NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY AT THANKSGIVING!
This Thanksgiving season, around our table there will be some desperate people – out of a job, out of money, some having their first Thanksgiving on the streets. They will need help with work skills, so they can find jobs.
A few will be tough and wary, and many will have a distant, hopeless look in their eyes. For these people, real change will have to start on the inside.
Others will be running from their problems. But running won’t help – spiritual renewal and the programs of recovery and rehabilitation that your support helps provide will!
Regardless of their need, all will be offered a hearty, traditional Thanksgiving meal – thanks to you! Often the Day of Great Thanksgiving meal, served in love by eager volunteers, offers the first step in helping someone take the first step in dealing with an addiction or having hope to find a job or to get training to land a job.
Please help provide this first step by making a Thanksgiving gift to help feed the hungry and homeless during the holidays and throughout the year.
FYI: Old Savannah City Mission
1. The Name of the Mission. “Old Savannah City Mission”
2. Our vision: “To be Savannah’s Five Star Gospel Rescue Mission”
3. Our commitment: “To have high standards, strong boundaries, clear direction”
4. Our Mission: “To proclaim the Gospel, To feed the hungry, To shelter the homeless, To rehabilitate the addict and
To restore the ex-offender
5. Old Savannah City Mission is privately funded. We accept no public funds.
6. People of good will support the Mission, a non-profit charity. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
7. Response to direct mail is a primary source of revenue.
8. Old Savannah City Mission is a Savannah based 501(c)(3).
9. Old Savannah City Mission is trans-denominational. It is based on the Body of Christ in Savannah and the
surrounding area.
10. Old Savannah City Mission does not advocate doctrinal distinctives which fragment the Body of Christ.
11. The Gospel ministry of Old Savannah City Mission is inclusive of all who have a redeeming relationship with Jesus
Christ.
12. Old Savannah City Mission welcomes non-Christians to benefit from all services provided. There is never a charge
for any services.
13. Old Savannah City Mission welcomes non-Christians to serve as volunteers in all areas of service with exception of
areas directly related to teaching and preaching ministry of the Word.
14. Old Savannah City Mission is a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Mission (AGRM.org).
15. Old Savannah City Mission’s recovery/transition program is called the Urban Training Institute (UTI) and is based on
an adult education paradigm. Those enrolled are students, not program members.
16. Old Savannah City Mission’s Urban Training Institute has three divisions.
A. Clean Start is a one year residential program for those who struggle with substance abuse.
B. Fresh Start is a one year transitional program for those who while incarcerated come to faith in Christ and genuinely desire a
fresh start in life.
C. Work Start is a six month program open to believers who are clean and sober. Applicants must be employed, yet homeless.
17. All divisions of UTI have zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence and or threat of violence.
18. Applicants to UTI are assessed over the course of 30 days. Clean Start applicants must be “mature in their misery.”
19. Enrollment in UTI is intended to result in surrender to Christ through the new birth.
20. Upon completion of UTI students are celebrated in a formal graduation.
NO LONGER $1.79…NOW $2.05
Since the birth of Old Savannah City Mission in 1997, we have provided hundred of thousands of meals. We calculated their costs at $1.79. So many faithful donors have given with that cost in mind. Now reality requires us to increase our costs to $2.05 per meal.
Please remember, Old Savannah City Mission is privately funded. It does not request or receive any public funds. It depends upon people of goodwill who genuinely care about the less fortunate right here in our community. Increasing numbers of people are coming to the Mission for help. Everyone is facing economic challenges. It’s a serious challenge for the Mission, especially during this season of the year. The Mission must ramp up its fund raising efforts. Since May donations have been decreasing in sync with the increasing need for services.
Reverend Jim Lewis is strongly encouraging people of goodwill to step up to the plate NOW and help the Mission feed the hungry and homeless in our community. Here’s what your donation can do:
$22.50 will provide 10 meals
$41.00 will provide 20 meals
$65.50 will provide 30 meals
$82.00 will provide 40 meals
$102.50 will provide 50 meals
$205.00 will provide 100 meals
$410.00 will provide 200 meals
WTOC TV Report
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008 WTOC reported on the impact of fuel prices on Old Savannah Mission. See the report at http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=9067834
ATTENTION: URGENT NEED – WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
Old Savannah City Mission needs the services of a mature Christian woman whose gifts and demeanor match the ministry of RESIDENTIAL MONITOR of its Fresh Start home for ex-offender females. Interested? Do you have a viable testimony? Are you involved in ministry? Will your Pastor give you a strong recommendation?
