith walk. Their consistent, monthly giving helps provide a predictable income so we can be good stewards in our planning as we reach out to the most desperate people in our community with life-changing help. To join this group of special donors, call Tom Davidson at (609) 345-5517, ext. 113 or email him at tomdavidson@ACRescueMission.org
Get connected. Get involved.
MISSION UPDATE News of hope and healing from Atlantic City Rescue Mission
October 2013
Serving the Lord of the harvest…
Mission farms teach lessons that transform lives After five growing seasons, the Mission farms produced abundant crops of fresh produce to feed hungry, homeless people. For the men in our program, the work-training and learning opportunities available to them on the farms provide a fresh start for their lives. See “Raising up lives” on page 2
Follow us on these websites to learn more about the important work you support: Facebook.com/ACRescueMission Twitter.com/ACRescueMission Pinterest.com/ACRescueMission
“ I f you go [to the farm] and see men out in the fresh air, out in the clean soil…they’re getting this sense of real understanding...we always relate it to God’s creation and his care for us.” —PASTOR BILL
Yes, I want to bring hope to our homeless neighbors in need this Thanksgiving! To provide meals and life-changing care, I’m enclosing: m $15 m $30 m $50 m $150 m $__________ m I would like to give monthly. My first gift of $____________ is enclosed. m Please send me a FREE copy of “One Giant Leap in the Journey of Faith” To give a gift by credit card, visit us online at ACRescueMission.org/newsletter or call 609-345-5517, ext 113.
ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION 2009 Bacharach Blvd. Atlantic City, NJ 08401
inside
NAME
THANK YOU!
ADDRESS APT CITY
STATE ZIP
23333-8 NL1013
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send a receipt for your records. Please make your check payable to: ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION
Message from Dan Brown:
Rescued
Hurricane Sandy:
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Abundant thanks
in a time of need— Darin’s story
One year later
2
MISSION UPDATE
Darin’s story...
Message from our President and CEO
Rescued in a time of need
Thankful for Abundance We arrive at Thanksgiving time with hearts full of gratitude for God’s abundant provision to the Mission. From the rich harvest of fruits and vegetables that bring nutritional food to our mission meals and life-giving work to the men in our program, to the diverse group of volunteers who come ready to serve each Thanksgiving. This time of year truly is a time for thanks and for remembering those who have so little. As you read this first newsletter in the new format I hope you’ll be encouraged to see what a difference your support makes in the lives of people like Darin who found hope in God and healing at the mission. And for the men in our program who put their hands in soil and found themselves awakening to the fact that there is a God who loves them. One year after Hurricane Sandy we remember the way God used our mission to provide for our community. Many people lost a great deal, and this has been a difficult year for people to be able to share. So we’re especially grateful for your faithful friendship that allows us to share the Gospel in word and in deed so that lives can be transformed, families restored and children nurtured and protected. This Thanksgiving hundreds of hungry people will come through our doors looking for help and hope. Your gifts will meet the needs of so many who could never repay such a rich blessing. But because of you, many people thank God. Thank you for giving your hearts, talents and treasurers to care for our neighbors in need.
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ACRescueMission.org/newsletter
Raising up lives (continued from page 1) Many of the men who come through our program have spent years living in the cities. For them, just being in the fresh air, working with the clean soil and seeing the work of their hands produce a tangible product connects them to their Creator and makes an impact in their recovery. Director of Biblical Education and Pastoral Care, Pastor Bill Warner recalls hearing the men speak about what the farm means to them. “I’ve had a number of guys tell me, ‘It’s a whole different world when you’re out there like that. You feel God, you sense God.’” The chaplains who work with the men on the farm see a deep connection between the work of nurturing and raising up food and nurturing and raising up the lives of men who have been through some very difficult life experiences. “We always relate it to God’s creation and His care for us,” says Pastor Bill. “He says in Psalm 136:25, ‘He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.’ The Lord is always the great supplier.”
Relationships are the biggest rewards “Building relationships is one of the biggest things the farm produces… breaking down stereotypes,” says Chaplain George, about the volunteers who come regularly to work alongside the men from the program. “Some volunteers really get involved in the client’s lives, which is special.” The men in the program also gain retail experience by selling produce at the local farmers’ markets, creating connections for future employment opportunities. “It’s opened up wonderful things,” says Pastor Bill.
Fresh food that brings hope
May God bless you,
Not only does the farm teach life skills and build community relationships, it also produces 40,000 pounds of produce each year! The fresh fruits and vegetables that go to the mission kitchen help offset food costs and increase the nutritional value of meals for people who are often malnourished from living on the street.
Dan Brown, President and CEO
Your support makes programs like the Mission farm possible. To join our farm volunteers, sign up at ACRescueMission.org/volunteer or call 609-345-5517, ext.165 to speak to the volunteer coordinator.
For twelve years Darin lived life lie,” says Darin now. “The truth is his own way, doing drugs and trying that He never left me. All I needed to to hide the shame he felt because of do was to turn to him and believe.” it. Inside him was so much loneliness Through his prayers and calling out that Darin sought out drugs to help to God, Darin felt God telling him ease that pain. “I was trapped by to seek out the light. my own will,” he says, “and by the It was during time on his knees destructive power of drugs. I was praying that Darin looked up and living in darkness, not noticed a white van wanting to be seen.” After years of living in driving by. It had a
Although Darin got darkness, Darin now lighthouse symbol to the point where his and printed on the says, “the light in me side it said Atlantic pain and shame was so deep he couldn’t cover now shines, and it is City Rescue Mission: it up with drugs, he only because of you.” Rescuing people in didn’t stop. It wasn’t need. “That’s all it until he lost his children and his took,” says Darin. “I thanked God for home that Darin cried out to God for His wisdom, love and mercy. Then forgiveness and help. I got up and went to the Mission.”
