A New Direction

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Living at STCH Ministries Homes for Children has provided an unexpected change of direction for Deray Davis. In the video above, he shares that his life was on course to a dead end. Everything changed when his grandmother brought him to Boothe Campus after his mother lost custody of him.

Deray’s affection and respect for his grandmother are evident in his testimony. “My grandma just loves this place because it has an incredible impact on kids’ lives,” says Deray. “My grandma loves the Lord, so this is probably the best place for me to be.”

A dynamic young man with an engaging smile, Deray describes the many positive aspects of life at Homes for Children. “It’s like having your own neighborhood around you. The kids are always wanting to come and play with you or talk to you.”

Deray also acknowledges the spiritual significance for the young people living on campus, saying that it “brings us closer to God.” He has had many new faith-growing experiences at STCH Ministries, including the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic through our International ministry.

Children come to live at Homes for Children for many reasons. Sometimes a parent or grandparent is facing health problems. Other times, there may be substance abuse issues or a temporary season of crisis for the family. Whatever the cause, we are here to give children like Deray the hope of a new direction in life.

Basing Marriages on Intentional Love

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Strong families are the key to a strong society, and in order for a family to be strong, the marriage that is its foundation must also be healthy.

One of the ways that the therapists from our Family Counseling ministry help marriages is by providing presentations, seminars, and workshops to groups both large and small. These presentations cover family, parenting, and marriage topics, approaching common issues from a biblical perspective. STCH Ministries will also tailor presentations to meet the needs of a specific group.

One such class offered by our Victoria counseling office is called “Love Intentionally.” The idea that drives this teaching series is simple: most marriages don’t fail because of a lack of love, they fail due to a lack of grace. The syllabus bundles teaching, discussion, comedy, games, and a couple’s scavenger hunt, all designed to allow couples to reconnect and communicate. The amount of variety in the class is by design. The therapist leading the class explains, “Participants will remember only some of what we teach, but all of what they experience together.”

To schedule a presentation, seminar, or workshop, give us a call at 1.833.83.STCHM or email familycounseling@stchm.org.

What is #GivingTuesday

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#GivingTuesday is described by organizers as “a global day of giving, fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.” It began in 2012 and has exploded thanks to social networking. Last year in the United States, $274 million was raised online in one day!

#GivingTuesday always takes place the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, which has long marked the opening of the holiday season. The date was strategically chosen to follow in the wake of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and it creates a tradition that celebrates generosity and goodwill.

STCH Ministries has been a part of #GivingTuesday for the past two years and will participate again this November 27th. By making a donation to STCH Ministries for #GivingTuesday, you can help:

  • Provide a home for children when their parents or grandparents are unable to take care of them.
  • Restore a single mom’s faith and confidence as she receives one-on-one teaching and mentoring.
  • Save marriages with biblically sound counseling.
  • Partner with ministry teams who are taking the gospel and God’s love on international mission trips.
  • Train adults to find their God-given purpose in the workplace and learn biblical financial principles.

Individuals are encouraged to join the celebration of giving across all social media outlets. You can also give online at www.STCHM.org/GivingTuesday.

International Partnerships: Monte Plata

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Ramon and Juana Prensa, from the Monte Plata Orphanage, began using their home to give street children an education about 20 years ago. Over time they established a permanent home for them. Later, the Kids Alive International mission organization partnered with them. Since 2007, STCH Ministries has also supported the home with a monthly donation, Texas Baptist Hunger Offering food deliveries, small construction and maintenance projects, and activities with the children. Mission teams have taken them to the children’s museum, the aquarium, plus many other activities.

One of the great needs of this ministry has been a transitional home for the young people who age out of the home. By law they cannot stay here after they graduate from high school or turn 18 years of age. In 2016, STCH Ministries Ladies for the Least members voted to fund the Esther House, an apartment-style home that would house graduates while they continue their education or begin apprentice-style training to fully equip them to be self-supporting adults. Partnering with Kids Alive, our construction projects coordinator Russell Jerez and contractor Luis Pichardo got the home ready for occupancy in September 2016. The vision is to build at least one more home on the adjoining property.

