Blog Archive

Giving Tuesday – November 29

As this calendar year is winding down, we’re remembering all that God has done at Rest Stop Ministries, and know that He is still bringing forth new life! In preparation for Giving Tuesday on November 29, we have been reflecting on Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” All throughout this year, we have seen God doing “new things” time and again in the lives of the residents at RSM and within this ministry. This month, we are sharing stories of some of these special moments. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to hear stories from RSM staff and partners – We hope they are an encouragement to you! On Giving Tuesday, we ask that you’ll prayerfully give a one-time or recurring gift of $5, $50, $500, or $5000 to sustain the restorative residential program at Rest Stop Ministries, and provide the opportunity for resident survivors to experience a “new thing”! Will you join us? GIVE HERE!

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10th Annual Gala: Final Report

THANK YOU for joining us in person and virtually for our 10th Annual Gala, Revival: Reprise & Reunion! We loved sharing stories of the many people God placed in our path, partnering with us in such generous ways so that we could grow to where we are today, and the testimonies of two survivors, including one of our graduates. Through their stories, it is apparent how needed long-term holistic restorative services are, as well as continued support for women who have graduated from our program. Our Annual Gala is our largest fundraising event each year to support our general operational funds. Our goal this year was $100,000, and together, you raised $95,530.36! We consider it our sacred privilege to continue expanding the ways we can serve survivors with excellence, and we’re grateful for YOUR support so that we may keep our doors open. THANK YOU! If you have been considering joining our community of support and would like to help us reach our goal of $100,000, click here! ​Thank you to this year’s Sponsors: Platinum-Level: Dillon Transportation LLC ​Gold-Level: Jeff & Renee Mathis ​Silver-Level: DH Management Services HCA Healthcare/ TriStar Health Momentum Law, PLLC ​Bronze-Level: Pinnacle Financial Partners Southwestern Advantage Team Tart Realtors

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6-Year Impact Report + Vision Strategy

Rest Stop Ministries was called into being in June 2011, and we opened the doors of Tennessee’s first long-term residential restoration program designed solely for adult female survivors of sex trafficking in November 2015. Since then, we have had the sacred privilege of serving 44 precious survivors at Good Hope Farms. We are delighted to share the story of Rest Stop Ministries and Good Hope Farms with you! We invite you to read through our first-ever Impact Report filled with significant outcomes data from 6 years of serving survivors, stories of precious women who have walked through our doors, our future vision for RSM, and so much more. We hope you will rejoice with us for all God has done, and are compelled to join us on our journey! Click here to view the 6-Year Impact Report + Vision Strategy! (PDF)

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"We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world." This world can feel heavy—full of injustice and suffering. But we believe in hope and restoration!⁠
⁠
In honor of our founder Rondy Smith, we’re launching a special edition shirt with her powerful words. This dark blue tee is more than just something to wear—it’s a statement of faith, resilience, and the belief in God's miracles.⁠
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By purchasing a shirt, you’re not only sharing this message of hope but also supporting survivors of sex trafficking on their journey to healing.⁠
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👕 Pre-order yours today and be part of the movement: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/sheisnotforsale⁠
⁠
#EasterPeople #HopeHeals #SheIsNotForSale

"We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world." This world can feel heavy—full of injustice and suffering. But we believe in hope and restoration!⁠

In honor of our founder Rondy Smith, we’re launching a special edition shirt with her powerful words. This dark blue tee is more than just something to wear—it’s a statement of faith, resilience, and the belief in God`s miracles.⁠

By purchasing a shirt, you’re not only sharing this message of hope but also supporting survivors of sex trafficking on their journey to healing.⁠

👕 Pre-order yours today and be part of the movement: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/sheisnotforsale⁠

#EasterPeople #HopeHeals #SheIsNotForSale
...

