THE BEACON OF HOPE
BREAD OF LIFE RESCUE MISSION
“Giving a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out”
Spring 2010
Ralph & Connie Reagan, Directors
1ST CORINTHIANS 3:10-11
According to the grace of God
which is given unto me, as a wise
masterbuilder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed
how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE
JOHN 6:35
Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry and whoever believes in Me will never go thirsty.
Mission Statement: The Bread of Life Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization. The Mission’s purpose is glorifying God through the
salvation of souls and rehabilitation of individuals, providing temporary shelter, medical attention, and food for the homeless and transient,
conducting interdenominational services daily and educating and rehabilitating those seeking help out of life on the streets.
Bread of Life Rescue Mission • 281 West Fourth Street • Crossville, TN 38555 • PO Box 1414 • Crossville, TN 38557
THE BEACON OF HOPE
PAGE 2
FALL 2009
God’s Judgment on Haiti? Don’t think so!
In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, I felt
it necessary to write a word of caution for
those who might be too quick to pronounce
a verdict as to why the awful earthquake
transpired. Some have not hesitated to declare
that this is God’s judgment on Haiti because
of their idolatry and their practice of voodoo.
While it is true that God has used natural
phenomena in order to chasten His people
(e.g. Israel under the Mosaic Covenant) God is
not in the business of chastening the unsaved
world. He doesn’t take the devil’s children to
the woodshed. As Lewis Sperry Chafer said,
God has one message for the unsaved world
– believe on the Lord Jesus Christ1 !
Also, for those who assume that God is
chastening Haiti for their voodoo, they fail
to understand the way a voodoo practitioner
thinks (animistic worldview). A voodoo
practitioner (or Animists) would not be
‘corrected” from their idolatrous beliefs
through an earthquake or any other natural
disaster because of their animistic worldview.
Animists believe that the world is governed by
spirit forces that can be manipulated through
1
Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Salvation: A Clear
Doctrinal Analysis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1917.
Pg.31.
sacrifices, avoiding certain taboos (forbidden
acts), etc. Therefore an animist would not
respond to an earthquake by saying, “The
true God is judging me for my idolatry.” They
would wonder which spirit they had offended
and in what way they offended that spirit.
They interpret life’s events through their belief
system. New Tribes Missionaries have found
this to be the case wherever animists are
located. Their knowledge of science is little to
none. Therefore if a child is sick, they do not
think about parasites – in many cases they
are oblivious to parasites. In their worldview,
sickness is caused because a spirit being is
offended. Maybe because of something one
did (broke a taboo), or maybe because of
something they did not do (make appropriate
sacrifices, etc.). Now, there is no doubt that
Satan the father of lies is behind all of the
various flavors of animism – including Haitian
voodoo. And there is no doubt that this is
sin before a Holy God. But the way to reach
someone blinded by Satan is through the
glorious light of the gospel (2nd Cor. 4:1-4).
It should also be remembered that in
this period of history, God is withholding
judgment in order to extend opportunity. In
the days of Noah there was great violence and
disregard for God (and on the T.V. as well).
During the days of Sodom and Gomorrah
thee was gross sexual perversion. There is
sexual perversion in our ay as well. So why
doesn’t God send down fire and brimstone
on gay colonies today? Why does God allow
abortion clinics to keep operating? Why did
God allow Hitler to nearly destroy an entire
Ethnic group? Because in this day God is not
sending fire and brimstone from heaven. He
is not directly intervening in time and space
to judge man for his sin. Judgment will come,
wrath will fall upon man. Even in the form
of natural disasters – and earthquakes (Rev.
16:17-21)! But for now, God is holding back.
Why? We are old very pointedly. “The Lord
is not slack concerning his promise, as some
men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, ut that all should come to repentance
(2nd Pet. 3:9).” Today might be very similar
to the days preceding the flood. God was
longsuffering, striving with man. But God’s
patience does not equal God’s approval.
God will judge the nations for their iniquities
(Isa. 13:9-11; 26:21). This is in the context
of the Great Tribulation. Until then, God is
holding back. And it could very well be that
the same type of event that occurs naturally
Do you have a few hours each month you could give for Jesus and His work? If you are interested in volunteering at
the mission, contact Connie Reagan at 707-0503. “God has blessed you to be a blessing.” James 1:22, 25.
THE BEACON OF HOPE
FALL 2009
with devastating results (like the earthquake
in Haiti) could occur supernaturally with
even more devastating results (as it does in
Revelation 16). In short, we live in a fallen
world, filled with death and disaster. It should
be a reminder that something is wrong. That
life is not what is should be. This can be used
as a springboard for the gospel as we point
folds to the true source of life and the hope of
the resurrection and a new heaven and earth
where no more tragedies occur.
