Ruth sat at the table in the two-room shack where she lived with her abusive husband and four hungry children. She stared at the cup of tea in her hand, hoping to abort the fifth child she was now carrying. “I was lost, my children were hungry, and I was desperate.”
IN THE ISOLATED AREA AROUND THE VILLAGE of Hatillo, deprivation was inherited at birth and then passed on generation, after generation, after generation. The hopelessness of this cycle can often lead single moms to the same desperate measures Ruth faced that afternoon.
UNICEF reported recently that across the world, about 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack necessities as basic as nutrition or clean water, and 356 million children are living in extreme poverty. Estimates in the Dominican Republic report that more than one million children live in poverty. In addition to hunger, they often lack shelter, health care or proper sanitation and education opportunities.
The problem of hungry children is so immense that it tempts us to sing another hymn and get a little busier to ignore the sadness of this tragedy, or, guilt-stricken, we respond to a manipulative appeal for funding, aware at some level that whatever we give is at best only a band-aid. Torn between our Christian conscience and the incalculable reality of hungry children, do we give without an informed appraisal of the effectiveness or stewardship of our investment?
STCH Ministries (formerly known as South Texas Children’s Home) began meeting the needs of children and families in South Texas in 1952. In 2006, the ministry expanded internationally to meet the needs of children and families in the Dominican Republic. Their experience working with children in need had taught them that giving children hope and a future requires more than providing material needs for water, food and clothing.
The vision for a unique sponsorship program began in the hearts of a Dominican pastor’s wife and an elderly missionary. Recalling the Old Testament prophet, Franklin and his family
Samuel, who was called by God as a young child, they named it Samuel’s Fund. Under STCH Ministries leadership, this holistic child sponsorship program became the focus of their international ministry. In addition to strengthening families, the Samuel’s Fund program would intentionally prepare children to become Christian leaders in their churches as teachers, government employees, business owners or wherever God leads them. The priority would be education, discipleship, respect for caregivers and giving back to others. To accomplish those goals, shelter, hunger and other obstacles would be addressed as needed.
Samuel’s Fund sponsorship is unique in many respects. The current monthly donation is $35.00, five dollars goes to medical needs and the remaining $30.00 goes directly for the child’s benefit without any deduction for administrative expenses.
Every child is assigned a STCH Ministries caregiver who visits regularly to establish a personal relationship with the child and to support their families and teachers. A personal relationship with the child means that additional needs can also be addressed – tutoring, school supplies and uniforms, needs for shelter, food and medical care. Enrollment in a Christian school is encouraged to benefit from teacher to student ratio and to instill the principles of God’s Word. This wrap-around care often costs more than the$35.00 monthly sponsorship, and these additional expenses are covered through the general fund of STCH Ministries.
As Ruth sat alone, hopeless, surrounded by hungry children, she heard a voice, “Ruth, Ruth! I haven’t seen you recently. Come see me.” An elderly woman, Rosa Elena, had begun a school outside the village of Hatillo, mired in generational poverty and multiple levels of degradation and abuse. She passionately labored to rescue children through the Gospel and education. Samuel’s Fund sponsorships allowed her to feed, share the Gospel and educate Ruth’s children, along with many others.
Before she died, Rosa Elena passed on her vision to Ruth. Today, Ruth serves as the principal of that little school, while finishing her own education. STCH Ministries has stayed involved in many ways. Rebeca Dinzey, Samuel’s Fund Director, provides training and encouragement in the area of administration. A regular donation provides breakfast for the children. STCH Ministries partners, including Valentina and Diosmary, often fill in as teachers of English or physical education. Once a week, Valentina meets the older children for a Bible study after school. Regularly, Diosmary visits to help with budgets and accounting.
Ruth’s oldest daughter, Arianny, is in college. Her tuition is covered by the college scholarship sponsorship, CLEP (Christian Leadership Educational Program). Ruth frequently shares with visiting groups, “Today we are fed, today we have hope, and I am able to provide for my children. Many mothers in my area of Hatillo would like to join me today to share the difference that Samuel’s Fund sponsorship has made in their lives.”
Like Ruth, countless other children and families have been similarly impacted by the holistic features of the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program. Today, they also give back to others. Franklin was the oldest son of an alcoholic abusive father. Sponsored for his education, his whole family accepted Christ and began to attend the IBQ church. Their falling-down home was repaired, beds were constructed by mission teams and frequently they received an offering of food. During his education process, he also helped with STCH Ministries computer issues and tutored other children, giving back what he had received. Today Franklin is married and the father of two children. He shares his faith at every opportunity in his work as a computer program designer for the Dominican customs department.
Jose Alberto was orphaned as a child, raised in the Kids Alive orphanage. Sponsored by the CLEP program, he will complete his dental education in December 2023. In the meantime, he gives back by educating younger Samuel’s Fund children, helping in the clinic and cleaning teeth. Others, like Naomi and Michelle, recently graduated and sponsored by the CLEP program, share a Bible study in Raquel’s school every week. Ricardo Giron, Haitian by birth, is now a leader with younger boys as he also studies through the CLEP program in the university. We are not always successful, as children age and make their own choices, but countless numbers of children have changed their future through a sponsorship that personally and intentionally invests to develop Christian leaders in their own culture for the future.
STCH Ministries President, Eron Green, often reminds, “It’s not about numbers, it’s about the weight of the impact.” We can feed 1000 children today, and 2000 tomorrow and 10,000 in a few years. Alternatively, we can invest personally in children living in poverty, support Christian schools, strengthen their family support system, introduce them to Christ and discipleship by a local church, tutor them, assign a caregiver to them, give them opportunities to discover and use God-given gifts to serve others. Through this, they can reproduce themselves through forming Christian families, working in business, teaching in schools, leading a youth group, pastoring a church or working as a dentist, doctor or computer programmer. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He invested in a few disciples, and through those original disciples, the world today is still being impacted. We can’t feed the world, but we can feed and educate ONE child, restore hope for ONE family and God CAN break generational chains one family at a time.
