VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 2019

“Where Healing Begins”

THANK YOU TO FIVE STAR AUTOMOTIVE GROUP FOR BEING THE TITLE SPONSOR FOR THIS YEARS EVENT. EXECUTIVE BOARD Charlie Cantrell CHAIRMAN Special Thanks Stewart Vernon VICE-CHAIR TO OUR LARGE Beverly Olson SECRETARY TOURNAMENT Susan Collins TREASURER Blake Sullivan SPONSORS MEMBER-AT-LARGE Dr. Bill Argo Hosts MEMBER-AT-LARGE Kevin & Candace Brown and Family BOARD OF Russell & Teil Henley DIRECTORS Bobby Cramer Ace Sponsors Buddy Glawson Total Warranty Services Mike Jenkins Wells Fargo Auto Frank Malloy Alfred Sams W.L. Amos, Sr. Foundation Chris R. Sheridan Dean & Ashley Copelan and Family Jeff Thompson Thomas Financial Louis Frank Tompkins Sheridan Construction Wimberly Treadwell Elite Flooring Contractors ADVISORY BOARD Robins Financial Credit Union Oliver Bateman III PaintMasters Martha Blue 1842 Inn Senator Saxby Chambliss Ashley Copelan Carolyn Crayton Eagle Sponsors Sheriff David Davis Valvoline Ed Defore WURTH USA Jimmy Fain Cox Automotive Michael Ketterbaugh GMC Buick Tommy Mixon Formation Advertising Mayor Robert Reichert WMAZ PRESIDENT/CEO Pat Chastain A community service product of Panaprint.

2 WWW.RESCUEMISSIONGA.COM FROM THE President’s Desk Celebrity Classic SPONSORS Our Five Star Kevin Brown Russell Henley Celebrity Classic was a huge success, and we are so very grateful for the support of our wonderful sponsors. We absolutely could not do this event without your support. Thank you for supporting the programs of the Rescue Mission, you are truly helping to change lives by way of Jesus Christ.

Pat Chastain, President/CEO

Eagle Sponsors GEICO Appling Brothers Gilbert Fields Contractors Cardone Hamlin Air CINTAS Henley Land Brokerage Creative Coatingz KPA Georgia Farm Bureau Kroger Reynolds & Reynolds DKH Entertainment Crowe LLC Hunt-Miller Insurance Agency Five Star Food Service Bo Benton Auctioneers We Care Heating & Air Chick-fil-a Fusion Uniform Piedmont Orthopaedic Complex Nissan Georgia Light Bulb Southeast Toyota Distributors Macon Golf Carts GHC Mechanical MidGa Sales Birdie/Clay Sponsors Rental Concept Automotive & Car Wash Equipment Rutherford Trophies Services RCI Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists Lowe Electric asi Soft Wash The Bear’s Den CARFAX Tidwell & Hilburn Insurance CarGurus True Car Cars.com Bass Pro Shops McGriff Insurance Universal Environmental Services Christy Capital Management

FACEBOOK.COM/MACONRESCUEMISSION 3 TO OUR CELEBRITIES Kevin Brown, MLB 17-year career; Tournament Host Russell Henley, PGA Tour; Tournament Host Thomas Archer, songwriter George Birge, Waterloo Revival Ralph Boston, USA Olympic gold medalist, Track & Field Dan Bouchard, Atlanta Flames, NHL Tamara Bowie, WNBA Solomon Brannan, Kansas City Chiefs Darrel Chaney, , Dicky Clark, UGA football; FCA David Coleman, College and NFL Referee Administrator Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech basketball Charlie Criss, Atlanta Hawks Tim Culbertson, Veteran actor and stuntman Kevin DeMichiel, Clays Champion and Instructor Johnny Estrada, Atlanta Braves Lacey Fears, Professional golfer; Macon native Trina Freeman, United States Marines, Veteran Susie Gardner, Mercer University Women's Basketball Coach Greg Gary, Mercer University Men's Basketball Coach Morgan Goette, Clays Champion Nick Green, Atlanta Braves David Greene, UGA football CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

