San Antonio Beacon Magazine Spring/Summer 2020

THE SAN ANTONIO

SPRING / SUMMER 2020

Be A Light

20 YEARS Building Pathways out of Poverty through the Love of Christ

Life Change Centers Overcoming drug addiction with hope 1

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Hearing God's Voice 8

ONE offers healing through connection to God’s voice

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Decade of Family

No Place Left

Local leaders launch movement to benefit local families 12

Spiritual multiplication. The math behind their movement 13

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INSIDE 8

Life Change Centers overcoming with hope Christian-based drug rehabilitation center pioneers customized, life-changing program.

Freedom and redemption are offered in a way that many rehabilitation centers have yet to embrace.

9

ONE offers healing through connection to God’s voice “We all know that mental illness is on the rise and suicide rates are ridiculous.

That’s why we do what we do,” says Cayce Harris, Executive Director of ONE. STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Donor & GoodBooks

Dwell Real Estate Group

SPRING / SUMMER 2020 Thank you to our local businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories.

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San Antonio leaders launch 'Decade of Family' movement In late February, several hundred influential San Antonio leaders met in support of our city’s most valuable resources—its families. The mission of the event was to share a vision and launch a movement called the Decade of Family.

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The math behind No Place Left’s disciple-making movement.

Jennifer Rodriguez knows single parenting can be hard. Not only was she a teen mom, but she also became a single mom of three boys under the age of five—all before she was 24. She quickly realized the challenges that she would face. She trusted God. Now she is helping other single parents navigate life and raise great kids.

Spiritual multiplication

What happens when God places His heart for the lost in us and directs us from the model He sets forth in the Book of Acts? The result will be “No Place Left”.

God helps single parents

Read more Good News stories online.

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Be A Light.

PUBLISHER: The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS: Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR: Denise Marcos WRITERS: Inez Kirchner, Denise Marcos, Amy Morgan, Jennie Rosio, Denisse Warshack, Richard Zowie, Jessa McClure, April Newell EMAIL: info@saBeacon.com ONLINE: www.saBeacon.com MISSION: The Beacon is a communication tool and resource center that encourages and provides opportunities to love and care for our community.

The Beacon is a Christian publication provided by the San Antonio Beacon, LLC. The articles and ads in this publication express the opinions of the ministries, churches, schools and businesses featured and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the San Antonio Beacon, LLC. The San Antonio Beacon, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the facts stated in the content of this publication including any ad copy. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the advertising content in this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. The San Antonio Beacon, LLC assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of the advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. Under no circumstances shall the San Antonio Beacon, LLC be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or from any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

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A LETTER FROM THE

CO-PUBLISHERS

Wow. Just wow. We were about to get our Easter Issue out and then bam … “you-know-what” happened and everything shut down. Now we find ourselves in the middle of protests, rioting, name-calling, judgment and hopefully eventual progress regarding racism. The Church is leading the way. And we know God is still in control.

Our team at The Beacon took the downtime to strengthen our digital and social media presence.

We hope you have noticed that we are posting much more in social media and adding many articles and videos to our website with one thought in mind … keep you informed and up-to-date because God is still on the move in our community!

We also made the decision to add advertising starting in this issue (and future issues). It is important that we all BUY LOCAL to help small businesses recover from the pandemic and we wanted to introduce these community-minded businesses to you. We encourage you to search them out and buy from them. They are important to the flavor that San Antonio offers.

If you are a business owner or know someone who is, now is the time to talk with our Cause Marketing Team to get your business in The Beacon print and digital magazine (see below for contact info).

Our heart is to make our opportunities affordable and we have lowered our rates significantly so any business can add us to their marketing mix. In addition, for a limited time, we are giving away a FREE premium listing on our website to any business in our city and the surrounding area so our visitors can find local businesses to support as we continue to recover.

We encourage you to look to the future with hope and faith. San Antonio will not be knocked off course. God has too many plans for the courageous leaders in our community, many of whom have doubled and even tripled their services in recent months to help people who are hurting. You will read about several in this issue.

Be sure to like and follow us on social media and visit our website regularly. God is working and doing some amazing things that sometimes don’t allow us to wait for the next issue and so we are adding stories, Christian events (online events currently) and videos on BeaconTV. We encourage you to sign up on our website to receive weekly e-news updates so we can continue to keep you informed. After all, His story of redemption continues!

Duke Jonietz

Claude Roberts

Co-Publisher Co-Publisher

Contact Us:

Duke Jonietz email: Duke@saBeacon.com or call (210) 316-8260

Claude Roberts email: Claude@saBeacon.com or call (210) 643-2849

Advertising print and online email: advertising@sabeacon.com

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Celebrating 20 years at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries

Building Pathways out of Poverty through the Love of Christ Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries’ 40,000-square-foot warehouse and offices stand among rolling hills in Boerne.

