Making an Impact Story

Client Advocate role . In this role, the advocates meet one-onone with the dads during the Center’s regular business hours to discuss fatherhood, parenting, relationship, and other life skills from a man’s perspective .

We have also added a Wednesday evening group session for the men . The purpose of the Wednesday evening group sessions is to reach the dads who are working and cannot make it to the Center during regular business hours . In this role, group discussion leaders will cover topics similar to those the client advocate covers, except the evening classes will be done in a group setting, and dinner will be served!

One of our new volunteers is Jeff Miller, who is one of our client advocates . Jeff spent most of his life in the corporate world leading a small high-tech company . After leaving that world behind, Jeff attended seminary and has been looking forward to what’s next in his life . He has a passion for people and for helping out when needed . His wife, Kim, began working for the Pregnancy Center in 2022, and shared that a men’s ministry was ramping up . Jeff has been serving as a volunteer advocate since then . Jeff and Kim live in Jasper, and have two boys, both married, and an adopted son as well .

Another new volunteer is Gerald Lambert . Gerald is volunteering as one of our Wednesday evening discussion leaders . Gerald has been married to Lannie Lambert for over 50 years . They have two adopted daughters, who, as Gerald says, “have given us great love and joy . Children are a blessing from God, and we continue thanking Him for making us a family . ”

Gerald has been interested in men’s

Doug VonBehren

Jeff Miller

Gerald Lambert

MAKING AN IMPACT

In the client advocate role, we try to build relationships and get to know the unique story of each of our clients. In this way we gain some insight on each man’s strengths as well as areas where he would like assistance. Here is a brief look into one of those stories.

A young man was an expectant dad, and was engaged to be married. In the initial interview, he identified himself as a Christian. In order to learn more about what that meant, I asked a question similar to what Jesus asked His disciples in Matthew 16:13-16, “Who is Jesus to you?”

His reply was, “Now that is a good question.” After giving it some thought, he concluded that to him, “Jesus is a teacher.”

At the end of our session, I asked, “how can we be of assistance to you today?” The young man replied, I have been in church quite bit and had heard quite a few sermons, but just didn’t really see how the Bible has anything to say about being a husband or a father.”

My response to the young man was, “Since you have described Jesus as a teacher, would it be OK with you if I pulled together a few verses for next week that talk specifically about those roles?” He thought that sounded good.

So, when we met again, we began by studying Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” And to further understand what that means, Romans 5:8 “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!”

What an awesome, amazing privilege it is to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ come alive in a young man’s life as it is presented in the context of his current circumstances!

– Doug VonBehren

ministry and especially mentoring younger men since he was in his late 40s . Gerald has been involved with mentoring ministries for over 20 years . He has been led to continue the mentoring passion God has given him by joining the pregnancy center’s reaching out to men who might need a mentor . Gerald remembers how he wished he had an older man to talk with when he and his wife Lannie decided to start a family . Doug VonBehren is volunteering as the men’s ministry coordinator at the Pregnancy Center in Jasper . His heart is to help men become the fathers and husbands God has called them to be . The focus of Doug’s ministry is to build relationships with young men who may have never heard of Jesus, and to help them understand the sufficiency and relevance of God’s Word in everyday life and in every situation .

Doug’s heart and passion for the lost includes ministering to children in foster care and leading bible studies in a senior living facility and now in the Pro Abundant Life ministry .

Doug has been blessed to be married to Renée for 44 years . They have two sons and five grandchildren . Doug and Renée also have an adult foster daughter who is living independently .

THE MORE BANKS CHANGE, THE MORE WE STAY THE SAME.

Community Bank of Pickens County is the only true local community bank in Jasper and Pickens County. We are proud of our professional and experienced staff that is home-grown and continues to provide the personal service you’ve known for many years.

We live here, we make all banking decisions here, and we invest in Jasper and Pickens County every day.

If you have not met us, come by and let us show you why local banking is better banking.

Teen Residential Program and Community Counseling Center with locations in Jasper, Ellijay and Woodstock thejoyhouse.org 706.253.7569

follow us on

MAIN OFFICE: 15 Sammy McGhee Blvd. • Jasper, GA 30143 COVE ROAD OFFICE: 65 Cove Road • Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-9600 • www.cbopc.com