There are countless children waiting for a Samuel’s Fund sponsorship that could change their lives and the lives of others for generations. Please contact Victoria Orr, vorr@stchm.org or call 361.994.0940 for more information.
“I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” ― Edward Everett Hale
Celebrating 70 Years of Ministry/Week of Hope – Sharing Hope Through Giving
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 2/by Ashley WolffCelebrating 70 Years of Ministry
ON MAY 1, 2022, STCH Ministries celebrated 70 years of ministry impacting the lives of children and families. In 1952, with help from area churches, individuals and organizations, land and a dream provided by Laura Boothe Overby, Rev. Jess Lunsford opened South Texas Children’s Home on the Boothe Campus just outside Mineral, Texas. In the years that followed, the campus would grow with the building of new cottages and with it, the ability to care for more children. Little did Rev. Lunsford know how STCH Ministries would continue to grow.
In May of 1970, STCH Ministries opened another campus in Goliad which today is known as Marshall Campus. Originally used as an extension of the children’s home, Marshall Campus now serves as a Homes for Families campus impacting the lives of single mothers and their children. In 1973, Dr. Jack Green replaced Rev. Lunsford as the Executive Director, going on to serve in the role for twenty-five years. Under Dr. Green’s leadership, STCH Ministries would expand by opening new ministries, including Family Counseling. All of the ministries continued to flourish and countless lives were impacted by the work of STCH Ministries.
Fast forward to 2012, Eron Green became President/CEO and STCH Ministries continued to serve children and families through five ministries including International and Homes for Families. By 2016, under Eron Green’s leadership, four more ministries, Faith & Finances, Pastor Care, Family Support and Ministry Consulting, were added bringing the total number of ministries to nine across four major cities and two campuses with close to 100 staff members. Getting out into the community and reaching people where they are at, led to the Faith & Work and Faith & Finances ministries opening up more classes and recruiting volunteer facilitators. Today, virtual classes take place throughout Texas and internationally.
Since 2020, with many organizations having to downsize due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by the grace of God, STCH Ministries has continued to grow. In 2021 alone, STCH Ministries added Homes for Families on the Bluebonnet Campus, counseling expanded into the Rio Grande Valley and we broke ground for a new counseling center in Victoria and a children’s center on the Marshall Campus. This growth will allow for STCH Ministries to reach more children and families with God’s love and truth.
From the beginning, STCH Ministries adopted three founding principles that remain true today, 1. STCH Ministries will never incur any debt, 2. STCH Ministries is 100% privately funded and does not take any state or federal funding, 3. STCH Ministries provides their services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. With no signs of slowing down, STCH Ministries continues to pray for God’s guidance as we look to the future and find new and innovative ways to impact more lives.
Week of Hope – Sharing Hope Through Giving
For a second year, STCH Ministries Week of Hope served as a time of sharing hope through giving while engaging supporters and partners through nine open house events. A team of STCH Ministries leadership traveled to eight locales where local staff coordinated the events to share what God is doing in and through STCH Ministries. The week started in the Rio Grande Valley, STCH Ministries newest ministry region. Church partners as well as ministry partners attended the open house to hear more about STCH Ministries vision for the area.
TUESDAY THE TEAM TRAVELED TO CORPUS CHRISTI for two events. The first, hosted at the Family Counseling and International office, allowed guests to learn more about these two ministries. During lunch time, Faith & Work and Faith & Finances staff in Corpus Christi hosted their open house. Shortly after the event started, a neighborhood wide power outage threatened to end the event. With light pouring in from open doors, STCH Ministries staff and President/CEO, Eron Green, stood to share with guests about the growth and future plans for STCH Ministries. Not even the heat of the day and darkness could stop this moment.
Later that afternoon, the team traveled to Victoria where the counseling staff hosted tours of the new Jack Green Counseling Center. Although the building is not open yet, much of the building is completed and the staff enjoyed getting to share their vision for the new space with individuals from the community. With smiles on their faces, they shared about the play therapy space, the offices and the hope of healing for individuals that come through the door.
The Houston counseling staff hosted Wednesday’s event at Crosspoint Church in Bellaire. During the presentation time, Eron Green asked if there were any questions, one man stood up and shared how his and his son’s lives were changed thanks to Family Counseling. Tears filled his eyes as he stated that he will never stop talking about the life change he experienced. Thursday, the San Antonio office hosted their event. Volunteers, partners and friends of STCH Ministries came to see the office and meet new staff. The halls of the office filled with conversations of healing and hope as people shared their stories and prayers for the future.
Friday morning started at Homes for Families’ Marshall Campus in Goliad where staff toured attendees through the new Petty Family Children’s Center while the moms gave tours through a cottage. Although the new building is not finished yet, the excitement for a wonderful space to better serve moms and their children filled the air.
STCH Ministries celebrated their 70th anniversary Friday evening on Boothe Campus in Pettus. The place where it all began filled with over 300 excited faces ready to celebrate. The On the Moove ice cream truck and Shark Shack snow cone truck served dessert first as children enjoyed bounce houses and adults enjoyed tours of Foster Cottage. Dinner was served by Fly By’s Smoke-N-Grill while the Singing Men of South Texas performed. Vice president of campus ministries, Greg Huskey, and Eron Green shared about the history of STCH Ministries as well as plans for continued growth.
STCH Ministries newest campus, Homes for Families on Bluebonnet Campus hosted the last event of the week. Phase 1 moms toured attendees through one of the houses and other areas of the campus. Long time supporters of Bluebonnet Youth Ranch attended to see the changes and show their support for STCH Ministries and the new ministry taking place on the campus.