B Y AM Y M O R G AN

When you think of Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries (HCDBM), you would be right to envision an organization that coordinates food and necessities for the poor. But you would be mistaken if you believe the mission ends with feeding the hungry. Far from it. This unique and effective ministry not only meets practical needs, but also the deeper underlying issues that keep people in the grip of poverty.

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries is celebrating its twentieth year. “As it turns out, it will definitely be a memorable year as we serve the community through the COVID-19 crisis. We look back and are so grateful to the thousands of donors, volunteers and church leaders who help make HCDBM what it is today,” reflects Agnes Hubbard Co-Founder and Executive Director.

From the beginning, Agnes and her husband and co-founder of the nonprofit, David Hubbard, began partnering with churches to ground their efforts in the gospel, sharing the love of Christ while providing physical sustenance. Agnes explains, “We know 4

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that for there to be true transformation in the lives of those who have been in persistent poverty, it takes more than a box of food.”

Humble Beginnings It all started when God sparked a vision the hearts of the founders. David recognized there were few resources for those in need in the Hill Country and most programs centered on material things. The Hubbards were offered an 8-by-10 used cooler and despite the timing being less than ideal, the Hubbards stepped out in faith to accept God’s call. Another friend volunteered her garage to house the fledgling ministry and a $5,000 gift from their church paid for a truck.

“Within four weeks, we had a location, a cooler and a 20-foot Ryder truck— God was lining everything up,” Agnes says. “It was a clear signal from the Lord for us to say yes to God's call.”

Fast forward to today, HCDBM is now headquartered in a 40,000-squarefoot warehouse in Boerne on 10 acres of land. HCDBM’S impact reaches across eight counties of the Texas Hill Country to reach the poor with Christ’s love. The staff of 24 now manages more w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

than 4,796 volunteers and HCDBM serves more than 50,000 through its combined programs.

Its platform has enabled them to take its existing programs and mobilize quickly to react to the dramatic spike in people needing help because of the COVID-19 crisis. Although they are meeting critical basic needs, they keep relationships and the gospel central in everything they do.

Family Mentoring Resource Ministry The unique Family Mentoring Resource Ministry is the nonprofit's core program and centers on partnerships with local churches. In 2019, the team served 713 low-income households (2,465 individuals including 996 David and Agnes’ heart for Jesus. We are “ Wefirmlovebelievers in the philosophy they have adopted at HCDBM. While numbers are important, the people they serve are their top priority and at the center of every decision. One family at a time, poverty can be changed. Family by family, generational poverty can be eliminated. We encourage you to support the mission of HCDBM!

”

Judith and Dwaine Rivers, The Rivers Team Spring / Summer 2020

6/22/20 10:19 AM

Two veterans cultivated a great friendship thanks to HCDBM’s mentoring program.

children). HCDBM staff brings their toolbox of training, leadership development and case management support to local churches and partners in developing a sustainable relational outreach ministry infrastructure. Church-based mentors are matched with families.

The mentor, the church and HCDBM’s case manager, work together in harmony to follow the family’s action plan to meet their goals.

Mobilizing God’s people to meet the COVID-19 crisis HCDBM’s on-going Emergency Relief Program is now seeing hundreds of calls a month due to the pandemic. When COVID-19 hit, the goal was to quickly develop a larger, more efficient distribution system for emergency food. “We are so proud of how every partner responded despite the challenges of church closings,” says Agnes. Church partners in San Antonio, Boerne, Bandera, Kerrville, Lake Hills and Fredericksburg added an onsite COVID Emergency Relief Ministry. The added benefit is church volunteers personally got to know We invite you to visit HCDBM and expose “ yourself to their work and to their team.

Schedule a tour. Make yourself aware that poverty does indeed exist all around us.

Roll up your sleeves and volunteer.

It will be the best decision you have made in a long time.

”

Judith and Dwaine Rivers, The Rivers Team

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feeling helpless and hopeless. Her case manager let her know the HCDBM team could deliver the box of food to her and that they were here for her.

Susie began to cry with a mixture of thankfulness and relief from all her fearful thoughts. She told the case manager how grateful she was that someone cared.

A Stand By Me mentor and his mentee enjoy time together.

families who were feeling helpless and uncertain of the future.

Throughout the next days and weeks HCDBM bought additional inventory. They are on track to distribute $5 million in food and basic resources this year. HCDBM has also been able to provide resources for hot-meal efforts and large food distribution in addition to its Emergency Relief Program.

