VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2017

Make Us Your Mission FROM OREGON TO FOR RECOVERY p.8

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS p.10

TEAM BUILDING p.14

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 774 Hazel Street • Macon, Georgia 31201 • T: 478.743.5445 Navigator. www.RescueMissionGA.com EXECUTIVE BOARD Charlie Cantrell CHAIRMAN Stewart Vernon VICE-CHAIR Beverly Olson SECRETARY VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2017 Susan Collins TREASURER Kathy Hawkins 03 FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK MEMBER-AT-LARGE A program built around love and grace Blake Sullivan MEMBER-AT-LARGE 04 BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Meet our newest Board Member BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Bill Argo 05 NEEDS LIST Martie Banks Items needed at the Mission including both the men and women’s divisions. Bobby Cramer Frank Malloy 06 WOMEN’S DIVISION HAPPENINGS Robby Redmond A place of love and hopeful futures Chris R. Sheridan Louis Frank Tompkins 07 MEN’S DIVISION HAPPENINGS Jeff Thompson Consider mentoring at the Mission Wimberly Treadwell 08 TESTIMONY FROM THE MISSION Martin Willingham Traveling from Oregon to Georgia for recovery ADVISORY BOARD 10 SCENES FROM AROUND THE MISSION Oliver Bateman III Abundant blessings Martha Blue Senator Saxby Chambliss 14 BARGAIN CENTER Ashley Copelan Team building and work therapy Carolyn Crayton 15 GET INVOLVED Sheriff David Davis Mission Baby Shower Ed Defore Jimmy Fain Michael Ketterbaugh Tommy Mixon Mayor Robert Reichert

PRESIDENT/CEO Erin M. Reimers, CPA A community service product of Panaprint.

2 FROM THE Director’s Desk Amazing Love The Rescue Mission is a place filled with love. As we get to know our residents and watch them grow and change their lives, our love for them grows as well. During the year they are with us we get to know them, their values, beliefs, opinions and see how faith in Jesus Christ impacts them in a mighty way. We see them come into the program fragile, broken and desperate for a change. With guidance, prayer, instruction, devotion and lots of love, they graduate equipped to take the next step in life and with the tools to live a productive and Godly life. Having recovered from abuse, homelessness or addiction, God has prepared them to walk with Him, hear His word, live a positive life and know they are loved by Jesus as well as all of us at the Mission.

As part of my regular evaluation of our programs I distribute a resident survey twice a year to get feedback on the program. One of the questions that I ask in this survey is “What do we do best?” Every time I do this survey I am overwhelmed by the number of answers that are based around love… “You love us!” or “I’ve never felt love before like I feel here.” February is a month when typically we think about love one day. At the Mission we think about love every day because our programs are structured around love and grace. Thank you for helping us to be a place of amazing love!

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

Erin M. Reimers President/CEO

3 Board Member SPOTLIGHT Blake Sullivan Blake Sullivan joined the Board of Directors at the Rescue Mission in 2016. He is a dedicated Board Member and devoted man of Christ. “God has put me in this place, at this time in history, to be a witness to people that He wants me to build a relationship with to deliver a radical and simple message. Come, see this man Jesus. He has changed my life and he can change yours too” he said.

Blake grew up in LaGrange, Georgia. His father came from a home with two alcoholic parents who never showed him love, but by the grace of God he found the love of Jesus and exemplified that to Blake. He feels his life would have been very different had his father not met Jesus Christ and counted Him as his Lord and Savior. “Having Godly parents and going to church will not ensure you have a relationship with Jesus. It is up to you,” Blake said. It wasn’t until he was a teenager that he really learned about Jesus. “I knew about Jesus but I did not KNOW Jesus!”

Blake attended the where he met his future wife, Isabelle. After graduating from UGA, he went on to get a business degree from Columbus State University, got married and started a small retail business in Americus with his dad. He has been married for 35 years, “Our marriage is based around Jesus and a covenant that we pledged to one another the day we were married. I am more in love with this woman today than the day we were married,” he said.

