Hephzibah Happenings

A Song of
Tforhanksgiving
ashley
O
n March 9, 2013, when our baby, William Henry Darling IV, came into the
world wrapped in innocence, angel-kissed, and with Heavenly Father-love,
his father and I received more than we had anticipated. Little Will had arrived with special needs. I was chosen to look after his difficulty and need.
My mother was with me in the delivery room, holding my hand. The normal pregnancy I had experienced had just resulted in shock. Holding my baby in my arms and
close to my heart, I loved him immediately but I knew something was not right. The
thrill of giving birth and feeling new life against my body was interrupted at what I
noticed. “Mother, what is wrong with my baby?” “He doesn’t look . . . normal.” The
word “deformed” came to my lips. Believing that everything was alright when I carried him, I was now so very confused with what was happening.
The days ahead would be challenging ones. A new learning curve, for sure, was
involved in his care. Time, lots of time, would be required for trips to get the necessary medical help, and finances fluctuated but mostly mounted. You see, Little Will
was born with a cleft palate. He had one lip and no nose. He was kept in the hospital
for one month where he could be fed properly. The road ahead was going to be a long
one for Little Will as multiple surgeries and life-long visits to Ear, Nose, and Throat
physicians will always be necessary. His first lip surgery, preceded by over seventy
orthodontist preparatory visits, was performed on October 15, 2013. He was seven
months old. I was scared and fearful of how he might look after the ordeal. The surgery was amazing! He didn’t have a nose or a lip – now he has both! I can feed him,
clean the area easily, and move on to a normal life with his big brother, Jayden. Jayden
is proud to be a brother of a “clefty,” and I’m proud to be Little Will’s mother.
As a teen mother at Hephzibah Children’s Home, I have learned a lot about life. I
am grateful to have had my caseworkers, house-parents and girls in the cottage on
my team during this ordeal.
pp
Here, I learned, and have watched it modeled in the
n
lives of those caring for us too, that we have a loving Savior
and Heavenly Father who will always be our Guide if we put
our trust in Him. I am happy and joyful in this circumstance
because God has proven to me that there is hope in Him. He
can change things. He has certainly given me strength that I
didn’t know I had.
Ashley is completing her GED and enrolling into college in January. She
wants to study welding. She plans to be certified in six different areas by
the time she graduates. She’s well on her way; she has scored high on her
tests and won three scholarships. We here at Hephzibah applaud her and
want more than anything to see her achieve her goals. She said, “It’s not
about me, it’s about looking after my children and I have to do it!”
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Hephzibah Happenings
FR O M T HE D I REC T O R
Miracles
Love
of
D
pp
uring an overwhelming time in his leadership of the ministry at
Hephzibah Children’s Home, Rev. C.K. Chitty had this conversation with God:
“God, there is no way that I can compete with the type of
miracles that Betty Tyler, Joe Neyman, and Larry Freels experienced!”
I sensed God’s response to my helpless confession. “C.K., those were not
Bette Tyler, Joe Neyman, or Larry Freels miracles. They were My miracles!
Furthermore, I did not do those miracles FOR Bette Tyler, Joe Neyman, or
Larry Freels – and I won’t be doing any miracles FOR you either.” Catching
my breath in this fresh realization, I “heard” the Lord sum it up like this,
“Those miracles were for the kids! That is who will be the beneficiary of
the rest of MY miracles.” There have been many conversations with God,
but this one settled in my head and heart just WHO is responsible for the
children of Hephzibah – God Himself. Miracles of all kinds will happen as
God lives and loves through me, and workers around me, in the place He
has set us to serve.
The motto we live by at Hephzibah is simple – three words, “Love.
Found. Here.” This past year 192 children have been brought to our campus in search of a safe place to call “home.” Some children come for a few
weeks, months, and a few for several years. All of them come in need of loving touches from the heart of God Himself, and that responsibility is ours.
The goal is that children and young people will recognize God’s love here,
through us, and that they will find Him as their personal Savior and Guide
for life. And they do!