More than 3,300 individuals have been served by HCDBM over the last eight weeks, and more come in every day. Clients come from all backgrounds. The COVID-19 crisis has pushed people who were just making it to a crisis point. Case managers hear stories like these everyday: Susie and her disabled sister are in their 60s and her sister, whom she lives with, is dependent on her. Susie lost her job due to the shutdown of the city.

With upcoming surgery looming, she was at the end of her rope and worried how she would not even be able to pick up an emergency box of food. She explained how depressed she had been, w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Susie and her sister now receive a box of groceries, meat and vegetables every other week. She has regular encouragement and prayer from her case manager and is on the waiting list to enter the mentoring ministry.

Children in Poverty Like the family program, Stand By Me Student Mentoring (SBM) is about relationships. SBM provides early intervention and opportunities for at-risk kids, K-12th grade, to discover

A mentor and student celebrate graduation after enjoying the benefits of HCDBM’s Stand By Me program.

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Thank you to The Rivers Team/Phyllis Browning Company for sponsoring this Good News story

God’s purpose for their life, grow in their faith and develop life skills to combat the destructive effects of poverty. The average length of matched relationships is five years, which is well above the national average of 14 months. The longer the match, the more positive impact on the child.

Issues affecting children in poverty have now been amplified with stay-athome restrictions, unemployment and community support systems shut down. SBM students can attend a seven-week Summer Leadership Academy (SLA). The program is seeing these children’s lives transform.

Children like *Joseph, a teenager who struggled with anger from abuse, first from an alcoholic father and then a stepfather. Initially he sought acceptance with a group of undesirable friends, but once his mother entered him in Stand By Me, Joseph was matched with Peter who provided kind, consistent wisdom and a good example. Things for Joseph began to change. In the last two years, Joseph has participated in the Summer Leadership Academy where he accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized.

Joseph wrote in his SLA journal last summer: “My home life is still tough,” he says, “but I now feel I have a Father in heaven who supports and loves me— and with that, I can hold on.”

“The Stand By Me Ministry is making an impact on these kids and catching them before we lose them to life-changing consequences,” states Roger Gonzales, Mentoring Director.

“Our SBM 12-year average graduation rate is 97 percent versus the national average for persistently poor children of 67 percent.”

Community Resource Ministry HCDBM's leadership believes in the spirit of Christian sharing and partnership. HCDBM provides at no cost, almost $2 million per year in resources such as food, clothing and personal hygiene to area church partners, nonprofits and civic groups who benefit by stretching their limited budgets with items they do not have to purchase themselves.

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Grateful for 20 years of ministry “We see miracles every day as families break the grip of poverty on their lives. The real treasure coming through the door is the Christian who is going to love on that person and have a relationship with them,” Agnes says. “It is more important than ever for the local church to be the central force in poverty alleviation for those in need in their communities.” HCDBM invites you to join the mission as they move into the next 20 years working to break the cycle of poverty and need through the love of Christ.

It is important to note that HCDBM is currently fundraising to add an 8,000-square-foot training center that will serve its expanding case load of families and church partners and provide year around youth programs. *At The Beacon, we respect everyone who comes to these ministries for help.

Many are working toward a fresh start in life. So, while their stories are true, the names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries www.hillcountrydailybread.com 234 W. Bandera Road, #133 Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 755-5200

During a Family Mentoring Ministry visit, a mentor and mentee unload groceries together.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

Judith and Dwaine Rivers

With more than 60 years of combined real estate experience, we are excited to serve you in buying or selling your home in the Texas Hill Country. We have a deep understanding of both residential and ranch properties. We work hard for clients seeking acreage and ranch properties, as well as high-end residential real estate. Together we offer gifting in home staging, ranching expertise and commitment to customer service. We care about our community. We give. We volunteer our time. Give us a call.

Let’s have coffee and talk about your dreams.

Be A Light.

Discover. Contact the ministry to learn how you or your church can become involved. Visit. Schedule a tour to learn more. Volunteer. Train to be a mentor or complete a project. Support. Consider giving monthly or perhaps designate a gift for the new training center. Pray. Pray for additional mentors to step up and for the ministry to continue to change lives.

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The Rivers Team/Phyllis Browning Company Judith Rivers Cell: (210) 393-3231 Dwaine Rivers Cell: (210) 889-3652

www.theriversteam.com

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COMMUNIT Y-MINDED SPONSOR

Thank you to these community-minded businesses for making this issue possible.

We encourage you to do business with companies that care.

