#187: How You Can Be Serving Christ in The Community (Like Mike Gaymon On A Mission)

Run The Race

"Serving Christ in the Community" is the longtime slogan (and jingle) of the nonprofit Valley Rescue Mission, which our guest Mike Gaymon came out of retirement to help lead nearly a year ago, as President/CEO. He has some advice for you about getting rid of the stuff/hurt in your ditch...faith where you're at, like at your job...how a good economy can be ministry...and following callings to serve God and others! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast too. (3:05) Gaymon, who was the top leader at the Chamber of Commerce in several states for nearly 40 years (26 years in Columbus GA). this preacher's kid felt a calling from God to serve the mission and the needy in this season. He has some personal stories on that. (9:45) His steps for letting God use you and your faith include: plant where God puts you, know your strengths, serve God not man, be honest, do the right thing for the right reasons. Mike also talks about hope...and vision! (14:42) After people have been in the "giving spirit" over the holiday season, the needs are still there at the start of 2024. It's about giving a hand up, not a handout. How can you take care of the needy where you are? How are your donations spent? The Bible talks plenty about serving others. (19:29) Hear what the Valley Rescue Mission has been doing for the last 60 years, with a high success rate of helping drug addicts too. Even the 2023 numbers are staggering. Mike talks about ways you can use your gifts and time to help people seen as "outcasts." (28:18) He also wrote a book called "A View From the Backhoe," short stories sure to inspire you. Mike and all of us have stagnant water in our ditch - hurts, anger, disappointment - that needs to be cleaned out, replaced with fresh water. Symbolic, right. How did he do just that? A big part of it is letting God use you, following His Will. (36:26) Way back, Mike was also a basketball coach at a junior college, seeing a door shut...surrendering to God...then a door opened. In life since, he's still been coaching those in economic development and now in the nonprofit ministry. (44:03) Valley Rescue Mission will be delivering coats to those who need them soon from our WTVM annual coat drive that ends Wednesday January 10. Here's how you can donate: https://www.wtvm.com/2023/12/19/wtvm-partners-with-local-businesses-host-coat-drive/. Mike encourages you to find a place where you can make a difference and impact, where you live! If you want to volunteer or give to their Mission, here's all the info you need: https://www.valleyrescuemission.org/ Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.