Blog Archive

Celebrating 2023 at Rest Stop Ministries

As this year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all God has done in and through RSM. We’re thrilled to share a variety of moments that stand out to us from the past twelve months! Read more in our newsletter by clicking here. Through the generous support of this community, we are able to keep our doors open and provide excellent care for survivors of sex trafficking while stopping cycles of oppression. The milestones, accomplishments, and wrap-around services residents receive would not be possible without you! As you plan your year-end charitable giving, please consider partnering financially with Rest Stop Ministries. Donations can be made through our secure Kindful platform by clicking here. For larger amounts, please mail checks to the address listed below in order to save the credit card and processing fees. To receive 2023 giving credit, checks must be dated by December 31, 2023. ​Rest Stop Ministries PO Box 156 Hermitage, TN 37076

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Giving Tuesday – November 28, 2023

While so much darkness surrounds the criminal oppression of sex trafficking, at Rest Stop Ministries we’re honored to offer comprehensive services and resources for survivors so that they may step into healing and HOPE. ⁠ This month, we’ll be shining a light on milestones and celebrations, resources offered, and moments filled with hope in preparation for Giving Tuesday on November 28. We hope you’ll follow along and join our amazing community of supporters on this global day of generosity that kicks off the biggest giving season of the year! ​GIVE TODAY!

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Half & Half Marathon 2023

Lace up those running sneakers! On Saturday, November 11, our friends at Cooking Around Town are hosting the Half and Half Marathon, a coffee-themed 5k, 10k, and half marathon benefitting Rest Stop Ministries.⁠ ⁠ The race will start at Mt. Juliet High School, and wind through the greenways, Charlie Daniel’s Park, local neighborhoods, and then finish back at the high school. All ages and skill levels are welcome – Feel free to walk if you like! ​ On race day, all participants will receive a Half and Half Marathon t-shirt and coffee mug. Plus, coffee, hot chocolate, water, and homemade goodies will be waiting for you at the finish line by our friends at Billy Goat Coffee! ⁠ CLICK HERE to register TODAY!

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💫Happy 1 year RSM work anniversary to Lauren! 💫⁠
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Lauren is a beloved member of Team Rest Stop as our Volunteer and Program Coordinator. 🌿 Her calm presence and kind personality compliment a strong work ethic, depths of wisdom born of her years of experience in anti-trafficking ministry, and the level of excellence and organization she brings to the staff and residents at RSM. 🕊️⁠
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We 💙 you, Lauren, and look forward to many more years of service together!⁠
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#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression

💫Happy 1 year RSM work anniversary to Lauren! 💫⁠

Lauren is a beloved member of Team Rest Stop as our Volunteer and Program Coordinator. 🌿 Her calm presence and kind personality compliment a strong work ethic, depths of wisdom born of her years of experience in anti-trafficking ministry, and the level of excellence and organization she brings to the staff and residents at RSM. 🕊️⁠

We 💙 you, Lauren, and look forward to many more years of service together!⁠

#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression
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🌹We have BIG NEWS to share as we wrap up Love Month! 🌹⁠
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💫 Mark your calendars- the 2025 Gala date is announced!⁠
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💪🏾 Read how she felt empowered to speak up for herself when her situation didn't feel safe.⁠
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💙You are invited to visit the reimagined RSM website. We are so excited to share this treat with you!⁠
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🔗Newsletter link in BIO.⁠
#RestoreSurvivors #Faithful

🌹We have BIG NEWS to share as we wrap up Love Month! 🌹⁠

💫 Mark your calendars- the 2025 Gala date is announced!⁠

💪🏾 Read how she felt empowered to speak up for herself when her situation didn`t feel safe.⁠

💙You are invited to visit the reimagined RSM website. We are so excited to share this treat with you!⁠

🔗Newsletter link in BIO.⁠
#RestoreSurvivors #Faithful
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🌿Sobriety is cause to CELEBRATE at Rest Stop Ministries! 🌿⁠
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Using the tools she learns in her program to cope with the traumas of the past, she learns to live life free of the addictions that riddled her past. 💔⁠
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She recently celebrated two years of living drug and alcohol free, "one day at a time, one moment at time." 🌈⁠
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Congratulations, brave sister, we applaud your hard work and diligence! 💙⁠
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#WeDoRecover #SheIsNotForSale

🌿Sobriety is cause to CELEBRATE at Rest Stop Ministries! 🌿⁠

Using the tools she learns in her program to cope with the traumas of the past, she learns to live life free of the addictions that riddled her past. 💔⁠

She recently celebrated two years of living drug and alcohol free, "one day at a time, one moment at time." 🌈⁠

Congratulations, brave sister, we applaud your hard work and diligence! 💙⁠

#WeDoRecover #SheIsNotForSale
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✨Happy 2 years at RSM to Tara! ✨⁠
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As our Residential Director, Tara's a favorite around here. The residents and staff love her and her great big heart! 💙⁠
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Tara's nurturing spirit, generous heart, and fierce loyalty and determination help make Laura's house a safe HOME for the residents at Rest Stop Ministries. 🏡We are ALL blessed to have Tara in our lives and workplace. 🌈⁠
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Thank you, Tara, for all you do to help us #RestoreSurvivors and #StopOppression! 🌿

✨Happy 2 years at RSM to Tara! ✨⁠

As our Residential Director, Tara`s a favorite around here. The residents and staff love her and her great big heart! 💙⁠

Tara`s nurturing spirit, generous heart, and fierce loyalty and determination help make Laura`s house a safe HOME for the residents at Rest Stop Ministries. 🏡We are ALL blessed to have Tara in our lives and workplace. 🌈⁠

