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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💫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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