Craig Beiler
Mr.Stephens
Senior Bible
October 5th, 2018
Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries
Knox Area Rescue Ministries exists to rescue the poor and needy of the Knox area by providing recovery services in Jesus’ name. We approach this ministry without a denominational affiliation and desire to utilize the full range of gifts in the Christian community to accomplish the mission to which God has called us. We understand that each Christian may hold to different variations and nuances of doctrine. So in order to provide both clarity and freedom to those who minister at KARM, we have developed the following general statements about the foundations of the Christian faith. We ask all volunteers and employees to support these basic truths and join this ministry in their unique roles by recognizing opportunities for a spiritual emphasis as the best foundation for our guests who are often in a fragile spiritual state.
Abridged Statement of Faith
We believe that God exists as one essence while eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are the one and only living and true God. (Gen 1:1, 26,27; Psa 90:2; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet 1:2; Phil 2:6)
We believe the Bible is God’s very Word to us. It was written by human authors under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth and authority for Christian beliefs and living. (Psalm 12:6; 119:105, 160; Prov 30:5; 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16; 1 Pet 1:25; 2 Pet 1:20, 21)
We believe people were created innocent and in the image and likeness of God, for fellowship with God, but our first parents sinned bringing forth death (which means separation from God) to themselves and their posterity. As a consequence, all people are now sinners, both by nature and by choice, and therefore are alienated from God. (Gen 1:26, 27; 2:17; 3:6, 19; Rom 3:10-18; 5:12-21; Eph 2:1-3)
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received by individuals only through repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. People are justified by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from human merit, works, or ceremonies. (John 3:16; 10:27-30, 14:6; Rom 3:23; 8:33-39; 2 Cor 5:17 Eph 2:8-10)
We believe people were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. (Matthew 1:8; 2:44,46; John 2:25; 3:16; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
We believe the Holy Spirit gives every believer spiritual gifts (ministries) to be exercised for the building up of the body of Christ . (John 10:41, 42; Rom 14:19-21; 1 Cor 12:4,13; 1 Cor 14:19, 23, 40; Eph 4:11,12) Nearly 400 men, women and children call KARM home each night. For many, this overnight stay is just the first step in finding restoration. Because when a person enters KARM, they experience compassion from staff and volunteers who are ready to meet not only physical needs, but respond to their spiritual needs as well.
KARM serves on average nearly 1,000 meals per day, feeding not only the homeless, but many in crisis who must choose between food and other basic needs…those who may have a home, but are struggling to pay bills or buy food. A nutritious meal is often the first act of compassion that allow KARM staff and volunteers to engage with those in need and begin to develop relationships which help create hope and a way out of the cycle of poverty and homelessness.
Overnight shelter may follow, offering a safe place from the elements, rest, and loving staff and volunteers to listen and help.
There are many reasons why someone may become homeless. A house burns down, a job is lost, the person has poor job skills, mental illness, or an addiction that consumes. It can happen to anyone who doesn’t have a “safety net” of family or friends to fall back on when crisis hits our lives. And when these times come, there are many ways that KARM responds:
KARM serves nearly 1,000 meals each day, 365 days per year, to the poor and homeless.
KARM provides emergency shelter to nearly 400 men, women and children each night who have no where else to turn.
KARM provides immediate emergency shelter for families, then works with other family service providers in the East Tennessee area to find additional resources or housing.
KARM’s Courtyard offers a safe, welcome outdoor space off the streets, with restrooms, bag storage, permanent seating and much more.
KARM’s Crossroads Welcome Center is pioneering a whole new way of serving the homeless during the day, creating a bold model for inter-agency cooperation. Crossroads is a practical starting point where people can get off the streets, use the restrooms, have access to computers, make
phone calls and even stow their bags while they work to get off the streets. And now, instead of duplicating each other’s services, secular agencies and Christian ministries from across Knoxville work together at Crossroads. The result is better care, superior follow-through, and greater success moving people out of homelessness.
KARM is the only facility of this magnitude in the Knoxville area. Without KARM, most, if not all, of the Knoxville area’s homeless would be living in cars, on the streets or in campgrounds.
The men and women who come to KARM may be hungry for food or need a roof over their head, but invariably, in their stories, we hear the underlying pain, guilt, and shame stemming from the effects of poverty and abuse. They are like prisoners longing for freedom, but don’t know where to find it.
Homelessness is a symptom of something much greater than not having a home. And when the broken, abused, hopeless person comes inside for refuge, they find a warm meal, a hot shower, and a clean bed. They can also be introduced to the only One who can really make them whole.
Through KARM’s residential recovery, men and women finally confront the root causes of their homelessness and embrace the healing that knowing Jesus provides.
In recovery, men and women learn to give and receive real love. They gain self-respect and respect for others. Here they embrace the healing that only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are given the hands-on training and tools to help them succeed in the world when they leave:
Serenity for women provides biblically-based residential recovery services, case management, individual and group counseling, spiritual support, crisis intervention, life skills classes, community-based mentoring, and refuge from abusive relationships for women who are seeking help.
KARM’s men’s recovery program, is currently on hiatus while the program is being revamped for greater capacity and ministry. However, contact us for assistance with referrals.
From the moment someone enters the recovery program, KARM begins preparing them for the day they leave. The key to successful recovery at KARM is for the person to understand that they are a unique creation and that God never made humanity in His likeness in order for it to be thrown away. For so many, KARM is the last resort that leads to a lasting answer.