Congratulations Pam T.

Who says there's no good news in the paper these days !?!

Our very own Pam T., a graduate of South Side Mission's New Promise Center shelter for homeless women and their children just attained her nursing degree. She is a living example of Jeremiah 29:11, which says "I know the plans I have for you, sayeth the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope."

The Peoria Journal Star thought so too.

Church Windows Recipe

Church Windows are sliced, laterally, from the log, into "windows."

Okay, so I posted on Facebook that my family was baking Christmas cookies and that we were making Church Windows. My friend Sue Herman wanted to know what Church Windows were. Because there isn't enough room on Facebook to put the recipe, I am putting it here on the Mission's blog. Enjoy!

This is from my grandma, Agnes Masat, God rest her soul.

12 ounces chocolate chips

4 Tb margarine

2 eggs

6 cups colored small marshmallows

1 cup chopped walnuts

Wax paper

Under low heat, melt margarine and chocolate chips together. Once melted completely, continuing under low heat, mix in two beaten eggs. Stir constantly for three minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool for a minute. While cooling, tear off six 12" pieces of wax paper and set aside. Quickly mix in walnuts and marshmallows. Mix well. Dollop equal portions of the mixture onto the waxed paper sheets. Form into logs and wrap up in the wax paper. Put in freezer overnight. Next morning, slice logs into quarter inch thick "windows."

South Side Mission radio program podcast

Our friend will be excited to know that there's a pair of shoes just like that one on the shelf!

Searching for something inspirational for your IPod? Well, you found it.

Download a podcast of South Side Mission's Open Door radio program on WPEO AM 1020 right here.

Breaking the Bondage at Christmas

This lesson was taught to the ladies in our Mission at Prayer meeting 12/14 and the devotions in the Culinary Arts Training School 12/15. I hope it blesses you, too.

In the book of Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament, we see that God's people are enslaved in Egypt and endure a period of 400 years in bondage. 400 years without hearing from God. In bondage. Then God sends a deliverer--Moses. God uses Moses to deliver His people from bondage and usher in a period of freedom.

In the book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, we see that God's people are again in bondage. This time at the hands of the Romans, living in an occupied Israel. For 400 years between Malachi and the beginning of Matthew, there has not been a prophet. 400 years without hearing from God. In bondage. Then God sends a deliverer--Jesus, the Son of God. Only this time, the deliverer offers freedom from other kinds of bondage. The bondage of trying to keep the law, the bondage of sin, the bondage of addictions and behaviors, the bondage of putting a ten cent value on our own worth.

At Christmas, why not let the deliverer, the Savior, Jesus Christ, help you break the bondage in your own life.

Ministry By the Numbers - November 2009

Members of the Adoptablock Team from Richwoods Christian Church and Maranatha Fellowship.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM NOVEMBER 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
349

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
53

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
589

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
44

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
10

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
58

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
1

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
17

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
19

Kids enrolled in after-school tutoring
55

Churches involved with Adoptablock
15

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
573

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
8

College Club kids enrolled at ICC
15

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
52

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
12

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
44

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
290

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
8

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
43

Hot meals to the poor
11,173

FINANCIALS FROM NOVEMBER 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$367,984/$363,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$243,062/$247,764

Positive or Negative on the Month
+ $124,923

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$2,534,132/$2,502,361

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,690,103/$2,690,567

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $155,971

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $32,235

The Holy Spirit continues to have a field day here in 61605. The 349 decisions in November 2009 break down as follows…15 in Sunday School, 8 at our before-school Bible study and prayer meeting at Manual High School, 1 at Roosevelt Magnet School, 1 at RiverWest, 2 in Elderly Services, 11 in the Youth Department, 3 in the Lighthouse Diner, 8 in the Laramie Street chapel, 5 in the New Promise Center and 295 over at the Benevolence Center. Thank you God!

On the year, we are $32,235 better than expected! Praise God! When you consider all the external factors, it’s amazing that we are having as good a year as we are. But, that’s God. He gives exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask for and he reserves the right to not participate in a recession.

The Lord outdid Himself on Thanksgiving at South Side Mission. He provided a new record 2,724 hot meals for the bellies of those in need on “turkey day” at the Mission. He also provided great weather. At 5 am that day, I was gazing at the Doppler radar, which showed a large cloud of ice, snow, and sleet bearing down on Peoria. Mercifully all that bad weather stayed in the clouds that day. Thank you Father! And thank you to all the great volunteers we had that day.

One goal of our Elderly Services department is to begin a home-winterization program for seniors on the south side. Well, our friends at WCIC jumped in to help, sending more than 100 volunteers on Saturday, November 21st and winterizing the homes of 50 south side senior citizens. We are hoping that WCIC will do this annually with us.

Before the snow gets too thick, pop by the Mission’s Benevolence Center at 2919 W. Garden and check out our nifty new linear perennial garden—it’s beautiful, even in winter. Provided by a grant from Apostolic Christian World Relief, the garden brings beauty back to a blighted area and helps bring the garden back to Garden Street. It features neatly-hemmed brick edging that goes on for at least 100 yards, expertly chosen and planted perennials, and designed/completed by Hoerr Nursery. It’s goregeous.

[from Assistant Director of External Ministries Minister Bessie Rush’s report]
There is a senior gentleman that attends the Harrison Bible Food Pantry quite often; most times you can smell the alcohol on his breath. Last week we were amazed that he was not only sober, but dressed the best he could for a church visit! He looked like a different man! Psalm 119:9 says “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Just by sitting under the word of God this gentleman life is taking a change! Glory belongs to God.

God has taken a hostile family member and turned him into a friend. Elmira’s son who resented my interference in his mom’s care has called for advice several times this month and still keeps in touch now that Elmira is living at Belwood Nursing Home. Elmira is adjusting to her new surroundings and smiles when she sees Elderly Services visit. She needs our prayers. She has had many losses in a short time: her independence, her home, moving into then out of her son’s home, Belwood placement and a brother passed away this past month.

[from Assistant Executive Director and Senior Pastor Frank Winfrey’s report]
I spoke to you last month about a very powerful time in MAP when the ladies shared openly about the changes that they have seen in the lives of their friends. On the heels of this I challenged the ladies to go out with me and be involved in following up some of those who expressed a need on our comment cards.

I have had four ladies go out thus far with me into the community and they have been encouraged to share their testimony and give words of encouragement to those we meet. There is more growth that is needed in their live but I so appreciate their willingness to be vocal about their faith. They are stepping out of their comfort zone and I am so encouraged by them.

At one of the houses we visited a young woman opened up to us about her alcohol addiction and her recent commitment to walk away from this. One of the ladies had been an addict and she was able to speak into her life. Keep praying for the ladies as they move forward in this that the doing will not be the emphasis but rather the overflow of the heart.