4 Jeff Harper, UGA 1980 NCAA STAFF football champion; Saints, USFL Pat Chastain President/CEO Dennis Havig, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Oilers, Green Bay Packers Tina Hicks Vice President of Finance Gar Heard, NBA 13 years; Phoenix Suns Dawn Burns Haley Heath, Hunting celebrity; Vice President of Operations former outdoor tv host Heather Lebleu Mark Johnson, Veteran actor; Logistics Coordinator In the Heat of the Night Greg Brooks Brian Jordan, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons Food Service & Roger Kaiser, Georgia Tech basketball Maintenance Supervisor Greg Lloyd, Pittsburgh Steelers PROGRAMS Steve Lundquist, 1984 Olympics double-gold Jason Beck in swimming Vice President of Programs Dewey McClain, Atlanta Falcons Linda Wessells Women’s Program Director Thomas McClary, The Commodores, founding member Emily Smallwood Women’s Assistant Collin McMillan, Mudbug Mafia Chako Holland Brian Nash, Long Drive Champion Women’s Assistant Otis Nixon, Atlanta Braves Vernice Chappell John Odom, Oakland A's, Macon native Women’s Evening Ken Parker, New York Giants Supervisor Mel Pender, USA Olympic gold medalist, Kiia Jackson Case Manager Track & Field Marty Perez, Atlanta Braves Anthony Wade Men’s Resident Supervisor Peter Persons, PGA Tour, Macon native Tyler Reeve, Hit songwriter DEVELOPMENT Gator Rivers, Harlem Globetrotters Karen Kinsler Development Director Lowery Robinson, New York Mets, Macon native Stephanie Thomas Adam Schwind, Professional drummer Development Assistant Laura Starling, WDEN Longtime On-air Personailty Jaime Kaplan Jeff Treadway, Atlanta Braves Special Events Coordinator

5 Men’s Division HAPPENINGS Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 First, I just want to start off by giving thanks to God for everything He is doing in the city of Macon to help touch so many lives of the men, women, and children at the Rescue Mission. What a true blessing the community of Macon has been to the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia. The outpouring of your love, prayers, donations, and support has been the sweetest gift I’ve been able to know and see. God shows me daily that He is more present then ever. Exodus 33:14 “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”. We are so excited to be here on our new property! Wow what a transition it has been…. To be able to share Gods love with so many more people is such a great blessing! I’m thankful that our children can around in God’s creation and see so much more of the outdoors. The joy on the mothers faces watching their children play is one of the most beautiful experiences. Words cannot begin to express my thankfulness to God to watch them come home from school and walk anywhere on the property of their new home. What a great God and Father we get to serve! The men are now surrounded with so much nature that you see them all day walking around with smiles. To be able to really work on themselves knowing they are sons of a mighty God who will be their rock. They have access to trails, a pond, and outdoor work therapy. To be able to walk along side these men and listening to them share their stories is truly inspiring. We are, in turn, able to share the beautiful truths of Jesus Christ and how He died for our sins. Oh, to see their old lives fall off them and the light of Christ begin to shine so brightly. It becomes contagious to everyone that is involved in God’s ministry at The Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia.

Logan’s Baptism Jason Beck, Vice President of Programs

6 THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING THANKFUL FROM THE MEN IN OUR LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM:

If you could thank one person for his or her influence on your life, who would you thank? • My mom for always believing in me and telling me how important it is to be happy and have a smile on my face, just being able to serve Jesus is a reason to smile. • My uncle has been a huge positive influence in my life and I am grateful for him. • My mother was the biggest influencer in my life.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned this year? • That random happenings in my life weren't a coincidence but God working through people and situations to show me the people I shouldn’t be around. This was God’s way of protecting me. • To approach each day with a humble and grateful frame of mind. • God answers the prayer of those who seek Him. • Trusting God in all things.

Who is the most grateful person you know? • Mr. Robert, another resident, is battling cancer but he always encourages me and others. He pushes me beyond my limits; he truly means a lot to me.

What random act of kindness have you received this year? • My movie ticket and snacks, paid for by a random donor, to go see the new Avengers Movie. My fellow residents have folded my laundry on multiple occasions. My parents sent me gifts for my birthday. • The love I have received while being in the program and from those in the community that give for the Lord.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish this year? • Guide my brother back into a relationship with Christ. • Keeping God first in my life.