This position is residential…the monitor lives in the facility. It offers a salary and benefits.
If this opportunity resonates with you, call Mr. Lee. (912) 232-1979. Submit resume, apply and prepare for the interview. This position is open NOW!
Expansion of Ex-Offender Program, Fresh Start
Old Savannah City Mission has contracted with the firm of J.T. Turner for a 20 bed expansion of its dorm facility for those who while incarcerated have come to faith and genuinely desire a fresh start in life. The goal of Fresh Start is to serve as a bridge from incarceration to incorporation into the community as productive, tax-paying, church-attending citizens who never return to prison. This program is Bible-based and privately funded. Your prayers and financial support are sincerely solicited.
The Fresh Start Program for women desperately needs a residential monitor. Basic qualifications: mature, Christian female with strong testimony of her faith and the recommendation of her pastor. Interested? Call Mr. Lee (912) 232-1979 ext 202.
First Annual Fun Shoot, October 10, 2008
The First Annual Fun Shoot “Targeting Compassion” is scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2008 at Dorchester Shooting Preserve (www.huntdsp.com).
Priority Insight and Old Savannah City Mission have come together in the fellowship of fund raising. Both are 501©(3) Christian ministries. This is their first joint fund raising venture. John Crosby and Jim Lewis believe this event will be fun for both the veteran and novice shooters. This will be an opportunity for their diverse ministries to come together. One team will include three students from the Mission’s Urban Training Institute.
Business and community leaders, pastors and the general public are invited to target compassion and enjoy the thrill of sport shooting (clays).
At lunch all registered shooters will enjoy mouth-watering Wiley’s Championship BBQ.
Register online at www.annualfunshoot.com.
Four Person Team Registration: $400.
Sponsorships: Platinum at $2,000; Gold at $1,000 and Silver at $500.
Priority Insight is a cutting edge ministry designed to develop wise business leaders.
Old Savannah City Mission is Savannah’s Five Star Rescue Mission.
“On the Grand Canyon Bus”
Philip Yancey refers to a friend’s analogy of a busload of tourists en route to the Grand Canyon. On the long journey across awesome farm lands and through majestic mountains, the travelers inexplicable keep the shades down. Intent on the ultimate destination, they never bother to look outside.
As a result, they spend their time arguing over who has the best seat and who’s taking too much time in the bathroom.
The church can resemble such a bus. Remember: the Bible has far more to say about how to live during the journey than about the destination. How to live…live as citizens of the Kingdom of God…here & now.
Jesus teaches us to pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” His life and ministry…miracles and all demonstrated the present reality of the Kingdom of God.
We are weak in understanding the nature of the KOG as present reality. Our relationship with God is “church-bound.” Too often our relationship with God is institutionally truncated. The institutional church limits not only our relationship with God, but sadly with all that lives in the “now.”
“Kingdom” means dominion, rule and government. “….of God.”
One of the most familiar passages of Scripture, John 3:1-3
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God.”
“Born again” means being born from “over there.” Understanding this reality gives greater understanding to our having eternal life here & now.
Being born from “over there” is a pre-requisite to seeing the Kingdom of God.
“Seeing” = “understanding”
We are born again and do not understand all things; however, it is essential we understand “Kingdom of God.”
First Corinthians 2:9-10a
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (…NOT heaven)
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
May God graciously open the eyes of our understanding so that we may live in fully in the blessings and benefits of the Kingdom of God here and now.
www.fairfivekrun.com
Don’t miss the Fourth Annual Fair Family Fun Run on September 27, 2008. The easiest way to register is going to www.fairfivekrun.com.
Fourth Annual Fair Family Fun Run 5K…Walkers Welcome
On Saturday, September 27 at 9:00 a.m. the Exchange Club of Savannah will stage it FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR FAMILY FUN RUN 5K…Walkers are welcome.
The route of this 5K is within the Coastal Empire Fair Grounds and an adjoining park.
This is a fund raiser for the benefit of the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The following link will take you to Active.com. Please register early. Sponsorships are available for community-minded organizations and individuals.
Cut and paste: www.fairfivekrun.com