THE RIVERS TEAM: RE-INVENTING REAL ESTATE . The Rivers Team consists of husband and wife duo, Judith and Dwaine Rivers. Together, they are a unique real estate team with deep understanding of both residential and ranch properties. Judith and Dwaine cater to clients seeking acreage and ranch properties, as well as high-end residential real estate. Their rare combination of home staging, ranching expertise and commitment to customer service are assets to both buyers and sellers.

COMMUNITY-MINDED. Judith and Dwaine are involved with several Boerne and Kendall County nonprofit efforts. They both have a heart for their community.

For years, Judith headed up the Vision Dinner for Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries (HCDBM), an event which still benefits

HCDBM today. This HCDBM event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help break the chains of generational poverty in Boerne and surrounding counties. Dwaine is the acting President of the Board for Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries and has served on the Board for over 12 years. He is proud to supply leadership and guidance as well as utilize his wealth of contacts to benefit the mission of HCDBM. Judith and Dwaine feel blessed to be counted among the difference-makers in Boerne. They both have a vision to actively serve those around them while using their gifts and abilities to make this unique city shine.

YOUR NEXT RANCH/HOME. With real estate sales (of both ranches and homes) totaling more than $5 billion, Judith and

Dwaine would be pleased to help you locate that perfect place to relax and enjoy the wonders of the Texas Hill Country.

The Rivers Team/Phyllis Browning Company 711 S Main St., Boerne, TX 78006 Office: (830) 331-8450 Judith Rivers Cell: (210) 393-3231 Dwaine Rivers Cell: (210) 889-3652 www.theriversteam.com

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Lessons

3534 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 24 San Antonio, TX 78201

(210) 834-5787

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Thank you to Anonymous Donor and GoodBooks for sponsoring this Good News story

Life Change Centers overcoming with hope Christian-based drug rehabilitation center pioneers customized, life-changing program B Y AP R I L LY NN NE W ELL

At Life Change Centers (LCC), freedom and redemption are offered in a way that many rehabilitation centers have yet to embrace.

This unique approach could be the reason LCC has so many success stories, according to Board of Directors Member Larisa Ilie. LCC is an international nonprofit organization with two of its 23 locations in Boerne and San Antonio.

With a customized program, students at LCC not only experience freedom from their addiction, but also the freedom they have in Jesus.

Through the center’s three key focuses of body, mind and spirit—clients at LCC discover the root cause of their addictions, learn anger management skills and most importantly to trust in the Lord. Through various programs such as the Skills Learning Experience Program, Handy Man and Multicultural Cuisine; students learn important skills and work ethics, which empower them to transition back to the community and a life of responsibilities smoothly.

“We work with them to put in roots in their faith in God,” Larisa says.

“There are times when they get discouraged and either want to

Board of Directors LCC Texas, Sergey Stymbalyuk, Yuriy Kolesnikov, Tanya Kolesnikov, Larisa Ilie, Vladimir Ulanov, and Roman Svyatetskiy.

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Life Change Centers students, House Leaders Tatyana and Yuriy Kolesnikov and Eagle’s Flight Advocacy (Pamela and Tim Allen) celebrate partnership.

commit suicide or go get high. We want them to understand that when you face trouble, you must get on your knees, pray and find Jesus for answers to your challenges.”

One powerful testimony has stayed with Larisa. It’s a story about a man who was only able to remain at LCC for four months before having to go to prison. Yet, in those four months, he discovered the unforgiveness that caused his addictions. In prison, he turned away drugs and shared the gospel. When he was released, he returned to LCC, finished the program and today is a full-time missionary.

“It’s beautiful work. I’m very happy to be a part of it,” Larisa says. “I see God work in lives every day.”

Students who complete the Life Change program leave with a stable job or become missionaries. A student can be supported for $865 per month for nine months. Some stay for 12 months or more. Fundraising and sponsors provide the needed financial aid for students. Most of the leadership with LLC, along with some of those that have completed the programs offered, are volunteers. Many who have completed the program desire to serve God in ministry.

Where addiction meets desperation, there’s hope at LCC. They empower each man and woman and then send them out to serve others. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Life Change Centers www.lcctexas.org (210) 760-2008

Be A Light.

Pray. Pray for the students healing and the leaders ministering to them. Donate.

Give financially or provide for other specific needs such as bedding, laptops or a washer and dryer. Network. If you own a business, prayerfully consider partnering with LLC to help train students in various fields of work.

STORY MADE

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Anonymous Donor and

Info@GoodBooks.Church San Antonio, TX and The Cloud www.GoodBooks.Church www.BellwetherChurchSolutions.com (210) 802-1499 GoodBooks provides the bookkeeping app, training and resource library to help every church keep their own books in an excellent, efficient and effective way.