7 Donation Drives THAT CHANGE LIVES

Women’s Division Needs Pull ups Ethnic Hair Products Wipes Bras and Underwear Shower Shoes Journals (flip flops) FreeStyle Lite test strips

Men’s Division Needs Deodorant Q-tips Multi-blade razors Lysol Bath soap Clorox Wipes Shampoo Shower Shoes

Mission Needs Garden Hoses Edger Commercial Grade (heavy duty) (gas only) Hedge Clippers Pressure Washer (gas only) (commercial grade) Echo or Stihl Commercial Grade Leaf Blower Weed Eaters Chain Saw Pine Straw (gas only) Round-up Weed Killer Pole Saw and Prevention (gas only) Ant Killer Ladders 12’, 14’, 20’ or extension

Donate much needed items RIGHT FROM YOUR COMPUTER! Visit Our Amazon Wish List to Browse, Order & Ship items directly to the Rescue Mission with just a few quick, easy steps... Items purchased locally can be brought to the Mission at 6601 Zebulon Road

8 SCENES FROM Around the Mission Thank you to all those that participated in the Five Star Kevin Brown Russell Henley Celebrity Classic this year! It was a great event and we truly appreciate you!

9 SCENES FROM Around the Mission

A special thank you to Kroger for supporting this event for over 30 years!

10 SIGN UP FOR OUR ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER WWW.RESCUEMISSIONGA.COM/NEWSLETTERS/ 11 Women’s Division HAPPENINGS

The women and children are absolutely thrilled to call 6601 Zebulon Road their new Rescue Mission home. The children are enjoying their new school and making new friends. They love being able to spend time outdoors playing in the sandbox, kicking around the soccer ball, or sitting at the pond. The women are thankful for the opportunity to be active every day and go on nature walks. They also have more opportunity to be a part of the work therapy program which allows them to have that additional unity throughout the Rescue Mission community. At the end of a day at work, they are also thankful to be able to just sit on a rocking chair on the front porch.

The Women’s Division staff, residents, and children are so thankful for the generous donors, volunteers, and supporters that have made this possible. We are looking forward to expanding opportunities for the community to become more involved with the healing that is being offered to these families by way of Jesus Christ.

With the holidays coming, one of the ways that the community can show love and support to the men, women, and children of the Rescue Mission is by sponsoring a family or a child this Christmas. Your sponsorship will enable them to experience the joy of Christmas that they may have never experienced before. For more information, please contact Emily Smallwood at [email protected] or 478-743-5445 ext. 308 and she can pair you with a family.

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:15

Linda Wessells Women’s Program Director

12 THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING THANKFUL FROM THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN OUR LIFE RECOVERY PROGRAM: What is one thing you would like to accomplish in this coming year? • I would like to meet a veterinarian • Join band at school • Graduating this program • To have a house to call my own for my children

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned this year? • That I do matter • How to love myself again • Not to run away from my problems but to face them

What random act of kindness have you received this year? • People that have been so kind to donate things to us • A very special Mother’s Day – Christ Chapel donated new outfits and pedicures for each woman in our program and a Mother’s Day Tea – I have never felt so special! • When my mom helps me color my page • A friend at school helped me with my homework

What are you most thankful for? • My kids, my family • A second chance at life • Good health • My Mom Happy Thanksgiving FOR OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

May God richly bless you this holiday season!

13 Donations can now be dropped off at the following locations or to one of our many bins throughout Middle Georgia. 6601 Zebulon Road follow the donation drop-off signs 3375 Napier Avenue If you have larger items please call 743-5445 ext. 314 to schedule a pick-up!

14 BARGAIN CENTER STAFF Shannon Haskell Vice President of Retail Operations Niger Brown Store Manager Shameka Davis Production Manager

DRIVERS Art Ellis Curtis Roundtree Daniel Baggett Reginald Reeves

MAINTENANCE Ron Ellington Travis Wilson

Gift Items, Furniture, Table Settings, Kitchenware, Holiday Decorations, Clothing & So Much More!

3375 Napier Avenue, Macon Monday-Friday 9:30am - 7:00pm 478-743-5445

When you shop the Bargain Center you not only save, you help fund programs for the men, women, and children we serve!

facebook.com/MissionBargainCenter

15 Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 232 P.O. Box 749 | Macon, GA 31202 Macon, GA

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

GIVE YEAR-ROUND Consider becoming a monthly giver and have a lasting impact throughout the year! Find out how at rescuemissionga.com

BARGAIN CENTER Shop at 3375 Napier Avenue or donate items to a great cause. For large pickups call 743- 5445.

Proud “Certified Excellent” member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and recognized as a “Four Star Charity” by Charity Navigator.