[from Director of the New Promise Center and Chaplain Linda Butler}
Midstate College representatives came for their quarterly presentation on career opportunities. Two weeks later NPC took 10 residents for a tour of the campus.
Five of the residents began admission counseling. Two residents are scheduled begin classes in February 2010.

Elizabeth Diviney Reports: In late December of last year I received a call from a mother with four children on a daily basis. I told her day after day that we did not have any space available however, she kept calling. At the beginning of February we had a family move out and Sarah and her four children moved in. She began to make progress as soon as she moved into the New Promise Center. Sarah found a safe and secure place for her family and because her basic needs were taken care of she began to be able to recommit her life to Christ. Sarah then began to search for a job and apply for housing. She found a part time job and even though it was not what she was looking for and it was not enough hours to support her children she took the job anyway. Sarah kept looking for another job that would offer her full time hours. She then succeeded in finding a full time job and is now working with the Developmentally Disabled population as a nursing assistant. However transportation because her job was not directly on a bus route and was limited on the weekends and the cost taxi service was almost financially counter productive. Shortly after getting the job NPC provided her with a donated vehicle. Sarah will be receiving a house soon through Public Housing Authority and therefore her time at the mission will be ending. The one thing that I can say I will miss most about Sarah is her sense of humor and that she always was smiling no matter what the circumstances were. From her time at the mission she was able to save money, gain a job, obtain a house and a car, and renew her faith in Jesus Christ!

[from Associate Executive Director, Benevolence Steve Dunn’s report]

The B.C. has been ministering to a lady that we call Maggie. She was addicted to crack cocaine and had all of her children taken away from her. The day that she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and savior she gave up the drugs and started getting her children back. Currently, she has gotten all four of her children back and their all in school. Maggie is real proud of her kids because some of them are even on the honor roll. We are so proud of this mother. When she gets her children ready in the morning for school, she says, “God is good,” and her children say, “All the time.” The B.C. has been able to give all four of these children coats for the winter.

Richwoods Christian Church and Maranatha Fellowship partner together on an Adoptablock effort for us. The partnership has been very fruitful over the couple years they have been doing this. A recent outreach was their Thanksgiving luncheon held at Trewyn Middle School, which drew 200 people, mostly from their adopted blocks. Our own Minister Craig Williams blessed the meal.

Our buttons were bursting on November 20th as the Peoria Chamber of Commerce awarded South Side Mission its “Community Wealth Award.” Awarded annually at the group’s Community Thanksgiving Luncheon (attended by 800 this year), the honor recognizes a charity each year that makes Peoria a better place to live.

In November, out of 36 ladies using our New Promise Center shelter for homeless women and their children, we had 13 ladies who were with us fleeing domestic violence situations. People sometimes forget that the Mission is very much a domestic violence shelter, too. It is one reason our security is as strict as it is. Sadly, the Holidays can be a time in which domestic violence becomes more heated.

SSM and Imago Dei Partner in RiverWest Housing Project

Our friends at Imago Dei Church partner with us at South Side Mission's RiverWest Housing Project satellite office. Imago Dei provides wonderful volunteer support and ministry to residents of RiverWest. Take a look at what they are doing in Jesus' name!

7:45 on a Saturday Morning

Ashley gets ready to deliver a couple of hand-knit afgans to some chilly and low-income senior citizens.

Doesn't anyone sleep in anymore?

7:45 on a Saturday morning. More than 100 volunteers from WCIC descended upon us to winterize the homes of 50 low-income senior citizens in zip code 61605. Dozens of volunteers from Harvest Bible Chapel in Morton came down to cook a hot breakfast for the homeless women and their children in our shelter. And a strong cadre of prayer warriors came down for a 24-hour prayer meeting that began at 6 p.m. last night. What would inspire all these folks to come down and help? Why, the Lord, of course!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdPO2qfMINA

Ministry Highlights For the Month - October 2009

South Side Mission's Benevolence Center helps more than 1,000 people a month with free food, clothing, furniture, housewares and appliances--all in the name of the Lord!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OCTOBER 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
362
Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
52
Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
612
Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
47
Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
8
Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
52
Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
2
Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
23
Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
17
Kids enrolled in after-school tutoring
55
Churches involved with Adoptablock
14
Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
603
Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
9
College Club kids enrolled at ICC
15
Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
53
Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
19
Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
38
Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
303
Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
8
Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
28
Hot meals to the poor
10,100

FINANCIALS FROM OCTOBER 2009
Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$265,260/$313,851
Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$280,166/$234,197
Positive or Negative on the Month
- $14,906
Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$2,166,148/$2,138,510
Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,447,042/$2,442,803
Positive or Negative on the Year
- $280,894
How we’re doing versus budget
+ $23,399

Indicated decisions for Christ 362
The Holy Spirit is still pouring out Himself on the South Side. There were a total of 284 cards completed indicating a decision for Christ at Benevolence Center in October, 10 in Mission at Prayer, one at the RiverWest Housing Project Satellite Office of South Side Mission, eight students at Harrison School, 13 seniors in Elderly Services, one child in Sunday School, four ladies at the Laramie Street chapel, 25 kids in the Breakout Youth Center, five in Kings Kids, five moms who came for Mother’s Day Out, and four ladies in the New Promise Center shelter for homeless women and their children.

Financials
On the year, we are $23,399 better than expected! Praise God! As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables this month, let’s take time to thank the Lord for His amazing provision at the Mission this year.
South Side Mission usually is behind on the year until close to year end. Historically, year end is spectacular for the Mission, with both November and December showing a healthy positive return. We budgeted to break even in 2010, so if things continue on as we think they will, we should see a modest positive return on the year.

God Sightings
South Side Mission saw its largest food drive, maybe ever, on Saturday and Sunday the 24th and 25th when Northwoods Community Church partnered with Walmart North Allen Road and Kroger Northpoint to drop 56,000 pounds of food on our Benevolence Center! That’s two semitrailers and a box truck worth, by the way! This should keep our BC, and the two pantries in our satellite offices stocked until May, I would guess.

While the Mission does not celebrate Halloween, staff have found a way to "flip the script" on the dark holiday by using the Jack-O-Lantern as a Gospel presentation, with surprising results. Essentially our staff present that Jesus cleans up all of the gunk inside us and puts his light in our hearts, expressing this through the carving of a pumpkin. Three different departments used this method and here’s what happened…
· 5 kids in Kings Kids made decisions for Christ
· 5 kids in After School Clubs made decisions for Christ
· 2 senior citizens at South Side Manor made decisions

What’s New
We had our first case of H1N1 Swine Flu in the New Promise Center shelter. A mom with two kids had it and we quarantined them for the duration of their being contagious. It did not spread. Mom and kids are doing just fine now and at the time of this writing are still living with us.

Minister Bessie Rush reports that two new Hope Builders projects were completed on Saturday, October 31, 2009. There were representatives from Woodland Church, Northwood, Latter Rain and Harvest Bible Chapel that worked on the projects. We are continuing to accept some projects as we prepare for next year. Applications are still being accepted for the Hope Builders 2010. What a mighty God we serve that we can partner together to show the love of Christ!

