the reaking B ce with ie I P
by Ann Kline, Fred Langohr,
John Morr, & Brett Ohlwine with Jacob Clagg
Sugar Grove Church of God in Churubusco, Indiana has become actively involved in two new local mission opportunities. In both cases, God has rewarded small steps of faith and obedience with life-changing ministries that are reshaping their communities. Sugar Grove Church has found itself partnered closely with Chain O’Lakes Re-Entry Center (a correctional facility with capacity for 140 individuals) and Hickory Treatment Center (a 28-day recovery and rehabilitation center). The origins of each partnership, and their incredible impacts, are detailed below.
Chain O’Lakes Re-Entry Center At a Community Advisory Board meeting for Chain O’Lakes Re-Entry Center in Albion, Indiana, the warden described the partnership between another re-entry center and a local church. A member of Sugar Grove Church of God sat in that meeting and wondered how the church might work with Chain O’Lakes to impact the men inside. Thus began a ministry and a blessing for both the church and the facility residents. After reaching out to the men’s ministry coordinator, a few men displayed interest in this new idea. Fred Langohr, Associate Pastor Tim Miles, John Morr, and Brett Ohlwine joined Ann Kline for a meeting to brainstorm and pray. Brett recalls that, “Prior to the meeting, I prayed and asked myself the question, ‘What was Jesus’ vision and mission?’ Immediately, I was reminded that Jesus fully engaged in discipleship and that His last will and testament, the Great Commission, centered on discipleship. When we had gathered to conduct the meeting, before I spoke, Fred brought up that he felt that “discipleship” should be an important component of what we do. This was confirmation, and I showed him what I had written down regarding a vision for discipleship. At the warden’s suggestion, the introductory event was a “Pie Night” just before Thanksgiving. Many of the residents and 15 Sugar Grove volunteers crammed into the mess hall to sing a few praise songs and listen to a brief devotional on thankfulness. The men were thrilled with around 25 homemade pies donated by church members. The warden’s eyes lit up as he told a volunteer to look around at the men laughing and interacting with each other. They were witnessing something special.
The Global Advocate 13