I fear that many times Christians who try
to pronounce an authoritative interpretation
on a tragedy in life are no better that Job’s
friends. They were confident that Job was
suffering because of his sin, and if he would
just repent, God would remove calamity (Job
8:6, 11:14). But the book of Job gives a reader
an inside scoop on what was transpiring
behind the scenes. Job was an upright man,
and though God allowed Satan to trouble him
greatly, it was not because of sin in Job’s life.
And in the end. God found fault with Job’s
friends because they had assumed a role
they were not qualified to assume. They tried
to speak authoritatively about why Job was
suffering. Folks, don’t be found guilty of the
same crime. The only way we could know
with confidence that the Haitian earthquake
was an act of God’s judgment is if there were
a prophet from God who could give the divine
interpretation. But the prophets have ceased.
We have the final revelation of God in His
word. And the same word tells us that right
now He is withholding national judgments for
the sake of extending mercy (2nd Peter 3:9).
He will judge the nations as we have already
seen. But until then He is beseeching men
t be reconciled to Him through faith in His
Son(2nd Cor. 5:18-21).
To return to Job’s friends, Elihu did have
some interesting things to say in regards to
PAGE 3
natural phenomena and God’s Sovereignty.
Speaking of storms, he said: “And it is turned
round about by hi [God’s] counsels: that
they may do whatsoever he commandeth
them upon the face of the world in the
earth. He causeth it to come, whether for
[1] correction, or [2] for his land, or [3] for
mercy (Job 37:12-13)/” On occasion, God
did use weather as a correcting device – we
see this most prominently under the Mosaic
Covenant as God withheld rain as a sign of
judgment (Duet.28:23-24). But Israel knew
how to interpret these natural phenomena
because they had God’s word that explained
it to them. Thus it truly would correct them.
Sometimes as Elihu said, storms come for
the sake of the land. A storm has a way
of knocking down all the dead branches
that need to come down, and watering the
ground to make it fertile. Sometimes it is for
mercy. And although God is Sovereign and
nothing happens without Him allowing it to
do so, are there not times that storms just
happen because of atmospheric pressure
and condensation? Are there not times
that earthquakes happen simply because
faults erupt below the earth’s surface? God
is Sovereign over the things He causes to
happen, but He is jus as much sovereign
over things that He allows to happen. And in
a world wrecked by sin, things just happen.
We shouldn’t be to quick to say what God is
doing when, like Job’s friends, we just don’t
know.
“Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners
above all the Galileans because they suffered
these things? I tell you nay. But except ye
repent, ye shall al likewise perish.: Then he
made reference to an accident in which a
tower fell on eighteen men resulting in their
death. He asked the same question: “…think
ye that they were sinners above all men that
dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay. But except
ye repent, ye shall likewise all perish (Luke
13:1-5).” No doubt as believers, we will be
approached by the unsaved world wondering
if God judged the Haitians with an earthquake
because he were sinners worse than others.
And the essence of our response should be
the same as Christ’s. These men were not
judged because they were worse sinners than
others. Life’s tragedies happen. But notice
how Christ turned it into an evangelistic
opportunity by saying that “unless you
repent, you will also perish.” We should
remind those who question us that maybe
they should be thinking about their own
standing before God and not worry about the
next man whom no one is qualified to Judge
except God Himself. How can they be ready
to have a right relationship with God before
they perish in death? That is the question
to pose in response. Therefore, the body of
Christ should show love to those hurting in
Haiti (especially the practitioners of voodoo)
– a love expressed in deeds. Then many may
receive the truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior and have eternal life.
To close on a point of application I want to
turn our attention to the gospel of Luke and
the 13th chapter. Jesus made reference to two
tragedies that had happened in Palestine in
recent past. A national tragedy had occurred
in which Pilate murdered some Galileans
and desecrated the Temple – going so far as
to mingle the blood of the Galileans with the
sacrifices. Jesus asked a penetrating question:
Scot Keen
Board of Trustees, Reasons for Faith Awareness
Ministries
Teacher and Dean of Education, New Tribes
Bible Institute
Jackson, Michigan
GOSPEL SINGING
First Saturday – 7:00 p.m.
Everyone welcome to worship with us!
The Mission Medical Clinic is open Mondays and
Thursdays 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They will see
anyone with an urgent medical need who has no form
of insurance, including Medicare or TennCare.
