Empowering Communities Through God’s Provision
IN A VIBRANT COMMUNITY NEAR KATY, TEXAS, God transforms lives through STCH Ministries Community Ministries. Partnering with Family Hope and River Bend Baptist Church, they reach out to Venezuelan members of the community and other residents, offering classes that act as essential lifelines for those working to build stable lives. These classes, including Faith & Finances and Faith & Work, serve as vehicles of God’s grace, offering hope and transformation. They are available in Spanish to ensure accessibility for the community.
Since 2014, Family Hope has been serving northern Fort Bend County, helping transform individuals into healthy families through services such as medical aid, food, rent and utility assistance, job searches and disaster relief. Recognizing the community’s deep spiritual and practical needs, STCH Ministries partnered with Family Hope to complement their mission. The recent restructuring of STCH Ministries Faith & Work into two components — “Job Readiness,” focusing on essential job skills, and the full ten-week course, helping participants apply their unique, God-given design in the marketplace — perfectly aligned with the needs of Family Hope’s people.
One of the most significant outcomes of this partnership has been offering the Faith & Finances class to the Venezuelan members of the community. For many, financial stability seemed out of reach, complicated by the challenges of life in a new country. However, through the Faith & Finances class, participants learned crucial skills supported by Biblical principles, empowering them to take control of their financial futures with God’s guidance.
Denis and Gledys, a couple who completed the ten-week program, expressed gratitude for how God worked through the class.
“We have learned to consider the income and expenses that we have, consult on the expenses and eliminate what does not add or contribute to it,” they wrote.
“We have learned to communicate; this has made it easier for our finances to be clearer and used for the good of our home.” The lessons go beyond traditional financial education by incorporating Biblical teachings, helping the participants manage their money in a way that honors God and promoting long-term financial health. For members of the community like Denis and Gledys, these God-given lessons are invaluable as they navigate the complexities of a new financial system.
In addition to financial education, STCH Ministries Faith & Work – Job Readiness equips participants with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce, which is especially crucial for people facing significant barriers to employment. These workshops teach practical job skills while emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s guidance at every step of their career paths. Sikiu Millán participated in the Job Readiness seminars and highlighted the value of these sessions, saying, “It is a super important tool to be able to find that dream job that we talk so much about.”
These workshops help participants craft resumes that highlight their strengths and align with employer needs, all while keeping God at the center of their goals. This holistic approach equips them with practical tools and instills a sense of purpose and hope grounded in God’s plan for their lives. Daniela, another participant who attended both Faith & Finances and Job Readiness, shared how these teachings transformed her life. “Participating in the classes that STCH Ministries offers has helped me in many ways; I followed everything they said, step by step. I dressed, spoke, acted and did everything just as they taught in the steps to follow in the class, and the day after my interview, I got the job! I also improved my resume, the right way it is done here in the United States. I highly recommend any course or class offered by STCH Ministries. Their teaching is effective and truly enhances your daily life. I hope it works for everyone as well as it did for me. Also, many thanks to Family Hope for the opportunity to obtain this knowledge through STCH Ministries.”
River Bend Baptist Church has been instrumental in God’s work through this partnership. When Family Hope needed a facility to host the Faith & Finances class, River Bend Baptist Church answered the call, opening its doors to support this God-driven initiative. This collaboration provided a tremendous opportunity for the church to further its mission of serving the community in God’s name. Beyond providing a venue, River Bend Baptist Church has been actively engaged in food drives and other initiatives to support Family Hope’s efforts. Working together in God’s service, River Bend Baptist Church, Family Hope and STCH Ministries have built a strong support network, making a tangible difference in the lives they serve.
STCH Ministries Faith & Finances and Faith & Work classes have a profound impact under God’s guidance. For many participants, these classes serve as a turning point, offering them the tools and confidence they need to build a better future for themselves and their families with God’s help. Through the Faith & Finances class, participants learn to manage their money wisely, set financial goals and make informed decisions that will lead to long-term stability—all while keeping God at the center.
Faith & Work – Job Readiness equips them with the skills they need to succeed in the job market, helping them overcome barriers through faith.
This author, also the instructor of these Spanish courses, witnessed the transformation in participants who took part in both classes. They arrived as strangers, feeling hopeless and isolated in a new country, seeking community. By the end, they recognized the value of their abilities to the USA and found a path to a fulfilling life here.
As STCH Ministries continues to expand its reach through partnerships like the one with Family Hope, the potential for God’s impact is limitless. By addressing the community’s immediate needs—such as financial literacy and job readiness—while nurturing spiritual growth, STCH Ministries is creating a lasting legacy of transformation in God’s name. The collaboration between STCH Ministries, Family Hope and River Bend Baptist Church serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of God’s compassion and service. As they continue to offer life skills classes and other vital services, they are not just changing lives—they are building a stronger, healthier community for generations to come, all to the glory of God. For those involved in these efforts, the rewards are immeasurable. Each success story, each life transformed, is a testament to the power of God working through their faith, education and community support. As STCH Ministries and its partners continue their work, they expect to see many more lives changed for the better, all in God’s perfect timing.
The full Faith & Work course will be offered through Family Hope in the spring. Like the other classes, it will also be available in Spanish, ensuring that even more lives can be touched by God’s guidance and provision.
If you are interested in a Faith & Work or Faith & Finances class, please visit, www.STCHM.org/fw for more information and class schedules.