After they got married like many couples they planned to start a family. They tried for several years but learned they were infertile. A group of pioneering doctors from Norfolk, Virginia agreed to help them. “We came to our church and asked the congregation to pray for us as we tried one last option. We asked for prayers that God would be with us regardless of the outcome and we went to Virginia and God answered our prayers, not once but twice.” Blake and Isabelle were blessed with two children who are both grown now and living in . They were so thankful that they became a resource for other young couples experiencing infertility.

After many years working with his father, Blake went on to Duke University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Forestry and by the mid-1980’s had started a forestry business and made that his career.

In 2001 Blake was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor. After the diagnosis and two surgeries they moved to Macon in 2001 to be closer to doctors and give their children a better education. “Throughout my illness God has lavished me with good people. Many people in Macon have ministered to me and allowed me to minister to them. Jesus has taught me empathy, love and grace. Jesus has stayed in the center of my life.”

When asked why he became involved in the Mission he stated “It is simply this – we look for love and significance to find meaning in our lives. No matter where we search everything will disappoint us and let us down at some point except for the love of Jesus Christ that we find when we believe in Him. The Mission is only successful because it puts Jesus above everything else and that is why I want to be associated with it and its work.” Blake is such an asset to the Mission and we are beyond blessed to have him as a member of our team.

4 Needs LIST STAFF Erin M. Reimers, CPA President/CEO Tina Hicks Mission NEEDS Office Manager The Rescue Mission is currently in need Artecia Knight of the following items for our Dining Hall: Logistics Coordinator Styrofoam to-go containers Greg Brooks (found at Sam’s Club) Food Service & Maintenance Supervisor

PROGRAMS Men’s & Women’s Pat Chastain Vice President of NEEDS Programs & Chaplain Bath Towels Jason Beck Men’s Program Director Pine Sol Dawn Burns Bleach or Bleach spray Women’s Program Director Sponges Becky Hataway Women’s Assistant Extra Large Latex Gloves Program Director Toilet Ppaer Vernice Chappell Paper Towels Women’s Evening Supervisor Darrell Allen Men’s Program Resident Supervisor Did you know? DEVELOPMENT February is Teen Domestic Violence Awareness Rob Schneck Month! Visit our website’s blog to find out more. Development Director Amy Walker Development Coordinator To Donate: Visit www.rescuemissionga.com, Jaime Kaplan call us at 478-743-5445 ext. 314 or Special Events Coordinator Email us - [email protected]

5 Women’s Divison HAPPENINGS by Dawn Burns, Women’s Program Director Love is Contagious The love from our community flows through the Mission all year!

I am continually amazed and comforted by the LOVE shown from this community throughout the year. We certainly see it more vividly during Christmas and Thanksgiving but this community gives consistently. God always shows up and provides everything needed.

One of our graduates is preparing to move into her apartment and with that she has many needs. She left ALL of her belongings when she fled to seek safety for her and her three children. She only had a few of their clothes. She is completely starting over. As we began preparing for her move – we began praying that God would provide everything her family needs. HE is so faithful. We’ve received a dryer, kitchen table with chairs, a hutch, a bedroom set with mattresses, sofa and side tables, beds for the children and dressers. HE knows what is needed and He provides. HE knew she would finish this program. HE knew when and where she would move. HE provided all this family needed to become independent.

By giving to our Bargain Center YOU are helping this family to become independent. Your love, prayer and support directly affect our residents! This graduate’s story is the perfect example.

Kim had this to say about her experience at the Rescue Mission- “I thank God for His mercy, for His grace and for His Understanding. This has been our season for blessings. I know this because He brought us out of exile to exodus since living at the Rescue Mission. Now my family and I have a place of our own. I can’t stop thanking Dawn, Becky, Laura and everyone here. Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Thank you Father for putting a halo over our lives”

Love is contagious. HIS love can’t and won’t be held in. It flows freely through each of you as you support what the Mission is and what HE is doing here. You are a true example of Luke 10:27 - ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Praying that HIS love overflows in your life this year!

