I may have been called to Nashville specifically to connect with the Nashville Rescue Mission. Consider the evidence.

I was minding my own business, living happily and comfortably in Mauldin, SC., working for WORD-AM, when I received a call “out of the blue” from the Cumulus Media News and Talk Program Director, saying he was interested in offering me a job in Nashville. I pulled up my stakes and moved to Nashville.

He recruited me to work as the Morning Drive Host for Supertalk 99.7 WTN. The station had already adopted the Nashville Rescue Mission as its favorite charity to raise funds and otherwise support.

After working with the Mission for two years and getting to know and appreciate the miracles they perform—rescuing human beings from an empty, meaningless, unproductive life to an active, energized life of spiritual, productive living, eager again to pursue happiness—I eagerly supported the Mission with my talents and personal donations.

But, as I celebrated and nourished my own happy, productive life, I watched the life of one of my daughters crumble before my eyes. Her addiction to alcohol robbed her of her health, her job and her husband, and was dangerously close to robbing her of her only child.

When she finally recognized her problem and gained the strength to try to solve it, she first tried doing it with AA meetings, counseling and living under the watchful eye of her mother, who agreed to use tough love on Michelle and not let her backslide without consequences.

Michelle did backslide, and I had to call her on it—threatening serious consequences if she did not take serious action. I had confidence in only one place to give Michelle what she needed—the Nashville Rescue Mission’s Hope Center for women.

Michelle agreed to enter, the Hope Center agreed to accept her, and I have learned not to extend guarantees. But I can tell you this, Michelle is much better, stronger and happier today. It is not a stretch to believe that God has used His power not only to help rescue my daughter, but maybe even to involve me by placing me in Nashville to arrange for the meeting.

God works in mysterious ways, and I have no doubt whatsoever that one of his sharpest tools is the
Nashville Rescue Mission.

I will continue to give to them both my labor and some of the fruits of my labor, and I feel unashamed in suggesting that you consider doing the same.
 
God bless you,
 
Ralph Bristol,
Father of one of the Mission’s miracles