Bessie also passes on the following External Ministries updates…
· The community family/youth ministry continues to grow at RiverWest. They have tutored over seventy-five (75) children in seven weeks!
· In six weeks the SSM school ministry ministered to 147 students, 1 staff and 2 parents! One parent was from Harrison School and shared her personal life troubles and we encouraged her to trust God to keep her and her family safe. After sharing she said she felt so much better! Please keep Manual High School in your prayers. This month a 16 year old student was killed. He was not in our morning group, but many of the students that attend our morning chapel service knew him and are grieving. We ministered to a Security guard at Manual who was grieving for the lost life of this young man.
· Our Adopt A Block teams continue to be faithful. Several teams are depending less on South Side Mission and are creatively taking charge of their blocks. Richwood Christian Church and Maranatha Church are putting on a Thanksgiving dinner and the residents on their blocks are the special guest!
· It’s now official Word of Faith Christian Church has completed their AAB training. God really blessed them during the prayer walk on their blocks. Over 20 people were present to minister to the needs of the blocks. They prayed with a young man and it was evident that God ministered to him. Word of Faith has been assigned blocks on Millman and Butler! This is also the block where the 16 year old young man was lost his life.

What’s new? Our bunk beds at Camp Kearney! Thanks to volunteers from Mt. Hawley Community Church and our own hardworking Camp staff, we have built 40 new bunk beds at Camp Kearney!

Stories of People You Have Helped
[from New Promise Center Caseworker Elizabeth Diviney’s report]
Sage has resided in the mission since early July. Her previous history with the mission has been that she would come here and then either be asked to leave for her alcohol abuse or just not return. Sage has made a change in her life and recommitted her life to the Lord. She is participating in the New Promise Center Program, she enjoys going to chapel and bible study, and participates actively in the life skill classes. She recently became employed and has begun saving money. She is also currently studying for her GED with our onsite program with district 150 and is the most determined person in the class. She was also invited to do the radio station this month with Pastor Frank. In a meeting with her she stated, "You know this time is my time to succeed because for the first time in my life I have truly accepted God into my life". She felt as if that is what has been missing the entire time.

[from Director of Transportation Mark Bowden’s report]
October’s ministry included service to a large number of families where a member had moved into nursing care or were recently deceased. One such pickup had a great memory of Helen Haien. As a little girl, a house in Joyce’s Neighborhood had burnt, killing two and leaving two orphans. Miss Haien took the two children in and cared for them until other arrangements could be made. Helen left a powerful and positive impression that impacted those she served as well as those who witnessed her service, as we are called to do each day.

[from Assistant Executive Director and Senior Pastor Frank Winfrey’s report]
God allowed me to be apart of some connecting of one of our former Girls Club students with some needed help with her CILCO bill. She had been in contact with one of our area churches and this pastor knew me and asked if I could verify her need. This is the second time with this particular church I have been able to link some benevolent resources to the need. It was a little more special this time because I was able to help someone I had known for a long time.
God met with us in a powerful way in one of our mission at prayer meetings. We had sung the song "He’s Changing Me." After this I felt led of the Lord to challenge the ladies to share how they saw God changing their lives. It was encouraging to hear story after story of what God was doing for them.
Some of the messages I heard I will summarize for you:
#1- I used to think that I needed a man at my side to feel good about myself. I would try to serve them and be kind and loyal to seek to get from them the love I needed. I now know that I don’t need to seek out a man to feel good about myself. Maybe I am heavy and I have some physical handicaps but I am starting to feel good about myself. I like myself. Just recently I bought some new PJ’s . My son looked at me in those the other night and said to me, "Mom, you look cute in that!" I gave him a big hug. God has brought me here to be encouraged and I can learn something from each woman in this room.
#2 I have learned hope.
#3 This is my second time here. I went through the motions to stay legal while I was here the last time. This time I want to learn all I can.

I then had some of the ladies share where they saw growth in each other.
#1 One lady went around the room and shared what she was getting from each individual person. She had something to good to say about each one.
#2 One of the ladies laughed and began to talk about "Chrissie." She said went I first came here I stayed away from you. My first introduction to you was you running out the door cussing and screaming mad. Now I have seen you change and there really is a sweet person on the inside that I couldn’t see at first. God has definitely been changing you! (this was followed by a lot of agreeing laughter from the other ladies).
Isn’t it neat to see the Word of God, and being faithful to love people make a difference!

[from Associate Executive Director, Benevolence, Steve Dunn’s report]
I had a man run up to me while I was at the back desk, asking me to help him get saved! He had such urgency in his voice that I bowed my head and led him in the sinner’s prayer. I saw him the next day and he said he never felt so good in all of his life. To God be the Glory.

[from Kings Kids Teacher Lisa Abel’s report]
Lisa has a boy in her class who has not heard a lot of the Bible stories. He is always excited when Lisa shares stories with the children. He remembered that Noah obeyed God. This was exciting for Lisa to know that the children listen.

Et Cetera
The Board of Directors (and others) have been challenging South Side Mission to expand our discipleship programs for the community. The Lord seems to be moving us in the direction of Bible Studies. They are exploding at South Side Mission. Did you know there are 15 Bible Studies each week at South Side Mission?
· Three in the New Promise Center shelter
· Alpha
· Benevolence Center
· Harrison Primary School
· Roosevelt Magnet School
· Trewyn Middle School
· Manual High School
· Three at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
· B’Nai B’Rith Senior Citizen housing
· South Side Manor Senior Citizen housing
· River West Satellite Office

Steve Dunn reports that at our Benevolence Center this year, we have recycled 339,724 pounds of overflow as of October 31, 2009 equaling $16,986 for the year. Our Cilco bill runs $1500 a month. If we paid our Cilco bill with our recycling efforts we would have $1986 left to put into the ministry!

We welcome Peter Nevi as a part-time driver. Some of you know Peter Nevi from his amazing testimony DVD that has been circulating around. It’s nice to have him on the team.

Twenty-Five Years

Janet took a walk up the Laramie Street Hill this week on one of the few sunny days we've had.

It was the first sunny day of freedom she's had in 25 years.

You see, Janet paroled to South Side Mission from Dwight Correctional Center, where she'd spent the last 25 years.

A sunny day to walk up the hill and feel the breeze on her face, the sun on her skin, the autumn scent of burning leaves. It was a rich time for Janet.

Please say a prayer for Janet as she tries to re-start a life interrupted. We'll do our best to introduce her to a friend who can guide her in this journey-- a friend who will stick closer to her than a brother--the Lord Jesus Christ.

To Comfort Those Who Mourn

"My child just died at the Hospital."

The out of town mother who visited our Mission Mart on Knoxville, not far from the Hospitals, was there to buy something to bury her child in. Shell-shocked, she needed something to wear to the funeral herself.