The home has experienced struggles and changes, as all ministries do, but STCH Ministries has consistently walked with them, sharing encouragement and guidance. Today, Ramon and Juana continue to serve faithfully while they pray for new and younger directors to take their place. We share their love for their children, their priorities of education and faith, their policy of caring for children in a home environment, and their hope for the future.

International Partnerships: Higuey Boys Home

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Cesar from the Higuey Boys Home exemplifies someone who allowed God’s Spirit to speak through him during the ordinary activities of his work-life. Cesar was a taxi driver in the small town of Higuey in the Dominican Republic. Every day was a challenge as he drove up and down city streets, always looking for another fare providing a few more pesos to meet the necessities of his family. Lunch time was a prime opportunity for fares and he often drove customers to eat at various restaurants. In the midst of his work pressures and responsibilities, God’s Spirit spoke to his heart. Cesar began to notice the ragged boys who hung out behind the restaurants, scavenging the uneaten food out of the trash.

Cesar had enough to worry about. Just making enough pesos to live was hard. And he wasn’t doing too badly in the serving God department, either.  He was a leader in his church and supported a wife and several children. He could have ignored the sight of the hungry boys, looked the other way, and busied himself with his own responsibilities. But God’s Spirit continued to whisper, “Those are My boys, My special creation.” Compassion for the children grew, and Cesar shared the need with other church members. In time they formed a board, found a rental home, and the boys were accepted into their hearts and lives.

STCH Ministries was introduced to the Higuey Boys Home, named “A Better World”, about two years ago, and we began to help with food and maintenance projects. We slowly developed a relationship with the boys and the staff. Although their rent house was shabby, the owner of the house allowed them to live in the home for only $1.00 per year. Last spring, however, the elderly owner became ill. As a result, her family required the orphanage to move out of the home by the end of 2018.

The board had acquired a small piece of land, and now they turned to STCH Ministries for help. Could we help to build a permanent home for the children? Plans have been drawn and the estimate to build a home for the 15 boys is $100,000. We are continuing to seek donations and trusting in faith for the needed funds.

Cesar stepped out in faith when God’s Spirit stirred compassion in his heart for abandoned street boys.  We are also trusting God to provide this need.  We hope many of you will partner with us and with the boys home of Higuey to build a permanent home and to truly create “A Better World” for them.

Donations can be made online at this link. Please be sure and designate in the comment box that your donation is for the Higuey Boys Home. For more information, please call 361.994.0940.

Volunteering at STCH Ministries

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Faith & Work volunteers

Part of our mission at STCH Ministries is to enable others to join us in ministering to children and families. If God is calling you to serve with us, here are some of the ways you can share Christ’s love with others.

  • Pray for us! We desire for God to use STCH Ministries in mighty ways to do His work.
    • Pray for those we serve to ultimately know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
    • Pray for our staff to have the love, wisdom, and faithfulness they need for the roles that God has given them.
  • Host a speaker – We would love to share about STCH Ministries with your group.
  • Provide a meal – Our houseparents have large families to cook for every night. Perhaps your family would like to make a special meal for them, or provide a gift card for a special night out to eat.
  • Missions project – Get your family, church, or business group involved by doing a landscaping or grounds maintenance project at our Homes for Children or Homes for Families campuses.
  • Be a mentor at Faith & Work or Faith & Finances.
    • Mentors provide friendship, encouragement, support, guidance, accountability, and community to the participants of these classes.
  • Sponsorship is a wonderful way to invest in the lives of young people.
  • Go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic or Costa Rica with our International ministry.

Our ministry is dynamic and constantly changing as people respond to God’s calling on their lives. It just takes someone asking, “This is my ability and passion. How can I serve God at STCH Ministries?”

Please contact us for more information on any of these opportunities to serve. You can email development@stchm.org or call 361.375.2417.