THE BEACON OF HOPE
PAGE 4
FALL 2009
MISSION REPORT
FOR JANUARY 2010
Monthly YTD Totals Aug. 2008
Assistance 61300 - 61380:
Approx. Number Given Assistance
113
125
72
Food Boxes:
Number Families Receiving Boxes
Number of People Served
264
844
264
844
287
912
2,193
1,048
157
2,193
1,048
157
1,869
959
162
Residents:
Men - New Sign-Ins
Women - New Sign-Ins
Children - New Sign-Ins
All Totals
32
7
5
44
32
7
5
44
43
14
5
62
Medical Clinic:
Medical Patients Seen
52
52
43
5
5
4
1
1
0
Received Christ:
Number That Received Christ
5
5
11
Clothing and Furniture:
Number That Received Items
81
81
64
1,318
1,318
1,193
241
22
241
22
456
0
Meals Served:
Resident Meals Served
Non-Resident Meals Served
Sack Lunches Served
Teen Challenge:
Number of Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Baptisms:
Number of Baptisms
Devotions:
Number in Devotions
Volunteers:
Number of Volunteer Hours
Number of Volunteers (People)
Yes! I want to do my part to help the Bread of Life Rescue Mission!
Name: _____________________________________
Address: __________________________________
____ I am enclosing a deductible donation
made payable to Bread of Life
Rescue Mission.
____ I will support the Bread of Life Mission
City/State/Zip: ______________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
Email: ______________________________________
Church: _____________________________________
____ Please contact me about volunteering.
____ Please contact me to be a prayer
partner.
____ We would like someone to speak to
our church organization or church
about the Mission.
FALL 2009
THE BEACON OF HOPE
PAGE 5
MIRACLE PARTNERS
Bren and Caroline
Daugherty
EXPECT A
MIRACLE
LIVING WATER JAIL MINISTRY
Praise God!
Helping people get the help they need through faith-based rehabs.
PAGE 6
THE BEACON OF HOPE
FALL 2009
MY TESTIMONY
B
efore April took her first breath, forces were at work in the
lives of those God had chosen to guide and protect her.
She would be denied her biological father, the one with the
responsibility to provide safety, love, and structure, as she
struggled to grow in a hostile and perverted world. The man that
replaced him was full of anger and dissatisfaction. He would be incapable of affirming and encouraging the young child.
Her mother, barley able to keep upright in this storm of circumstance, clung to any refuge no matter how cold, hard, and self-seeking. Overwhelmed with life she found herself powerless to protect and
nurture her child.
God’s intention of peaceful tranquility, love, security, and guidance
was lost in a raging sea, where each individual held tightly to whatever thing or person seemed to be able to keep their head above the
cold dark waters of life. A teenager searching for purpose, something
to fill the deep longing all of us have, to know why and who we are;
she soon finds herself with another life growing within her. Soon she
will be asked to lead an innocent, perfect child along a path she has
never yet traveled herself.
She is a piece of driftwood moving along with the tides and eddies
of circumstance. Several times she nears the harbor of God’s love; vacation bible school, a Christian couple bringing her into the house of
God. Brief periods of calm like the eye of a hurricane. Soon she finds
herself back in the storm, tossed about looking for someone, looking
for anyone. Desperation replaces hope. Happiness, and love seem just
out of reach.
Like all of us she looks for affirmation in the faces of the people we
give our hearts to. A second husband at twenty-four, and soon two
more children. Gentleness and a playful heart drew her to this man.
He is kinder more considerate and more open to the people he meets.
At last life begins to have a direction; moving forward.
This relationship has another participant, one who seems innocent
and unthreatening. His name is, ‘Party’ his friends have deceiving
names like his; pot, coke, meth, alcohol. They said, “Try it I guarantee
you will like it. If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your
with. Lighten up, kick back. It will be all right.” A new reality is beginning to enter her life, ‘Drama.’
This Drama begins small but soon invades every relationship, every
moment. She is slippin, losing control. Party is no longer fun. Drama
is everywhere inescapable. ---BUSTED--- August 30th 2008. She says
goodbye to her children, her heart is ripped from her body, and it lies
bleeding in the back seat of a police car. Her life is over. Shame, fear,
guilt, destruction are the real names of her old friends, Party, meth,
coke.
Three years, her lawyer says it could have been worse, she does
not see how. She learns a new word, plea-bargain. If you do a few
months in something called a rehab program the judge will let you
have some of your life back. One big problem, rehab costs money. Her
lawyer says he knows a program that is free. “Let’s do it.” She says.
April arrives at the Bread of Life Rescue mission. She is waiting for her blood work and application to be processed. It is
now October and the leaves are turning. The air is cool and fresh.
April meets a new friend here, one who will forever change her life.
He makes her a promise, “Trust in me, and I will take away the
shame, guilt and desperation. I will give you a new life, an abundant
life. This life will be full of peace and hope. I will restore your broken
relationships. I will give you Joy that springs up inside of you. Trust
me, my name is Jesus.” She heads off to rehab full of confidence and
hope.
Rehab is not what she expected. A few months begin to feel like
years. “I can’t do this, I am out of here.” She is on the run. She knows
what will happen if she goes back to her old friends, desperation
floods back into her heart. Where is the Peace? Where is the Joy? She
stops for a moment. What is that voice inside me? What is He saying?
