Easter is a special time at the Nashville Rescue Mission for those we serve. It’s special because the restoring power of Jesus Christ is seen every day through the countless lives that are being changed.

Easter at the Mission is a day where all can enjoy a homemade meal with all the trimmings—a meal prepared by volunteer moms, dads, daughters and sons, not unlike the Easter meal you’ll eat at home. Volunteers come to the Mission with a heart to serve and find themselves being met with joy, love and gratitude from those who otherwise would have spent the day alone and hungry.

Thank you for supporting the Mission in its quest to share love and hope. Because you give, the men, women and children seeking help are able to take a precious pause in their lives, and just for a moment, not worry about where they will sleep or what they will eat.

There is a special Easter service held in the chapel for those who spend the day at the Mission. While the service is under way, volunteers are busily cooking in the kitchen making sure the feast is just right. A traditional Easter meal consisting of ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls along with a delicious slice of pie for dessert awaits them after the service.

All the meals are prepared with love—but there is something special about Easter that brings out the best in us. Everyone seems to try just a little harder on Easter. The significance of this day is not lost on anyone at the Mission. It is about new life.

“Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” says Glenn Cranfield, President and CEO of the Mission. “When the women went to His tomb to prepare Jesus for burial, they found the stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away and an empty grave. Jesus had risen from the dead. His resurrection promises new life and is a reminder there is always hope. At the Mission, Christ’s resurrection power is at work every day, moving “stones” and changing lives.”

According to Webster’s Dictionary, resurrection means to “restore to life”—this is at the heart of the Mission’s programs and services. Luke 15, verse 32 says, “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” At the Nashville Rescue Mission this resurrecting power is demonstrated in the lives of so many of those who enter the doors.

“When someone comes in for a meal and a place to sleep they may go on to enter one of our programs, thus beginning the process of resurrection,” says Eric Grindeland, Director of Guest Ministries. “It is our desire to see lives transformed. There is nothing more fulfilling than to see a broken man or woman come to the Mission, complete the life-recovery program and leave filled with hope.”

For those who come to the Mission this Easter, we ask you pray that God will make visible to them the things in their lives that are in need of His resurrecting power. Like the Father, there is rejoicing over the ones that come. There are many more who won’t come in, but the door is always open, hoping for one more to come home.

So many lives are transformed at the Nashville Rescue Mission because they have found hope. If you’d like to volunteer on Good Friday or Easter Sunday, call 615-312-1544.