Sharing hope through giving also played a large role during the week. With over 380 donors STCH Ministries raised close to $300,000 during Week of Hope. 70 years of ministry is a huge accomplishment and STCH Ministries wants to thank everyone who prayed over Week of Hope, attended an open house or gave during the week. The ministry would not be possible without supporters like you!
Breaking Generational Chains – One Family at a Time
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 2/by Joanna BerryRuth sat at the table in the two-room shack where she lived with her abusive husband and four hungry children. She stared at the cup of tea in her hand, hoping to abort the fifth child she was now carrying. “I was lost, my children were hungry, and I was desperate.”
IN THE ISOLATED AREA AROUND THE VILLAGE of Hatillo, deprivation was inherited at birth and then passed on generation, after generation, after generation. The hopelessness of this cycle can often lead single moms to the same desperate measures Ruth faced that afternoon.
UNICEF reported recently that across the world, about 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack necessities as basic as nutrition or clean water, and 356 million children are living in extreme poverty. Estimates in the Dominican Republic report that more than one million children live in poverty. In addition to hunger, they often lack shelter, health care or proper sanitation and education opportunities.
The problem of hungry children is so immense that it tempts us to sing another hymn and get a little busier to ignore the sadness of this tragedy, or, guilt-stricken, we respond to a manipulative appeal for funding, aware at some level that whatever we give is at best only a band-aid. Torn between our Christian conscience and the incalculable reality of hungry children, do we give without an informed appraisal of the effectiveness or stewardship of our investment?
STCH Ministries (formerly known as South Texas Children’s Home) began meeting the needs of children and families in South Texas in 1952. In 2006, the ministry expanded internationally to meet the needs of children and families in the Dominican Republic. Their experience working with children in need had taught them that giving children hope and a future requires more than providing material needs for water, food and clothing.
The vision for a unique sponsorship program began in the hearts of a Dominican pastor’s wife and an elderly missionary. Recalling the Old Testament prophet, Franklin and his family
Samuel, who was called by God as a young child, they named it Samuel’s Fund. Under STCH Ministries leadership, this holistic child sponsorship program became the focus of their international ministry. In addition to strengthening families, the Samuel’s Fund program would intentionally prepare children to become Christian leaders in their churches as teachers, government employees, business owners or wherever God leads them. The priority would be education, discipleship, respect for caregivers and giving back to others. To accomplish those goals, shelter, hunger and other obstacles would be addressed as needed.
Samuel’s Fund sponsorship is unique in many respects. The current monthly donation is $35.00, five dollars goes to medical needs and the remaining $30.00 goes directly for the child’s benefit without any deduction for administrative expenses.
Every child is assigned a STCH Ministries caregiver who visits regularly to establish a personal relationship with the child and to support their families and teachers. A personal relationship with the child means that additional needs can also be addressed – tutoring, school supplies and uniforms, needs for shelter, food and medical care. Enrollment in a Christian school is encouraged to benefit from teacher to student ratio and to instill the principles of God’s Word. This wrap-around care often costs more than the$35.00 monthly sponsorship, and these additional expenses are covered through the general fund of STCH Ministries.
As Ruth sat alone, hopeless, surrounded by hungry children, she heard a voice, “Ruth, Ruth! I haven’t seen you recently. Come see me.” An elderly woman, Rosa Elena, had begun a school outside the village of Hatillo, mired in generational poverty and multiple levels of degradation and abuse. She passionately labored to rescue children through the Gospel and education. Samuel’s Fund sponsorships allowed her to feed, share the Gospel and educate Ruth’s children, along with many others.
Before she died, Rosa Elena passed on her vision to Ruth. Today, Ruth serves as the principal of that little school, while finishing her own education. STCH Ministries has stayed involved in many ways. Rebeca Dinzey, Samuel’s Fund Director, provides training and encouragement in the area of administration. A regular donation provides breakfast for the children. STCH Ministries partners, including Valentina and Diosmary, often fill in as teachers of English or physical education. Once a week, Valentina meets the older children for a Bible study after school. Regularly, Diosmary visits to help with budgets and accounting.
Ruth’s oldest daughter, Arianny, is in college. Her tuition is covered by the college scholarship sponsorship, CLEP (Christian Leadership Educational Program). Ruth frequently shares with visiting groups, “Today we are fed, today we have hope, and I am able to provide for my children. Many mothers in my area of Hatillo would like to join me today to share the difference that Samuel’s Fund sponsorship has made in their lives.”
Like Ruth, countless other children and families have been similarly impacted by the holistic features of the Samuel’s Fund sponsorship program. Today, they also give back to others. Franklin was the oldest son of an alcoholic abusive father. Sponsored for his education, his whole family accepted Christ and began to attend the IBQ church. Their falling-down home was repaired, beds were constructed by mission teams and frequently they received an offering of food. During his education process, he also helped with STCH Ministries computer issues and tutored other children, giving back what he had received. Today Franklin is married and the father of two children. He shares his faith at every opportunity in his work as a computer program designer for the Dominican customs department.
Jose Alberto was orphaned as a child, raised in the Kids Alive orphanage. Sponsored by the CLEP program, he will complete his dental education in December 2023. In the meantime, he gives back by educating younger Samuel’s Fund children, helping in the clinic and cleaning teeth. Others, like Naomi and Michelle, recently graduated and sponsored by the CLEP program, share a Bible study in Raquel’s school every week. Ricardo Giron, Haitian by birth, is now a leader with younger boys as he also studies through the CLEP program in the university. We are not always successful, as children age and make their own choices, but countless numbers of children have changed their future through a sponsorship that personally and intentionally invests to develop Christian leaders in their own culture for the future.