At times like this, our store staff forgets this is a store. Mission Mart becomes a place of ministry. Staffers Julie and Karen came to the aid of this shaken woman and did what they could to "comfort those who mourn" as Isaiah 61 says. We certainly provided the clothing that was necessary and appropriate--at no cost--as we should have at a time like that, but Julie and Karen took time to pray, too.

Ministry By the Numbers - September 2009

A dapper Rev. Craig Williams visits a resident of his adopted block on Starr Street, offering a food basket and an encouraging word.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
368

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
46

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
525

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
39

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
7

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
58

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
4

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
19

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
23

Kids enrolled in after-school tutoring
55

Churches involved with Adoptablock
13

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
577

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
9

College Club kids enrolled at ICC
14

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
49

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
9

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
40

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
275

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
8

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
42

Hot meals to the poor
7,888

FINANCIALS FROM SEPTEMBER 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$229,268/$173,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$276,288/$229,629

Positive or Negative on the Month
- $47,020

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,900,888/$1,824,659

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$2,167,118/$2,208,606

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $266,230

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $117,717

The Lord has blossomed our pastoral care ministry. In September 2009, He allowed us to conduct 100 visits—58 in Elderly Services and 42 in Pastoral Care. We really are beginning to saturate 61605 with God’s love.

Fresh Fire Church of Canton has been reaping the harvest on their adopted block on the South Side. They are now doing a home bible study with 15 people in attendance!

Jamie, a resident in the New Promise Center came here from Davenport, Iowa because she was trying to escape an abusive situation. The man that she resided with constantly abused her and caused her to be hospitalized many times for various injuries. She finally had enough of it and checked herself into the hospital for a suicide attempt. They did not have room for her so they transferred her to Singer Mental Hospital in Rockford, IL. They in turn recommended the South Side Mission as a safe place that she could restart her life. When Jamie first arrived she was in tears most of the time and very afraid. She admitted that she had been diagnosed with HIV, but had stayed with her abuser because she believed that no one else would want her. She also did not have one family member that she even talked to because of the poor choices she had made in the past. On her intake paperwork she put down her abusers mother because she did not know of anyone else that we could call in an emergency. Jamie stayed here for seven weeks and faithfully attended all classes. She recommitted her life to God and began to read her bible. She received a certificate of confirmation for completing the discipleship class. In one of the meetings that we had she even joked "I might not have anyone for you to put down on paper in case of emergency but now I do have someone on my side, I have the Lord."

Alethia is one of the very positive role models for the ladies in the shelter. She has a bright employment future because she was able to complete a very comprehensive lead and asbestos training and get licensed by the state. Alethia took a leadership role in chapel on September 20th.. She got up to share a very powerful testimony of God keeping her through intense pain. She had difficulty getting through her testimony, but she was able to share some very hurtful parts of her life and declare, "I am still here!" She challenged the ladies at the end of her testimony to give it all over to God and if they had not given their heart to Christ to do so. The altar was filled with well over a dozen ladies. They had seen the change in Alethia and they knew it was genuine. This was a first—a resident giving an altar call!

Urban Sustainable Farming - The Wave of the Future

As part of our Five-Year-Strategic-Plan, we are investigating beginning an urban sustainable farming program. South Side Mission would eventually grow its own vegetables, farm its own fish, and share each with others. Will Allen, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner and his Growing Power charity in Milwaukee, WI have an outstanding enterprise going that does just that. We will be visiting Growing Power later this month to see what we can learn from them. Watch this video and let me know what you think!

Ministry By the Numbers - August 2009

Father and son fun! August 15, 2009 was the annual David Vaughan Investments Hike for Hunger to benefit the food programs of South Side Mission. Held at Forest Park Nature Center, the event raised more than $37,000 !

HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
583

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
46

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
601

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
40

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
14

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
45

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
0

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
42

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
30

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
596

College Club kids enrolled at ICC
14

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
51

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
12

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
47

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
299

Number of churches involved with our Adoptablock program
17

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
66

Hot meals to the poor
8,150

FINANCIALS FROM AUGUST 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$269,301/$178,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$229,258/$240,784

Positive or Negative on the Month
+ $40,043

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,671,658/$1,650,808

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,889,166/$1,978,977

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $217,508

How we’re doing versus budget
+ $110,661

August numbers were outstanding. Last year, $72,000 in contributions came in August. This year, $185,000. There is no way to explain this other than the Lord.

The Lord allowed us to meet a major ministry goal of the last seven years! In 2002, there was not a single Christian club meeting inside any District 150 public school in zip code 61605, Peoria’s south side. We thought that was unacceptable. So representatives from Youth for Christ, the Gideons, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and SSM started praying about and investigating a ministry to Manual High School. Since then God has opened the flood gates…

2003 Manual High before-school prayer meeting starts, operated by SSM
2005 Trewyn Middle School before school prayer meeting starts, operated by SSM
2005 Garfield Primary School before school prayer meeting starts, operated by CEF
2007 Tyng Primary School before school prayer meeting starts, operated by SSM
[in 2009, the District 150 school board closed Tyng Primary School]
2008 Harrison Primary School before school prayer meeting starts, operated by SSM
2009 Roosevelt Magnet School before school prayer meeting starts, operated by SSM

God did it! That’s all of them! Praise God, who "begins a good work and is faithful to complete it!"

Hope Builders major outreach week was August 10-14th. Hope Builders is South Side Mission’s effort to provide 36 homeowners this year with free, "big ticket" home repairs like roofs, siding jobs, remodeling, etc. It started out a joint project between South Side Mission and Metro Peoria Baptist Association. This year was the fifth year for Hope Builders. Now we have representatives from other churches join us, too.

Fifteen projects were completed the week of August 10-14. Roofs continue to be the over riding need. This year had the most roofs completed of any year to date. This year was also our highest number of volunteers, 141. Those volunteers came from 15 different churches. LS Building Products continues to be the primary donor of materials.

Case Manager Phyllis Jordan writes: Yvette, a former resident has held a job for nine months. This is the longest she has ever kept a job. She has reunited with her teenage daughter and they have a home and are doing well. Her daughter is an honor student and has learned to trust her mother again. She is grateful to SSM for allowing her to return when she was really down.

Recession? No way. Expansion!

Matt Sommer, the guy you see in all those Mission Mart commercials, is our Associate Executive Director, Retail. Here he is completing another happy transaction at our Sterling Avenue store.

Hey! Did you hear that South Side Mission is opening another Mission Mart thrift store? It's true! But don't take our word for it.

Here's the story WEEK News 25 ran about Mission Mart Morton.

And here's what the Morton Times-News had to say about the store.

Mission Mart Morton will open October 1, 2009 in the Field Shopping Center in Morton, 2135 South Main Street.

Mission Mart is a ministry of South Side Mission in which anyone can get low-cost clothing, furniture, housewares, and appliances, sold in a Christian atmosphere and with a smile. All donations stay local. Yearly, Mission Marts provide more than $600,000 in revenue for South Side Mission.