Five children made first-time commitments to serve Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior during 2013. Seven of them were baptized at the local
church where they attend with their Hephzibah family. During Camp Pathway last summer, over 75 children made commitments to serve Christ. This
touching testimony was shared by one of our young people in my presence,
“I first heard of the love of Christ when I was twelve years old. Four years
later, I accepted Him as my Savior. Then, after another year, I was called
into ministry. Before my eighteenth birthday, I was preparing to study at
Kingswood University in Canada.” God still works miracles, as we call them.
Actually, His children are His miracles because of the transformation of
grace in their lives.
We are expecting more miracles at Hephzibah. How? Dreams of happiness, freedom, purpose and success become reality because of people like
you who genuinely care and show love “to the least of these.” Thank you for
praying! Thank you for giving! Thank you for coming to the campus and
serving! Thank you for giving to the Christmas Fund which enables us to
express love in the giving of gifts – for some, it is the first time they will
Hephzibah Happenings
n
Call to me and I will
answer you and tell you great
and unsearchable things you
do not know.”
~ J e r e m i a h 33:3 ~
receive gifts. Thank you for standing by us, as God continues
His Love-Miracles in lives.
Sincerely, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Wonderful things are happening here at Hephzibah, and it
cannot continue without you. Doors are opening in the very
dark venue of Human Trafficking survivors. The Light of
Christ is penetrating the darkness and rescues are happening. We need you to stay on board with us as we share the
Living Bread to souls God brings to us. Your support is vital
to carrying the Light.
May God bless your loving heart as you open it to the
needy.
For the King and His Kids,
C.K. Chitty
C.K. Chitty
CEO/General Director
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Joyce Kinney Bus Group
Rides Again!
When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the Lord will take me up. — P s a l m 27:10
O
nce again, the Joyce Kinney Bus Group from North Carolina came rolling around the scenic drive into Hephzibah
Children’s Home on Labor Day weekend. Their purpose
was to be the hands and feet of Jesus in seeing this promise fulfilled. They came for the children.
Old-fashioned love, enthusiasm, with a dose of down-home country joy and gladness filled the atmosphere as the passengers bounded
off the bus. In her “happy Hephzibah band” were familiar faces, as well
as many first-time visitors to the campus. This year, they came with all
kinds of toiletries and other helpful items for the supply room - plus
an abundant love offering of $10,000 for the ministry. Joyce, a loved
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and respected advocate of Hephzibah Children’s Home for many years,
has been carrying on the vision her mother had for the ministry during Hephzibah’s early years. The seeds of “doing for the least of these,”
planted in Joyce’s heart by her mother have grown and flourished. She
has given wholeheartedly to the cause and challenged others to keep
giving to the children at Hephzibah. Joyce is now eighty years old and
aging with grace. She says she would like to pass the torch of leadership to someone else but, “I’m still coming on the bus,” she declares.
Our hearts whole-heartedly say, “Thank You, Joyce Kinney Bus
Group, for your investment in Hephzibah. Many, many times – Thank
You!!”
Hephzibah Happenings
Hephzibah Happenings
5
Hephzibah Behavioral Health
Services Staff Gives Back
H
ephzibah Behavioral Health Services counseling department participated in a team-building 5K Color Run in
Atlanta, Georgia to give back to the community in support for those surviving and thriving through cancer. The office team banded together in celebrating Hephzibah’s desire to
share God’s love with others while reaffirming the teamwork
that helps to make God’s will happen for the children and families served through the counseling program.
The HBHS department is expanding to not only include
counseling for our residents and other children in the community, but will
soon offer adult mental health and
substance abuse services. This will
enable them to truly make a difference
to families in crisis.
Only 474,000
to go!!!!
W
For a number of years, Tracy Bryant,
Dental Assistant to Dr. Joseph Boland
in Macon, Georgia, has been faithfully
saving Campbell’s UPCs.
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e are almost to our goal of collecting
1.6 million Campbell’s UPCs for a
new van. For over twenty-five years
Hephzibah has been participating in
the Campbell’s Labels for Education program.
This program provides educational materials,
sports equipment, musical instruments, art
supplies and transportation needs. Hephzibah has benefited by collecting enough points
to purchase 13 vans through the years. These
vans run hourly from this campus—providing transportation for our children to and from
school, doctor’s appointments, church, off-campus jobs and other travel needs.
