And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:38-39 ESV
July 9, 2020, was a day of celebration on the STCH Ministries Homes for Children campus. Six students from Boothe Campus and one student from a local church stood together and outwardly professed faith through baptism. These decisions came after years of support and prayers from their communities. Each student recognized what it meant to be baptized at Homes for Children in front of the people that continuously loved, supported and prayed for them. Here are their stories.
CHRISTOPHER’S STORY
Over the years, Christopher’s walk with Christ developed through church, Vacation Bible School, camp, Disciple Now and the leadership of his houseparents and others on the campus. The unconditional love his houseparents showed him and others in his cottage exemplified Christ’s love for Christopher. While attending Disciple Now 2020, Christopher made the decision to surrender his life and profess faith in God. He remembers the moment, saying, “I was shaking, and I just felt different.” A leader at the event helped him open his heart to Christ, and he felt a true, life change in that moment.
Christopher wanted to show everyone that his life had changed. The opportunity to be baptized on campus in front of friends and mentors was special to him. Since giving his life to Christ, Christopher feels different. Despite his young age, he knows that he can be an example to others. Christopher is working to become more respectful and caring toward those around him. He prays that he will continue to grow in his relationship with Jesus and be a leader within his community.
COLBY’S STORY
Colby’s walk with Christ began before coming to Boothe Campus. He attended church with his grandparents and loved listening to the pastor’s sermons. When Colby arrived at Homes for Children, he started growing closer to God and took steps toward deepening his relationship with God. He engaged in a weekly Bible study with one of the summer interns, learning verses that spoke directly to his current situation and experiences. Colby felt his faith maturing and decided to rededicate his life to Christ and follow through in baptism in front of friends and mentors who supported his journey.
As the summer progressed, Colby was ready to take this next step. He recalled his houseparents’ reaction to the decision, saying, “They were excited. They were proud of me because they knew I stepped over the line of faith with Christ.” The opportunity to be baptized in front of people who care about him made the occasion memorable. “God has a plan for me,” Colby emphasizes. Being surrounded by people that want to see him succeed helps Colby face the difficult days and makes the good days even better.
MOEMOE’S STORY
Recent graduate, Kimani (MoeMoe), grew in his understanding of the gospel while at summer camp with Homes for Children in 2019. During worship one evening, he became overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and started crying. “I heard someone say, ‘I’m watching over you every day, all the time,’” MoeMoe remembers. His housedad approached and prayed with him. MoeMoe quickly turned around, and they embraced in a hug. In that moment, he was not fully ready to surrender his life to Christ, but God continued to work on his heart.
The following year, MoeMoe continued in conversation with the adults at Boothe Campus about Christianity. He attended Bible studies and built a foundation to fully open his heart to God. At the end of the 2020 school year, he fully surrendered his life to Christ and prayed to become a Christian. He wanted to make an outward declaration of the internal decision and asked to be baptized. MoeMoe shares, “Everybody at STCH Ministries played a big part in my life leading me to Christ. It meant everything for me to be baptized here.” He knows that as he moves forward, the decision he made to accept Christ will change his life for the better.
JOSH’S STORY
Josh lived at Boothe Campus until he graduated in 2018. Before coming to STCH Ministries, some of his friends invited him to church, and he started attending the youth group. At this point in his life, Josh had never heard the gospel. Attending church became something that Josh looked forward to, and he started to learn what it meant to be a Christian. One night at a special worship service, he prayed to accept Jesus into his heart. A few months later, Josh and his siblings moved to Boothe Campus. “That’s when my relationship with Christ really started to grow. Here you have all these leaders that genuinely want you to have a relationship with Christ and want you to grow in your faith,” Josh recalls. During the three years he lived at Homes for Children, his relationship with Christ evolved.
Josh is now a leader within the Baptist Student Ministry at college, and he works to help others grow in their faith. During the summers, he either works at Camp Zephyr, a Baptist encampment, or stays at Boothe Campus to mentor children. When Josh heard about the baptisms on campus, he felt called to take the next step in his faith. “STCH Ministries is basically home for me, so growing in my faith and walk with Christ just made it complete to be baptized there as well,” Josh said. He looks forward to helping others in their spiritual walks just like so many did for him.
C.J.’S STORY
C.J., another STCH Ministries alumni, believes he would not have found God without the relationships he built while living at Boothe Campus. When C.J. first arrived at Homes for Children, he struggled to navigate the complexities of his life. He rejected God and did not feel like he needed a Savior. As the weeks progressed, C.J. opened up to those around him and encountered Christ. Deray, another student on the campus, talked with C.J. about the Christian life. One night, Deray asked what was holding him back, and C.J. shared that he did not know how to become a Christian. In that moment, Deray led him in the prayer to surrender his life to Christ, and C.J.’s life changed forever. “It was so beautiful. It was gorgeous, and I have to give it all to God. God gave Deray the strength and courage to help guide me through the prayer,” C.J. shares.