Victory !

Youth for Christ volunteer Scott Gore prays with three young men from Manual...

In 2002, there were no Christian clubs meeting inside any public school in zip code 61605, Peoria’s south side. We thought that represented a great opportunity for our Lord. So along with representatives from Youth for Christ, the Gideons, and Child Evangelism Fellowship, we began praying for a ministry to begin at Manual High School and then every public school in zip code 61605 thereafter. For a year, we prayed about it while our phone calls to administrators went unreturned.

Then the Lord broke through.

In October, out of the blue, we got a phone call from an administrator at Manual High School requesting our help beginning a chapel program for the school. This is just what we had prayed for. From then on, every Tuesday, representatives from South Side Mission, Youth for Christ and volunteer pastors conduct before and after school Bible studies and prayer meetings for interested students and staff.

In the photo above, Manual High School students are praying to ask Jesus into their hearts and lives at a Youth for Christ event in Colorado this summer. This is a culmination of seven years of prayer and outreach. God is good!

Jesus was not finished with just Manual, though. Two years later, He opened up Trewyn Middle School. Now we conduct a Wednesday morning Bible study and prayer time there each week. Our friends at Child Evangelism Fellowship got into the act, too, opening up Garfield Primary School the same year. Now they partner with Bethany Baptist Church to conduct an after school Good News Club for participating students on Thursdays. Last year, God provided an opportunity at Harrison Primary School, where we now operate a before-school Bible study and prayer meeting on Fridays. And this fall, the Lord completed the circle of Peoria public schools in 61605 by opening up Roosevelt Magnet School with a brand-new Thursday morning prayer meeting and Bible study.

“He who began a good work in 61605 is faithful to complete it!”

Great New Video on SSM Elderly Services

There's a great new video about South Side Mission's Elderly Services Ministry. You can see it here.

Thank you to Mission volunteer Rick Burdette for his great work producing and donating the video!

Building Hope

Volunteers from Northwoods Community Church, Woodland Baptist Church, and South Side Mission tear the roof off a house on Tonti Circle in Peoria last week. The group then put a new one on for a low-income homeowner as part of South Side Mission's Hope Builders.

Hope Builders, a South Side Mission program that gives free large repairs for low-income homeowners in the 61605 zip code, will do over 30 projects this year.

Last week was the program's major one week push in which Hope Builders volunteers completed 20 projects, including new roofs, siding, painting, and remodeling. All at no cost to the homeowner.

More than 75 volunteers from area churches converged to complete the jobs. LS Building Supply in East Peoria donated all of the materials--a more than $50,000 in-kind donation.

Why do we do this? Because when you put a new roof on someone's house that cannot afford it, it becomes very easy to tell them about Jesus!

Here's what the Peoria Journal Star had to say about the program...

Here's what WMBD-TV 31 had to say about the program...

Ministry By the Numbers - July 2009

Beautiful and not often seen Lake Helen at the back end of South Side Mission's Camp Kearney, accessible by kayak.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JULY 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
557

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
46

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
596

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
51

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
29

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
46

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
1

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
35

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
22

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
701

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
51

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
21

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
44

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
324

Number of churches involved with our Adoptablock program
15

Attendance at our B’Nai B’Rith Bible Study
6

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
33

Kids enrolled at Camp Kearney
152

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
10

Hot meals to the poor
9,970

FINANCIALS FROM JULY 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$241,739/$183,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$323,809/$315,952

Positive or Negative on the Month
-$82,069

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,402,356/$1,471,957

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,660,015/$1,738,193

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $257,659

Over or under budget on the year
$8,577 better than expected

We have several new records at the Benevolence Center. The poor economy is sending people to us in droves. We have a new record for food baskets given away at Benevolence Center with 701. We have a new record for families helped with clothing/furniture with 596 and a total number of people helped in one month at the BC with 1,297. Staggering.

The Board of Directors, Executive Committee, voted to approve Mission Mart Morton, to be housed in the Field Shopping Center, beginning in October 2009.

As part of our major push for more discipleship opportunities this year, we have added another Bible study for the community. This one in the B’Nai B’Rith senior citizen apartments. We have another in the South Side Manor senior citizen apartments, one at Harrison Homes and one at RiverWest.

Bickford House, one of the nicest retirement homes out there, now employs LaAngela Poynter, who has assumed the Head Chef position there. She, in turn, hired Daurice Figgers and Lena Mogged. All three are alums of the Culinary Arts Training School of South Side Mission. Also, Anthony Jones, an alum of CATS who was featured in our latest SSM newsletter has hired on with Embassy Suites. Praise God!

One evening at our Sterling Ave. Mission Mart, a customer literally yelled at two of our part time gals, with such force and intimidation that our staffers had to call the police. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit took command of the situation and it defused itself. Later that week, God touched this customer’s heart, and she came back and asked for forgiveness. Excellent!

“Otis” is one of Leanne Sommer’s favorite customers at the Knoxville Ave. store. Otis usually has a smell about him and very little money. But we serve him anyway. Leanne just happens to have a half price sale-every time he is there. He is too proud to take things free. Awesome!

“Marilyn” had become addicted to crack and she wanted to be set free. So she did something radical and walked up to a police officer and handed her drugs to him. She told him she wanted to be free from the chains that bound her. The police officer did not arrest her, but instead decided to help her. He helped her find us at the Benevolence Center. Marilyn talked with us at the BC, and gave her heart to Christ. At the time of this writing, she is fourteen days clean and is in the process of getting her children back.

Thanks for all you do to help those we serve. Drop me a line anytime to tell me what you think of this report. If you’d ever like a VIP tour of our ministry, let me know. Thanks!

In Christ,

Phil Newton, Executive Director

Resource Guide for Local Community Assistance

A friend helped by South Side Mission elderly services poses outside her south side home.

Are you looking for a handy guidebook that will tell you where to find local help for people who have needs like dental assistance, emergency day care, free home repairs and more?

Then be sure to check out our Community Resource Guide . This handy reference will help you find assistance for those you encounter with acute needs.

The organizations listed under each category were chosen in this manner:

1. They have an evangelical witness or if they are not, then
   
2. They are a Christian organization or if they are not, then
   
3. They are leaders in their respective field of expertise or if they are not, then
   
4. They are most appropriate for citizens of the south side or if they are not, then
   
5. They are appropriate for citizens in other areas.

This is a dynamic listing. If you are aware of other resources, please email us or comment in the comments section of this blog entry so that we can add them.

Special thanks to South Side Mission Associate Executive Director, Development, Meg Newell for her work on this project.

Clothing the naked

The corner of Western Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive on the south side of Peoria.

South Side Mission Associate Executive Director, Youth, Sheree Lyles was driving a van full of Day Camp kids back to the Mission from a swimming outing about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. What they encountered at the corner of Western Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive shocked Sheree and filled her with pity and dismay.

