A New Approach - South Wisconsin District
Transcription
A New Approach - South Wisconsin District
Open In Prayer Thank you for considering going on this journey with us... There are many families and children that need your help. OUR GOAL FOR THIS PRESENTATION IS TO : 1. Discuss the struggle that many of our congregations are facing. 2. Identify our target audience for this ministry. 3. The value of trying a new approach to outreach through this ministry 4. Give a brief overview about Rebecca’s Garden of Hope and the impact it is having both locally and nationally. 5. Discuss important issues surrounding children our target audience and the difference we as the body of Christ, can make in their lives. 6. Discuss the value RGOH can offer your congregation. 7. Invite your congregation to partner with us. Many of our congregations across the country are struggling to find ways to reach into the community. As a result we have an epidemic of young people and families that don’t attend our churches and faith based schools. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope helps congregations explore a new approach to developing stronger relationships in the community with a focus on children and families. An approach that invites us, as the body of Christ to start a conversation with people that live in neighborhoods surrounding our churches and schools. An invitation to step outside of our comfort zone and engage in an inclusive approach to outreach ministry. Matthew 28:19-20 reminds us that our mission is still to “Go and make disciples of all nations”, even while our neighborhoods are changing. These changes give us a new harvest field of people to invite into the body of Christ. People from all walks of life that don’t necessarily look like me or you. To be relevant in our surrounding communities we must find effective ways to meet the challenges that come with those changes. One of those challenges may not be easily identified by just looking at the outside of a person. Many families outside our church doors struggle to make ends meet. More than one in five children (22%) statewide lived below the federal poverty level in 2010 & 2011. That equals 16.1 million children. Information on Poverty and Income Statistics: A Summary of 2012 Current Population Survey Data September 12, 2012 By: ASPE Human Services Policy Staff . Poverty can have a devastating effect on all people, but it can be especially difficult for young children growing up in these communities. Common issues in Low-income Families Depression Chemical dependence Hectic work schedules Poor parenting skills Lack of support Poor goal setting skills Lack of Structure Lack of food Unstable environment Violence in the home or neighborhood Included in this number are children who may not have access to the basic necessities of life. Most parents, in these communities want their children to succeed but too often their idea of success may be teaching their children to only process in a survival mode. Re-education and love can empower families and help break the cycle of poverty and distrust in our communities. A tutoring and mentoring program is a simple way to engage our neighbors and help children succeed on a different level. We can accomplish this by addressing the needs of the whole child: 1. Educational 2. Physical 3. Emotional 4. Spiritual 5. Social With a focus on the following 4 critical areas in each child’s life. 1)Encourage Youth to Put Christ 1st In Their Lives By: Teaching children about Jesus. Teaching children how to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Teaching children how to live a life pleasing in God’s sight. Inviting children to receive the free gift of baptism Training children how to understand and study God’s word in Sunday School, church and confirmation, other Christ based settings. We provide free Christ based resources to help you teach your children about the love of Christ. 2)Improve Educational Outcomes By: Assisting students with completing homework. Providing additional resources to help children complete homework assignments. Strengthening students math, reading, writing, spelling skills by using resources that focus on targeted skill sets. Working to foster a positive attitude toward learning. Providing resources that will challenge each child's learning curve. Our support includes free worksheets, tools and training needed to start and run an effective ministry. Baseline Assessment Tools 3)Enhance Social Skills By: Encouraging and teaching youth to have better attitudes. Improving self-esteem by targeting specific aspects of character development. Providing simple etiquette training sessions. Exposing children to different social settings to practice their enhance social skills. Teaching children how to eat and live healthier lifestyles. Teaching children effective nonverbal communication skills. Teaching children basic money management skills using the RGOH Bonus Bucks Program. We provide resources and information to help children develop better social skills. 