After giving his life to Christ, C.J.’s life changed for the better, gaining hope to face each day. He knows that even when he messes up, God forgives him. “He says that ‘I am here for you.’ That’s the most beautiful thing that God has ever done for us,” C.J. exclaims. C.J. wanted to share his decision with others to demonstrate how far he had come. He was ready to get baptized and knew the best place to experience this was at Boothe Campus. In front of his friends and family, he shared his love for Christ and truly surrendered it all. Following the transformation in his own life, he decided to share his newfound hope and joy with his younger brother, Ian. Little did he know the impact it would have.
IAN’S STORY
Much like his brother, Ian never thought he needed God. When they first arrived at Boothe Campus, he made fun of the children who believed. He wanted to do life on his own. When given the choice, Ian decided to move back home with his family instead of staying at Homes for Children. He thought his life would be better there. As his happiness slipped away, he became angry. This is when he decided to move back to Boothe Campus. Before leaving for Boothe Campus, C.J. talked to him about how God changed his life. Ian listened and realized that he needed Jesus.
After being back on the campus for a few months, Ian decided to talk to some of the housedads about a relationship with Christ. He looked forward to going to church and learning more about becoming a Christian. One day, he approached a housedad about giving his life to Christ. The housedad led him in the prayer to accept Jesus into his heart. Ian wanted to get baptized right away at Boothe Campus and share his decision with those around him. Knowing that his brother was going to be baptized at the same time made the moment even better. “As I prayed the prayer, I felt this cold breeze, and my body just lit up. When I was baptized, I felt the same thing. It was amazing,” Ian said.
While each story can stand alone as a distinct and unique experience, the through-line is the involvement of a mentor. Mentors walk alongside students and discuss what it means to fully surrender their lives – the initial prayer through the outward profession. STCH Ministries is thankful for the houseparents, interns, staff, other children and local pastors that feed into the lives of the students at Boothe Campus. Ultimately, we give all the glory to God for working in the lives of the children that we serve. We know that His plans are greater, and we pray for each of these students as they continue to walk with the Lord.
Sharing Hope – Christmas on Campus
/in Ministry Updates/by Monica WrightAs 2021 begins, we at STCH Ministries are excited to see how God is going to move through our ministries this year. Sharing Hope will be a way for you to stay connected to all that God is doing through STCH Ministries. We want to say THANK YOU for your continued prayers and support and look forward to sharing these stories with you.
Christmas at Homes for Children
Due to COVID-19, Christmas looked and felt a little different on our Homes for Children campus. Groups that would normally come out and host a party for the children had to get creative. One group from The Church at Creek’s End in Spring, Texas loaded up a charter bus with gifts, donations and youth ready to share the love of Christ. Cottages sat on their front porch and watched as the group sang carols, acted out the Christmas Story and delivered gifts.
Homes for Children was blessed by many different Christmas sponsors this year including Cedar Grove Baptist Church, the VFW and many others. We could not do what we do without the support from all of the amazing sponsors that make Christmas special for the children.
Homes for Families Christmas
Christmas is always full of fun, laughter and excitement for the mothers and children on our Homes for Families campus. In December, the Cub Scouts Pack 226 from Yorktown Christian Academy blessed our families with Christmas gifts and the children enjoyed the opportunity to open the gifts and show off their new toys. Three members of Danbury Baptist Church also brought gifts for our families and enjoyed some time of fellowship with our Phase I and Phase II moms. The moms enjoyed the fellowship as much as their children enjoyed the gifts.
They were also blessed by gifts from Marathon Oil and the Blanco Baptist Association. We are thankful for all of our Christmas sponsors for making Christmas a special time for these families.
Homes for Families Childcare
During the day, the younger children whose moms are in Phase I or Phase II, attend childcare on the campus. Recently, two volunteers took time out of their day to put together an activity table for the children. The children couldn’t wait to try it out and to start working on their motor skills by working with whisks and pompoms and learning about healthy snacks. “We learned apples are fruit, some apples are red, apples are good for us and apples taste good!” explains Kathy, the Homes for Families Child Care Assistant.
The new activity table is a great addition to their daily schedule. It provides a productive learning space while keeping the toddlers in one safe spot. “They can focus on the activity and we can focus on them collectively”.
We are thankful for an amazing staff at Homes for Families that love to see the children grow just as much as they love to see the mothers grow.
Want to get involved? Our website has a great list of opportunities for you – click to see where God leads you: Connect Me!
Living Intentionally in 2021
/in Joanna's Journal/by Monica WrightGoodbye 2020. Flickering hopes for a better 2021 compete with dire predictions from pastors, politicians, the economy and health officials. How shall each of us respond?
