Rediscovering Hope

“Being here has definitely helped me to heal.”

You’ve helped make it possible for Christine to experience the goodness of God and rediscover hope. Thank you!

Christine knew she had to get out of the toxic relationship she had with her boyfriend. The couple would drink, do drugs, and then fight. “It was not safe for me,” she says. “I was really afraid I was going to die.” But when she left, she came face to face with the harsh reality of homelessness. She stayed in a hotel as long as she could afford it, and then she started sleeping in her car.

“I just cried out to God.”

“My car was pretty small, and the seats were pretty small in the back,” says Christine. “And then there’s that little place in the middle, like the little bump. You’re not resting at all. And as the nights went on, sometimes I had to use the restroom outside because some places are not open 24 hours a day. You’re just living like some kind of an animal.” During this time, Christine began to ask God for help. “That day, the last day I was in my car, I was in a parking lot, and I just cried out to God,” says Christine. “I just can’t do this anymore. I keep making a mess of everything. I surrender my life to you.”

An answer to prayer

Shortly after that, Christine discovered Atlanta Mission’s shelter for women and children, My Sister’s House. Once she had a safe place to stay, she began the process of healing from a lifetime of trauma. In her teens, Christine had been abused, beaten, and molested by a stepfather. Her mother provided her with alcohol when she was just 16. She had battled depression for years.

“How do I heal?” says Christine. “How do I let go of this stuff? I know it’s not my fault at this point, but it’s still with me.”

She admits it was tough at first and that she wanted to leave. But with the help of an Atlanta Mission staff member, Christine found the courage to stay and get the answers she needed.

“She told me, ‘Everyone has such high hopes for you. You deserve a better life, and you can do this.'”

Christine persisted, joined a recovery management class, and started opening up with the other women in the class.

“Being here has helped me to heal in so many areas and has helped to change my life,” says Christine. “My relationship with God has changed in the way that I trust completely. I don’t have any doubts and go to God with everything – everything!”

“Now I do have hope…”

As her trust in God has grown, Christine has begun to dream about her future. She recently graduated from the Atlanta Mission Next Steps program with honors and was voted class leader.

“I didn’t really have a lot of hope when I came here,” says Christine. “I was a mess. But now I do have hope and I believe there’s a positive outcome on the other side of all of this.”

Christine now has hope and is making plans for the future.

RACE DAY:

February 19, 2022

LOCATION:

Pemberton Place, World of Coca-Cola

The city of Atlanta is home to thousands of men, women, and children who face the perilous conditions of winter without a roof over their heads. Your registration fee for the race will cover one night of shelter and services for someone who would otherwise spend the night on the streets in the cold.

This year, runners will have the option of running in-person at Pemberton Place or joining us virtually.

For more information on the race and to sign up, click below:

Become a monthly giver and your gift will be DOUBLED every month!

You’re invited to join a very special group of donors who have all chosen to do a bold thing. They’ve all said they will become a monthly supporter of Atlanta Mission. We call them Heroes of Hope.

You can do this bold thing too!

Thanks to our generous friends at Anisa International, when you commit to give monthly, every gift you give will be doubled – dollar for dollar – for the entire year, up to the $25,000 limit.

Your monthly gift will provide men, women, and children facing homelessness with a warm welcome, a meal, and loving care.

Look at all your generosity will provide:

Grant provided by:

Your support has meant more than you know

A special note from Atlanta Mission President and CEO Jim Reese

_____________________

Dear Friend,

Over 13 years ago, I was called by God to be CEO of Atlanta Union Mission. After much prayer and reflection with my wife, Dina, and my daughters, we decided to answer the call.

Our lives would never be the same and we are so thankful we said yes. We saw God change us in great and unexpected ways, always providing what we needed no matter what we faced.

After many discussions with family and much prayer, I have discerned that it is now time for me to retire, effective July 1, 2022. I am looking forward to spending more quality time with Dina, my daughters, and my grandchildren, as next year I will turn 69.

I am also excited to be able to devote time and energy to my passion for coaching and mentoring leaders, teaching, and continuing to impact others through the transformational power of Christ. This timing gives our board and our ministry family time to pray, listen to God, and conduct a spirit-led search for the next person for this position.

I am fully confident that God has already prepared the next leader of Atlanta Mission, just as He has done for over 80 years. The ministry is strong and ready for this transition at this very time. Today, Atlanta Mission is one of the healthiest, most innovative rescue missions in the country.

You are part of this Atlanta Mission family, and my family, for eternity. Together we have seen God truly transform so many of those new friends who have come to our door; at the same time, He was transforming us!

Thank you for the incredible impact you have made on this ministry, on my life, and on the lives of people like Christine, whose life has been forever transformed.

Blessings,

Jim Reese
President & CEO