STCH Ministries President, Eron Green, often reminds, “It’s not about numbers, it’s about the weight of the impact.” We can feed 1000 children today, and 2000 tomorrow and 10,000 in a few years. Alternatively, we can invest personally in children living in poverty, support Christian schools, strengthen their family support system, introduce them to Christ and discipleship by a local church, tutor them, assign a caregiver to them, give them opportunities to discover and use God-given gifts to serve others. Through this, they can reproduce themselves through forming Christian families, working in business, teaching in schools, leading a youth group, pastoring a church or working as a dentist, doctor or computer programmer. Isn’t that what Jesus did? He invested in a few disciples, and through those original disciples, the world today is still being impacted. We can’t feed the world, but we can feed and educate ONE child, restore hope for ONE family and God CAN break generational chains one family at a time.
There are countless children waiting for a Samuel’s Fund sponsorship that could change their lives and the lives of others for generations. Please contact Victoria Orr, vorr@stchm.org or call 361.994.0940 for more information.
“I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” ― Edward Everett Hale
Preparing to Face the Growing Need
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 2/by Tim Williams“I have never seen a harder time to be a pastor than right now,” is an often-repeated statement at pastor gatherings these days. This statement on the state of pastors today has a strong backing from recent nationwide studies.
ALARMING TRENDS IN THE LIVES OF PASTORS
A recent Barna Group study confirms the difficulty pastors are facing. The study found, “With pastors’ well-being on the line, and many on the brink of burnout, 38 percent indicate they have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year. This percentage is up 9 full points (from 29%) since Barna asked church leaders this same question at the beginning of 2021.”
“The change that has been accelerating in the last 18 months has left a lot of pastors with their heads spinning and their hearts spinning as well,” said Joe Jensen, Barna’s vice president of church engagement. “All the chaos, all the pressure, the magnifying glass of social media, the pandemic, the politics, the hyperdigital context, it makes sense that you have a lot of pastors saying, ‘Is this really what I signed up for? Is this what I was called into?’” The Barna study also found that, “Only one in three pastors is considered ‘healthy’ in terms of well-being.”
Another nationwide survey also found alarming trends in pastor health. LifeWay Research’s 2022 “Greatest Needs of Pastors” study found, “of all the mental challenges U.S. Protestant pastors face, stress stands out above the rest. Distractions and discouragement are also significant factors for pastors. Almost 2 in 3 pastors say they are facing stress in ministry (63%). Nearly half also point to discouragement (48%) and distraction (48%) as ministry mental challenges.”
So, what can be done to address these problems?
THE PASTOR STRONG INITIATIVE
In 2019, STCH Ministries was included in a partnership with Texas Baptists to address the needs of pastors. With the backing of a grant from the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio, actions were put in place to form a ministry to pastors and their families in San Antonio and the surrounding area called, The Pastor Strong Initiative.
Initially led by Ben Hanna, son of former STCH Ministries leader Homer Hanna, the Pastor Strong Initiative is now being led by a group of San Antonio pastors who early on saw the positive impact the ministry was having on their lives. In the Pastor Strong Initiative, pastors were connected to peer support groups in different geographic areas of the city. There were events and retreats for pastors and wives, even in the pandemic. A strong core of participants found mutual encouragement in these relationships. The efforts are now continuing with leadership coming from veteran Pastor Strong Initiative participants.
One of those leaders is Pastor Joshua Fuentes. According to the Crestview Baptist Church pastor, the Pastor Strong Initiative is meeting some of the key pastor needs that the LifeWay and Barna studies detailed. “What I have seen, and experienced myself, is genuine friendships that are being cultivated among pastors. Usually gatherings like ours are more about “talking shop” and they never go beyond that conversation. Yet, pastors who participate in the Pastor Strong Initiative are moving past the surface conversation, and are having more “friendship” conversations that everyone, especially pastors, so desperately need. There is a difference between a work friend and a friend, and what makes the Pastor Strong Initiative unique is its value on friendships,”
Pastor Joshua went on to say, “Ultimately, the Pastor Strong Initiative has given me a multitude of brothers I can go to when I am dealing with a difficult time. There’s wisdom in numbers, and there are many men who participate that have weathered some mighty storms, and their experiences give hope, encouragement and guidance to guys who are in the middle of their storm.”
Monthly pastor gatherings are now taking place at the San Antonio Baptist Association building where participants have lunch and then a discussion around the individual tables.
Joshua Fuentes’ wife, Melissa, has been a leader in putting together events for pastors’ wives throughout the Pastor Strong Initiative efforts. She recently helped put together the first ever Pastor Strong Family Retreat held at Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center this past May. Over 80 pastors, wives and children gathered to spend time with God and with each other. Along with regular camp activities – ropes course, archery, rifle range, camp fires and s’mores – there were times of praise and worship with teaching times led by the participants.
One scene captured in a post on Facebook at the retreat, was of a group of elementary aged girls talking about being a pastor’s kid. Those types of encounters are incredibly rare but important in the faith development of children in pastors’ families.
Another Pastor Strong Initiative leader, Pastor Chad Shapiro of Ignite Church in San Antonio, described the retreat this way, “What a weekend at our first Pastor Strong Family Retreat! It was a couple of much needed days of activities, praise and worship and devotionals to help us grow together. Kids and families had a blast and united to move forward in our work for Jesus in our communities!”
As the needs of pastors grow, the Pastor Strong Initiative is also changing to help encourage pastors and families in the calling they seek to answer. STCH Ministries’ Pastor Care Ministry will be there as a partner to help pastors develop sustaining relationships with each other and with the One who called them.
PASTOR COACHING
Knowing that the needs of pastors everywhere is growing, STCH Ministries is enabling Director of Church Relations, Tim Williams, to receive training as a certified pastor coach. While STCH Ministries Family Counseling is making it a priority to work pastors and family members into their schedules to counsel them on a personal, couple or family level, pastor coaching seeks to work with pastors on an individual level to discern how to go about what he senses needs to be done.