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🐝Through the @GoodHopeFarms Hope Enterprise and Workforce Empowerment pillar of our program, she is making Steady Steps towards financial freedom and independence. 🐝⁠
⁠
Last year, we launched our new GHF job readiness curriculum, and the numbers are in—its impact is already transforming the lives of survivors! 🌈⁠
⁠
👣 2 residents graduated with their GED.⁠
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👣 1 resident received a project management certification.⁠
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👣 4 residents completed our financial literacy course.⁠
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👣 2 residents obtained part-time jobs and 2 residents transitioned to full-time.⁠
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👣 1 resident was promoted to management by her full-time employer.⁠
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👣 GHF provided over 2300 hours of paid of job training for survivors to date!⁠
⁠
#HarvestingHope #SteadySteps #SheIsPriceless #RestoreSurvivors

🐝Through the @GoodHopeFarms Hope Enterprise and Workforce Empowerment pillar of our program, she is making Steady Steps towards financial freedom and independence. 🐝⁠

Last year, we launched our new GHF job readiness curriculum, and the numbers are in—its impact is already transforming the lives of survivors! 🌈⁠

👣 2 residents graduated with their GED.⁠

👣 1 resident received a project management certification.⁠

👣 4 residents completed our financial literacy course.⁠

👣 2 residents obtained part-time jobs and 2 residents transitioned to full-time.⁠

👣 1 resident was promoted to management by her full-time employer.⁠

👣 GHF provided over 2300 hours of paid of job training for survivors to date!⁠

#HarvestingHope #SteadySteps #SheIsPriceless #RestoreSurvivors
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🌿She took so many steps to get to graduation - but then what? 🌿⁠
⁠
RSM Graduation wasn’t the end of her journey; it was the beginning of a life she now owns with confidence and hope. 🌈 ⁠
⁠
Now, she won't have to worry about the walk alone. She is empowered to lead the way toward her own future and supported by her RSM community to take steady steps forward each day. 💙⁠
⁠
👣 She has maintained stability and consistency in her employment.⁠
⁠
 👣 She confidently manages her finances, tackling challenges like filing income taxes each year.⁠
⁠
 👣 Her employer provides medical benefits that support her physical well-being.⁠
⁠
 👣 She continues to prioritize her mental health through routine therapy with a trusted provider.⁠
⁠
 👣 She is securing her financial future through investments and retirement planning.⁠
⁠
She is still doing the hard work. She is FREE INDEED. 🕊️⁠
⁠
#SteadySteps #SheIsNotForSale #HopeHeals #ItHasToStop

🌿She took so many steps to get to graduation - but then what? 🌿⁠

RSM Graduation wasn’t the end of her journey; it was the beginning of a life she now owns with confidence and hope. 🌈 ⁠

Now, she won`t have to worry about the walk alone. She is empowered to lead the way toward her own future and supported by her RSM community to take steady steps forward each day. 💙⁠

👣 She has maintained stability and consistency in her employment.⁠

👣 She confidently manages her finances, tackling challenges like filing income taxes each year.⁠

👣 Her employer provides medical benefits that support her physical well-being.⁠

👣 She continues to prioritize her mental health through routine therapy with a trusted provider.⁠

👣 She is securing her financial future through investments and retirement planning.⁠

She is still doing the hard work. She is FREE INDEED. 🕊️⁠

#SteadySteps #SheIsNotForSale #HopeHeals #ItHasToStop
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💫Carissa and Connie are at it again!💫⁠
⁠
As the Director of Development & Marketing and the Community Engagement Manager for RSM, building relationships and sharing our mission with the broader community is essential. 🌿⁠
⁠
This week they had the privilege of attending Coffee and Conversations hosted by @CommunityFoundationMidTN Women's Fund. CFMT has done incredible work to help bring nonprofits, community leaders, and major funders together to see the greater Nashville area thrive. RSM has been the a grateful recipient of their transformational generosity. 🙏⁠
⁠
Discussing Community Impact of Professional Sports teams in Nashville provided an invaluable insight for professional development in grant writing, specifically for local players! 🏆 Representatives from all four major Nashville teams shared insights, advice, and strategies on securing funding through their foundations. ✅⁠
⁠
A heartfelt thank you to the Community Foundation, @PredsFoundation, @NashvilleSounds, the Tennessee @Titans, and @NashvilleSC for your continued support of the middle Tennessee community! 👏⁠
⁠
#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression #EndSexTrafficking #HopeHeals

