How Pam and her church bring help and hope each month.
Pam first became involved with Nashville Rescue Mission through her church, Concord Community Church of the Nazarene in Brentwood. It was back in 2012 after Pam had just relocated to the area from Ohio.
“For the past 20 years, my church has been hosting a brunch for the women participating in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program. It’s on the third Saturday of every month. The heart of our gathering is to treat the women to a home-cooked brunch. The meal is followed by a time of fellowship, playing games, or spiritual enrichment like a devotion or personal testimony.”
After that first time, Pam was hooked and committed to serving in this way each month. “I am attracted to helping the women staying at the Mission because I relate to them. In my own life, when I was younger, I made some terrible decisions, running on emotions and suffering from low self-esteem. I seriously could have found myself in their shoes and in recovery.”
“The process these women go through, month-to-month I literally see them go from ashes to beauty!” —Pam
Pam volunteers because she loves it. She sees her desire to serve as a spiritual gift God has given her, leading her to encourage and pray for the women. “It’s fun, and the women are always so gracious!”
One thing that stands out for Pam is that the women are not “sent” to the Mission to get help.
“These women must come to the end of themselves and seek out this program. I appreciate the emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental support the Mission provides them. Another big plus is the tools they gain beyond the healing they experience. It’s these two things that allow them to become productive in society. It’s truly a win-win.”
Pam most looks forward to an activity they do every year before Christmas. They invite a hobbyist photographer to take individual photos of each woman in the program. “The women know about this ahead of time, so they are dressed up, looking great, and are ready and waiting for us when we arrive. The smiles on their faces are so radiant.”
The following month, they return with printed pictures and craft supplies so each woman can make a handmade Christmas card to send back home to their families with their beautiful photograph in it.
“The process these women go through, month-to-month—I literally see them go from ashes to beauty!”
“I would tell anyone who is considering volunteering at the Mission to sign up! It is a huge blessing, and there are many ways to volunteer. It is inspiring to see volunteers from all walks of life and the good they do. It really is loving your neighbor!”
