|
Christian Fellowship and Growth
 The purpose of Hope Ministries is to proclaim and demonstrate the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ meeting the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of men, women and children who are homeless or in need of hope.
This purpose statement makes it clear that we are an intentionally Christ-centered ministry. This is why we do not seek nor do we accept any government or other funding that would compromise our Christ-centered mission. We are privately supported through the generosity of many who share our philosophy of operation and ministry.
Our programs, services and methods are intentionally Christ-centered, from the moment a person walks in looking for help, to the moment he or she leaves to rejoin society. Hope Ministries is about much more than preaching a “social Gospel”. We don’t just feed the body. We feed the soul.
We believe that a life-changing encounter with a living God is the best way to true and lasting healing.
We are an ecumenical, non-denominational collaboration of many Christian churches, schools, and organizations throughout Iowa. In 2003 and 2004, over 140 individual churches participated in our ministry through financial support, volunteers, clothing and/or food drives. Our staff, board and volunteers involve over a dozen Christian church denominations including, Reformed, United Methodist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, Church of the Brethren, Baptist, Evangelical Free, non-denominational and more. The level of participation ranges from providing financial support, to involving our speakers bureau, to providing volunteers, to sponsoring a clothing or food drive or fundraising event, to providing evening chapel or devotions, participating in service projects, to providing transportation, or mentoring.
More than a dozen different denominations are represented through our board of directors, staff and volunteers.
GOD’S WORD DIRECTS OUR MINISTRY
Matthew 28:19
Jesus said,”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 25: 35-36
Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and your gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
John 15:12
Jesus Said, “This is my commandment that we love one another.”
John 6:35
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. He that comes to Me shall never hunger; and he that believes on Me shall never thirst.”
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:26
If one member suffers, all suffer together. If one member is honored, together rejoice.
Luke 3:11
The man who has two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.
Deuteronomy 15:11
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.
MORNING DEVOTIONS AND DAILY CHAPEL
Our continuum of care incorporates daily opportunities for Christian worship, reflection and prayer. At Bethel Mission a 45-minute evening worship is held six nights a week at 7:00 pm in our chapel and is required by all of our shelter guests. We currently have over 30 churches (with a waiting list) that rotate providing evening chapel throughout the month. Morning devotions are held at 8:00 am and are voluntary, however participants in the STEP program are required to attend.
At the Door of Faith morning devotions and evening chapel is also provided. Residents are required to attend three during the week but are encouraged to attend all. Staff, local pastors and volunteers provide devotions and chapel at the Door of Faith.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday morning worship is not held at any of our shelter facilities. Rather, all shelter guests are encouraged to attend Sunday morning worship at a local church. We are grateful to a number of churches that are faithful and consistent in providing transportation. Participants in the STEP and STAR program are required to attend worship at a local church. Many become members and are introduced for the first time to Christian fellowship and a supportive family of faith.
BIBLE STUDY
Our STEP and STAR programs incorporate Bible Study throughout the curriculum.
CHAPLAINS AND PRAYER
Hope Ministries employs ordained chaplains and lay ministers who also serve as case managers. Individual prayer is incorporated from the first personal intake interview AND throughout the entire continuum of care. Every facility meal begins with prayer lead by one of our chaplains, assigned staff or volunteer including our meals for the general public three times daily.
STAFF WORSHIP AND PRAYER
Prayer is a constant at Hope Ministries. All staff is invited to attend community-wide worship and prayer the first Friday of each month rotating at our various facilities. In addition, individual staff is invited to attend morning devotions and evening chapel with our shelter guests.
Donors to our ministry send us prayer requests, which are held up weekly during our community relation’s staff meeting. You are invited to send us your prayer request via our Prayer Team page.
HOPE MINISTRIES PRAYER TEAM
We are fortunate to have a devoted group of several hundred volunteer prayer warriors who commit to lift up our ministry in prayer daily. This same group is sent specific prayer requests and praises periodically.
You are invited to become a member of our prayer team. Visit our Prayer Team page for more details and to sign up.
|