Dawn Burns

The individuals featured in these photos are no longer in danger of their abuser. The privacy and security of the women in our program is of our utmost concern.

6 Men’s Divison HAPPENINGS by Pat Chastain, Vice President of Programs & Chaplain Mentor Program So much of what is done here at the Rescue Mission is done out of love. Individuals arrive at our door and donate their time because of their love for Jesus Christ. Our goal is, and always has been, to please Him!

This is a month of love, a month to share how passionate we are when it comes to caring for others. One way this is displayed is our partnership with our mentors. Our mentors program began in July 2015. We decided that it would be beneficial for our family, if Godly members of our community would join us and do life with our residents. This is a time where our mentors commit to at least 12 months and walk with residents through this thing called life. It is a time where relationships are formed without judgement or condemnation. So many times, men and women will not go any further in their recovery because they feel judged, or that there won’t be any support once they transition back into the community. We have found that through the mentorship program, men and women are learning that their past does not define them and there are people that do desire to have open and authentic relationships with them.

Here at the Mission, we feel that relationships are everything and Jesus Christ is the standard! We would like to encourage anyone that feels led by the Holy Spirit to come and join us as we continue to make our community better by way of Christ!

Thank you and God bless!

Pat Chastain

7 Testimony FROM THE MISSION Traveling from Oregon to Georgia FOR RECOVERY I grew up in southern California as a beach boy. During my junior year of high school I spent a lot of time traveling to and from Mexico where I’d stay for weeks on end surfing, drinking and doing drugs. I had my own landscaping company, had plenty of income and enjoyed my work. My father would refer people from his business to use my services, I didn’t have to advertise or even look for new clients. Most days, I would surf in the morning and in the afternoon my surfing buddies would come and work for me. This fueled my thirst for money and alcohol and enabled my addiction to both drugs at alcohol by the age of 18.

My landscaping business and my father’s business were both doing well. My parents wanted to flaunt their increase in income and decided to purchase a big house and decided, against my wishes, that I would attend a private Christian school. This stunted my social skills and left me angry, bitter and rebellious. In addition, the structure, curriculum and amount of religious activities each day were not something I was comfortable with. These experiences had an extremely negative affect on my religious views, I wanted nothing to do with religion of any kind and this stayed with me for most of my adult life.

I went to college and earned a computer science degree. After graduation, I was working for Alpha Micro Systems and was asked to open an office in Portland, Oregon which was a major step in my professional career. I had more responsibility, an expense account and was earning a nice living. I moved to Portland with my girlfriend at the time and quickly replaced my cocaine addiction with endorphins. I began to compete in Ironman competitions and enjoyed mountain climbing, both of which kept me out of trouble. Soon after our move we were married and had three children.

8 A few years later, I was recruited by AT&T to run their Portland office where I managed a staff of 30. I was able to hide my addiction because I was regularly taking employees or customers out for meals or drinks. Around the age of 35, I started to open offices in Seattle and Anchorage, Alaska. I was traveling a lot building the offices and staffing them. Alaska became a pet project where I would work for a month or two at a time but would also take customers on fishing trips. I became more and more interested in mastering the art of fly fishing instruction and quickly neglected my day job in IT management. This is where things began to spiral out of control. I was drinking a lot and my wife was going to Al-Anon meetings to learn about my addiction. I refused to go to AA meetings. I was agnostic at this time and believed I would be able to manage my addiction on my own. All of my drinking and abuse led to divorce when I was 40. The tipping point for me was in 2006 when I got a DUI while in Alaska. The DUI should have alerted me that I needed to make a change but I ignored the DUI and at the same time, my business partner/boss suggested I go to rehab but I refused. He then fired me which caused me to realize there was a major issue.

