• God has blessed us with brand new chairs to replace the old pews in His sanctuary! The last two years have seen a new stage, new paintjob, new carpet, new chairs and a digital projector added to God’s house. Bless all those who came alongside us to make this happen. Our sanctuary has gone from uninhabitable to welcoming, and we are blessed to have this space in which to worship.

• Work has started on our major renovation projects. Crews have started to drill holes 500 feet into the ground around POH for our new geothermal heating and cooling system. Stay tuned for more updates on our new roof and building-wide HVAC system.

• April 20th will be Place of Hope’s 11th Birthday!

Friday Night Hope

• Friday Night Hope, our homeless outreach ministry, continues to offer practical and eternal help to Nashville’s neediest folk. March outreach dates are March 2nd, 16th and 30th.

• With winter here and the cold temperatures at night, we have switched gears a bit. Many people who would normally come to the parking lot are now staying at the mission or Room in the Inn. However, God continues to lead us to those few remaining people who He needs us to help. Thanks to all our volunteers who brave the cold to come out and be of service.

• All are welcome to join us! We meet at NRC, 1600 Elm Hill Pike, at about 6pm for a hotdog dinner before setting up in the parking lot at the corner of 4th and Lafayette. Check our website, www.placeofhopetn.org for a calendar of scheduled outreach nights.

Nashville Recovery Church

• Nashville Recovery Church has found a new drummer in Bob Bradley to replace Anthony Stovall, who has gone back to Illinois to be with family. Bob is a professor at TSU and a humble rock’n’roll follower of Christ.

Other News

• In February, the Place of Hope received a $65,000 grant for homeless assistance! We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the homeless more through this blessing.

“The groove gets the music to that muddy place where it needs to be.”
~Brother Mike Coupe

The last few months have been very exciting here as God continues to bless His Ministries

• Brother Jim Beck went into semi-retirement on August 12th after over nine years of service at POH. Thank you for all your hard work, Jim.

• The Place of Hope recently received a $450,000 renovation grant!!! We want to thank everyone who prayed for this miracle. The money will be used to install a much needed new roof, comfort-bringing heating and air-conditioning, and a geothermal water system.

• On August 10th the Place of Hope welcomed special musical guest Jerry Sullivan for a night of Bluegrass and Gospel music that we will not soon forget.

• Friday Night Hope, our Homeless Outreach ministry, continues to grow and prosper.
• A special thanks to the young folks from New Song and Southview churches, who have both recently sacrificed Friday nights to come serve with us.

• Over the past few months, we have enjoyed the company of many regular homeless visitors to Nashville Recovery Church. We pray that God will continue to bless us by allowing us to minister to the least of His people every Sunday morning. All clothing and blankets have come to us through the generosity of others who want to serve in any way. Others have donated money to our sock, hat, and glove ministry. We pray blessings on all of these.

• Thanks to Dave and Jennifer, who have been regularly contributing their musical talents at the outreach and on Sunday morning services.

• Special thanks to New Song Church’s “outside the walls” program. This group of over thirty young people gave a Saturday morning to make much needed improvements on the grounds of our facility.

• Praise God for His blessings in the form of employment for our halfway folks, all of whom have found work over the past year in one of the most impoverished areas in the state.

“Let the fire inside of you burn away everything that’s not supposed to be there”
~Brother Mike Coupe

A Special Message from Talia Hensley:

I knew I wanted a different life. The best woman I ever knew in my life was my grandmother. I remember she had something I wanted: peace, happiness & contentment. So I started writing to treatment centers. I had never been to treatment – never wanted to get clean for real. So I wrote and wrote and no one would have me. Finally I wrote the Place of Hope and within a couple weeks they responded with an admission date. On January 25th, 2011 I arrived at POH. It changed my life. I learned there how to live without drugs or alcohol. To just be ok in my own skin. I never knew the feeling of waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day. I am alive again. My stay at POH connected me with the A.A program which I am still working and with God, who I had lost touch with somewhere along the way. The counselors and staff at POH are truly amazing people. I love them all dearly and am forever indebted to the Place. Through them I remembered what I love to do, and I plan to go back to school for a career in mechanics.

From a letter* written in the Lawrence County Jail on October 5th, 2011:

“The craziest thing happened the other day. We were at Bible study on Wednesday. The lady that comes and teaches she starts talking about where it says about reaping what you sow. She was asking what verse it was. She forgot or something. So I said Galatians 6:7 and the girl sitting beside me – I’ve known her for years – she looks at me all crazy and says ‘who are you?’…God has changed me that much. She went on to say that I was her hero – she wants what I have. I am so blessed and fortunate to be one that God works thru (sic). I am so blessed by the amazing changes God has made in me. God is so good.
*reprinted with permission of the author

On November 5th, Talia celebrated one year of sobriety! Staff and clients alike were heartbroken on the day when Talia had to return to jail, until we realized that nothing happens in God’s world by mistake and that this is an opportunity for God’s message of love and light to be shared in a dark place. If you would like to contact Talia, letters may be addressed to:

Talia Hensley
240 West Gaines St.
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

YOU CAN HELP!!