A pastor coach is a sounding board for pastors to throw out ideas in a non-threatening setting. Pastor coaches are trained to walk with pastors by asking strategic questions that help a pastor determine the next best step towards the place he feels God is leading him to go. Coaching in the pastor world has a lot to do with helping pastors stay on task, especially in the environment that many pastors face today – doubt, discouragement and distractions. Having a coach available to them, with no fee for the ministry, is an idea that several pastors have affirmed enthusiastically. STCH Ministries sees the needs of pastors today and is seeking ways to help them in the calling God has given them in these trying days. Pray for your pastor and pray that STCH Ministries will be able to continue to find ways to help pastors answer God’s call.
Students Giving Back
/in Ministry Updates/by Ashley WolffLast week, students from STCH Ministries Homes for Children traveled to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with STCH Ministries International. The week started with them building bookshelves to deliver to an orphanage. They took turns cutting, drilling and sanding the pieces until five bookshelves were completed and ready to be delivered the following day. They enjoyed seeing their finished pieces installed at the orphanage when they went for a visit which also included activities with the kids at the orphanage and a tea party for the house moms. The rest of the week they spent digging a trench for the foundation of a new house. The house belongs to the family of two Samuel’s Fund students and other mission teams will work to complete the house throughout the summer. Through the heat, the students pushed to finish the trench before they left. Dominican ministry partners commented on how impressed they were by the work ethic of the students. The students also hosted a VBS for a local church and loved getting to interact with the kids despite the language barrier. Throughout the week the students talked about the impact the week had on their lives, from gaining an appreciation for the opportunities they have to learning how to find joy and thank God even for the small things or hard times. All of them were excited to come back home and share how God moved through them and in them. STCH Ministries is thankful for the opportunity for these two ministries to work together to change lives.
Unforgettable Moments
/in Joanna's Journal, Ministry Updates/by Joanna BerryThe Comical and the Inspirational
On a mission trip, God speaks individually to each person—through laughter, in singing or in a child’s eyes, during painting, playing, devotions on the rooftop, or a food delivery. In early June, Hunters Glen Baptist from Plano joined First Baptist from Kenedy to serve together in the Dominican Republic.
Sunday morning at IBQ church was “a picture of heaven,” reported Marcia.
gave new meaning to the ancient words,
“This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long!”
One afternoon the group gathered groceries and visited the humble zinc-roofed home of Meisy Mercedes, a sponsored child living with her grandmother. “How can we pray for you?” Her response? Not toys, or clothes, or an Iphone. “Pray that my family will be complete in Christ, that my grandmother will accept Jesus.”
Meeting their sponsored child in person provided special memories. Celine Alvarez cried with joy and disbelief when she was told that her sponsors wanted to meet her. She had been sponsored for 7 years by the children’s ministry of Hunter’s Glen.
On the opposite end of those emotions was Enmanuel. Tina’s family have been sponsoring for 2 years, and they knew that Enmanuel was misbehaving and failing in school. Imagine his surprise and embarrassment when his sponsor showed up, speaking Spanish, and talked with him about his behaviors. “I’ll be back next year to check on you!”
The group traveled to the Higuey boys home, and spent two days with them. Building a porch, painting, sharing devotional time along with a mountain of pizzas—but their most precious memories were loving and playing with 25 boys.
“I was reminded that God is always good, always faithful.” “I was blessed to see love in action.” “ I was nudged to invest in our youth at home.” “I met a child that needs a sponsor.” God spoke personally, and willing hearts responded to His call.
Thank You!
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 1/by Ashley WolffThank you for your generosity in 2021! We have been unbelievably blessed to have your generosity – especially in such difficult and challenging times as this past year. We have persevered by faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, and He provided donors like you!
Your prayers and support changed 9,478 lives throughout Texas and internationally. Through our different ministries, you made a difference:
HOMES FOR CHILDREN provided 130 children a nurturing and encouraging place to call their home.
HOMES FOR FAMILIES gave 86 moms and their children a safe place to heal, restore and start a new chapter in their lives. Additionally, we added Bluebonnet Campus to serve the needs of moms and children.
FAMILY COUNSELING also grew! We added a location in the Rio Grande Valley. Through our 16 locations throughout Texas including Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Victoria
– we have helped 2,790 individuals. We were able to provide Christian Counseling services through online and in-person sessions, along with participation in classes and seminars.
Additionally, 19,289 COUNSELING SESSIONS were provided to individuals, families and couples.
COLLEGE STUDENTS received scholarships, books and housing to prepare for their successful future. 16 young adults are on their way to new adventures!
FAITH & WORK provided 140 men and women the ability to discover God’s purpose for their lives and how to fulfill that purpose.
INTERNATIONAL missions impacted 5,497 disadvantaged children and families by sharing the gospel and ministering to their needs.
PASTOR CARE walked alongside 110 pastors and their families to help strengthen and replenish their hearts and relationships.
FAITH & FINANCES helped 684 men and woman master Biblical principles concerning their money.
33 people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!
The Spirit of Giving
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 1/by Kyle LukeGrowing up, Christmas was always a time of excitement and wonder as everyone anticipated what was under the tree and suspected the surprise of others when they opened their gift from you. The lights, the brisk weather and the sounds of Christmas brought to the community and people could always be counted on from the perspective of most people. Especially celebrating the birth of our Savior and understanding the real reason for Christmas.
However, as I grew up, I quickly realized Christmas was not the way I described above for everyone. Many were without the joy I experienced and Christmas presents were not as plentiful or even present at all. Little did I know and fully embrace this fact until I began to work with children and families. Here I learned that some children and even adults experienced Christmas for the first time much older than myself.
At STCH Ministries, Christmas is made possible year after year by so many including individual sponsors, churches and businesses to ensure the experience of joy and celebration. For many years, countless people, church groups and others volunteered their time and sometimes limited resources to provide gifts, parties and activities so the children and families on our Boothe Campus, Marshall Campus and Bluebonnet Campus would have the full experience of what Christmas has to offer.
