Let Us Pray

As Christian believers we are instructed in scripture to “pray without ceasing...” (Thes 5:16) and to “...cast the whole of our care [concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Our staff meets weekly to give updates on what is occurring in the various programs. One of the meeting highlights is to distribute the prayer requests we receive from donors asking us to pray for them. Topics range from salvation for family members, strength to endure a trial, and to prayer for health and healing for themselves or family members. We are honored and humbled to be entrusted with such heartfelt issues to take before the Lord. In an average month, we receive more than twenty prayer requests.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7

The Amazing Love of Jesus

Pastor Greg started working with the men in the program two years ago. He quietly goes about meeting with the men weekly to guide them through the Genesis Process - where he helps them identify the true root of their addictive behaviors. Both the group meetings and one-on-ones pastor are rooted in relationship; they read and share what God is teaching each of through the process, “But we do not get finishing [Genesis Process] that we miss saying to each of us,” says Greg.

He goes on to say, “The thing that excites about meeting with the men is to see them they experience the amazing love of Jesus.” meet, Greg is amazed at the depths of their ing to grips with losing a family member, the Bible for the first time and it makes sense, revealing his deepest, darkest secret and is still accepted by God. Greg says, “Those are like nothing else that I can describe. with each of these men and be a small part ery and journey to find Jesus.”

Pastor Greg grew up in a family that was God and the church, but he struggled with his performance would make him right with something was missing by his early 20’s. trying to perform and entered a relationship ior. I confessed, repented and placed my that Jesus had done on my behalf.”

Throughout the years, several scriptures Greg, but right now, in his position at the himself drawn to 2 Timothy 1:7. “God has spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love cipline.” Greg says, “As we face the enemy addiction, we cannot afford to be timid, the light of the Gospel boldly into the darkness.”

Greg concluded, “I believe this Life Transformation istry is critical to our community because continual attack from the enemy and the of these men are so powerful. I recognize same sacrifice to rescue me from my performance ity as it did to rescue one of my friends from addictions. However, their stories are extremely narratives of the love and grace of God. stories need to be shared so that others of the glorious Gospel.” one-on-ones with the read the scriptures them. They work get so focused on what the Spirit is excites me the most them change when Jesus.” The times they their honesty; commember, the guy who reads sense, or a man and realizes that he “Those looks of healing I am honored to sit part of their recovwas centered around with believing that with God. He knew 20’s. “I finally stopped relationship with my Savmy faith in the work scriptures have motivated the Mission, he finds has not given us a love and self disenemy in the area of we have to bring darkness.”

Transformation minbecause we are facing the rescue stories recognize that it took the performance mentalfrom their darkest extremely powerful I believe that these can see the hope

Johnny Vinson was originally living in the Mission’s Camp Mercy tiny homes and doing well, but he started to drift from following the Camp rules. He was working but hadn’t plugged himself into a church or any sort of recovery program and relapsed.

That was when he decided to come into the Mission’s Life Transformation Program. Johnny got connected with his old church, started going to Bible study, and working through the program’s life courses. Along with one-on-one counseling, Johnny connected with his brothers in Christ who were also in the program; together they walked the journey of building a relationship with Christ.

Last November Johnny successfully completed the Genesis Process and Relapse Prevention workbooks. During that time he also was able to bond with the other men in the program. Since then, he’s been working for the Mission. He was hired to deliver meals to Tacoma tiny home villages, and he’s also cooking in the kitchen. When needed, he provides extra support to the Men’s Jeremiah House leader.

Today, Johnny is well-connected to his church. He even recently sang a cantata with his church choir, and he’s been a great support for the guys in the program. The key, Johnny has learned, is staying connected to the church body and having Godly accountability to continue growing in Christ.