💫Carissa and Connie are at it again!💫⁠

As the Director of Development & Marketing and the Community Engagement Manager for RSM, building relationships and sharing our mission with the broader community is essential. 🌿⁠

This week they had the privilege of attending Coffee and Conversations hosted by @CommunityFoundationMidTN Women`s Fund. CFMT has done incredible work to help bring nonprofits, community leaders, and major funders together to see the greater Nashville area thrive. RSM has been the a grateful recipient of their transformational generosity. 🙏⁠

Discussing Community Impact of Professional Sports teams in Nashville provided an invaluable insight for professional development in grant writing, specifically for local players! 🏆 Representatives from all four major Nashville teams shared insights, advice, and strategies on securing funding through their foundations. ✅⁠

A heartfelt thank you to the Community Foundation, @PredsFoundation, @NashvilleSounds, the Tennessee @Titans, and @NashvilleSC for your continued support of the middle Tennessee community! 👏⁠

#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression #EndSexTrafficking #HopeHeals
...

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🛑Don't just stand by—stand up with a sign in your yard! ⁠
⁠
Join us in the fight against human trafficking by declaring #SheIsNotForSale! Use the link to pre-order your yard sign to display your commitment to restoration and hope. Every sign sparks conversations, raises awareness, and fuels our mission to restore survivors and stop oppression.⁠
⁠
📍Get your sign. Spread the word. Change a life.⁠

🔗Order using link in BIO.⁠
#EndHumanTrafficking #StopOppression #GrowHope

🛑Don`t just stand by—stand up with a sign in your yard! ⁠

Join us in the fight against human trafficking by declaring #SheIsNotForSale! Use the link to pre-order your yard sign to display your commitment to restoration and hope. Every sign sparks conversations, raises awareness, and fuels our mission to restore survivors and stop oppression.⁠

📍Get your sign. Spread the word. Change a life.⁠

🔗Order using link in BIO.⁠
#EndHumanTrafficking #StopOppression #GrowHope
...

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🌻Have you seen the brand new @GoodHopeFarms t-shirts yet? 🌻⁠
⁠
This one was spotted "out in the wild" today! 🤯 Our sweet friend was gifted her GHF shirt after her mom attended the women's conference at @ProvChurchIG this past weekend where we were honored to host a shop event. 🛍️⁠
⁠
She proudly wore her new GHF gear to work at @manheim_nashville where she was spotted by Holly from our employment partner, @FriedGreenTomatoes_SecretSauce. 💥⁠
⁠
It’s amazing to see the Good Hope Farms community growing! 🌻💛 Seeing the impact of RSM and GHF spread through connections like these is truly inspiring. Every little moment—like rocking a GHF tee—helps raise awareness and bring hope! 🌈⁠
⁠
🔗GHF Shop link in BIO.⁠
#HarvestHope #SheIsNotForSale #ItHasToStop #EndSexTrafficking

🌻Have you seen the brand new @GoodHopeFarms t-shirts yet? 🌻⁠

This one was spotted "out in the wild" today! 🤯 Our sweet friend was gifted her GHF shirt after her mom attended the women`s conference at @ProvChurchIG this past weekend where we were honored to host a shop event. 🛍️⁠

She proudly wore her new GHF gear to work at @manheim_nashville where she was spotted by Holly from our employment partner, @FriedGreenTomatoes_SecretSauce. 💥⁠

It’s amazing to see the Good Hope Farms community growing! 🌻💛 Seeing the impact of RSM and GHF spread through connections like these is truly inspiring. Every little moment—like rocking a GHF tee—helps raise awareness and bring hope! 🌈⁠

🔗GHF Shop link in BIO.⁠
#HarvestHope #SheIsNotForSale #ItHasToStop #EndSexTrafficking
...

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