I woke up one morning and decided I would travel to New Zealand and used the company credit card to purchase the ticket. Upon arrival I purchased a motorcycle on the company card, and went right back to drinking as I had before leaving the U.S.A. I hung out in brothels and found comfort. I felt like I was wanted. I stayed for 6 months until my visa expired and went to Australia next. I stayed in Australia longer than my visa allowed and was arrested. Once again I thought maybe it was time for a change.

I decided to return to the when I found out I had 51 pending felony charges against me for using the stolen credit card. When I arrived in Portland I was met by several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Portland Police. As I walked off the flight I was taken into custody by immigration and customs. I pled guilty, but was able to strike a deal so that only 2 of the charges were used against me. I spent 2 years in an Oregon prison. My life changed right when I was arrested.

While in prison I had a physical where I learned I had damaged my liver to the point that if I kept drinking I could die. I was sober in prison and for about 6 months after being released but I slowly went back to drinking as I had before going to jail. After prison at the age of 48, I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar and struggled to get on the right anti-depression medications. Each time I thought I was doing well enough I would stop taking the medication which led me to attempt suicide. I moved to Utah where I soon met a single mom and our relationship quickly flourished. I was also drinking and smoking marijuana again. I started to feel so good about myself I decided to discontinue CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

9 SCENES FROM Around the Mission JANUARY IN REVIEW

It was a busy month at the Mission. We had lots of great donations, received a new van thanks to Five Star Automotive and participated in Macon-Bibb County’s homeless count. Lastly the men played a game of Dodgeball after a long week of work at the Bargain Center.

Items for Donation

Dodge Ball Game at Bargain Center

10 Thank you Five Star! This van will be used to transport our residents to and from church, outings and appointments.

Our New Van

Homeless Count

11 Testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 taking my mental health medication. As mentioned previously, it wasn’t the first time I had chosen this path and I quickly started having days filled with depression and non-stop drinking. My relationship started failing which led to my third attempt at suicide.

I had stayed at various Missions over the years and called the Shepherd’s House in Bend, Oregon and requested a bed for a night, but found out they are a long term recovery program. My parents were retired and living in Bend at the time so it seemed like a good place for me to go. The next morning, I met with my parents and the admissions people, which was difficult, but knew I needed help. I struggled with the program and began to drink and smoke again. I was failing drug tests and returning from day passes drunk, but they allowed me to stay in the program. I had to go to Utah for a surgery and requested a week pass.

Before leaving to go to Utah, we went on a day trip to mountain climb. On the hike I met some men from Georgia visiting the Shepherd’s House to learn about their program. We hiked and compared the similarities and differences between the two programs. A few days later I left for Utah, but stopped in Boise, Idaho and got really drunk. I called my resident manager at the Shepherd’s House and was very embarrassed at being drunk on the phone. I didn’t feel right going back after that phone call so the next day I called Pat Chastain from the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia and reintroduced myself. After a discussion of what I had been through and what I had in mind he assured me they had a bed available and I should come to Macon. I bought a Greyhound Bus ticket, stayed on the bus for 3 days and arrived in Macon.

I walked from the Greyhound station to the Mission and when I saw the buildings and the “Jesus Cares” sign out front I wept tears of joy. I met with Pat and within an hour had a bed and some lunch and marveled at my new found home. The first week was pretty tough as I went through alcohol withdrawals and wanting nothing to do but sleep and eat. Slowly I started to feel better and I got into a routine of prayer, quiet time with my Bible, class time, working out and good nutrition. It was then that I called my parents and told them I was in Georgia at the Rescue Mission. This gave them a feeling

12 Testimony CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 of comfort and joy for the first time in decades. I have been sober since the day I walked through the door and am grateful the Mission program has helped free me from the bondage of addiction. The most important thing the Mission has given me is a strong relationship and admiration of Jesus Christ. You see, I got saved in the Mission Chapel on a night that God was speaking to me through Pastor Lou, a precious man that comes to preach to us monthly. Pastor Lou is 84 years old and is a joy to listen to. Since that night, my daily life isn’t cluttered with fear, uncertainty and doubt. It is filled with hope, aspirations and serenity.