There, on the sidewalk, was a woman who had just been brutally assaulted. She had been beaten up badly. The thug tradition dictates that when two women fight, the victor tries to strip the loser and leave her naked and bloodied. This poor, wretched lady bore the marks of a beating and was naked from the waist up. In broad daylight. At the corner of a busy intersection on the south side of Peoria. As Sheree rolled down her window, she could hear the jeers and wolf whistles of passers by.

Sheree knew she had to help the helpless, compromised woman there before her, but with a vanful of kids, her options were limited. Sheree immediately pulled over and asked the woman how she could help her. The police were called, help was on the way. Sheree fished around in the van to see if there were any clothing for this pitiful woman. Miraculously, there just happened to be a jacket in the van that fit our new friend well enough. Sheree was able to get the woman calmed down and to see that her injuries were not life threatening.

Isaiah 58, verses 6 through 14 is a very good picture of what goes on at South Side Mission. If you look at the ways the Lord describes "true fasting," these are the activities in which we occupy ourselves. Except we don't often have a chance to truly clothe the naked. Until last week.

Please pray for our new friend, for restoration of her health, her reputation, and her self-esteem. Most importantly for her soul. Please also pray for zip code 61605, the south side of Peoria, as together we help to push back the darkness and lead others to the Light.

Isaiah 58:6-14, from the NIV with thanks to Bible Gateway.com

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Our pantry shelves are getting low!

Bags of food are witnesses of God's love in several ways at South Side Mission's Benevolence Center!

Serving record numbers of poor people through our three food pantries has left our shelves bare.

At the Benevolence Center 2919 W. Garden, our Harrison Homes housing project satellite office, and our RiverWest housing project satellite office, the poor can come and get a free food basket once a month.

Food baskets are designed to help a family make it through to the next paycheck. A food basket includes at least 5 pounds of meat, a bag of nonperishable food items, fresh vegetables, dairy products, and bread.

If you'd like to donate, these items are in especially short supply...

Cans of soup
Cans of beef stew, spaghetti-os, chicken & dumplings, and other "meals in a can" products
Canned vegetables
Pasta or macaroni & cheese
One pound frozen packages of ground beef

Items can be donated at the Benevolence Center at 2919 W. Garden in Peoria, Monday through Saturday from 6:30 to 3 pm or at 1127 S. Laramie 24 hours a day.

Thanks!

Ministry By the Numbers - June 2009

The Altar Call at the South Side Mission RiverWest Housing Project outreach picnic on 6/28/09. Many came to faith!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
551

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
53

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
476

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
44

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
24

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
67

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
6

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
25

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
23

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
449

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
41

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
12

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
34

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
231

Number of churches involved with our Adoptablock program
15

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
50

Kids enrolled at Camp Kearney
206

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
10

Hot meals to the poor
9,130

FINANCIALS FROM JUNE 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$167,543/$183,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$244,258/$247,859

Positive or Negative on the Month
-$76,716

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$1,160.626/$1,288,106

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,337,291/$1,422,241

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $176,665

Over or under budget on the year
- $42,530

Indicated decisions for Christ 551

The Holy Spirit continues his amazing winning streak on the south side of Peoria! This is one of those months when every department sees someone come to the Lord! At our RiverWest Satellite Office community outreach picnic 45 souls came to Christ! At our Harrison Homes Satellite Office, two more stamped their ticket to heaven paid in full! Eight attenders of our Mission at Prayer meetings stepped across the line of faith! One homeowner received free home repairs and Salvation through Jesus Christ in our Hope Builders program! One person came for lunch and left with Jesus at our Lighthouse Diner soup kitchen! Ten lonely souls found their Forever Friend in our Laramie Street chapel! Two homeless ladies made reservations for their Heavenly Home in the New Promise Center shelter! One person on our adopted blocks became adopted into the Lord’s family! Two senior citizens crossed the Finish Line before they crossed the finish line! Jesus loves the little children and 183 of them made a decision at Camp Kearney in June! Lastly, over 900 people came through the doors of our Benevolence Center in June with 296 of them raising their hand to ask Jesus into their hearts and lives. Hallelujah! May the Lord be with us as we attempt to disciple all we can get to.

Camp Kearney is off to a tremendous start in 2009. Most weeks, we are already full on paper. This is a huge step for us. We are seeing numbers at camp that are unprecedented in my nearly 7 years here. Camp Director Paul Mulholland and his staff have put together a great recruitment plan and it is paying off. He is a gem!

Did you know that we now have 5 clergy at South Side Mission that make pastoral care visits? Reverends Frank Winfrey, Howard Bedell, Craig Williams, Linda Butler, and Bessie Rush all do home and hospital visits with the hurting. Additionally, Robin Winfrey does home and hospital visits with the elderly. Together, the six of them conducted 117 different visits in June. Thank you God!

You may have seen news of a fire at South Side Mission this past month. It was a small fire, but it was arson. Because it was arson, it made the papers. Vandals burned the door of one of our storage sheds. Not long after the fire started, a neighbor noticed and called the fire department. Gratefully, the security was not breached and we lost nothing inside the shed.

External Ministries received a call from a precious senior in 61605, whose husband is in a nursing home. Her request was for a wheel chair ramp so that he could come home for weekend visits. Minister Bessie Rush was able to connect her to City of Peoria and assist with filling out her application to see if she qualifies for city services. With-out the ramp he could not come home! With-in a week she was notified that she was going to receive the wheel chair ramp! Then the windows of heaven open! Not only did she receive the ramp, she received new front stairs, new sidewalks, and Hope Builders also painted the outside of her house! She is so overwhelm with joy at how everything happen so quickly. Now this family can be together! How is that for family preservation!

[from Assistant Executive Director and Senior Pastor Frank Winfrey’s report]
The Lord allowed us to experience a beautiful visitation of his spirit even in the midst of tragedy. We lost a baby born prematurely in our shelter for the second time in six weeks. God met us in a powerful way. The ladies in the shelter rallied around this mom and loved on her and cried with her. The family was impressed by the support that she received. At the funeral we were able to involve the ladies in reading Scripture and reading a poem. Most all of them added a few words of their own. God ministered through so many and we were so pleased to see God moving and helping to heal as the body had each individual doing their part. God has built a family here. PTL.