The Houston First Baptist Cypress family mission team, joined by the Kemp family from Allen First Baptist chose not to wait for a future time to serve. Ignoring fearful “what-ifs,” they focused their eyes on Dominican children and families most cruelly impacted by the pandemic. As one participant shared, “I don’t want to put life on hold. In 2021 I want to trust God in new ways and live intentionally for His kingdom.”
Masked and COVID-weary, the team easily passed through Dominican customs on December 26,
2020. They gave a hallelujah shout-out that not one of the mountainous pile of suitcases was lost or delayed! Mounting their bus, they rode to the IBQ mission compound down streets jammed with cars, as motorcycles zipped dangerously in between. Crowds of people drifted on streets and sidewalks, and clustered on the corners with no apparent destination. People competed for the chance to sell food, water and household items at every intersection. Others desperately squirted water on the windshield of passing vehicles, hoping for a paltry tip of pesos—food for today their vital goal. Unemployment is critically high, largely due to the devastation of the tourism industry.
In spite of negative circumstances on both sides of the Caribbean, the Christmas team purposed to live out the Gospel message, “Joy to the world, the Lord HAS come!” Through words and deeds, and in PRESENCE, they communicated that “neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow (not even a pandemic) can separate us from God’s love.”
We shared our customary meal with Dominican families by inviting them to fellowship with an American family at the IBQ compound. Decorated tables were set up under the zinc roof in separate corners of the church, and the Americans served the Dominicans. The fellowship was delightful and personal.
At the conclusion of the trip, one mother concluded, “There are many reasons to be discouraged by COVID and current events, but God is greater than all of these things, and our time in the DR reminded us of this.”
STCH Ministries and our Dominican partners are grateful for the investment of this Christmas mission team. Although we face a lot of unknowns, we know God’s Word never fails, and He is ultimately sovereign. May we respond by living intentionally in 2021 as Christ-followers, knowing that whatever we invest in Kingdom ministry is never lost.
Bendiciones,
Joanna Berry
Vice President of Family and International Ministries
STCH Ministries
Celebrate God’s Faithfulness in Pictures
/in Joanna's Journal/by Monica WrightIf I had to pick two words that defined STCH Ministries International during this COVID-2020 year, I would have to choose perseverance and flexibility. Perseverance to overcome obstacles, take calculated risks while exercising appropriate protocols, replace fear with faith in God’s provision and faithfulness. And flexibility. In the past we depended on mission teams to meet many needs of children and families, and to support the ministries of orphanages, schools and churches through our presence, resources and “sweat equity.” Without mission teams, our STCH Ministries partners stepped forward and organized, distributed responsibilities, substituted in-person for WhatsApp, Zoom, phone, email and text and continued to serve.
At the same time, the STCH Ministries family of donors responded to the increased needs—food to feed children and families, computers to aid distance learning. Eron Green captured our call to action and service during this time with, “THE MINISTRY CONTINUES.” Click on the link below to see a short video of all that was accomplished, and celebrate our God who “always supplies our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.”
May your Christmas be blessed and the New Year welcomed, with an eternal perspective. ”God is still on the throne, Almighty God is He, and He cares for His own through all eternity.”
Bendiciones,
Joanna Berry
Vice President of Family and International Ministries
STCH Ministries
Click here to view the video!
The Ministry Continues – Peace Like a River
/in Ministry Updates/by Monica WrightWe hope you had a wonderfully blessed and thankful Thanksgiving! We know it may have looked a little different this year – but prayerfully you still remained grateful to the Lord for He is Good!
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
1 Chronicles 29:13
We are gratefully blessed because of you.
Thank you for helping the Ministry Continue!
HOMES FOR CHILDREN
Through your generous contributions, our students are able to participate in many different activities in school such as athletics, UIL, showing animals and so much more!
Recently two of our teen students, Laura and Seth, from our Homes for Children campus showed their steer and heifer in Cameron, TX.
We are so thankful for the opportunity our students are given to take part in 4H due to supporters like YOU!!
FAMILY COUNSELING
The impact God makes on our lives – when we invite God into our lives – is life-changing.
A client of Family Counseling recently shared an encouraging message with one of our counselors. The client expressed her thankfulness by explaining how God used the counselor’s words as a way for God to intervene and allow healing.
I just wanted to share with you that God spoke through you yesterday.
I really felt His “peace like a river” wash over me by the end of our session.
Thank you for allowing Him to use you.
This is why I feel so strongly that the spiritual aspect of counseling
cannot be left out, and am so grateful to be working with you.
This is a wonderful reminder that God intervenes and speaks by using others to do His Will. And when God intervenes, lives are impacted.
STCH Ministries would not be able to counsel and minister to those we serve, without the help of supporters like YOU!
