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"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." -Galatians 6:9
We are so thankful to the many churches and church groups who partner with our ministry in a variety of ways! Our goal on this page is to provide a helpful overview of how your church can get involved in Hope Ministries and help us help homeless men, women and children.
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Lunch & Learn:
On-site or We Will Come to You!
Have you heard about our Lunch & Learn opportunity for church leaders? This is an opportunity for your church leadership to learn about homeless outreach opportunities for your congregation.
At your location:
Our community involvement and church relations staff can visit your church over the noon hour to present to church staff and leaders. We have found this to be an efficient, convenient way for church leaders to connect with us. We are flexible and can also offer homeless outreach update presentations during other time slots depending on the schedule of activities at your church.
At our location:
Our community involvement and church relations staff will meet you and enjoy a free lunch at our Hope Café followed by a facility tour and Q & A. The Lunch and Learn is conducted from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Advance reservations are required.
To schedule a Lunch & Learn, contact us at (515) 265-7272 or info@hopeiowa.org.
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How to Get Involved
We have so many opportunities for members and groups within your church to get involved at Hope Ministries—whether it's organizing a donation drive or participating in one of our events or becoming a financial partner. Here are some suggested first steps to partnering with us:
Invite your pastor/church leadership to attend our Leadership Lunch & Learns
Leadership Lunch & Learns include a free lunch at our Hope Café followed by a facility tour and Q & A. The Lunch and Learn is conducted from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Advance reservations are required. This includes lunch at our Hope Café community dining hall, a facility tour and one-on-one question and answer time!
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Resources
Hope for the Homeless DVD
Our six-minute DVD overview of Hope Ministries and our work with those who are homeless. Includes the words of Jesus from Matthew 25.
A Case for Compassion Study Guide
Perfect for both small and large groups. Our three-part study guide facilitates discussion about homelessness and our responsibility as Christians, incorporating Scripture, questions and empathy exercises. Also available in pdf format here.
Please contact our church relations coordinator at (515) 265-7272 or info@hopeiowa.org to receive materials for the photo activity referenced in the study guide.
Hope's Helper e-bulletin
Our monthly e-bulletin includes announcements, outreach opportunities, current needs and prayer requests and more! Register to receive our e-bulletin here.
To order a DVD or A Case for Compassion, just call (515) 265-7272 or e-mail info@hopeiowa.org. |
Attend a Community Awareness Tour
Community Awareness Tours are held on the fourth Tuesday evening (6 p.m.) and fourth Wednesday morning (9 a.m.) of the month. During the facility-wide tour, you will have the opportunity to see Hope Ministries in action. If you have a group from your church (i.e. men’s or women’s Bible study, youth group, missions team) that would like to tour, please call us to schedule a tour just for your group!
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Invite a Hope Ministries speaker to your church
We are happy to send a representative to speak at your Sunday morning worship or other church functions. Our speakers often invite one of our recovery graduates to attend and share his/her testimony. We can also provide videos, display boards and materials as needed.
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Designate a Hope's Ambassador or Ambassador Team
Hope Ambassadors serve as the “voice of Hope Ministries” for their congregation. Ambassadors act as a liaison to coordinate communication between Hope Ministries and your church regarding volunteer, outreach and mission opportunities. Call (515) 265-7272 to learn more.
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Schedule a Service and Learning Experience
Held on the first Saturday of the month, our Service and Learning Experience allows church groups to experience a little bit of everything: a work project, lunch at our Hope Café, testimonies, a tour of the largest emergency shelter in Iowa, and an orientation about homelessness in Iowa. Click here to learn more. |
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Bulletin/Newsletter Announcements
One easy way to help Hope Ministries is by printing one or more of the following bulletin announcements in your church's bulletin, newsletter or other publication.
Hope Ministries current needs: Hope Ministries – serving central Iowa's homeless since 1915 – has a number of current needs for both its men's facilities and family center. Donations of items such as deodorant, laundry detergent, twin sheet sets, pillows, towels and more help Hope Ministries help those who are homeless. For an updated list of needs, visit www.hopeiowa.org or call (515) 265-7272.
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Opportunities For... |
...Youth Groups!
We have many fun ideas that would work well for youth groups such as:
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...Small Groups!
If your adult small group is looking for an opportunity, consider these options:
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...Confirmation/Sunday School Classes!
Opportunities for confirmation and Sunday School classes:
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To sign up for any of the above opportunities for your group—or to ask about other opportunities for your church group—feel free to call us at (515) 265-7272 or send an e-mail to info@hopeiowa.org.
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More ways for your church to help those who are homeless:
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- Remember Hope Ministries, our shelter and recovery residents, staff and volunteers in your prayers. In fact, we hope you will encourage your members to join our Hope Prayer Team.
- Consider how our ministry to those who are homeless and hungry might fit within your annual church missions budget.
- Consider adding a link to our Web site (www.hopeiowa.org) on your church's Web site. We can provide icons and wording.
- Encourage members to join our M25 Network—a network of committed volunteers at Hope Ministries. Click here to learn more.
- Invite Hope Ministries to bring a display for your church's “Missions Sunday” or other mission-oriented events.
- Ask us about how your church can lead a 30-minute evening chapel at our Bethel Mission facility.
- Partner with Hope Ministries and collect “Tokens for the Broken” so our men, women and children can ride the bus. Tokens can be purchased in packs of 10 at most local Hy-Vee and Dahl’s stores in the Des Moines metro area.
- Help provide school supplies in the fall for our Hope Family Center. We need items such as backpacks, pocket folders, pencil boxes and bags, dry erase markers, wide-ruled notebooks and paper, pens, pencil sharpeners, three-ring binders, calculators and trapper keepers. We can schedule and coordinate a donation drive with your church.
- Live out the story of the loaves and fishes by requesting “Loaves & Fishes” cards from Hope Ministries. Each card holds 20 quarters totaling $5. Encourage family members or friends to help fill the card with quarters – and let them know their loose change can change a life!
- Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat (TOTSOCE) is an alternative Halloween project. Cards are available by request. Each card holds 20 quarters totaling $5. This is a great project for your children or youth groups, once the cards are filled or you are finished you can contact us for delivery.
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