Easter is more than bunnies, baskets, and colored eggs.
Easter is about hope, resurrection, and new life.
It’s about celebrating the greatest miracle the world has ever known—Jesus rising from the dead and bringing HOPE to a hurting world.
But for too many people in this community, life has gone from bewildering to discouraging to hopeless. Chris, a recent guest staying at the Mission, describes feeling worthless, like he was stuck. He was at rock bottom for a long time, and during that time he attempted suicide. He came to the Mission looking for a meal and a safe place to sleep.
Sadly, there are many more people like Chris in the community. They face different circumstances, from joblessness to debt to debilitating illness to loneliness to addiction to powerlessness to depression. Leaving them feeling trapped, disheartened—and hopeless.
Hopelessness sucks the life and resilience out of people.
It’s why Easter is such an important holiday at Nashville Rescue Mission.
“Easter is a great time to remind people dealing with homelessness and poverty that their dark and cold season in life can transform into a season of new growth—and that there is always hope,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, president and CEO of the Mission.
Celebrating Easter at the Mission starts with a Good Friday service held in the chapel where guests, family, and friends gather to reflect upon the sacrifice Christ made. And while the service is underway, volunteers and their families will be busy in the Mission’s kitchen preparing food. Following the service, everyone will gather in the dining room for a traditional Easter meal, like the one you might eat at home. Guests will enjoy ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls, along with a delicious slice of pie.
Over the course of the holiday weekend, thousands of meals will be prepared and served by hundreds of volunteers contributing countless hours to make this holiday special for guests of the Mission.
“While the Mission provides so much more than food—a hot, nutritious meal may be just what it takes for someone who is experiencing homelessness to step through our doors and, in the process, learn more about the other services we offer that can help them get off the streets permanently,” said Cranfield. “A traditional meal, like maybe their mom used to make—served by volunteers from all walks of life who have chosen to spend their Easter serving at the Mission—goes a long way in creating a loving, home-like atmosphere for our guests to enjoy. This act of kindness has a visible and indelible impact on our guests.”
As many come to the Mission this Easter season, please join us in praying 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 each one that comes. And while there may be more who choose not to come, it is because of your support that the Mission’s doors are always open.
Your gifts can help turn death to life for a suffering person in our community and restore hope when all hope seems lost.