GIVING TUESDAY IS HERE!
The stories we share with you, and so many others – are a reminder of how God uses others to carry out His Will.
STCH Ministries is thankful for you, your prayers and your support.
As the busy holiday season begins it’s easy to get consumed with shopping, traveling and year-end deadlines.
Will you please consider taking a moment today – out of your busy schedule – and share an act of HOPE? Today is the annual day of giving, #GivingTuesday.
The impact you make changes lives, you are helping to share hope and heal hearts through your prayers, gifts, involvement and more!
Thank you for helping the Ministry Continue!
Chosen to Serve Through Technology
/in Joanna's Journal/by Monica WrightAs Covid-19 cases diminish in the Dominican Republic, the aftereffects send shock waves through the entire social, economic, and educational systems. The newly elected government threads their way between the needs of school children, panicked parents, unprepared teachers and administrators. They delayed the new school year to November, and mandated distance learning. Paper, pencil, chalkboards suddenly became inadequate tools. Computers, internet access, learning platforms—all inaccessible to impoverished teachers and children.
STCH Ministries donors became angels, (messengers sent by God). Within a few weeks more than 65 computers and notebooks were in the hands of the teachers, and available for children in the tutoring room and orphanages. Teachers worked to adapt to virtual lessons, and struggled with spotty internet signal, and limited band width when several computers were online at the same time.
At Raquel’s school, teachers were grateful for the computers, but definitely frustrated as they tried to meet
the needs of their students. They moved around to hallways or perched on stair steps, sat on the floor, or crammed together in one room for best internet reception.
Raquel, never one to stare at a problem for long, began to search for ways to improve the situation. She bought a device that was supposed to boost the signal—didn’t help. She considered a router, but couldn’t afford $35.00. Raquel prayed. She told the teachers that by the following Monday they would have a solution. Her daughter, Michell asked, “But, Mom, how are you going to do this?” More prayer.
They toured and assessed the problems, while speaking a third language, besides English and Spanish…
granular control, access points, 48 watts to 5.8 gigahertz, 8 Port, 12-Port, maybe a 24-port Switch, Packets, and TCIP/IP Transmission Control Protocol. Russell reported, “We installed outdoor-rated Network cable for durability, one Access Point on the second floor of the school, which will boost Wi-Fi signal to all of the second floor of the main building and some of the second building as well. This was the first of 3 Access points along with a switch that will manage the 3 Access Points. Plus another device that will grant us access to their Network via the Internet….with greater speeds of data transfer and a higher number of devices connected.”
Raquel may not have understood the words or the concepts. What she DID know was that God had answered her prayers. Tears welled up in her eyes, and rolled down her cheeks. Giddy with excitement, the next morning she shared in the teachers’ amazement when they turned on their computers and saw that they had internet access. In addition to the work at Raquel’s school, the team traveled to the school at Villa Altagracia to do similar work, and then returned to the headquarters area at the IBQ church to significantly improve the internet capacity there. We are grateful to Loyal IT and to all of our Ministry Partners in schools, churches and orphanages who do such amazing work for God. An old poem states, “God chooses whom He uses.” We are honored to serve with others whom God has chosen for this work.
Bendiciones,
Joanna Berry
Vice President of Family and International Ministries
STCH Ministries
The Ministry Continues – We’re Hiring!
/in Ministry Updates/by Monica Wright“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
STCH Ministries has a beautiful story with testaments of lives being impacted over the last 68+ years of history. This is only possible due to God’s Favor over our ministry and those He’s placed among the ministry to do His work.
Thank you for being part of our story!
Dr. Green was born on August 3, 1931 and passed November 9, 2020. He served as a pastor for many years in churches throughout Texas.
STCH Ministries was blessed by the life and vision of Dr. Green, and his legacy will live on through the ministries he helped create and strengthen.
Dr. Green started working for STCH Ministries in 1973, only the 2nd President in the 21 years since its founding, and he went on to serve for 25 years.
The love and dedication that he had for the organization, the children, the families and God’s Will helped STCH Ministries grow and expand their reach to affect more lives. In the years after he left STCH Ministries, you could find him with a STCH Ministries cap on his head and a smile on his face. He continued to be a presence at STCH Ministries, going to Board Meetings, working with the ministries and praying for the future.
We are deeply saddened by the news but know that Dr. Green’s legacy will live on through the lives that he touched. Please continue to pray for his family.
Have a Heart for Kids?
Do you and your spouse have a heart for ministry and a love for children? STCH Ministries Homes for Children is seeking special couples to serve as Houseparents on our beautiful campus located in the heart of South Texas.
Houseparents must understand and support the mission of STCH Ministries and its programs and faith tradition. Houseparents play a front-line role in this ministry.
To learn more about this opportunity click: more information.
