Dear Church Family,

We need your help.  This coming week (August 1st), the Enabled Food Pantry is opening back up.  This means that more people will be coming through the food pantry and more souls will be saved.

In preparation, I would like to ask you to make a personal commitment to bring a minimum of 2 non-perishable items with you either Wednesday or Sunday and $1.00 per individual.  The funds will go to help further stock the pantry.  If each person that comes this Sunday would bring 2 non-perishable items then this will go a very long way in sustaining the stock.  Items such as the following are acceptable (there are many more to choose from):

• Canned Veggies
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Spaghetti
• Peanut Butter…etc (see more online at http://enabled.gbcblogs.com/?p=335)
  

Consider searching in your own pantry at home.  Search for that can of food that you will probably never use.  We can probably use that.  If you have children, send them to church with some to give as well.

God has honored your faithfulness in the past, and He will continue to do so.  There are several who have joined the H.O.P.E. International Addictions program as a result of receiving food through the pantry.  Please do whatever it takes to keep yourself reminded of this need.  Possibly, print off an email or a picture from the blog.  Tie a string on your finger…etc  If you have any questions, please email Brian Messer at Bmesser86@gmail.com.  May God bless you.

In Christ,
Bro. Fernandez

H.O.P.E.  International Addiction Program

Galations 5:24-25    ”And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Friday evening wasn’t any special night or any night for celebration; it was a typical night for Brian Kirmse. This evening was just a little reflection of the importance of HOPE.

Joyce and I arrived at the Ministry Building around 3:30 P.M. Friday evening.  Sitting in a fetus position was Brian curled as close to the door as possible to avoid the 94 Degree heat.  Brian usually shows up early every Friday evening.  This time something was a little different.  You see, Brian is homeless at age 19, and lives in the streets of Middletown.  He was as white as a ghost and completely soaked with sweat as the sun beat down on his body.  I asked him if he was alright and he shook his wet soaked head, looked up with a smile and said, “I’m a little early as usual.”  He shows up at the center usually around 4:00 P.M., but tonight it was earlier than usual.

This story is very true and certainly doesn’t even come close to the actual facts. Brian was kicked out of his house because he had graduated from high school and mother told him to fend for himself.  Sadly he was kicked out at age 16, because his mother had many boy-friends.  He learned quickly to survive on the streets but with substance abuse.  Pain was an expected event for Brian.

I met Brian through the Enabled Pantry ministry.  We became friends and he accepted my willingness to offer prayer support.  In the first week with him he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  He has grown, and he is becoming an asset to the HOPE program.  For twelve weeks he has been alcohol and drug free. Galatians 5:1  ”Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

“Brian that day was taken to Hamilton with his mother, she left him off in front of a Route 4 Kroger store and drove off leaving him behind. Brian walked in the heat for 12.5 miles to be able to attend our meeting.”

HOPE means something to these kids, and the program is working.  It’s an important ministry, so please support us!  This may be a person that will be something someday.  He wants to be a minister or work with other youths to show them how God works in our lives.

Finally this is a poem he wrote…enjoy!

A lot of things go on in this world
Some good, some bad
Either way, there’s a lot of Blame to go around
So here’s to it going where it belongs
Praise the Lord

Blame You, oh powerful one
Have seen me to the end of my rope
I blame my life on you

You have broken me
To a thousand pieces
Beyond Mans ability to repair

You have destroyed me
Shattered my faith
Tore me, limb from limb
I blame my life on you

I have given up Hope
Ran out of love
Filled up with Hate
I have Died
I have Changed
Your Works have Shattered me
I blame my life on you

You…
You have healed me
You have given me strength
You have SHOWN me TRUTH
The folly of my ways
You have opened my eyes

You…
You have lifted me up
You taught me
You have returned my smile
My laugh, my joy
Gladly my Lord,
I blame my life on you

Stay strong, never stop believing
He will always believe in you
Always love you, as one of His own
For you are
One of God’s Children
God Bless YOU ALL.

-  Brian Kirmse

HOPE International-Mike Williams, Director

While getting the TRUTH, you sometimes have to be willing to hear the Pain of the addict.  We are approaching 20 weeks into the program and, believe me, it’s been hard work.  Every step has to be planned and walked in a careful approach.  One slip can set you back weeks or even finish what you have accomplished to date.  Reaching the very depth of one’s thinking can be an amazing accomplishment or failure.  We strive to replace the old with the new spirit…God’s Spirit!

Enclosed is a poem written by a student: James Sloan

“God’s Love”

God’s love is like a glove
Because He is my Father above,
He gives me HOPE
He helps me stop my pain in using dope.

If I cared more about God’s love
I see His mercy and learn He is my Savior,
God please don’t leave me as I’m a wreck
Like a wrecked train…no where to go,

I pray not to take your name in vain
Even with my messed up brain,
I see God’s love
It’s like gold, making everyone bold.

I see hope…and God’s love is being bold
even when I learn these things.
My God loves me this I’m being told,
Thank God for HOPE.

Enabled Ministry Grace Baptist Church
HOPE International Addiction Program
Director Mike Williams

Enabled Tutoring

Assessing was done during the week of July 5th.  Fourteen children were evaluated on areas of need. An individual program was developed for each student in either reading or math. A special thanks to our teachers Loretta Spradling and Susan Varner who developed the lessons.  The tutors are Hannah Taulbee, Rebecca Mitchell, Krista Spradling, Eric Messer, Caleb Moore, Myra Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Laura Jackson, and Beverly Sixt. Please pray as we make contacts with these families in our community that they will see the love of Christ.