[from Director of Elderly Services Robin Winfrey’s report]
I visited an elderly gentleman in the Harrison Homes who suffered two strokes in the past. The residual effect was extreme left sided weakness. His couch was completely kaput on the left side from him using the arm of the couch to lift himself up; he was literally sitting on the floor with a few inches of couch beneath him. I told Lewis I was going to pray we get a nice couch for his home to replace the broken one. He agreed to pray with me, his daughter was also there and said she would pray too. One Friday Dorothy called me at home from the BC and said she had a beautiful, sturdy couch with a matching chair delivered that afternoon and if I could get it moved early Monday morning my gentleman could have it. I got to the BC as early as I could that next Monday but someone had already seen it and begged Dorothy to give it to her for her dad. Dorothy told her if I hadn’t moved it before chapel was out the woman could have it. I arrived and quickly moved it leaving Dorothy dreading having to tell Cecilia that it was taken while she was in chapel. Lewis was thrilled to have the new couch. He was amazed how beautiful and like new it was. I was sweeping and cleaning the floor before bringing the new couch in. Lewis said let me call my son-in-law to come over and help bring in the couch. He had to leave a message on the cell phone and when he called back I saw the caller ID showed South Side Mission BC. Lewis’s daughter was there with her husband, the very same women begging for the couch from Dorothy!!! They came right over and said we wanted the couch but had no way to get it home. God saved it for Lewis and moved it into the house for him!

I got a call from a daughter of a resident at the Heartland apartments. Her mom was renting a bed from a rent-a-center type of place on a monthly basis. The bed wasn’t very nice and her mom couldn’t afford the monthly payments. She has already called the BC the day before and we had no beds. I told her that often there won’t be an item at the BC until we know about the need. Then the Lord miraculously supplies it. I told her I would stop back at the BC to see if the Lord had come through. So I later went to the BC and reminded Steve of the earlier call and explained the need. Steve said, “Mark just brought it in, Robin.” I looked and saw a magnificent queen size bed complete with headboard, Sealy posturpedic plush pillow top mattress- frame and all. I said, “Honestly Steve that is too nice, we could get a good price for that at the Mission Mart.” Steve said, “I know, I already told Mark that but he said the Lord had told Mark that the bed was to bless someone who needed a bed. So here’s your bed.” Then he yelled to Mark who was just getting back into the truck “you’re right God wanted to bless a senior!” Jehovah Jireh!

[from External Ministries Assistant Reverend Bessie Rush’s report]

A senior citizen, Annie Hously, 80 years old (who has health problems), only had lawn chairs to sit on in her living room. External Ministries was able to get her a nice sofa and a chair for her Harrison Homes apartment. She was so grateful that we help her!

Paula's Funeral Arrangements

Paula Berry passed away the morning of the fourth. Paula was the wife of South Side Mission board member Tony Berry and was a huge part of what goes on at the Mission. Please pray for Tony and the South Side Mission family. She was a strong believer, leading many kids to faith in Christ. She is receiving her substantial reward from our Savior. Well done, my friend.

Her arrangements are as follows:

On Wednesday, July 8th...

10:30 to noon Visitiation at South Side Mission chapel 1127 S. Laramie Peoria IL 61605

Noon Celebration Service at South Side Mission chapel followed by a procession to the cemetery. Then we will meet back at the Mission for lunch in the auxiliary dining room.

Help For the Poor is Growing!

Our new garden on Garden Street (actually the corner of Garden and Idaho) at our Benevolence Center warehouse in Peoria.

I can't believe this didn't occur to us earlier.

After years of relying upon farmers, gardeners, and grocery stores to give us their surplus produce and being chronically short, our Benevolence Center warehouse that helps the poor became a gardener this year. This way, our own garden can begin supplementing our produce supply.

Director Steve Dunn prayed about it and the Lord sent people with plants, hoes, and know-how. The Lord supplied the water. There's a reason He is called the Lord of the Harvest!

We are having an interesting problem, though. What do we do if people in the neighborhood take the produce off the vines before we harvest them to give to these same neighborhood people? We considered a fence, but doesn't that defeat the purpose? We will just trust that the produce gets to the people it's meant to, either through the proper or improper channels!

The State Budget Crunch - How Are We Affected?

Our good friend Minnie looks for a loaf of bread at South Side Mission's Benevolence Center, 2919 W. Garden Street.

South Side Mission does not accept nor do we desire government funding.

The Lord has done a great job over the years of seeing to it that He will meet all of our needs and some of our wants as well. Furthermore, government funding comes with strings that keep highly-Christian organizations from being assertive with the Gospel. As such, we want to keep being faithful to our Mission statement, which reads "to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the poor and in His name to love, feed, house, clothe, and teach all those He sends to us."

So, the budget crunch in the state of Illinois does not affect our funding.

However, it does affect the people that we serve. If there's less government assistance going to the poorest of the poor, the people we serve most often, we may have to step up and provide more assistance to them.

We are already serving record numbers of poor people this year. Our Benevolence Ministry, last year at this time, was helping 800 to 900 families a month with free food or housewares. Now we are serving 1,000 to 1,100. But the Lord has responded in kind. Our pantry shelves have not been empty all year. Thanks be to God.

As SSM Board Member Danny Schell says, "the Lord kept the doors open yesterday. We'll trust Him for today, too."

South Side Mission in the News - Ropes Course at Camp Kearney

South Side Mission Executive Director Phil Newton holds on for dear life, 40 feet up on the new High Elements Ropes Course at South Side Mission's Camp Kearney.

We held the official "rope cutting" to dedicate our new High Elements Ropes Course at Camp Kearney, yesterday. We invited many of our closest friends, namely the kids in the Mission's Sunday School and the ladies in our shelter (and their kids) to come out for the day. They enjoyed a picnic, swimming, and a chance to climb the "rock wall" portion of the ropes course. The Lord smiled upon us with beautiful weather.

The Peoria Journal Star covered the event, but we couldn't convince a reporter to try it!

South Side Mission in the News - Satellite Office

Another satisfied customer of our RiverWest housing project satellite office! Over her left shoulder, you can see Rev. Spencer Gibson's Integrity Gospel Choir performing at our outreach picnic in the housing project, held June 20th.

The local NBC station thought the event was newsworthy enough to merit coverage. Here's
WEEK-TV 25's story on our RiverWest housing project satellite office.

Great day on Adoptablock today

Volunteers from Northwoods Community Church complete a Hope Builders project on Malone Street.

The Word says "How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity."

In our chapel this morning, we had representatives from 7 churches praising God together and then rolling up their sleeves and going out to their respective, adopted blocks.

- St. Mark's
- Richwoods Christian Church
- Woodland Baptist
- New Hope International Ministries
- New Testament Fellowship
- Bethany Baptist
- Northwoods Community Church

These warriors went out in 90 plus heat to prayer walk blocks, clean up garbage, pray with residents, find out who needs furniture or food, and to be The Church.

South Side Mission Board Member and Adoptablocker Harold Booze, from Woodland Baptist tells us that someone on their adopted blocks accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior today! Hallelujah!

On Malone Street, one of the residents got some free painting done on the back of her house. On Kettelle Street, another got some work done on her house, too.

Send us more workers Lord! This harvest is plentiful!

Your Generosity Extends a Long Way

Through our Benevolence Center, we are able to distribute free clothing to 500 families a month. Also, our three Mission Mart thrift stores sell clothing at low cost to help fund our programs. Even with these ways of providing clothing, we still are blessed to have left over good articles of clothing.