The holiday season is upon us! If you’re looking for a safe and convenient way to stay away from crowds, but your Christmas and shopping lists continue to grow… Amazon is a great place to start!
When you shop through Amazon Smile, a portion of your sale will be donated back to STCH Ministries. So you can double the gifts you’re giving this year, without hitting the stores!
Click here to shop through AMAZON SMILE and STCH Ministries receives a portion.
(This is available all year long.)
Thank you again for your continued prayers, support and commitment to STCH Ministries and those we serve.
The impact you make changes lives, and there are so many different ways you can get connected and make an impact with STCH Ministries.
Our website has a great list of opportunities for you – click to see where God leads you: Connect Me!
Thank you for helping the Ministry Continue!
The Ministry Continues – Ministry Project Funded by Ladies for the Least
/in Ministry Updates/by Monica WrightAnd keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
May His favor be upon you
Amen”
Celebrating Over 80 Years of Ministry!
We recently celebrated an amazing woman, Doretta Brown.
Ms. Doretta has been serving in missions since the 1940s with a large part of her and her husband’s service taking place in the Dominican Republic. She played a large part in helping STCH Ministries start our ministry in the Dominican Republic. She also trained the kitchen staff and made the menu that they still use today when feeding the mission groups.
We will never be able to thank her enough for her many years of service and ministry. She continues to show much wisdom, joy, laughs and be a servant for God’s glory. We have been blessed to see her impact on so many lives! Please join us in prayer as we celebrate her as she moves on to her next stage of life.
with a time of fellowship and gratitude.
We have a special opportunity for YOU to go to the Dominican Republic!
As the Christmas season approaches in the midst of the lingering Covid-19 pandemic, many families may be wondering how to celebrate this year. One tradition that will continue is our International ministry will host the bi-annual Family Christmas Trip to the Dominican Republic from December 26 – January 2.Our team will share the Gospel, deliver food and Christmas packages to families and the boys at Higuey orphanage, dramatize the Christmas story, build furniture for a preschool expansion at Villa Altagracia, and more!
We will not be taking a large group, but we have room for a few families. Would you like to be part of this special trip, and share Christmas with needy children and families in the Dominican Republic? For more information click to email: Amanda Yanez or contact her or Joanna Berry at 361-994 0940.
Although our event was held virtually, we enjoyed seeing everyone. We heard an inspiring and honest testimony from one of our moms, Ashley Kaufman; while laughing along with our heart-warming speaker, Melissa Radke.
The women who participated in this event also voted to fund the Homes for Families ministry project of two vehicles. These vehicles will be used by our moms to help take care of their families’ needs such as: to go to work or attend college, take their children to school, medical appointments, buy groceries and many other errands that fill a mom’s life.
These vehicles will remain at Homes for Families, and moms will have accessibility to borrow and use the vehicles.
We received great feedback on the event this year:
“I really enjoyed the event, it was the first time since May I have not been focused on the next round of chemo, next treatment, or next set of tests coming up. I put on my fancy pajamas, wrapped up in a warm blanket, kicked back on the couch and laughed until it hurt!”
“Thank you for doing this! I know it was so different than we normally do, but it was just what I needed to see and hear today. I love this ministry so much and so grateful to be a part of it!”
“I really enjoyed the event! The women who spoke were inspiring and their stories were very much needed. Hearing all that STCH Ministries does really ensures my trust and faith in the ministry – lives are truly being impacted and changed.”
L to R: Monica Wright, Melissa Radke (speaker),
Jeny Cortez, Shelley Green and Ashley Gordon
Players gathered, played hard, and were excited to be a part of impacting lives through STCH Ministries. We had a record 39 registered teams participate!
Remy Huston, Sr. related the story of how his father had first gotten involved in STCH Ministries years ago. And now it has become a generational event. Remy introduced his son, Remy Huston Jr. who played in the tournament alongside him. The excitement generated by these men was contagious.
We also owe a debt of thanks to all our sponsors and players!
We love the way John Crisp of The Ranches of Echelon, our Title Sponsor expressed it, ”Let’s do everything we can to keep a smile on the children’s faces!”
on a beautiful day while helping impact lives!
God sustains our ministry, and He uses people
to help accomplish His Will.Be part of our
Monthly Giving Program – Sign-Up Today!
Thank you again for your continued prayers, support and commitment to STCH Ministries and those we serve.
Our gratitude can not be expressed enough, you help sustain our ministries… the Ministry Continues through God’s Good Works and through you!
Thank you for helping the Ministry Continue!
The Journey
/in Print Edition, Vol. 68, Issue 3/by Eron GreenWe live in interesting times; it seems that much of what we have known as “normal” is no longer. While many battle massive wildfires, others deal with hurricanes and mass flooding. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip many in our world with fear of leaving their homes, while others seem fearless and almost reckless with how they live life. Social and societal unrest leads to violent clashes where there are no winners—only victims.