Spring / Summer 2020

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Thank you to Dwell Real Estate Group for sponsoring this Good News story

HEARING GOD’S VOICE ONE offers healing through connection to God’s voice Shame-filled thoughts and negative voices fill the man’s head as he drowns in his own despair. He wants relief from this constant barrage of condemnation. He enters the brightly painted building on West Olmos Drive in the heart of the city that is home to ONE— an organization that utilizes trained prayer facilitators to help people connect with the voice of God and become who God intended them to be. ONE offers a place of relief for those who are hurting. It offers a place of refreshment to community leaders who feel as though they have nothing left to give.

B Y J ES S A M CC LUR E

“We all know that mental illness is on the rise and suicide rates are ridiculous. That’s why we do what we do,” says Cayce Harris, Executive Director of ONE. “People don’t know how to slow down their minds and find peace.

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I’ve prayed with people who wanted to end their lives and after praying and hearing God’s voice, they went from swirling to just still.”

But how easy is it to hear God’s voice? A great question, especially because of the isolation we have all experienced over the last several months as a result of the pandemic. Cayce says it’s easier than you might think. In fact, she believes that most people have already heard the voice of God. “It’s really just about being able to discern the difference between the Holy Spirit and you,” she says.

This method of helping people connect with the ultimate healer is why ONE was created. It is also why the organization’s staff is so passionate about bringing the tools they’ve learned and applied about connecting to God’s voice in San Antonio and beyond.

“We connect people through online content, classes and a lot of different prayer offerings,” Cayce says. “All throughout the week, people can sign up for personal prayer time with trained prayer facilitators.”

Cayce says these one-on-one sessions are a powerful time for people to hear God’s voice and process life.

Since early March, ONE has offered all of their services virtually, so that w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

people from around the city and state can continue to connect with God’s voice. Important timing considering stay-at-home orders started just a few days later.

“Hearing from God and knowing what He’s saying to our hearts, especially during this time, is so important because He will always speak a better word than isolation or fear,” she says. “He’s going to speak about a hope, a future and give life-giving encouragement.”

Although ONE wants to give hope and help to all who seek prayer, its biggest focus is equipping local leaders to do what they do so they can have an even greater impact and experience God firsthand in their ministries.

“When people are going through something, encountering Jesus and experiencing His presence and hearing His voice can be so powerful,” she says.

The executive director says that although ONE’s approach to helping connect people to God’s voice is new, connection to the Heavenly Father has always been an option.

“A lot of people believe it’s possible to hear God’s voice, but they don’t know how to hear the still, small voice of God. We make that easy,” she says.

“It’s at the heart of the gospel that we have oneness with God. We want to help people live from the place of oneness that Jesus died to give us.”

The organization currently offers Connection prayer sessions, classes and an outreach through the YMCA, many of which are currently available the unexpected loss of my brother, my entire “ After family was impacted by the ministry of ONE. Healing came to each one of us and God’s presence was evident. I invite you to visit the website and attend one of its events. You will be touched.

”

Linda Laijas Cook, Broker/Owner, Dwell Real Estate Group

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Cayce Harris, CEO of ONE, casts a vision for ONE’s future and encourages her audience.

ONE staff gathers. Left to right: Cayce Harris, Joel Harris, Sonia Roper, Rosalind Hervey, Cari Spielhagen, Ashlee Kinsel, Deborah Daniels Albrecht, Caroline Behrens, John Walt, Ann Himoff, Sabrina Thurman.

online. ONE is also dedicated to reaching children and youth. They offer a class that is called Prayer Through Art and two life groups—one for teenage boys and one for seventh grade girls.

“These aren’t Bible studies,” she says. “We meet with them and walk them through questions like, ‘What does God’s voice sound like? What does processing life look like? What does inner healing look and feel like?

What does living in obedience to God’s voice look like?’”

And although the organization has already seen great success through these programs, they believe 2020 will be a year of growth.

“We’re developing a leadership institute without walls in partnership with some other organizations to bring trauma healing and to train community-engaged leaders,” Cayce says. “It will be geared toward ministry, business and community leaders.”

Cayce and her team are developing more online resources as well—for

organizations that are looking to use the ONE method of connecting with the voice of the Father and for those who are feeling lost in uncertain times, both now and in the future.

ONE staff and writer William Paul Young pray together before their event.

"I’ve prayed with people who wanted to end their lives and after praying and hearing God’s voice, they went from swirling to just still.

God can really quiet the storm.”

“We’re trying to get everything we do and everything we teach and put it all online because we have really seen a hunger for online content,” she says.

“These new offerings will come in the form of e-courses, encouraging emails and short videos.”