We rely on generous donations from individuals like you for many of our monthly operating expenses. God has led us to believe for 1200 sponsors who will each give $12 a month. We don’t feel that this would be a burden for anybody, young or old. Please consider partnering with us.

Click here to donate!

Place of Hope Alumnus and staff member Rebecca B. celebrated one year of recovery on May 15th!! Here is a bit of her testimony:

My name is Rebecca B. and I am a recovering alcoholic. I was the product of two alcoholic parents and so was very familiar of the effects of alcohol on others from a young age. When I was sixteen my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it for myself. Alcohol gave me a sense of belonging at first, and as time progressed it became all that I thought about. It was my god, and it came before everything else in my life. Eventually I lost everything, even my family and my children, and I still could not stop drinking. Alcohol started and ended my day. I was physically sick, throwing up blood and having seizures. That’s when I called my sister, who referred me to the Place of Hope.

The day before I was admitted to POH I had a seizure and had quit breathing…it’s only by the grace of God that I’m still alive. The Place of Hope gave me the tools for recovery. I now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and He has been rebuilding all of my broken relationships.

I thank the Lord for His mercy and grace and for one year of sobriety. Today I am a volunteer staff member at POH. I want to thank everyone involved with the Place for giving me a life-changing experience. I am truly blessed to be a part of this ministry.

The last few months have been very exciting here as God continues to bless His Ministries

• Generous people continue to come alongside of and help POH. Recently we’ve had one room completely renovated by “The Lift Experience” Sunday school class from The People’s Church in Franklin, TN and two other rooms repainted by the youth group from Station Hill Baptist Church.

• On July 1st and 2nd, Place of Hope held it’s first ever COMMUNITY GIVEAWAY!!! Jean Currie, with the help of clients and staff, was able to give away hundreds of items to people in need.

• Friday Night Hope, our Homeless Outreach ministry, continues to be a success.

• A special thanks to the Full Life Youth Group, Southview Baptist Church and New Song Church of Spring Hill, who have all participated in our outreach recently. We pray blessings on them.

• Over the past few weeks, we have enjoyed the company of a higher number of homeless visitors than usual to our Nashville Recovery Church. We pray that God will continue to bless us by allowing us to minister to the least of His people every Sunday morning. All clothing and blankets have come to us through the generosity of others who want to serve in any way. Others have donated money to our sock, hat, and glove ministry. We pray blessings on all of these.

• Full Life Assembly of God in Franklin, TN invited us to a benefit show on June 12th. Among the entertainment were up and coming band Skyhook. All had a rocking good time.

• Praise God for His blessings in the form of employment for our halfway folks, all of whom have found work over the past year in one of the most impoverished areas in the state.

• Thanks to Bob Bradley, for presenting his project “Psalm Salvation” to the congregation at NRC on May 21st.

“We may not be saving the world, but we’re helping people one at a time.” ~Brother Mike Coupe

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Place of Hope Alumnus and staff member Rebecca B. celebrated one year of recovery on May 15th!! Here is a bit of her testimony:

My name is Rebecca B. and I am a recovering alcoholic. I was the product of two alcoholic parents and so was very familiar of the effects of alcohol on others from a young age. When I was sixteen my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it for myself. Alcohol gave me a sense of belonging at first, and as time progressed it became all that I thought about. It was my god, and it came before everything else in my life. Eventually I lost everything, even my family and my children, and I still could not stop drinking. Alcohol started and ended my day. I was physically sick, throwing up blood and having seizures. That’s when I called my sister, who referred me to the Place of Hope.

The day before I was admitted to POH I had a seizure and had quit breathing…it’s only by the grace of God that I’m still alive. The Place of Hope gave me the tools for recovery. I now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and He has been rebuilding all of my broken relationships.

I thank the Lord for His mercy and grace and for one year of sobriety. Today I am a volunteer staff member at POH. I want to thank everyone involved with the Place for giving me a life-changing experience. I am truly blessed to be a part of this ministry.

Revelations 12:11
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”

We would love to hear how you are doing. Let us share your testimony with other alumni of the Place of Hope, and let your story bring experience strength and hope to others and glory to God. We will be printing an alumni testimony in every edition of this newsletter. If you would like to submit one for consideration, just email it to PLACEOFHOPE@BELLSOUTH.NET. Please try to limit testimony to what you were like before POH, what happened at POH, and what you are like now.

James 5:16
“…pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Do you have a prayer request? We will pray for you. Send it to us at PLACEOFHOPE@BELLSOUTH.NET. Your request will be added to our prayer board, which is prayed over by several people all year long.

YOU CAN HELP!!