It has been said that purpose is the reason you journey, passion is the fire that lights the way. In this Messenger, you will read the story of Stephanie and Ezra, a mother and her son on a journey together. You will learn about Terry Wilkins, a loving husband and father (and housefather) that committed his life to ministry. You will see that our International ministry took its first trip to the Dominican Republic since COVID-19 halted those trips from occurring. You will see, as an organization, our purpose and our passion are not and have not been compromised. For an organization to stay true to these ideals, we must have a team of people called by God to do His work. I truly stand amazed at our counselors, houseparents, resident coordinators, caseworkers, directors, administrative assistants, vice presidents and so many others that live out their faith in the ministry they are called to.
We are all on a journey. As we look back to the past, we see journeys full of twists and turns, many of which we could not understand while we were in the middle of them. We can remember the proverbial fires and hurricanes that we survived. We can see clearly how the Good Lord protected, provided and taught us when we were at our lowest. But we must also look to the future; yes, there will be obstacles, but we must also see the opportunities.
What great opportunities await us! I am so very excited to see what God has in store for us here at STCH Ministries. Since 1952 we have “journeyed” down the path that God set before us. That path has been one that was not always easy, but we stayed true to God’s call on us as a ministry. The reason for the journey is our mission: to honor God, to reach hurting children and families with His love and truth and to enable others to join us in this ministry.
Thank you so much for taking time to read our Messenger, and thank you for your faithful support and generosity. I hope and pray that we all seek God’s direction wholeheartedly and live out an enthusiastic life as we journey together!
Jeremiah 29:11
I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.
One Step at a Time
/in Print Edition, Vol. 68, Issue 3/by Julie BlacklockStephanie’s journey toward a secure relationship with her son allowed her to ultimately experience the joy of motherhood while bearing witness to many childhood milestones. This resulted from a direct partnership between STCH Ministries Homes for Children and Homes for Families. These two ministries frequently team up and step in to help mothers, children and families navigate complex situations. Both campuses work to provide a solid ground for residents to regroup, learn and launch into the next phase of life. While Stephanie’s story weaves a tapestry of God’s provision through difficult life circumstances, it began in unpredictability and crisis.
Stephanie was born with Mosaic Down Syndrome. She worked hard to graduate high school and become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Her first son was adopted after birth into a loving family, but when she found out she was pregnant again, she felt a deep calling to raise her son, Ezra.
After Ezra’s birth, Stephanie moved into her mother’s home with her infant. It was during this period of time that Child Protective Services (CPS) was called to the house following an incident. The situation was reviewed, and CPS determined that Ezra could remain in Stephanie’s care if they moved out together.
Recognizing she was at a pivotal crossroads that would define their future, Stephanie carefully considered her options. On one hand, she could allow Ezra to be adopted into the family where her first son resides. On the other, she could begin the arduous process of finding a new community and support system for herself and her son. Saying goodbye was difficult to even consider. She felt a calling to be physically present as Ezra’s mother and wanted him to grow through infancy, childhood and adolescence knowing her love each day. Stephanie preferred the thought of finding holistic support as one family unit. She was running out of time and lacked tangible resources. Waves of uncertainty and doubt were crashing within and finding reliable and immediate help seemed impossible.
The night before Ezra was scheduled to be taken into CPS custody, STCH Ministries was contacted. There were no current openings at Home for Families where both Stephanie and Ezra could seek refuge under the same roof. This was initially difficult to hear, but the team continued their pursuit of a solution. That night, Stephanie learned that the Homes for Children campus had a spot available for Ezra. “We made some phone calls and suddenly, everyone was involved,” said Theresa Klacman, Director of Homes for Families. “Boothe Campus really stepped up to go ahead and take Ezra the next morning.”
The plan was in place with only hours to spare. Ezra would move to Homes for Children with the intention of reuniting with his mother as soon as possible at Homes for Families. “From the beginning, the reunification of Ezra to his mom was the most important thing for us,” said Greg Huskey, Vice President of Homes for Children. Stephanie was at peace with this decision. She trusted the teams from both ministries and knew she had found people who were truly advocating on her behalf and in her best interest.
While Ezra was at Homes for Children, Stephanie had the opportunity to visit him on weekends while keeping an open channel of communication with his houseparents. In every interaction, she remained confident that his environment and care were loving and attentive. She received regular updates about his daily activities, growth and progress, including the day Ezra took his first steps. This was a bittersweet moment as a mother. “Ezra is my world,” Stephanie remarked. She was proud of her toddler for reaching this developmental breakthrough, but it was hard to not be physically present for the occasion. She didn’t want to miss any other firsts in Ezra’s life, and she distinctly remembers this moment as a catalyst for her continual pursuit of personal development.