Despite having to adapt to a virtual existence, ONE is still experiencing a period of growth, and they want to honor those who have donated to keep the organization thriving and those who will donate in the future with a new program called ONE Heart.

“ONE Heart is a way for us to grant first access to content for the people who are consistently giving as our way of saying ‘thank you,’” she says.

Help someone hear God’s healing voice today by partnering with ONE. You can help change the lives of people all over your community.

Maybe even yours.

The call upon my life is service. ONE is serving the “ kingdom of God and I want to help serve right along with them. I want others in my community and beyond to experience hearing God and the healing only He can bring.

I encourage you to support and partner with this amazing ministry.

”

Linda Laijas Cook, Broker/Owner, Dwell Real Estate Group

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www.one-sa.com 135 West Olmos Drive, SAT 78212 (210) 930-7760

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Be A Light.

Give. ONE has faith that God will provide the funds they need for their new projects. Will you be a donor who helps them reach their goal? Pray. Cayce asks that you pray for large donors in 2020 who will help to double the organization’s funding. Speak Up. Tell others about this organization. Whether these may be a hurting individual or a leader looking for refreshment, speak up about what ONE has to offer. Visit. Come and check out their group or individual prayer times. Browse.

Visit their website to get a look at their new online tools and offerings.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

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Our high level of personalized client care is recognized throughout the industry in Texas. This care comes through every aspect of our work, including the highly effective strategies we offer exclusively to our clients. At Dwell Real Estate Group, we strive to be genuine by paying attention to details, having wisdom refined through years of real estate transactions and protecting our clients’ interests as we would our own.

Our goal is to earn your business as trusted real estate advisors who are qualified and capable to manage your largest transactions. We provide excellent customer service, work through tough Spr ing / Su mmer 2020

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situations when they arise and carefully manage expectations so we can make educated decisions.

We strive to make the buying and selling process as smooth and convenient as possible and dare we say, a wonderful experience!

With the use of industry-leading technology and high-impact systems, we facilitate transactions with proven methods for success. We believe that it takes teamwork with everyone involved to produce a successful outcome. We want to make a difference in the real estate industry through demonstrating positive support and personal commitment that redefines the quality and consistency that clients should expect from a real estate company.

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each relationship, transaction and outcome.

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Good News happening in our community

San Antonio leaders launch 'Decade of Family' movement B Y AM Y M O R G AN

In late February, several hundred influential San Antonio leaders met in support of our city’s most valuable resources—its families. The mission of the event was to share a vision and launch a movement called the Decade of Family, spearheaded by a local facilitation group called UnicitySA. Innovators from businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches and faith-based ministries began conversations about how to help San Antonio’s families become stronger and more united so that 10 years from now San Antonio will become the best city in the nation to raise a family.

Although many sectors of the community advanced in the past decade, family flourishing did not keep pace. San Antonio has the highest poverty rate of any major city in the nation and the highest rate of domestic violence. A quarter of our children are food insecure. The breakdown of the family causes many of the downstream problems social agencies struggle to fix—homelessness, crime, drug use.

UnicitySA Board Member Mrs. Megan Legacy knows firsthand of the struggles that families face, as she sees them every day in her position as Executive Director of the San Antonio Hope Center. Mrs. Legacy inspired the crowd with her personal testimony overcoming family struggles.

It was her visit to one of Washington D.C.’s most blighted, gang and drug filled sectors that opened her eyes to the depth of human desperation. The poverty and hopelessness she saw caused her to refocus her priorities and expend her professional energies to help the less fortunate.

“I didn’t know what to do—but I didn’t know how NOT to do something,” she said.

Mrs. Legacy charged like-minded individuals at the launch to break down 12

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the silos isolating the many good agencies, organizations and initiatives already working in San Antonio and allow groups to synergize their efforts for greater effectiveness.

“We don’t need more service organizations. We need to gather more servants and engage, mobilize and equip hearts and hands to help,” she says.

Mrs. Megan Legacy, UnicitySA Board Member and Executive “We believe that strong cities are Director for the SA Hope Center shares a personal story. built by strong communities, and strong communities start with strong families.

By meeting families where they are, and offering assistance and encouragement, we aim to make San Antonio the best city in which to raise a family by 2030,” says UnicitySA Board Chairman Mr. Scott Barr.

“Our mission is to empower families to grow stronger, generation by generation.” Mr. Barr describes the initiative as a “Christ-centered, nondenominaOfficer Doug Greene, Media Services, San Antonio Police Department. tional, nonpolitical nonprofit.” He notes it promotes unity and collaboraGet involved! Sign up for Gather Together tion between faith-based and faith-neutral organizations.

