THE LORD IS GOING TO SET ME IN THE RIGHT PLACE! MARCH 2018

Transcription

1 THE LORD IS GOING TO SET ME IN THE RIGHT PLACE! MARCH 2018

2 1321 E. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, TX (817) ugm tc.org A local united Christian organization and ministry dedicated to providing love, hope, respect, and a new beginning for the homeless of Tarrant County. BOARD OF DIRECTORS listed with church affiliations Chairman: Charlie Allen Christ Chapel Bible Church Vice Chairman: Mary Jane Edwards Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church Treasurer: Eddie Broussard Watermark Community Church Secretary: Columba J. Reid St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church President & CEO: Don Shisler Saint Mark Episcopal Church Chaplain: Fr. V. Stanley Maneikis St. Alban s Episcopal Church Bill E. Bailey, Christ Chapel Bible Church James O. Branch, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Rickey J. Brantley, Arborlawn United Methodist Carl R. Brumley, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry Chilton, Christ Chapel Bible Church Ronald Clinkscale, First Presbyterian Church Fred Closuit, Christ Chapel Bible Church Larry D. Eason, First United Methodist Church Gene Gray, McKinney Memorial Bible Church Crawford Gupton, Christ Chapel Baptist Church Pat Hawkins, McKinney Memorial Bible Church DON SHISLER President/CEO BIG BLESSINGS Easter is the most hopeful season for those of us who believe that Jesus Christ was born, suffered, died for our sins and rose again on the third day. But even the strongest faith can falter sometimes, especially in the face of poverty, addiction and homelessness. Kenetra, who is on the cover of this issue of The Mission, says, You re not going to always be up in spirit and have everything that you d like. But you have to take the small to get to the big blessings. Thanks to you, there are plenty of big blessings at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County! Every day of sobriety, every resident reunited with family, every resident who graduates from our program is a blessing. I think the biggest blessings are the professions of faith, when men and women accept God s freely given gift of salvation. Are there still going to be some rough turns in the road? Absolutely, we all have them. But God s grace gives us hope. It lets us look far enough ahead that we can see the outcome, and it s just as amazing as that first Easter morning must have been. All of us at UGM-TC wish you and your family many blessings this Easter and always! In Christ, Barcus Hunter, Christ Church Anglican Robert J. Keffler, Christ Chapel Bible Church Otis Lemley, Without Walls Church John Mitchell, Watermark Community Church Terry Montesi, Christ Chapel Bible Church President/CEO For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth Job 19:25 NKJV Peter Philpott, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Caroline Stephens Samis, Christ Chapel Bible Church J.D. Stotts, White s Chapel Methodist Church Allison Wagner, Christ Chapel Bible Church W. David White, Christ Chapel Bible Church CONTENTS FEBRUARY Kenetra s family finds stability 4 5 Easter at the Mission 6 Events, needs, social media 7 Chaplain s page 8 You gave Bradley an amazing outcome

3 UGM-TC gave me a good, positive outlook. KENETRA IS ON THE PATH TO THE RIGHT PLACE! I SEE THAT GOD IS WORKING WITH ME. Three simple words sum up Kenetra s life before she arrived at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County: I was lost. A single mother of three, Kenetra had struggled to stay on top of paying rent and other expenses. It was hard to stay stable, she remembers. I went through a tough time and I had to live house to house with different people. When a living arrangement with her cousin fell through, Kenetra and her daughters came to UGM-TC. It s been wonderful, Kenetra enthuses. UGM-TC gave me a good, positive outlook. Family counseling offered by partnering organizations strengthened the bond between Kenetra and her girls, ages 16, 10 and 9. I didn t have an open relationship with my oldest daughter, she says. We had family therapy this morning and it went really well! Through parenting classes at the Mission, Kenetra has also learned how to connect with her middle daughter, who has ADHD. I understand her more and I just go with the flow. Attending chapel has made a positive impact on the family. Before I came here, I d forget to pray, Kenetra admits. Now she and her girls read Scripture and pray every night. I see that I m growing and that God is working with me. I know the Lord is going to set me in the right place with my kids. Kenetra has already found a job and is learning to manage her finances. I want to put some money aside so when I do come up for my housing, I can have stability. I ll have money to buy household supplies or furniture. In the meantime, Kenetra appreciates everything you and other friends do for UGM-TC. Without you, she says, I would be out on the streets with three kids. Looking ahead to when she s settled, Kenetra hopes to follow your example and give back to the Mission herself. Thank you for helping Kenetra and her girls find their way home! Trust in the Lord with all your heart In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5 6 NKJV

4 What Does E As we prepare to gather and celebrate Easter this year, we decided to ask our residents and staff what this day means to them. In their heartfelt words, Easter means EASTER AT THE MISSION Easter is a very special time at UGM-TC, as we celebrate not only the glorious resurrection of our Lord, but the renewed lives our residents enjoy thanks to your support. Children at the Mission enjoy an Easter egg hunt, a visit with the Easter bunny and an Easter basket full of treats. Plus, each family receives a Walmart gift certificate to buy a new Easter outfit. Of course, everyone also acknowledges the real reason for the celebration Jesus Christ! Residents enjoy delicious meals, including a spaghetti lunch on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday we serve a wonderful brunch for a few hundred people, welcoming them for food, friendship and fellowship in Christ. Beverly ACCOUNTING MANAGER The life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave his life so we could live. We love Him for what He did because He did not have to do it He did because He loved us. A new beginning, to walk with Christ, serving the Lord, Our God. L. C. OPERATIONS MANA The most inspiring part of our celebration is Father Stanley s Easter Sunday chapel services. As he shares the Good News with residents and guests, he brings faith, hope and light into their lives and hearts. If you would like to be a part of the Easter festivities at UGM-TC, just turn the page to see how you can help! Thank you for helping to bless our guests and residents on Easter! GeorgeUGM-TC RESIDENT God sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we may have everlasting life. He gave His best so that we too may have a chance at everlasting life.