Because the Lord has blessed us, we, in turn, bless other ministries, sometimes in far away places. Over the years, we have sent many articles of clothing to countries in Africa and South America. Recently, we had a chance to partner with a ministry that works with the Navaho.

Missionaries Marvin & Chrisanne Burr sent us the photo you see above of kids who benefited from the clothing.

They write, "It would have warmed your hearts if you would have seen the ladies hurrying to get through and take the clothes. These economic times are hurting everyone. They are very grateful for the clothes and hope more will come in the future. Your generosity has helped us build a strong bridge with many Navaho people. We are there to encourage them. They, in turn, will minister to their own people in ways we cannot."

Thanks to the Burrs for their ministry and to you for supporting it through the Mission.

Are You Going Through a Desert?

A number of you know that my wife and I have been going through a long foster care odyssey. Close to four years ago, Jilleen and I were asked to adopt a child of someone we knew of. As of the time of this writing, the adoption is still not final. We have endured a great deal of turnover in the parties in court, an appeal which started the process all over, and multiple other twists and turns in what should have been an open and shut case.

So, though this trial, I have been trying to figure out what God is up to.

Early on in the process, one of our clergy on staff mentioned to me that I appeared to be in a Moses season. So I began studying the Exodus story. I also read Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God. Through the Word and this book, I was able to see many parallels to what was going on in Jill and I's life and in the life of our foster child. But there were still some holes in my understanding.

Recently, the church I attend challenged us to take 7 weeks to dive into the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. I took the challenge and the Lord led me to further understanding.

I realize now that it is impossible to truly understand the Exodus story without learning the story of Jacob (Israel) and his son Joseph. The stories are intertwined.

Here's what I mean...

God did His nation-building of Israel not just in Exodus, but in the story of Joseph (and indeed Jacob, Israel's namesake).

God's people at the time of Joseph are basically one family, that of Jacob. It's hard to call one family a nation. Further, a great famine is coming, threatening to wipe out this family that could eventually become a nation. So what does God do? He brings them into captivity, which accomplishes the following...

- The family grows over the next 400 years into a nation of more than 1 million.
- The nation is fed consistently and has all its basic needs met.
- Their culture and faith has a chance to flourish.
- They eventually gain a homeland to call their own
- They emerge with a heritage and a story to tell
- They plunder Egypt on the way out

God did it in His timing, His way. While yes, the captivity was what we would consider awful, God used it as a means to an end. It's also a macro of the Joseph story. He was in captivity, but emerged with great favor, just like the Exodus story.

So as I look at Jill and I's story with our foster care odyssey, I believe the Lord is showing us something similar...

- This trial is building your family
- This trial is building your faith
- This trial is building a heritage and a story to tell in your family
- The Israelites' journey to the promised land was delayed by complaining. Don't delay your journey by doing the same.

And yes, God is doing it in His timing, His way. Yes the trial has been excruciating, but it is a means to an end. This is meaningful to me. God is showing Jilleen and I Romans 8:28 in action. All things work together for good.

I hope this helps you as well, in whatever desert your find yourself.

Ministry By the Numbers, May 2009

South Side Mission Board members Reverend James Taylor (with microphone) and Reverend Bill Williams
(inred) fire up the crowd at an outreach picnic held outside the Mission's Harrison Homes Satellite Office.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MAY 2009

Decisions to follow Christ for the month
388

Average number of homeless women & children housed nightly
48

Families served with free clothing, furniture, appliances & housewares
461

Attendance in our Sunday School, weekly
42

Attendance at our RiverWest Bible Study
12

Elderly Services home, hospital or nursing home visits
57

Formerly homeless women moving out successfully
4

Food baskets given away at our RiverWest Satellite Office
21

Average attendance at the Lighthouse Diner
16

Food baskets given away through our Garden Street Benevolence Center
467

College Club kids enrolled at ICC
14

Food baskets given away at our Harrison Homes Satellite Office
38

Attendance at our Harrison Homes Bible Study
10

Attendance in our Chapel services, Laramie Street, weekly
47

Attendance in our Chapel services, Garden Street, weekly
232

Number of churches involved with our Adoptablock program
15

Pastoral care visits & counsels (non-elderly)
29

Kids enrolled in after-school tutoring
75

Attendance at our South Side Manor Bible Study
10

Hot meals to the poor
6,507

FINANCIALS FROM MAY 2009

Monthly revenue vs. budgeted
$215,096/$243,851

Monthly expenses vs. budgeted
$234,596/$248,667

Positive or Negative on the Month
-$19,500

Yearly revenue vs. budgeted
$993,083/$1,104,255

Yearly expenses vs. budgeted
$1,093,634/$1,174,382

Positive or Negative on the Year
- $100,551

Over or under budget on the year
- $30,424

The year 2009 is an odd one, financially, though not too terribly bad, praise God. We are off budget by $30,424 on the year so far, about 1%. Although revenues this year are down significantly, thankfully, Crystal and her team have done an excellent job on keeping expenses down this year as well.
Chef Chris was thrilled to see a massive donation from Dixon’s Seafood—420 pounds of Sashimi-grade Yellowfin Tuna. We’ve been enjoying Sushi here at the Lighthouse on Laramie!

Ward Chapel AME is our newest and 15th Adoptablock church!

In our New Promise Center shelter for homeless women and children this month we had 6 different ladies expecting babies. People sometimes forget that we are most certainly a crisis pregnancy shelter, too.

[from Associate Executive Director, Youth, Sheree Lyles’ monthly report]

“Marcus” was a troubled young man who attended our Older Boys Club at the Mission. At times, he would try to live his life the right way. But at other times, he would stray and get into sex and drugs. Sadly, Marcus’ dark side began winning. He recently hooked up with a gang and became a “mule” for them. A mule is someone who traffics drugs from one city to another. His friends who also attend our Older Boys Club let us know what was going on. One Thursday night last month, at Older Boys Club, Marcus let it be known that the next day he was going to be heading up to Chicago, but kept his business to himself. SSM Breakout Youth Center Director Larry Thomas knew what was going on and tried to convince Marcus not to go. Tragically, Marcus did go. He did not return from Chicago as he lost control of his vehicle on the interstate and perished. Marcus’ death, while engineered by Satan, has borne some fruit from the Lord. Life is fleeting and death is certain. Marcus’s passing got the attention of the boys in our Older Boys Club. Four young people in the Youth Department gave their hearts to Christ in May.

Jeanette moved out successfully from our shelter about a year ago and then was hit by the tragic death of her sister who was her rock. She was not able to maintain her job and her roommate situation fell through. She is one of the very positive role models for the ladies in the shelter. Jeanette just completed some training to become a lead and asbestos inspector and got licensed by the state. The Lord continues to grow her and she sees God sustaining her and giving her new blessings. Her contacts in the state office told her that she would be placed in the supervisor track for further training. She thought she would be simply working as a tech, but God had other ideas. He elevates those who are His. We are so proud of Jeanette.