San Antonio which are Decade of Family’s Following the principle of attacking listening events, and share feedback the smallest debts first, Mr. Barr calls at decadeoffamily.org. The Beacon will people of faith and people of good will continue to report about Decade of Family to “step into the gap of leadership to initiatives and success stories. Look for your solve some of the city’s most tractable print issue, or find us at saBeacon.com. social problems.”

“ By meeting families where they are, and offering assistance and encouragement, we aim to make San Antonio the best city in which to raise a family by 2030.”

Max Lucado, a highly respected spiritual leader from San Antonio and national best-selling author, is one of the leaders featured on the Decade of Family launch video. His words invite people of faith and goodwill to rally together. “Rather than ask, ‘What do you believe,’ we ask, ‘Do you care about the same things I care about?’" If the answer is yes, then let's begin to dialogue and collaborate so we can empower families across our city. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

UnicitySA www.decadeoffamily.org DecadeOfFamily@gmail.com 2430 Freedom Drive, SAT 78217 (210) 744-5255

Be A Light Discover. Sign up for a listening event to share your perspective. Share. Spread the word about the need for family flourishing.

Volunteer. Share your time and talent.

Support. Give to one of the partner nonprofit organizations. Pray. Pray for the movement to change lives.

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6/22/20 10:19 AM

Spiritual multiplication The math behind No Place Left’s disciple-making movement No Place Left leaders gather at CrossBridge Church in San Antonio.

B Y I NEZ KI R C H NER

What happens when God places His heart for the lost in us and directs us from the model He sets forth in the Book of Acts? The result will be “No Place Left”. It’s no wonder, then, that No Place Left (NPL) is seeing the Holy Spirit move in unprecedented ways.

Those involved in this organic move of God are not solving a complex equation. They are using biblical math empowered by the Holy Spirit. The formula is simple: invest relationally in a few—over and over again. The result is more than addition; it’s multiplication.

The long-term vision of this movement mirrors Paul’s statement in Romans 15:23(a) (paraphrased), “But now there is no more place for me to work in these regions.”

When put into action, the ministry’s impact permeates churches, the local community and reaches the nations. Last year, local NPL leader Nathan Clark and seven others shared the gospel in a couple of different homes each week. They ended up visiting more than 1,500 homes.

Hundreds gave their lives to Christ.

“Imagine if 100 groups did what we did,” says Nathan.

The long-term vision of this movement mirrors Paul’s statement in Romans 15:23(a) where he states (paraphrased), “But now there is no Spr ing / Su mmer 2020

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more place for me to work in these regions and I am moving on.”

Someday, NPL believes, that job will be done—and there will be no place left on earth where the name of Jesus is still unknown. NPL intends to continue the task through global disciple-making and church-planting movements.

“We equip the body of Christ to be confident and create more disciples,” says John Williams, NPL advocate and Church Planter at E3 Partners.

Simple, biblical and reproducible tools are the heart of NPL’s mission.

NPL tools encourage Christians to build deep relationships and share Christ with a few other people. The goal is that those few will duplicate the process again and again.

Kirk Freeman, Senior Pastor at CrossBridge Community Church, experienced an awakening when studying 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the

presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

“I was doing everything but making disciples who could make other disciples,” says Kirk. “We teach about it a lot, but the gap between teaching it and actually doing it is huge.” The NPL principles gave Kirk the tools, opportunities and language to translate what had been missing. Now, Kirk takes other local pastors under his wing. “San Antonio is the ninth largest city in the nation,” says Kirk. “If we could help every pastor do the work, we could bring far more resources to the table and reach even further.”

John and Janelle Williams, E3 ministry missionaries, have applied the NPL vision, principles and tools both locally and globally. As a result, NPL is now reaching more than 50 cities in the U.S. and 65 countries. As strategy leaders for the NPL team in Uganda

Believers attend a baptism in Fort Portal, Uganda. There, hundreds trust Christ in a week.

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

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Good News happening in our community

Derek White, a member of CrossBridge Community Church, San Antonio, gathers at Rhino Camp in northern Uganda for a training and outreach to South Sudanese.

John and Janelle Williams gather with Congolese refugee children in San Antonio.

and South Sudan, they have seen the beginnings of a significant church planting movement in Africa. The country establishes 900 house churches every year.

Experiencing Jesus in different cultures has given the team a heart for the nations. “It’s indescribable and transformational. It brings the process to life,” says fellow CrossBridge Pastor Shawn Sullivan. Referring to the New Testament stories of the early thriving churches, he says, “It’s truly like walking in the Book of Acts.”