4) Establish Lasting Relationships Through Mentoring By: Modeling positive behavior through actions, conversation and interactions. Coordinating off-site activities to expose children to more opportunities. Strengthening relationships through one-on-one interactions. Discussing life lessons using video and other media outlets. Teaching children proactive vs reactive responses. Teaching children positive ways to resolve conflict. We provide information to help you develop strong impactful relationships with your youth and families. Tutoring programs affiliated with public schools address the educational needs of youth and may even help them excel academically… …however public schools have strategically taken Christ out of the equation. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope is purposefully focused on introducing Christ back into the lives of youth and families in our communities. It is only through Christ that these cycles can truly be broken. That is why this ministry and ministries like this are so important. Our “Vision” is clear…. Vision Statement Changing lives and communities through Christ-centered tutoring and mentoring. Mission Statement Rebecca’s Garden of Hope seeks to carry out its mission by enveloping children in a loving and supportive tutoring and mentoring environment that evidences God’s work in the world and each individual. Empowering individuals in our churches and schools to take an active role in enhancing and embracing the local community. Equipping local churches and other community organizations to support outreach that focuses on the unique needs of underserved children. Educating and training partner organizations in the use of proven tools and templates for tutoring and mentoring. Encouraging growth and development of partner organizations through a supportive advocacy council and encouragement of individualized approaches. Values Rebecca’s Garden of Hope believes that Churches have an important role in the life of the community, and those that do so thrive and grow. Children in underserved communities must be encouraged to develop appropriate self-esteem and self-worth through capable and dedicated mentors and learn their responsibilities as Children of God. Communities can be transformed when children learn and apply life skills from a Christian perspective. As an established RSO(Recognized Service Organization) with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod we are focused on equipping congregations to engage in ministry. Our strategic plan is simple: Invite others, like your church to help us reach more children and families with the love of Christ by using this simple outreach tool. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope is not just about helping you develop a tutoring and mentoring ministry but more importantly it’s a way to build stronger bridges in your community by bringing churches and neighbors together to facilitate change. How? We believe that by giving of your time, talents and treasures to God’s glory you will receive incredible resources to help your ministry grow. We call it reciprocal outreach and we can accomplish it this way… 1. Inviting our sister congregations to get involved in our ministries will develop stronger bonds. 2. Developing working relationships with other churches, schools, businesses and organizations will help our ministries grow. 3. Requesting monetary support, tutoring and mentoring support, support with transporting children, grading papers and or assisting in other areas of your ministry will help you more easily access available resources. 4. Inviting members to get more non-members involved in your ministry on some level will help you touch more people with the love of Christ outside of your sphere of influence. 5. Exposing more of our neighbors to the Lutheran Church by letting them see us working in the communities will help us establish a stronger “relational presence” in our communities. Fear sometimes clouds our perspective on truth related to outreach. 1. Fear of the unknown 2. Fear of being harmed 3. Fear of not being able to relate 4. Fear of not feeling we can make a difference 5. Overwhelming fear of failure Those reasons can cripple our ability to engage in ministry, outside of our church doors. Many Christians struggle with the Henny Penny fear …. http://www.childrenstory.info/children-stories/folklore/henny-penny/ God’s word says… 1 John 4:18 (ESV) 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Through Christ, this approach gives you an exciting way to engage in ministry in a variety of different ways. By inviting congregations to get to know each other through RGOH we will identify more un-churched people, untapped resources, available support staff and ultimately get more people involved in helping to make changes in our communities which will also change their lives. Included are 2 unsolicited testimonials about the benefits of