A month passed, and Stephanie was notified that space was available at Homes for Families. “When I found out that I could be at Homes for Families and have him back, it made me so happy,” Stephanie recalled. The day after her arrival, Ezra joined his mother. It was an emotional reunion with her son, and she felt a sense of peace and excitement for their future. She was thrilled to return to the daily tasks of being a parent. “I have to be here, and I have to be the best I can be for Ezra,” said Stephanie.
While Stephanie remained thankful that she could stay with her son, their time spent at Homes for Families was not without struggle. There were moments where she missed her extended family and wanted to leave, but at the end of the day, Stephanie was grateful to have Ezra back in her arms. When asked about her current journey in motherhood, Stephanie said, “I cry myself to sleep, but it is happy tears, because I finally have my son back.” She envisions a bright future, raising her son while being there for the many “firsts” ahead – from the start of school, to achievements in activities and special holidays together.
Stephanie is vocal about her belief that she is exactly where God has called her to be. She sees His providence through every bump in the road, leading them to Homes for Children and Homes for Families. “I am happy to be here. It’s really helping me to grow and see more of God.” Stephanie continued, “After being here a month, I finally accepted what happened, and I believe everything that has happened has brought me here and given me a second chance at being a mom.”
When mothers ask for help, Homes for Children and Homes for Families work together with compassion and understanding to provide a place to call home. Stephanie does not shy away from noting that asking for help was scary. There were multiple unknowns and questions swirling in her mind. But the unique partnership between these two ministries prioritizes acknowledging these fears and standing in solidarity with families as they make difficult decisions together. Decisions that ultimately shine light into darkness and bring hope and joy that is only found in Christ.
Stephanie’s story illustrates the beauty that results when the entire team at STCH Ministries works together to ensure the best outcome for families. When Homes for Children and Homes for Families collaborate, everyone wins. Children find safety and love while physical and emotional needs are met, and mothers find support and resources during periods of transition. This is exactly what happened for Stephanie and Ezra, and it’s a recurring experience for many other families seeking care and shelter. Where there is uncertainty, peace finds its way. Where there is brokenness, the beauty of Christ’s love breaks through.
Homes for Children laid the foundation of stability and normalcy for Ezra while Stephanie took the necessary steps to process their brief separation. Because these campuses function as an extension of each other, the transition to Homes for Families was seamless. With combined efforts, both ministries provided a loving atmosphere grounded in Christian principles for this mother and son to build a stable and fulfilling life – one step at a time.
An Outward Profession
/in Print Edition, Vol. 68, Issue 3/by Ashley WolffAnd Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:38-39 ESV
July 9, 2020, was a day of celebration on the STCH Ministries Homes for Children campus. Six students from Boothe Campus and one student from a local church stood together and outwardly professed faith through baptism. These decisions came after years of support and prayers from their communities. Each student recognized what it meant to be baptized at Homes for Children in front of the people that continuously loved, supported and prayed for them. Here are their stories.
CHRISTOPHER’S STORY
Over the years, Christopher’s walk with Christ developed through church, Vacation Bible School, camp, Disciple Now and the leadership of his houseparents and others on the campus. The unconditional love his houseparents showed him and others in his cottage exemplified Christ’s love for Christopher. While attending Disciple Now 2020, Christopher made the decision to surrender his life and profess faith in God. He remembers the moment, saying, “I was shaking, and I just felt different.” A leader at the event helped him open his heart to Christ, and he felt a true, life change in that moment.
Christopher wanted to show everyone that his life had changed. The opportunity to be baptized on campus in front of friends and mentors was special to him. Since giving his life to Christ, Christopher feels different. Despite his young age, he knows that he can be an example to others. Christopher is working to become more respectful and caring toward those around him. He prays that he will continue to grow in his relationship with Jesus and be a leader within his community.
COLBY’S STORY
Colby’s walk with Christ began before coming to Boothe Campus. He attended church with his grandparents and loved listening to the pastor’s sermons. When Colby arrived at Homes for Children, he started growing closer to God and took steps toward deepening his relationship with God. He engaged in a weekly Bible study with one of the summer interns, learning verses that spoke directly to his current situation and experiences. Colby felt his faith maturing and decided to rededicate his life to Christ and follow through in baptism in front of friends and mentors who supported his journey.
As the summer progressed, Colby was ready to take this next step. He recalled his houseparents’ reaction to the decision, saying, “They were excited. They were proud of me because they knew I stepped over the line of faith with Christ.” The opportunity to be baptized in front of people who care about him made the occasion memorable. “God has a plan for me,” Colby emphasizes. Being surrounded by people that want to see him succeed helps Colby face the difficult days and makes the good days even better.