“Trust Me.” But I don’t know how. Nothing in my life has taught me
how to trust. I have to take care of myself. I hear it again, “Trust me
April I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Her heart is pounding as she picks up the phone, she dials the
number to another faith based rehab. There is a bed for you in Detroit. The Voice says go you will learn to trust me there. Six and one
half months later, April is back at the Bread of Life, she is safe here.
Jesus is here, He live in the hearts and lives of these people. She is on
probation, but she has what He promised, Peace, Joy, and Hope.
Jesus is in her life. She gets visitation with her children. Christmas
comes and if you are separated from those you love, Christmas is
very lonely. “What, what are you saying? I can spend Christmas with
my boys? How?” A church has arranged Christmas for my sons and I.
“Trust Me, April, and I will give you the desires of your heart.” April is
making friends with her former husband. She has Hope, and most of
all she is learning how to Trust in Jesus. Her heavenly Father fills her
life with safety, love, and structure.
Would you like a friend like Jesus?
THE BEACON OF HOPE
FALL 2009
PAGE 7
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with the family and friends of those
remembered below. These gifts are a special legacy offering hope to those in need.
In Memory of:
In Honor of:
(gifts received May - September 2009)
(gifts received - May - September 2009)
Billy Joe Daugherty
given by
Mar Kelly
Heather Howitt
given by
Steve and Estelle Howitt
Gary Miller
given by
Janis Dorstewitz
Mary Lou Shuster
given by
Marlene & Jerry Badgerow
Louise Hill
given by
Central Babtist Choir
Maxine Ledford
given by
Central Baptist Fellowship Class
Evelyn Crane
given by
Victor & Elizabeth Fresh
Dave Duncan
given by
CBC Crossville
Laura Finn
given by
Gerald & Clara Finn
Ernest Cochran
given by
Kelli & Paul Schriver
Harold Connell
given by
Ed and Marlene Maxwell
Kim Stephens
given by
Dr. & Julie Thompson
Georgia Douglas
given by
William Northquest, Jim & Sherry
Shindle, Herbert & Petranna
Moreland, E.J. & D.R. Devries,
Terrance & Pamela Brophy,
Charles & Alice Ely, Carol Bradley,
Judith Rahaim, Sue Helmbrecht,
Donald & Betty Olson, Richard
& Helen Serlack, Tyra & Gloria
Stofflet, David & Peggy Schnieder,
Richard & Holly Bethohm, Braedy
& Jennifer Helmbrecht, Carol
Boerner, John Anderson, Robert
& Carol Loghry, Arnold & Pearl
Camejya, A.Maco II., Robert & Jean
Citkovic, Carol B. Lamb, Gerard &
Virginia Bell, Lee & Donna Carey,
Michael & Diane Treanor
Marlys Poole
given by
CBC Crossville
Doyle Dietrich
given by
Centraml Babtist Choir
Elgen Greisheimer
given by
James & Marlene Badgerow
Jan Bigelow
given by
James & Marlene Badgerow
Hazel Tilley
given by
Richard & Frankie Dendler
Kirk & Rose Kirkeminde
given by
Dorsey & Katherine Bass
Ken Stephens
given by
Maben & Julie Thompson
Do you have a relative or friend you would like to honor?
A gift to the Bread of Life Rescue Mission is an ideal way to remember a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, or to acknowledge a loved
one while at the same time helping those in need. When you send your memorial or in honor of gift to the Bread of Life Rescue Mission, you will
receive a tax-deductible receipt and a card will be mailed promptly to the bereaved family or the friend being honored, telling them of your gift.
Please mail your memorial or in honor of gifts to:
Bread of Life Rescue Mission • P.O. Box 1414 • Crossville, TN 38557
Please pray about Mission
Needs
• Increased storage for all donations, including
food pantry
• More volunteers, food and paper products for
the pantry
• Financial assistance to help meet ongoing operating
expenses and long-range planning goals
CONCERT AT PALACE THEATRE
May 3 & 4, 2010
ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY!
June 26, 2010
Last Saturday in June
Bread of Life Rescue Mission
PO Box 1414
281 West Fourth Street
Crossville, TN 38557
Phone: 931-707-0503
DIRECTORS:
Rev. Ralph Reagan
Connie Reagan
STAFF:
Jim Young
Frank Rector
Kim Lyles
Larry Hayes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steve Stone, President
Ron Fishcer, Vice-President
Ron Brining, Treasurer
Terry Barnwell
Darryl Hall
Jerry Brewer
Barbara Stewart
Kevin Bryant
Guy Hamilton
Richard Walter
Larry Doster
WORSHIP SERVICES:
Daily 7:00 pm
Sunday School 9:30 am
Worship on Sunday 10:30 am
Evening Services Sunday 5:00 pm
GOSPEL SINGING:
1st Saturday of every month - 7:00 pm
Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Crossville, TN
Permit No. 48