The Mission has changed my life. I really have accepted Jesus Christ, I am all in. This was all part of Gods plan. My life’s path led me to this Mission. The failures in my past were laying the ground work to be part of my future. My new life of freedom has opened me up to a future that I never knew existed. Every day I study my Bible, every day I reflect on how far I have come. It is hard to be away from my family right now, but that is what I need. I have been here since July 2016 and look forward to graduating in April of this year.

As graduation approaches I am both happy and melancholy. While I look forward to finishing strong I am also sad as this will be the time to say goodbye to all the men and women that have been there for me during my start on recovery and my walk with Jesus Christ. After graduation, I will head west to re-enter the Shepherd’s House program in Bend, Oregon. It might seem odd that I would enter another year long recovery program, but the benefits are many. First is family, my parents and children are in Oregon and it will be nice to be back in their lives. I also want to finish the program I failed so miserably before to help ensure my recovery is a successful lifelong commitment. Lastly and most importantly, I look forward to finding a church to belong to, studying the Bible and developing strong healthy relationships to honor and worship Jesus Christ as long as I live on earth.

13 BARGAIN CENTER Bargain CENTER STAFF Bill Barnes Team Building Vice President of January 13th the Mission staff and residents Retail Divison had a team-building day working at the Niger Brown Rescue Mission Bargain Center along with Store Manager a Board member and even a graduate of our program. Tina Stovall Assistant Manager Everyone pitched in to sort clothing, books, shoes, kitchen items, electronics and Shameka Davis furniture. A few staff worked the sales floor Production Manager helping to place new items on the shelves to sell as well as assist with Linda Wessells customer service. Our residents work hard each day to keep up with Lead Sorter inventory and get items onto the sales floor. As participants in our work therapy program these men learn skills to add to their resume Barbara Tyler which they can use after graduation as they apply for new jobs. Sales Associate It’s amazing to see how many wonderful items come in each day Peronica Jackson and the generosity of our community. The donations received at Sales Associate the Bargain Center are crucial to this ministry in so many ways. Our Ashley Lawson residents receive much needed clothing from the Bargain Center Sales Associate inventory while at the Mission and our graduates receive all the furnishings for their new homes after leaving the Mission. In addition, we provide needed clothing and household items to other individuals DRIVERS in the community who have had a house fire or are trying to get back on their feet from various circumstances. After these needs are met, Art Ellis our Bargain Center sells the remaining donated items to individuals Curtis Roundtree who appreciate a good buy and 100% of those proceeds go back into Daniel Baggett our life changing programs. These uses are why we need your “stuff”. Tony Travick Please remember the Mission as you clean out your closets.

Items can be dropped off at various locations in and around Macon. Look for drop off bins or call the Mission to find out more- 478-743-5445 Ext. 314 Please visit our BARGAIN CENTER FACEBOOK PAGE Get $10 off of to find out about sales and see photos of some Visit our Bargain Center! your next purchase of the available inventory. 3375 Napier Avanue of $10 or more! www.facebook.com/ Macon, GA 31204 *One coupon per customer per visit. This discount 478-743-5445 (ext. 3) may be combined with other in-store bargains. MissionBargainCenter/ Expires: March 31, 2017 www.rescuemissionga.com

14 Bargain CENTER

THE MISSION Baby Shower Join us for a Mission Baby Shower for two of our residents that are expecting babies this spring! Friday, March 10, 2017 Drop in: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia 774 Hazel Street Macon, Georgia 31202

Registered at Amazon, Target and Babies R Us www.rescuemissionga.com/news/baby-shower/

We hope you will join us for a tour of the Mission while you are here.

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