A special thank you to all who came to our Thursday night Appreciation Banquet. This was a special time for us as we got to connect and personally thank all of you who quietly support Murfreesboro Rescue Mission behind the scenes. All who came, got a chance to enjoy some barbecue and hear Bro. Glenn Thompson play the acoustic guitar. What a gift! While your presence was an incredible encouragement to the board and myself, I really appreciate your comments concerning our vision and plans to purchase and build. Not only is our Board of Directors behind the project, but I also sensed an excitement within the room that night among you as well.

It’s been a long journey just to get to the point where we could start to see things coming together. You have been faithful and for that, a simple thank you just does not suffice. Your prayers over the years are what has sustained us and fueled our efforts. Many of you have answered our challenge to commit to monthly donations which will allow us to focus more on raising the needed funds for the Phase I land purchase and focus less on operational needs.

There were many calls to me that said something like this: “Bro. Ed, I want to be at the banquet, but can’t make it…” If you were one of those, I am so sorry we did not get to connect. For you, I will do my best to relate some key things that happened that night. The building pictured in this article is a rendering of what Murfreesboro Rescue Mission will look like in the future. This rendering was unveiled at the June 13, Appreciation Banquet. Although we’re not ready to build just yet, we are in the process of taking the next steps that will get us ready house the homeless. While the proposed site to develop this property is still a closely guarded secret, the facility itself is not. When fully completed, this facility will house a total of 200 people, mostly represented in four groups. Those divisions include: Emergency Services for Men, Emergency Services for Women, Program Services for Men and Program Services for Women. These four divisions will become the foundation for what will be known as Comprehensive Services. These services will work together to offer low barrier clients, life sustaining services while encouraging them to take the next step towards life recovery programs leading to independent living. Among other things, this facility will feature a chapel, full-service kitchen, dining hall, and a children’s play area.

If you were one of those who did not make the meeting, I am encouraging all our partners to pray about committing to give monthly to MRM. These monthly gifts are how we sustain Winter Shelter Operations, the summer Beat the Heat program along with our year-round First Time Homeless Assistance program. Even if you have done it before, please check and return the bottom portion of this letter and let us know how you can help. This will help us with budgeting and planning as we take our next steps towards a shelter. Thank you so much!

 

Thank you,
Ed Grimes
Executive Director