5 aster Mean to You? New beginnings, resurrection of Jesus Christ, spending time with your friends and family and receiving a fresh start. Jeffrey UGM-TC RESIDENT Fatimah LEAD MSS SUPERVISOR A time of love, forgiveness and family. Knowing that someone was sent for my sins and saved me is a wonderful feeling that I am a child of God. GER Easter means life. Christina UGM-TC RESIDENT

6 SPRING CLEANING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DRESS A SPECIAL CHILD FOR EASTER Every Easter each family at the Mission receives a Walmart gift certificate to buy a new Easter outfit. However, with over 60 children at the Mission this Easter, we need help providing our kids with a special outfit for the big day. You can help by donating $20 Walmart gift certificate for a family to purchase an outfit for their child. For many of us, springtime means one thing: spring cleaning. Please help us stock our warehouse with cleaning supplies to keep the Mission looking its best this spring. Items such as paper towels, large trash bags, Windex glass cleaner and Clorox wipes are always appreciated. Donation Drop Off: You can bring your donations to the Mission Warehouse, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. (1111 E. Lancaster), or to the front desk of our main building at any time (1321 E. Lancaster). KEEP IN TOUCH Far more is going on at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County than we could ever fit in a newsletter! Here are some simple ways to see how you make a difference every day and be the first to hear about big news and special events: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter (@ugmtarrantco) Follow us on Instagram (@ugmtarrantco) Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lezlee Kinney, for more information about other volunteer opportunities at or lkinney@ugm-tc.org. Include your address on the enclosed response form to receive Mission news and opportunities via Have you considered including Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in your ESTATE PLANS?

7 THE GOD WHO SAVES CHAPLAIN STANLEY MANEIKIS The Lord spared King David s life many times, making him a faithful believer in God and His saving power. How often has God spared our lives? Are we always as faithful to Him as He is to us? Especially at Easter time, the truth that Jesus Christ saves runs through my mind and heart. Jesus Christ lived, preached, suffered, died, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. He appeared to many people in a resurrected and glorified body. We believe this truth as the Word of God. Christmas may get more attention, but Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection, is the most important day in the Christian year. And while Christmas is always December 25, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Vernal equinox, two days after Good Friday. The most important proof that God saves is that He raised His Son from the Dead in a resurrected and glorified body. GOD THE FATHER OPENED THE GATES OF HEAVEN SO THAT WHERE HIS SON JESUS THE CHRIST IS, WE MAY ALSO GO. Further, God the Father opened the gates of Heaven so that where His Son Jesus the Christ is, we may also go. God s promise, His saving truth, is that we too will have a resurrected body, when the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the Dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16 18 NKJV). These words truly are a comfort to those of us who believe. This Easter, let s show our faithfulness to the God who saves by sharing them with everyone we encounter! Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. Psalm 20:6 NKJV ALPHA UPDATE ALPHA is a Bible-based course offered on Thursday evenings that gives our residents the opportunity to explore the meaning of life through Christ in a relaxed, friendly setting. ALPHA Small Groups are designed to give participants a time to share and listen. ALPHA at UGM-TC began in the Fall of ALPHA is led by trained volunteers from the community churches. ALPHA is about the Saving work of God through Jesus Christ. Session 2 of the ALPHA Course topic is Why Did Jesus Die? Residents say that ALPHA helps them connect the dots, renew The Faith and minister to each other. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Chaplain Maneikis at or smaneikis@ugm-tc.org. PRAYER REQUESTS THIS EASTER SEASON, PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER: That the hope of Heaven becomes a motivation to draw closer to God. That the Peace given by Jesus to the disciples calms the stressors in our lives. That the rereading of the Gospels renews the Joy we find in Jesus Christ. For the people in our lives who need more attention and love.

8 Getting in touch with God was the best thing about coming here. THANKS FOR HELPING BRADLEY DO THE RIGHT THING! It s amazing what happens when you do the right thing. For Bradley, the right thing was coming to Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. A painful divorce left Bradley suffering from depression and addiction. In the following years, he was in and out of mental hospitals and homeless much of the time. My family told me they didn t want me around until I got clean, he says. After a suicide attempt, Bradley was referred to UGM-TC by a case manager who had worked at the Mission and drove to Fort Worth in what little was left of my car. Bradley joined our men s program and discovered that the structure here is really good. I see a counselor every week. I see my psychiatrist and I m on medication. He also attends Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Even more, Bradley credits the Lord with helping him find his way back. He had grown up in church, but drifted away as a college student. Then when you get into drugs, you hate God because you blame Him for everything. Getting in touch with God was the best thing about coming here. Today, Bradley has a steady job and looks forward to getting his own place. He sees his family every weekend, including his three-year-old son. I tell everybody here when they re new that if you do what they tell you and put in your work, you can change your life around. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STORIES! E. LANCASTER FORT WORTH, TX