It’s mind-boggling at times to fully understand the love and deep devotion that people possess to provide for the needs of our children and families. While there are many, one family comes to mind as being fully devoted to caring for children and families and it reaches back four generations. Four brothers, Ben, Dale, Dean and Mack Davis had the privilege of meeting Dr. Jess Lunsford while he pastored First Baptist Church, Beeville as they owned a construction company and were working on the church’s steeple. Only years later, when Lunsford became the leader of South Texas Children’s Home (STCH), he called upon the Davis brothers to build the first cottages, a pool and the first chapel on the Boothe Campus.
During this time, Ben Davis’s daughter, Bennye Jane, learned about STCH and developed a life-long passion to support its work along with her brothers Dwight and Duane. The two brothers remember working with their dad on the campus as the cottages were being built. The Boothe Campus was etched in their lives as an organization of hope and restoration as children called the campus their home for many years.
Even many years later, their love for STCH Ministries goes beyond most things as Bennye Jane Arnold, along with her husband Jim, instilled their love for children to their three sons Bradley, Randall and Jonathan. The Arnold family has continued to support STCH Ministries through sponsoring the annual Golf Classic each year, providing a box suite at a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game and has financially supported various efforts for the benefit of Boothe Campus.
Ms. Arnold continually says “The children’s home has a special place in my heart and I will always help the children as long as I am able.” For the last four years, the complete Arnold family decided to not purchase gifts for each other at Christmas time but to sponsor children on the Boothe Campus, this idea came from Ms. Arnold herself. The Arnolds understand that it is more of a blessing to give than to receive. Bradley Arnold said, “We want to provide gifts for those in need as we don’t need anything.” The family pulled their resources together and sponsored thirteen children this year.
The Arnold family hopes to be involved for years to come and possibly generations to come as Ms. Arnold’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are involved in the spirit of giving at Christmas. Thank you to the Davis family and now the Arnold family for making a huge impact on the lives of children and families in many ways.
In addition to the Arnold family, Christmas is made possible by many others as well. In 2021, a special thanks to the following for showering the campuses with parties, gifts and love during a time when children need normalcy, truth and love.
Integrating Faith in Every Type of Work
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 1/by Crystal WilliamsSometimes being a stay-at-home mom can be overlooked as an occupation. While many stay-at-home moms know their work is vital, there are times the lack of validation can make them wonder, “Is there purpose in my day-to-day work?”
With the rise of the pandemic, the percentage of stay-at-home parents has increased throughout the country. Whether by preference or out of necessity, more and more parents are staying home full time with their children. In a recent article comparing states with the most stay-at-home parents, Texas made the third slot at 3.5 percent. *
Melanie, a wife and mom to four boys — ages 10, 7, 5 and 3 — worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for over a decade before deciding to become a stay-at-home mom. Most LVN shifts are 12-hour shifts at a time. While as an LVN, Melanie only worked 3 days of the week and was off for four. However, she shared, “I thought, since I am with them for four days, I can’t really be missing out on too much.” Yet just a few weeks into her new role as a stay-at-home mom, Melanie realized, “I missed out on a lot. Now, I’m just so appreciative of this time to see them grow and blossom.”
Melanie has now been at home with her children full time for over a year. Leaving her LVN job was “hard, new and scary,” Melanie admitted. But after taking the STCH Ministries Faith & Work course, she has now found a deep purpose in her daily work as a mom and homemaker.
Melanie and her family attend Summit Church in San Antonio, Texas. There she took the Faith & Finances course where she met, Tim Tolosa, Director of STCH Ministries Faith & Work | Faith & Finances. At the conclusion of Faith & Finances, Tim mentioned that the Faith & Work course would soon be available and Melanie’s interest piqued.
STCH Ministries Faith & Work touches on a lot of different topics over an eight-week period, such as Identity and Purpose, Effective Communication, Being a Faith-Work Integrator, and much more. Integrating her faith into her work was something Melanie thought she could learn now and use later. However, after completing the Faith & Work course she shared, “I had no idea I could use it now.” Melanie has been able to take the topics discussed during the Faith & Work course and learn to apply it with her children at home.
Before starting STCH Ministries Faith & Work, Melanie thought that only while at a paying job outside of the home could one really make an impact for God and His Kingdom. She shares, “I thought serving His Kingdom entailed having this super high position, a title, clocking in and out of a job, etc.” She goes on to say she never equated that to being a stay-at-home mom, raising a family or to taking care of the household.
Though she currently has no job out in the workforce, Melanie decided it was important for her to take the course and learn something new. “Knowledge is power, right? It can’t hurt me. I can definitely add it to my tool box,” Melanie thought, as she enrolled in the class.
After completing the eight-week course, Melanie exclaimed, “It definitely changed my outlook on being a stay-at-home mom.” She shared how STCH Ministries Faith & Work helped to validate her work in her home. “This is a calling and it made me more thankful for this,” Melanie shared.
“[God] gave them to me knowing I am capable and able to help them.” Melanie shared in regards to her four children. As a stay-at-home mom, extending grace when there is conflict as well as teaching and encouraging her children to share their faith with friends at school are just some of the truths she has learned from the course.
When asked about future plans to return to her LVN career, Melanie confessed, “I do miss it, I definitely love interacting with adults and the profession of nursing.” If she ever goes back, the truths Melanie learned through STCH Ministries Faith & Work will certainly go back to the workforce with her.
Melanie realized that one can work hard and serve God’s Kingdom “right in your own household with your children.” She continued by adding, “He gave you these children, so your job, your service, is raising them and doing so as well as you can.” Just as many jobs out in the workforce require sacrifice, learning to work well with others and extending grace and forgiveness when resolving conflicts, so does being a stay-at-home parent.
STCH Ministries Faith & Work does not simply equip participants with ways to follow Christ effectively through their everyday vocation, but it is also a way for participants to grow in their faith over all. “My faith journey has definitely taken an upswing,” Melanie shared. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of STCH Ministries Faith & Work, “I’m just so blessed and thankful… because I’ve really taken a lot from it and it has really helped shape me and encourage me.”