Looking for the light Darin felt like he had lost the love of God from his years of darkness. “I was in the dark and believing a
Becoming an overcomer Darin joined the Overcomer’s Program and has spent the last year learning what it means to follow the
Lord’s will. Through the shepherding and counseling he received at the Mission, he’s now training to be a light to others who have lost their way like he did. “I thank God for the people at the Mission,” he says. “The light in me now shines, and it is only because of you.”
Fall wish list
Thanksgiving Banquet For the thousands of people who wake up hungry, homeless or hurting in our area, a home-cooked feast served by people who care can bring hope. This year on November 28th, we’re expecting an unprecedented number of hungry guests. We’re preparing a traditional feast of roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy and a big slice of pie. We’ll be serving from noon until 7 o’clock at night, and we want our guests to feel “at home” with us. Mealtime at the Mission is when many people decide to take that first step toward making lasting changes in their lives. While we’re offering a home-cooked meal, we also offer our guests a helping of life-transforming hope—the caring support and proven
Our list of needs is a mile long! We would be grateful for your gifts of: —Prayer —Food —Clothing programs that can help them turn their lives around for good. Your support is vital to our mission of rescuing people in need. You can share in the joy of bringing food and life-giving hope to our hungry neighbors in need this Thanksgiving. To help provide items on our needs list, volunteer, donate funds and change lives this Thanksgiving, please visit our website at ACRescueMission.org or call 609-345-5517.
— Turkeys for Thanksgiving
“ T his service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” —2 Corinthians 9:12
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ACRescueMission.org/newsletter
Living in a place called trust
Hurricane Sandy:
One year later One year ago Hurricane Sandy blew into our neighborhood causing destruction and displacing many local families. In the midst of overwhelming need, God put the Mission in a unique position to be a hub for relief efforts. Even without power we were able to reach out to our community, bringing food, clothing, blankets, shelter and spiritual support for those who had lost so much. Through those difficult weeks God provided in unexpected ways. Looking back after one year, it’s wonderful to see the ways Atlantic City has been restored. And we remember with deep gratitude all those who gave talent and funds to “love their neighbors.” Every day we still deal with people struggling to overcome personal loss and difficult life situations. We’re so grateful to our faithful friends who help us bring God’s hope to these dark places. One thing we’ve learned from Hurriane Sandy is that with God, we can weather any storm.
A lady was sunbathing when a little boy in his swimming trunks came up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” Surprised, she replied, “Yes, I do.” Then he asked, “Do you read your Bible and pray every day?” Again she said, “Yes!” He sighed with relief, “Okay, will you hold my money while I swim?” We practice trust in God each day. But did you know God trusts us too? He entrusts us with many things, including finances. One way we can prove trustworthy is by choosing to support Christ-centered ministries by giving a one-time gift or by including them in our Will. You can even support ministries like Atlantic City Rescue Mission from your Roth IRA. Now is a wonderful time to do that too, thanks to new legislation that extends the IRA Charitable Rollover, allowing you the benefits of donating while avoiding federal tax liability. (Source: Confrontation by Gordon Curley). For a FREE copy of our stewardship bulletin, “One Giant Leap in the Journey of Faith,” simply check the box on the enclosed reply card or contact Tom Davidson from Atlantic City Rescue Mission at 609-345-5517 or tomdavidson@acrescuemission.org
Go and do likewise Are you ready to make giving an important part of your faith walk? Consider joining the Samaritan Club, a special group of individuals who have made a spiritual commitment to support the needs of the needy as part of their faith walk. Their consistent, monthly giving helps provide a predictable income so we can be good stewards in our planning as we reach out to the most desperate people in our community with life-changing help. To join this group of special donors, call Tom Davidson at (609) 345-5517, ext. 113 or email him at tomdavidson@ACRescueMission.org
Get connected. Get involved.
MISSION UPDATE News of hope and healing from Atlantic City Rescue Mission
October 2013
Serving the Lord of the harvest…
Mission farms teach lessons that transform lives After five growing seasons, the Mission farms produced abundant crops of fresh produce to feed hungry, homeless people. For the men in our program, the work-training and learning opportunities available to them on the farms provide a fresh start for their lives. See “Raising up lives” on page 2
Follow us on these websites to learn more about the important work you support: Facebook.com/ACRescueMission Twitter.com/ACRescueMission Pinterest.com/ACRescueMission
“ I f you go [to the farm] and see men out in the fresh air, out in the clean soil…they’re getting this sense of real understanding...we always relate it to God’s creation and his care for us.” —PASTOR BILL
Yes, I want to bring hope to our homeless neighbors in need this Thanksgiving! To provide meals and life-changing care, I’m enclosing: m $15 m $30 m $50 m $150 m $__________ m I would like to give monthly. My first gift of $____________ is enclosed. m Please send me a FREE copy of “One Giant Leap in the Journey of Faith” To give a gift by credit card, visit us online at ACRescueMission.org/newsletter or call 609-345-5517, ext 113.
ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION 2009 Bacharach Blvd. Atlantic City, NJ 08401
inside
NAME
THANK YOU!
ADDRESS APT CITY
STATE ZIP
23333-8 NL1013
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send a receipt for your records. Please make your check payable to: ATLANTIC CITY RESCUE MISSION
Message from Dan Brown:
Rescued
Hurricane Sandy:
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Abundant thanks
in a time of need— Darin’s story
One year later