Thank you, Tara, for all you do to help us #RestoreSurvivors and #StopOppression! 🌿
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Parents and caregivers can take an active role in helping to eradicate teen dating violence. 🚫⁠
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🗣️Talk openly about healthy relationships. Allow teens to articulate their own unique values and expectations for healthy relationships. Rather than dismissing ideas as “wrong,” encourage discussion and reflection —this helps them come to their own understanding.⁠
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🙅Take a clear stand. Make sure young teens know how you feel about disrespect, use of abusive or inappropriate language, controlling behavior, or any forms of violence.⁠
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🙌Teach teens how to stand-up for friends when he or she observes unhealthy treatment of peers. ⁠
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#TDVAM #RestoreSurvivors

Parents and caregivers can take an active role in helping to eradicate teen dating violence. 🚫⁠

🗣️Talk openly about healthy relationships. Allow teens to articulate their own unique values and expectations for healthy relationships. Rather than dismissing ideas as “wrong,” encourage discussion and reflection —this helps them come to their own understanding.⁠

🙅Take a clear stand. Make sure young teens know how you feel about disrespect, use of abusive or inappropriate language, controlling behavior, or any forms of violence.⁠

🙌Teach teens how to stand-up for friends when he or she observes unhealthy treatment of peers. ⁠

#TDVAM #RestoreSurvivors
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💙VOTE TODAY, if you haven't already!! 💙⁠
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Winning the Liberator Award will highlight and acknowledge RSM and its Founder and Executive Director Rondy Smith as leading abolitionists in the national anti-trafficking community. 🏆⁠
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Will you help us make this happen❓⁠
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ALL VOTES ARE FREE ...so, what are you waiting for⁉️⁠
🔗Link to vote in BIO.⁠
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#SheIsNotForSale #StopOppression

💙VOTE TODAY, if you haven`t already!! 💙⁠

Winning the Liberator Award will highlight and acknowledge RSM and its Founder and Executive Director Rondy Smith as leading abolitionists in the national anti-trafficking community. 🏆⁠

Will you help us make this happen❓⁠

ALL VOTES ARE FREE ...so, what are you waiting for⁉️⁠
🔗Link to vote in BIO.⁠

#SheIsNotForSale #StopOppression
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🥰What does a Godly husband look like? How does she know he loves her? 🥰

Our final Love Month gift this week comes to you from our Volunteer and Program Coordinator, Lauren. 💌

Hear her lovingly share what qualities initially drew her to her husband, and how he expresses a love that continues to hit straight to her heart! ❣️

How would you answer today's questions? We'd love to see your responses in the comments below...and don't forget to tag your loved ones! 💘

#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression

🥰What does a Godly husband look like? How does she know he loves her? 🥰

Our final Love Month gift this week comes to you from our Volunteer and Program Coordinator, Lauren. 💌

Hear her lovingly share what qualities initially drew her to her husband, and how he expresses a love that continues to hit straight to her heart! ❣️

How would you answer today`s questions? We`d love to see your responses in the comments below...and don`t forget to tag your loved ones! 💘

#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression
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💌The Bible describes a love that is patient, kind, not self-seeking, not easily angered. 💌⁠
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We have a definition of SAFE love, a love that brings HOPE for a bright future! 🌈⁠
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Safe love is filled with:⁠
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Respect. 💙 Your thoughts, feelings, and opinions are valued. You are treated with kindness and consideration.⁠
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Trust. 💙 You have confidence that your partner will act in your best interest and are able to feel secure in the relationship.⁠
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Honesty. 💙 You feel safe in communicating your feelings and needs without manipulation or deception.⁠
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Clear Boundaries. 💙 You can establish personal limits in the relationship that include physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries. You are able do this without fear.⁠
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#SafeLove #SheIsNotForSale

💌The Bible describes a love that is patient, kind, not self-seeking, not easily angered. 💌⁠

We have a definition of SAFE love, a love that brings HOPE for a bright future! 🌈⁠

Safe love is filled with:⁠

Respect. 💙 Your thoughts, feelings, and opinions are valued. You are treated with kindness and consideration.⁠

Trust. 💙 You have confidence that your partner will act in your best interest and are able to feel secure in the relationship.⁠

Honesty. 💙 You feel safe in communicating your feelings and needs without manipulation or deception.⁠

Clear Boundaries. 💙 You can establish personal limits in the relationship that include physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries. You are able do this without fear.⁠

#SafeLove #SheIsNotForSale
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❣️What does a Godly man look for in a wife? ❣️

We have one married couple on staff at RSM. Randy and Jill serve as our Directors of Property + Program Operations and Clinical Programs. 🌿They've faithfully served RSM for over 7 years. ✨

RSM survivors are given the gift of watching Jill and Randy's love story unfold every day. 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻Today's gift is hearing Randy share about the beginning of this match made in Heaven. 💘

All love stories are beautiful, but Jill and Randy's may be one of our favorites! ❤️‍🔥

Will you share YOUR love story? Tag your special someone so they can feel the love! 😍

#SheIsNotForSale #LoveLivesHere

❣️What does a Godly man look for in a wife? ❣️

We have one married couple on staff at RSM. Randy and Jill serve as our Directors of Property + Program Operations and Clinical Programs. 🌿They`ve faithfully served RSM for over 7 years. ✨

RSM survivors are given the gift of watching Jill and Randy`s love story unfold every day. 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻Today`s gift is hearing Randy share about the beginning of this match made in Heaven. 💘

All love stories are beautiful, but Jill and Randy`s may be one of our favorites! ❤️‍🔥

Will you share YOUR love story? Tag your special someone so they can feel the love! 😍

#SheIsNotForSale #LoveLivesHere
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