When asked how Melanie would encourage other stay at home moms struggling to find purpose in their everyday work, she shared “I see them. I hear them. I know their daily struggles.” Even though it seems like there’s no glory in being a stay-at-home mom, “this course definitely gives you that right to feel that your position has glory in it and that you are called, you are seen and you are wanted.”
STCH Ministries Faith & Work is open to anyone looking to learn how to discover God’s purpose for their life and how to fulfill that purpose through their work. That work could be out in the workforce or, like for Melanie, in the home. If you are considering taking Faith & Work or Faith & Finances classes, check out more information at http://www.stchm.org/life-skills-training/.
* https://www.parents.com/news/places-with-the-most-stay-at-home-parents/
Healing Generations
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 1/by Ashley WolffFrom a young age Alexus faced difficulties from all angles, but one thing kept her moving forward, a desire to have a relationship with her heavenly Father. She grew up knowing about God and would pray for Him to remove her from her bad situations and give her strength to move forward. At the age of 12, Alexus moved into foster care and spent a little over a year at Hill Country Youth Ranch where she grew in her relationship with the Lord. “That was where my faith grew. I already had God in my heart and I prayed to get out of that situation and He answered that prayer. Being there He led me closer to Him. He put me where I was supposed to be,” Alexus shared. After she left foster care, she attended three different middle schools and five different high schools before graduating. She never felt rooted anywhere. She longed for the feeling of “home”.
After graduating high school, Alexus moved between Corpus Christi and Victoria searching for a place to belong. Surrounded by negative influences she clung to the love of God and worked to stay strong and not give in to temptations from situations around her. “I knew God had a purpose and it’s my daughter, even before I knew her, before I knew I was going to have her,” Alexus shared. In February 2021 Alexus would finally hold this purpose in her arms. She would get to see the reason she fought so hard to not give into temptation in front of her.
In November 2021, Alexus faced a difficult choice, staying in an unhealthy situation or finding somewhere else to raise her sweet baby girl. Through what she can only explain as “a sign from God” she learned about STCH Ministries Homes for Families. A lady passing by and overhearing her situation told her to call Homes for Families director, Theresa Klacman. Alexus, filled with fear and anxiety, called and Theresa worked diligently to quickly find a place for her. Theresa understood the urgency of her situation, she did not have a choice outside of getting out of her apartment immediately. Theresa met Alexus at her apartment the next morning and helped her move her things to the Bluebonnet Campus, after she made sure she received a good breakfast. “When we got there, they first took us to the bedroom and I cried because my daughter finally had a real crib,” Alexus shared. She finally felt at home.
Alexus did not move to Homes for Families at Bluebonnet Campus simply for herself. She saw the difference it could make in her daughter’s life as well. Alexus summed up the purpose of STCH Ministries Homes for Families perfectly when she shared, “This is a place of healing. I knew in my heart that it was everything that I needed to become a better mom for her. She deserves a healed mom not one who is broken. Her growing up watching me deal with that stuff, she’s going to accept it in her future and I don’t want that.” Alexus saw and understood the affects her lifestyle would have on her daughter and wanted to make a change.
In 2010, STCH Ministries started the Homes for Families ministry on the Marshall Campus in Goliad. This ministry provides a place to help single moms and their children. Here the moms receive the care they need to get back on their feet, heal and take care of their children. At the same time, it is a safe place for their children to grow alongside them. Over the years the Homes for Families ministry has grown and countless lives have been changed for the better.
In 2020, Bluebonnet Youth Ranch in Yoakum reached out to STCH Ministries to discuss ways to help children and families in need. STCH Ministries met with Bluebonnet Youth Ranch’s board of directors and staff multiple times to find the best course of action. After several meetings, both organizations agreed the best route was a partnership between the two ministries with the goal being to care for children. Because of the increasing number of broken families and single mothers with children in Texas, STCH Ministries decided to use the additional campus as our second Homes for Families location. As statistics indicate, “Single motherhood has grown so common in America that today 80 percent of single-parent families are headed by single mothers — nearly a third live in poverty.” *
STCH Ministries and Bluebonnet Youth Ranch announced their partnership on July 9, 2021. Shortly after the announcement, the first mother and child stepped foot on the Homes for Families at the Bluebonnet Campus. The mother and child found STCH Ministries staff on the campus with open arms and hearts ready to greet them. Over the first six months, the campus welcomed multiple mothers and their children.
Alexus’ story is just one of many stories of how God is using Homes for Families to affect the lives of two generations, both mothers and children. In 2021, STCH Ministries Homes for Families welcomed 24 mothers and 62 children to the two campuses. The addition of the Bluebonnet Campus will enable STCH Ministries to reach even more families in 2022. If you are someone you know needs help, visit www.STCHM.org/hff today. If you would like to visit the Homes for Families at the Bluebonnet Campus join us for our Open House on May 21, 2022.
Tragedies, Miracles and God’s Plans
/in Print Edition, Vol. 70, Issue 1/by Joanna BerryLife is harsh for children living in poverty. For 10-year-old Danilsa, life was about to get a whole lot worse when an out-of-control vehicle exploded into their palm-board dwelling and crushed her leg. Isolated in the tiny village of Hatillo, Dominican Republic, medical help was limited. Injuries of this kind commonly resulted in amputation.
Dr. Francisco Paredes understands this kind of poverty. Born in a public hospital, he lived in a wooden house with dirt floors—two rooms, a bedroom, a kitchen and an outhouse. He remembers, “We had three beds—one for my parents, one for the three boys and a small twin for my sister. From the time I was eight-years-old, I walked five-times the length of a football field (500 meters) to get water every day. I waited in a line with my mom and dad, filled 20 one-gallon buckets, then carried them home two-by-two another 500 meters. All of this for me was a normal and happy life.”