This month of July has been our Sabbatical month for the Food Pantry workers.  We really need to beef up the supplies as we prepare for August.  Please bring in donations, funds, and coupons to help.  Call the office with questions, or email Brian Messer.  There are so many that have come to know the Lord through this ministry, and we NEED YOUR HELP!

H.O.P.E.  International Addiction program meets on Friday evenings 6-9 P.M.  This past Friday evening we had a great Bible lesson on Salvation, what salvation is and what it is not.  Pastor Green gave his time in explaining to the class that Salvation is of grace, faith and a promise from God.  Salvation is not of works and it cannot be earned by works or purchased.
It is a free gift from God.  Salvation is the acknowledgement of and asking forgiveness for our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

All of the chapter, “John 10″ should be read…over and over to soak up the ways to be assured of our salvation.  Pastor Green gave us many illustrations and stories to back up the promise of God in the gift of salvation.  The students listened very carefully and many favorable comments were made after the conclusion of Pastors’ lesson.  One comment was made; the student could not wait to get out in the streets with his new weapon…The Truth!

The addict is learning the truth…many for the first time about eternal security.  As they heal and break away from their addictive habits they are walking in faith and eternal security.  What a better way to fit into society.

Grace Baptist Enabled Ministries
HOPE International Addiction Program Director Mike Williams

July 1, 2010…Summer time!!!

A lot is happening at the center…Food Pantry is taking a sabbatical for the month of July.  The first Ladies Bible study has come and gone for the month until the end of July.  Tutoring program is ready to open up again, and HOPE is still open every Friday as addictions do not take a time off.

We added another addict to the program but unfortunately we are loosing several counselors for the summer.  Last Friday we had just enough counselors to meet the one-on-one addict per counselor.

We gave certificates to two of addicts for 5 weeks of sobriety.  Several other success reports include: Hamilton-Butler County Courts recognizing the HOPE addiction program and Middletown Courts recognizing program by offering pay settlements for the addict community commitments.

Our goal is to help the addict to be set free from all entanglements.  To be better Christians and be a part of the community they live.  God Bless the faithfulness of the HOPE workers.

Mike Williams-Director of Hope International-Enabled Ministries
Grace Baptist Church

Brief Overview

What an exciting couple of days it has been.  There were over 40 individuals who came to the Enabled Food Pantry this week on Tuesday and Thursday.  There were at least 3 individuals who bowed their heads and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Praise God!

PLEASE BRING DONATIONS IN THIS SUNDAY.  WE NEED A GOOD SUPPLY AS WE ENTER THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE.

July News:

In the month of July, there will be several changes to be aware of:

• About a month ago, we decided to go with a Sabbatical month during the month of July for the Enabled Food Pantry.  There were two primary reasons:
  • First, the volunteers have been diligently working for the Lord.  This will be a breather for them.
  • Secondly, we want to use the month of July to fully stock the pantry again.
• July also holds another very important date: JULY 6TH. On July 6th, the second session of tutoring begins.
  • This session will begin at 4:00 PM on July 6th.
  • The sessions will end after 4 weeks.
  • They will meet each Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Please pray for these workers as they begin another round with these families.

Pray that souls will be saved.  Please also continue to pray about your potential involvement in the HOPE International Addictions ministry.  We need some more workers in this precious ministry.

H.O.P.E.    The ministry is designed to not only counsel the addict but to help rehabilitate them back into a normal Christian life style.  It is also to help them have self-esteem and direct their problems to the Lord as their Rock.

We have finished the first 15 weeks of the program and now it’s when we really get to their problems.  Our meetings from an outsiders viewpoint may appear rather confusing as the addict addresses their strongholds and “modge-podgiest” religious beliefs.  It’s not easy to take many religious backgrounds and sort out the falsities they have habitually formed.  The Kings James Bible is our Sword of truth!

We are making great progress, and they are falling into the fold of Spiritual Truth and placing Jesus in the center of their lives.  The next part is very serious as now we are focusing in developing self- esteem and cognitive mental belief in themselves.

Three of the addicts we have placed in the outside world as constructive religious people.  Two are in the food pantry working as volunteers but the most important thing is that they are functioning with other Christians and in serving the public. That’s part of the HOPE program in getting the addict into a working relationship with trust worthy Christians as their role models.

Last Tuesday one of the students helped out in the pantry and also led three to the Lord!!  Another student went door to door in his neighborhood and led five to the Lord.  Friday night three went out in front of the Enabled building before our meeting to witness to passer buyers.  They were heckled and made fun of by people walking buy…”Druggies, Low life’s, Religious freaks, to name a few” however, they stood their ground and a 60 year old man accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior!  That’s the program working to its fullest!

HOPE is a fantastic program for recovery.  A lot of work is still a head of us but we see light being shined from Heaven as we seek the Lord.  Come be a part of our program we could always use more helpers and counselors.  We could also use more to join the program and be set free from your afflictions.  More and more are coming up to me in church sharing family issues and seeking ways I can help.  HOPE can help!!

Mike Williams Director of HOPE INTERNATIONAL ADDICTION PROGRAM-Enabled Ministries