MOEMOE’S STORY
Recent graduate, Kimani (MoeMoe), grew in his understanding of the gospel while at summer camp with Homes for Children in 2019. During worship one evening, he became overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and started crying. “I heard someone say, ‘I’m watching over you every day, all the time,’” MoeMoe remembers. His housedad approached and prayed with him. MoeMoe quickly turned around, and they embraced in a hug. In that moment, he was not fully ready to surrender his life to Christ, but God continued to work on his heart.
The following year, MoeMoe continued in conversation with the adults at Boothe Campus about Christianity. He attended Bible studies and built a foundation to fully open his heart to God. At the end of the 2020 school year, he fully surrendered his life to Christ and prayed to become a Christian. He wanted to make an outward declaration of the internal decision and asked to be baptized. MoeMoe shares, “Everybody at STCH Ministries played a big part in my life leading me to Christ. It meant everything for me to be baptized here.” He knows that as he moves forward, the decision he made to accept Christ will change his life for the better.
JOSH’S STORY
Josh lived at Boothe Campus until he graduated in 2018. Before coming to STCH Ministries, some of his friends invited him to church, and he started attending the youth group. At this point in his life, Josh had never heard the gospel. Attending church became something that Josh looked forward to, and he started to learn what it meant to be a Christian. One night at a special worship service, he prayed to accept Jesus into his heart. A few months later, Josh and his siblings moved to Boothe Campus. “That’s when my relationship with Christ really started to grow. Here you have all these leaders that genuinely want you to have a relationship with Christ and want you to grow in your faith,” Josh recalls. During the three years he lived at Homes for Children, his relationship with Christ evolved.
Josh is now a leader within the Baptist Student Ministry at college, and he works to help others grow in their faith. During the summers, he either works at Camp Zephyr, a Baptist encampment, or stays at Boothe Campus to mentor children. When Josh heard about the baptisms on campus, he felt called to take the next step in his faith. “STCH Ministries is basically home for me, so growing in my faith and walk with Christ just made it complete to be baptized there as well,” Josh said. He looks forward to helping others in their spiritual walks just like so many did for him.
C.J.’S STORY
C.J., another STCH Ministries alumni, believes he would not have found God without the relationships he built while living at Boothe Campus. When C.J. first arrived at Homes for Children, he struggled to navigate the complexities of his life. He rejected God and did not feel like he needed a Savior. As the weeks progressed, C.J. opened up to those around him and encountered Christ. Deray, another student on the campus, talked with C.J. about the Christian life. One night, Deray asked what was holding him back, and C.J. shared that he did not know how to become a Christian. In that moment, Deray led him in the prayer to surrender his life to Christ, and C.J.’s life changed forever. “It was so beautiful. It was gorgeous, and I have to give it all to God. God gave Deray the strength and courage to help guide me through the prayer,” C.J. shares.
After giving his life to Christ, C.J.’s life changed for the better, gaining hope to face each day. He knows that even when he messes up, God forgives him. “He says that ‘I am here for you.’ That’s the most beautiful thing that God has ever done for us,” C.J. exclaims. C.J. wanted to share his decision with others to demonstrate how far he had come. He was ready to get baptized and knew the best place to experience this was at Boothe Campus. In front of his friends and family, he shared his love for Christ and truly surrendered it all. Following the transformation in his own life, he decided to share his newfound hope and joy with his younger brother, Ian. Little did he know the impact it would have.
IAN’S STORY
Much like his brother, Ian never thought he needed God. When they first arrived at Boothe Campus, he made fun of the children who believed. He wanted to do life on his own. When given the choice, Ian decided to move back home with his family instead of staying at Homes for Children. He thought his life would be better there. As his happiness slipped away, he became angry. This is when he decided to move back to Boothe Campus. Before leaving for Boothe Campus, C.J. talked to him about how God changed his life. Ian listened and realized that he needed Jesus.
After being back on the campus for a few months, Ian decided to talk to some of the housedads about a relationship with Christ. He looked forward to going to church and learning more about becoming a Christian. One day, he approached a housedad about giving his life to Christ. The housedad led him in the prayer to accept Jesus into his heart. Ian wanted to get baptized right away at Boothe Campus and share his decision with those around him. Knowing that his brother was going to be baptized at the same time made the moment even better. “As I prayed the prayer, I felt this cold breeze, and my body just lit up. When I was baptized, I felt the same thing. It was amazing,” Ian said.
While each story can stand alone as a distinct and unique experience, the through-line is the involvement of a mentor. Mentors walk alongside students and discuss what it means to fully surrender their lives – the initial prayer through the outward profession. STCH Ministries is thankful for the houseparents, interns, staff, other children and local pastors that feed into the lives of the students at Boothe Campus. Ultimately, we give all the glory to God for working in the lives of the children that we serve. We know that His plans are greater, and we pray for each of these students as they continue to walk with the Lord.