Life changed drastically when Francisco’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the long process of her illness, a man from the Baptist church (IBQ), came to visit and pray for her. They began to attend church, where Francisco and his mom accepted Christ, followed by the rest of the family within a few years. Francisco was chosen for a Samuel’s Fund sponsorship. Church members supported the family in many ways, and even poured a cement floor for them. In spite of surgery, and chemotherapy, his mother passed away. Life became increasingly difficult as Francisco became caregiver for his younger siblings. Hunger frequently stalked them. He continued to attend school and church. He took English classes and dreamed of becoming a doctor, an impossibility for a poor child. Resigned to life as a day laborer, he began to work installing cables after high school graduation.
However, God had a different plan for Francisco’s life. As David affirmed in Psalm 138, “The Lord will work out His plans for my life.” Through a series of miracles, he qualified for a government scholarship to study medicine in Cuba. He endured many hardships, including hunger, but ultimately graduated and was licensed as a doctor.
About the same time, the Bravo grocery corporation gifted a medical van to STCH Ministries equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasound. Dr. Francisco became Medical Director for STCH Ministries to impact the abortion rate, improve maternity outcomes, and provide medical care for our Samuel’s Fund sponsored children and families. The need grew and spread to orphanages, Christian schools and churches. In addition to the family of faith, the clinics provided an outreach into the communities. Medical care and medications, given without cost, introduced many to the grace of God offered freely through Christ’s sacrifice.
When the pandemic began, medical needs exploded. Mired in poverty, many had no options for medical care. However, God, who sees the future as clearly as the past, led Dr. Francisco to add Dr. Analiel Pichardo to the medical staff in October of 2018.When Manuel Castillo (Alex), sponsored by the CLEP program, graduated from medical school he also began to give back to the ministry. With the addition of Pedro, a former taxi driver, to chauffeur the van, and share the Gospel with waiting patients, the team responded to the overwhelming medical needs. The combination of love, skillful medical care, prayer and the Gospel message lived out in word and practice was life-changing and life-saving.
Cynthia Sosa is a pastor’s wife. She shared, “For me personally, this ministry has been a great blessing in the tutoring room, in the preschool, in the Church and in this community. When I got sick with COVID-19 my pressure had risen, and thanks to God, I could receive the medication. It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to bless this beautiful ministry in the love of Christ.”
Angeline added, “The medical clinic teaches me every day that God’s love for me and my family is great. My daughter even told me that she wants to be a doctor because of how the doctor is with her. May God continue to bless the doctor and everyone in the South Texas ministry who makes this possible.”
Pastor Ruben Diaz shared, “The medical clinic has been a big blessing to our ministry. We did a medical clinic in a poor area where we do ministry, called Los Humildes. That opened the doors to many homes where we can now go and share the Gospel.”
Bianela was especially grateful. She acknowledged that only God gives life, but recounts that when she brought her father to this medical clinic, I found out he was suffering from very high blood pressure. “After God, you are saving lives.”
Although the increased needs are great for medication funding, and volunteer medical help from the United States, a person’s ability to pay does not determine their access to this ministry—an inviolable STCH Ministries principle. We have been blessed by God’s provision through generous donors and trust God will continue to provide every need. As the number of patients increase, so have the costs of medication and service delivery. In 2018 the average medication cost per patient was $6.33. In 2021, the cost increased to $7.66. Although that doesn’t seem like a big difference, it means a 20% increase per patient. Just in the last 6 months, the purchase price of medications has increased 39%. Another complicating factor is the lowered number of mission teams who frequently bring donations of over-the-counter medicine and vitamins—both expensive in this culture.
Danilsa was only ten-years-old when the accident occurred on October 30, 2017. Rushed to the only near-by facility, she spent 17 days there. She was then released to go home with a partial cast, an open wound and a 15-day follow-up appointment. Since she was a sponsored child, Dr. Francisco was monitoring her situation and he became concerned. Experienced in the inadequate medical treatment available to poverty-level patients, he decided to take her for more x-rays. The x-ray proved what he had suspected—the bones were never set properly, and he also feared infection. When Dr. Francisco showed the x-ray to an orthopedic doctor at the Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital in Santo Domingo, he was told that since this case did not qualify as an emergency, according to protocol, it must be treated via consult. Unfortunately, they were full until next year.
Using personal connections that he had developed, Dr. Francisco pursued help from other doctors. He remembers, “After some negotiation we were put on the consult schedule for Tuesday. However, the doctor could only see 10 patients per day and already had 22 on the schedule. We were given number 23. I knew that the patients would be seen in the order of arrival. The next morning, I left home at 3 am, drove to Hatillo, picked up Danilsa at 4 am, and arrived at the hospital by 5:30. We were first in line!”
The doctor diagnosed a life-threatening infection, cleaned the wound properly, removing a significant amount of infection, which already had a disagreeable odor. Dr. Francisco immediately purchased the correct antibiotic. For the next 2 months, Dr. Francisco would carry Danilsa back to this hospital every two days to clean and inspect the wound until the infection was gone. Today, Danilsa is an active, cheerful teenager. Faithful in church, performing well at school, her mother reports she is helpful and compassionate—a blessing to many.
Dr. Francisco and Danilsa are only two of the countless children who are born into poverty, live in isolated neighborhoods on one of the small islands in the Caribbean Sea. To the outside world they appear to have no special merit or value. But God created them in His image on purpose, for His purpose. “God will work out His plans for my life,” the psalmist affirmed. God’s plans for these children, and many more, involve STCH Ministries. His love moves the hands and feet of our staff, and awakens the compassion of generous donors—who give boys like Francisco, and little girls like Danilsa, hope and a future. This incomprehensible God gives incalculable value to those He created in His image. His un-understandable love carried Christ to a barn, and then to a cross, to accomplish His plans for our redemption. Knowing all of this, why should we marvel at the lengths to which God will go to work out His plans for our lives?