Blog Archive

You’re Invited! 11th Annual Gala, Illuminating Hope

Rest Stop Ministries would be honored by your presence at the 11th Annual Gala, Illuminating Hope. Join us on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Hermitage Church of the Nazarene in Old Hickory, Tennessee. ​Guests will enjoy a catered dinner, an inspiring message from Survivor Guest Speaker, Cyntoia Brown-Long, and many stories from Rest Stop Ministries’ 8 years of serving survivors. We are eager to shine a light on all God has done in the lives of the women we serve! ​In addition to our Silent Auction, we’ll have our Good Hope Farms Shop on site! Browse our Silent Auction in person before placing your bid using our virtual platform. Then, purchase your favorite handcrafted items from the Good Hope Farms Shop, our Social Enterprise dedicated to supporting survivors of trafficking both locally and globally. Every sale promotes the economic empowerment of RSM residents and helps sustain the residential restoration program of RSM. ​This is going to be an evening you won’t want to miss. Tickets can be purchased individually or as tables of 8. Purchase tickets here and save your seat today! ​Become a Sponsor for Illuminating Hope ​By becoming a Sponsor Underwriter for our Annual Gala, our largest fundraising event each year, you enable us to cover the costs of the Gala before the event so that every dollar raised that night goes directly to the provision of care for our survivors in the residential program. For more information regarding Sponsor-level benefits, marketing exposure, and/or requesting an invoice, contact RSM Director of Development, Caitlin Strecker, at caitlinstrecker@reststopministries.org.

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Join Us! Blind Eyes Opened

You are invited to a viewing of Blind Eyes Opened: The Truth About Sex Trafficking in America at The Capitol Theatre in the historic Lebanon, TN Square on Thursday, April 27. Blind Eyes Opened is a first-of-a-kind documentary that looks into the sex trafficking industry in the United States through a faith lens. The film exposes the darkness that fuels demand, highlights survivors’ transformations, engages lawmakers, law enforcement, organizations, ministries and experts across the country committed to ending the atrocities, all while showing Christ as the hope for all involved. This event falls during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and we are eager to elevate survivors’ voices and engage the faith community in this issue from a Kingdom of God perspective. Guests will hear from Rest Stop Ministries’ Founder and Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Rondy Smith, as she equips you with attainable action steps. You will walk away feeling confident about different ways to truly make an impact! Each ticket purchase will include: One bag of gourmet popcorn One bottle of water or soft drink **Additional popcorn and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets are available NOW – CLICK HERE to purchase yours today!   Come Early!   When our doors open at 5:00pm, we will have our Good Hope Farms Shop set up for guests to browse and shop from our collection of handcrafted goods created by survivors locally and globally – including items created and packaged by RSM Residents! Good Hope Farms is the social enterprise of Rest Stop Ministries, supporting survivors of trafficking both locally and globally. Every sale promotes their economic empowerment and helps sustain the residential restoration program of RSM. ​ Don’t miss out – Grab your tickets here!

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A Look at 2022

In 2022, 13 Residents have lived at Good Hope Farms and participated in our long-term restorative residential program, receiving a comprehensive array of supportive services in order to heal from the complex trauma caused by sex trafficking. Each day a woman was in our care, she was learning healthy coping skills, shifting her perspective about her future, and experiencing Good Hope. ​We invite you to join us in celebrating the many milestones and accomplishments RSM Residents experienced this year. Click here to read more. ​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 2022 giving credit, checks must be dated by December 31, 2022. ​Rest Stop Ministries PO Box 156 Hermitage, TN 37076

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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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