NPL’s compounding effect has been demonstrated and underscored in recent months, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. While other local churches and businesses struggled and adjusted to working and reaching people remotely, NPL operations never ceased. In fact, by already being decentralized, the movement continued to mobilize as it always had. “We were ready for a crisis,” says

This unprecedented move of God is to see all the nations hear and churches formed within walking distance of one another. It’s amazing what the Holy Spirit can do with surrendered hearts and a willingness to listen to His direction.

John Williams, Shawn Sullivan, Ying Kai, Grace Kai and Janelle Williams gather for a World Mandate session at CrossBridge Community Church in San Antonio.

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John. “From persecution to taxation to a pandemic, we must be poised to use every scenario that can and will happen—no matter how intense— as an opportunity to equip our disciple-makers.”

As the world changed dramatically, NPL teams stepped forward, seeing an opportunity to multiply the work. In the weeks following the U.S. outbreak, the NPL team was able to host The No Place Left Global Summit, a virtual conference with more than 4,000 attendees around the world. They also worked quickly within their interconnected network to raise funds and supply one month’s worth of food for 1,000 refugees and residents that were forced in place in Uganda. As travel remains limited and uncertain, the team is also developing a virtual mission trip package in Uganda. The opportunity will allow participants to invest in the efforts of local Ugandan disciple-makers, which are estimated to reach approximately 1,000 people and plant 20 house churches in the country weekly. Anyone interested in learning more about the virtual Uganda mission trip should contact John at john.williams@e3partners.org.

By creating strong mentorships with a few, NPL is creating more “Timothies” every day. Committed to completing the disciple-making task geographically, Shawn adds, “We believe God has ordained this moment to break through barriers and connect with strangers across the world.” w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

No Place Left www.noplaceleft.net 222 Shannon Lee St., SAT 78216 (210) 843-9532

Be A Light.

Visit. Attend or host a No Place Left training and become a disciple and disciple maker.

Go. Join an international team to go global to see the nations reached. Free resources.

Visit www.e3partners.org/training to find tools and resources. Give. NPL is fertile soil.

Provide consistent and recurring funds, time and space to the movement. Contact John Williams for details at john.williams@ e3partners.org. Pray. Ask for agape love to permeate every conversation about Christ.

Ask if you or your church are to step out and join an upcoming training.

Spring / Summer 2020

6/22/20 10:19 AM

T E L L YO U R S TO RY

God helps single parents The spotlight of Pearl Street Church focuses on center stage as Mario Saenz, the worship leader, makes his way to the microphone. He leads the congregation in praise songs.

How did this young man, a product of a teen mom, overcome so many challenges, and then become a successful worship leader at one of the fastest growing churches in San Antonio? God had a plan!

My name is Jennifer Rodriguez, and I’m Mario’s mom. Not only was I a teen mom, but I also became a single mom of three boys under the age of five—all before I was 24. I quickly realized the challenges that I would face.

Even with supportive Christian parents, I still struggled in many areas such as basic life and financial management skills, domestic violence and faith in God. It was through these challenges and experiences, along with the mentorship and guidance from many faith-based organizations, that I developed a heart for ministry involving young people in the community.

Unfortunately, resources for young adults just seem to disappear when they’re most needed. Today I serve as the Executive Director for Luminary Ministries. Together with my team, we are providing the success skills for teen and young parents as well as those aging out of foster care. These young adults desire to succeed, but lack the

Kilee is an esthetician and has developed a heart for worship and writing music bringing healing and restoration to others.

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Jennifer Rodriguez was a teen mom, also became a single mom of three boys under the age of five—all before she was 24. She is now the Executive Director for Luminary Ministries.

Mario leading worship at Pearl Street Church.

Photo taken by Pearl Street Church

support system and knowledge to do so.

Luminary not only provides these services, but they also partner with other nonprofits and ministries in the area who are willing to offer services to help these young adults succeed.

The inspiration for this ministry is Jeremiah 29:ll. “… for I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and provide a hope and a future ….”

The successful foundation for our young adults is faith and the realization that everything is possible with God’s involvement. God can restore broken people to His original design. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Young Kilee is just one example and beneficiary of such mentoring. Entering the program as a young teen mom and continuing with her mentor, there were some tough times and hard decisions to tackle. Today, Kilee is an esthetician and has developed a heart for worship and writing music bringing healing and restoration to others. Her desire is to be a full-time missionary for Luminary Ministries.

The congregation’s voices echo in the auditorium as Mario sings the last words, “You’re a good, good Father, it’s who You are, it's who You are and I am loved by You, it’s who I am!”

For more information, please visit us at luminary-sa.org

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Be A Light.

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