this ministry from 2 of our partners… “We sought inroads into our community. We are now the center of our community. This is the one evangelism program above all others that is most effective and most dear to my heart.” Bruce Alberts, pastor,Titusville Florida (Give him a call 321-289-7232) “In my experience, Rebecca's Garden of Hope is central to church starts.” Christopher Bodley, pastor and ethnic mission planter, Michigan District We are here to help you every step of the way and there are others available to support you n this journey as well. Take a look at some of our local and national partners. Local & National Partners Our Savior Lutheran, Orlando, FL Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Orleans Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Orleans Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Titusville Fl. Grace Chapel Lutheran Church, St Louis, MO Trinity Cristo Rey, Santa Ana California Zion, Tampa Florida Our Savior, Flint Michigan St. Phillips, Philadelphia, PA Bethany Lutheran, Leesburg, FL St Andrews Hialeah, Florida Trinity Lutheran Church ELCA Kissimmee, FL Bethel Lutheran St Paul, Minnesota Calvary Lutheran, Baltimore MD Chatham Fields Evangelical Lutheran Church Chicago, Illinois Haitian Ministry Delray Beach, Fl St John Lutheran Fallon, Nevada Here are some of our other partners from around the country. RGOH MINISTRIES CALIFORNIA Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church Santa Ana, CA 92701-5647 DCE Kristen Wyzard FLORIDA Our Savior Lutheran Church Orlando, FL 32805-5132 Rev. Kenyatta Cobb Director Sanya Parson FLORIDA RGOH MINISTRIES Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Titusville, FL 32796-3243 Rev Bruce Alberts 321-267-4323 [email protected] Bethany Lutheran Church Rev Marc Spaeth Leesburg, FL Mrs. Thelma Moe Hope Lutheran Church Rev Patrick McKenzie Jacksonville, FL 32256-5507 RGOH MINISTRIES FLORIDA Emanuel Haitian Lutheran Mission Rev Daniel Bartley Delray Beach. FL 33482-8319 Trinity Lutheran Church Rev. Bob Schmalzle, Kissimmee, FL 34741-3821 Pastor Zeig& Pastor Moore Zion Lutheran Church Tampa, FL 33602-1419 Rev Patrick O’Brien and DCE Tabitha Chandler RGOH MINISTRIES FLORIDA Chuluota Mission Rev Brian Roberts St Luke’s Lutheran Church Oviedo, FL 32765-8524 Our Savior Lutheran Church Rev Steve Wipperman Lake Worth, Florida 33460-3670 St. Andrew Lutheran Church Hialeah, FL 33014-4902 President, Mr. Bob Buhl RGOH MINISTRIES GEORGIA Peace Lutheran Church Rev. Victor Belton Decatur, GA 30032-4615 Lord of Life Lutheran Church Rev George Earhart Stockbridge, GA 30281-4124 Incarnate Word Lutheran Church Tucker, GA 30084-5401 Rev Dr Wilton Heyliger RGOH MINISTRIES LOUISIANA Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Rev. Gregory Manning New Orleans, LA 70125-3610 Christ Lutheran Church 3300 Jupiter Chalmette LA 70043-6103 Rev. Philip Miller RGOH MINISTRIES LOUISIANA Epiphany Lutheran Church 9004 Hickory St. New Orleans LA 70118-1448 Rev. Calis Parham Sr. St. Paul Lutheran Church 1625 Annette St. New Orleans LA 70116-1322 Rev. Warren Malueg-Lattimore RGOH MINISTRIES LOUISIANA St. Zion Lutheran Church 1401 Simon Bolivar Ave. New Orleans LA 70122-2327 Rev. LimakastoNare Christ Lutheran Church 3300 Jupiter Chalmette LA 70043-6103 Rev. Philip Miller RGOH MINISTRIES LOUISIANA Holy Cross Lutheran Church 6154 Press Drive New Orleans LA 70126-1714 Rev. Watson Bethel Lutheran Church 4127 Frankllin Ave. New Orleans LA 70126-6007 Rev. Jerome Terry RGOH MINISTRIES LOUISIANA Holy Cross Lutheran Church 6154 Press Drive New Orleans LA 70126-1714 Rev. Watson ILLINOIS Ev Lutheran Church of Doctor Martin Luther Rev Jacob Gaugert Chicago, IL 60632-2226 RGOH MINISTRIES MICHEGAN Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church ReV. Eddie Morales Detroit, MI 48235-2642 Bethany Lutheran Church Detroit MI 48224-3226 Rev. Christopher Bodley IglesiaLuterana Pan De Vida Rev. Gregory Lorenz Detroit, MI 48209-2456 RGOH MINISTRIES MICHEGAN Holy Cross Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Robinson Detroit, MI 48227-2126 Our Savior Lutheran Church Flint, MI 48505-2276 Rev. Randall Schultz Greenfield Peace Lutheran Church Detroit MI Rev. Kenneth Spence RGOH MINISTRIES MINNEAPOLIS Our Savior Lutheran Church Eyota, MN Pastor Jon Vollrath St.John’s Lutheran Church Stewartville, MN Pastor Steve Andrews Family of Christ Lutheran Church Rochester, MN Pastor Henry Biartt RGOH MINISTRIES MINNEAPOLIS St John’s Lutheran Church Austin, MN Pastore Tom Oglivie and DCE Troy Miller St Peter’s Lutheran Church Edina, MN Pastor Mark Schockey andDCE Faith Raittei Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church St Paul, MN Pastor Brian Scoles RGOH MINISTRIES MINNEAPOLIS Trinity Lutheran Church Rochester, MN Pastor Joel Haak, Pastor for Family Life Holy Cross Lutheran Church Rochester, MN Pastor Francis Green RGOH MINISTRIES WISCONSIN Prince of Peace Lutheran Church West Salem, WI Pastor Jason Schockman Faith Lutheran Church La Crosse, WI Pastor