We rely on generous donations from individuals like you for many of our monthly operating expenses. God has led us to believe for 1200 sponsors who will each give $12 a month. We don’t feel that this would be a burden for anybody, young or old. Please consider partnering with us. In addition, we are currently raising funds to be able to replace our roof and install (for the first time) a heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In the winter it gets freezing, and the summer heat has been almost unbearable. For more information, please feel free to write, call us, or visit our website: www.placeofhopetn.org.

Everything from furniture, appliances, household, office items, great clothing, shoes, televisions, exercise equipment, linens, books, movies, cd’s, Christmas items, toys, and
MUCH more!

If you have items that you would like to donate to The Great Giveaway please bring them to The Place of Hope at 105 N James Campbell Blvd in Columbia, Tennessee.

Remember: It is God who gives us, through people or circumstance, the chance to do something beautiful for His glory

*** Items are not for resale ***

Ephesians 1:18-21 describes the “Ultimate Power.” He set me free from the torment of a “living hell on earth.” This began a spiritual journey which led to revcovery from addiction and a personal relationship with Jesus of Nazareth.

From the Badlands of South Dakota to John Cash’s cabin in Hendersonville, TN, these songs were written in an anointed whirlwind of music and spirituality. On April 7-8, 2006 the songs were recorded in the middle and aftermath of an F-3 tornado. As friends and family called our cell phones to warn us of the need to take cover, I remarked that we were probably sitting in the safest place in Nashville. Marty Stuart looked up through the skylights of the “Ark” and said, while we’re doing his business down here, God’s doing his business out there.

Inside the Ultimate Power CD case is a photo of an aerial view of Place of Hope. Place of Hope ministers the Lord’s healing and restoration to alcoholics, addicts, homeless and practical help to other poor people and their families. The Presence of the Ultimate Power lives there. It is my privilege to be a co-worker in this ministry.

Thank you Jesus of Nazareth for my life. Thank you Bev, Chelsea, Cassie and Carrie for your love. Thank you Marty for the record.

Mike Coupe is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Place of Hope. He is married to Beverly since 1987 and has 3 daughters; Chelsea, Cassie and Carrie. Mike has been ministering to alcoholics and addicts since 1981; is a nationally certified and licensed alcohol and drug counselor. He is a singer, songwriter, musician, author and teacher. Mike is an ordained minister who also pastors 2 churches in Tennessee: Hope Worship Center in Columbia and Nashville Recovery Church in Nashville.

News

The last few months have been very exciting here as God continues to bless His Ministries

• God has blessed us with a brand new carpet in His sanctuary! The old carpet was badly damaged and in need of replacement. Bless all those who came alongside us to make this happen. In the past year we have also been blessed with a new stage and paint job. Our sanctuary has gone from uninhabitable to welcoming over the years, and we are blessed to have this space in which to worship.

• Friday Night Hope, our newly named Homeless Outreach ministry, continues to be a success.

• A special thanks to Southview Baptist and Riverside United Methodist Church, who participated in our outreach in March. We pray blessings on them.

• We now have a backpack ministry thanks to Jean Currie, Place of Hope ministry team member. She has worked tirelessly to find enough bags to pass out to every person who comes to see us on Friday nights.

• Over the past few weeks, we have enjoyed the company of a higher number of homeless visitors than usual to our Nashville Recovery Church. We pray that God will continue to bless us by allowing us to minister to the least of His people every Sunday morning. All clothing and blankets have come to us through the generosity of others who want to serve in any way. Others have donated money to our sock, hat, and glove ministry. We pray blessings on all of these.

• Full Life Assembly of God in Franklin, TN invited us to the CD premiere party of comedian Jimmy Labriola. Clients and staff alike had a memorable evening full of laughter with the Full Life folks.

• Praise God for His blessings in the form of employment for our halfway folks, all of whom have found work over the past year in one of the most impoverished areas in the state.

“Look inside yourself. God is calling you to go deeper…The only limitation to God is our faith and our willingness to take action.”
~Brother Mike Coupe

KEEP IN TOUCH!!

Revelations 12:11
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”

We would love to hear how you are doing. Let us share your testimony with other alumni of the Place of Hope, and let your story bring experience strength and hope to others. We will be printing an alumni testimony in every edition of this newsletter. If you would like to submit one for consideration, just email it to PELFREY.RICHARD@GMAIL.COM. Please try to limit testimony to what you were like before POH, what happened at POH, and what you are like now.

James 5:16
“…pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Do you have a prayer request? We will pray for you. Send it to us at PELFREY.RICHARD@GMAIL.COM. Your request will be added to our prayer board, which is prayed over by several people all year long.

You Can Help!!

We rely on generous donations from individuals like you for over 50% of our monthly operating expenses. God has led us to believe for 1200 sponsors who will each give $12 a month. We don’t feel that this would be a burden for anybody, young or old. Please consider partnering with us. In addition, we are currently raising funds to be able to replace our roof and install (for the first time) a heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In the winter, it gets freezing and the summer heat has been almost unbearable. For more information, please feel free to write, call us, or visit our website: www.placeofhopetn.org.