Paul Mundinger Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Onalaska, WI Rev Don Stein RGOH MINISTRIES MISSOURI Grace Lutheran Chapel Bellefontaine Neighbers, MO 6317-1564 Rev. Nathan Rubackand DCE MichaelKehe NEVADA Zion Lutheran Church Rev Mark Kliewer Winnemucca, NV 89445-3905 RGOH MINISTRIES NEVADA St Luke Lutheran Church DCE John Scheuermann Jr Reno, NV 89509-5239 St John Lutheran Church Rev Alan Hilton Fallon, NV 89406-8837 Faith Lutheran Church Yerington, NV 89447-2219 Rev Everett Garwood RGOH MINISTRIES NORTH CAROLINA Crown In Glory Lutheran Church Rev. Donald Anthony Salisbury, NC 28145-1384 Grace Lutheran Church Concord, NC 28025-5244 PENNSYLVANIA St Philip Lutheran Church Philadelphia, PA 19131-5040 Rev. Howard Alexander RGOH MINISTRIES TEXAS Calvary Lutheran Church Houston, TX 77016-2703 Rev Rodney Emilien SOS Center Milwaukee, WI 53208 Herman Strozier Rev. Dr. John Wille We currently have 106 partners in 20 states, DC, and Ontario, Canada. We were blessed to surpassed our goal of 100 partners by the end of 2014 so we are focused on a goal now of 200 partners by 2015 with an average of 15-30 children per ministry. That means we could touch the lives of 3000 to over 6000 children by the end of 2015. All of these resources empower our children and families to make better choices in life. Without this support we can expect the cycle of poverty to continue, which means... We will have communities with higher percentages of: 1.Teen pregnancies 2.Gang violence 3. Drug use 4.Youth dropping out of school. 5. Increase in apathy in our communities. Illiteracy and crime are closely related. Over 70% of inmates in America's prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level. www.neglected-delinquent.org/nd/docs/literacy_brief_20100120.pdfSimilar You +1'd this publicly. Undo File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View by M O’Cummings – 2010 Related articles Jan 11, 2010 – Arne Duncan, 2009, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Literacy and Juvenile Justice For this reason many states determine how many more prisons they will build and cells they will add by tracking the number of youth that cannot read by the 3rd grade. It cost $238,034.77 to keep a youth offender in juvenile detention each year which averages about $652.15 per day. National Juvenile Justice Network http://www.njjn.org/uploads/digitallibrary/DetentionToolkit_FIN_May2013b.pd A report,"The Price of Prisons," states that the cost of incarcerating one inmate in Fiscal 2014 was $47,307 per year. "In states like Connecticut, Washington state, New York, it's anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000. The Cost of A Nation of Incarceration http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-cost-of-a-nation-of-incarceration/ The total 2014-2015 cost of attending Harvard College without financial aid is $43,938 for tuition and $58,607 for tuition, room, board and fees combined. We are the light for the world! 1 John 3:17-20 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope has been in ministry for 4 ½ years and our goal is to continue offering free RGOH CD’s, training and resources to assist our partners to help you establish roots in your communities for the long haul. Pastor Bruce Good Shepherd Titusville Pastor Bruce recently reported that over the years they have had 4 children in Sunday School and after starting this ministry they now have 30 children in Sunday School, more tutors then ever and they are considering changing their 11am service to a children’s service because the impact in their congregation has been so unbelievable. In the last 2 years we have had over 100 children involved in our ministry and 75 children and parents have been baptized at Our Savior, Lutheran in Orlando, FL from our tutoring program. Many of our partners have exciting stories to share about the impact this ministry is having on their congregation and in their communities. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope provides a unique way to connect Churches → Schools → Organizations →Resources → Ideas together through Christ. Luke 10:2 2 And He was saying to them, “ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. What if you only touch one child through this ministry, is that enough? Matthew 18:12-14English Standard Version (ESV) 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninetynine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my[a] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish Invite us to your church and we will provide information, resources and training that can help you get started. Thank you for understanding our vision and our never ending commitment to excellence and for considering going on this journey with us. We are humbled by the possibility of working with you to introduce more children and families to the love of Christ. Rebecca’s Garden of Hope… helping you meet the needs of children and families in your community. Q&A Close in prayer.