Hundreds of you take the time to clip, count
and send in UPCs from eligible products. Please
do not hold on to the bonus certificates! Send
them in as soon as possible so we can send
them to Campbell’s! They will not accept expired bonus certificates and special offers. This
program would not have been successful without your help. We are indeed appreciative for
all the extra trouble you go through in sending
these UPCs to us. For a complete list of eligible
products you can check out the Campbell’s web
site at www.labelsforeducation.com or email
Audrey Ruth at [email protected] or call
478.477.3383, ext. 114.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to
make this project work! You are indeed a blessing to this ministry.
Hephzibah Happenings
Ohana Means Family
by Daniel Guinn
“O
hana means family; family means nobody gets
left behind or forgotten.” Strong words from one
of my favorite childhood movies, Lilo and Stitch.
Here at Hephzibah we are striving to be a family where nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
Often times this ohana can be straining, frustrating, and down
right difficult, but we always cling to our mission and calling to
serve the lost and hurting. Jesus, as our example, came not for
the healthy but for the sick. This is our daily challenge working
with our Hephzibah Ohana.
My name is Daniel Guinn, and I am a recent graduate of
Southern Wesleyan University. I have greatly enjoyed the short
two months I have been on staff here at Hephzibah Children’s
Home. As the Campus Life Coordinator, I am responsible for
carrying on the legacy of a community that is full of life and
laughter. We have already made several great memories with
some of our youngest to oldest residents. From campus-wide
trips to the fair, to a guys’ retreat in the mountains of South
Carolina we are striving to make each resident’s time here full
of fun experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. While
activities are a big part of what this position entails, it is truly
our belief that events are the best pathway to developing personal relationships with the residents, which can often lead to
meaningful conversations and decisions for Christ. Ultimately
teaching and modeling a Christ-filled life is our goal as a ministry team and specifically as the Campus Life Coordinator. It
is our goal to promote holistic living by engaging our residents
socially, spiritually, and educationally. Because
of this, we request your prayers specifically for
our residents’ spiritual well-being. We ask you
to pray for forgiving hearts because they all too
often have been wronged, peaceful spirits because it can be stressful living in a group home,
and grateful attitudes for all here at Hephzibah.
Yes, this ohana is not the typical, conventional
thought of what a family looks like but we know
God has a great plan for us. As Stitch says in the
movie, “This is my family. I found it all on my
own. It’s little and broken, but still good. Yeah,
still good.” We like to think this is our family. God
brought each of us here. It is big and broken, but
still good. Yes, still very good.
Hephzibah Happenings
7
C
amp Pathway 2013 was a summer of slogans. Each week
the camp theme was an advertising slogan used in the everyday world. Campers had a daily worship time and devotional time covering the theme. For example, week one
had a theme of “I’m Loving it”, which is McDonalds’ slogan.
Our devotionals and worship time covered Jesus’ love for us. Everyday
activities that the campers got to do consisted of swimming, gym time,
watching movies in the theater, pond time, field games, arts & crafts,
gaga ball, and playing on the inflatables. Each week there were also a
couple activities that were theme based. One week the theme was “Just
do it.” We talked about boldness and a couple of themed activities were
high ropes and camp-wide Fear Factor. Over the course of the summer
we had five weeks in which volunteers came and spent time with the
campers. The clown ministry from Calvary Wesleyan Church in Harrington, Delaware led over 50 children to the Lord. The summer of 2013
was a blast. We also had more total campers than any previous summer
and we’re looking forward to more campers coming to Camp Pathway
in the summer of 2014.
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Hephzibah Happenings
Augustaville Wesleyan Church, Paxinos, Pennsylvania
Grace Point Wesleyan Church, Topeka, Kansas
North Park Wesleyan Church, Evansville, Indiana
Sonlight Wesleyan Church, Bluffton, Indiana
Above: Reach One Church,
Alpharetta, Georgia
Left: New Life Wesleyan
Church, Greensboro,
Maryland
Southern Wesleyan University, Central, South Carolina
Hephzibah Happenings
9
Welcome Karl Gant, Our New Camp Director
A
fter a long search and a series of God-ordained events,
the search for our camp director finally came to an end
when Karl Gant decided to take the position at the end of
March of this year. Karl comes to us from Howard, Ohio
along with his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Spencer (6) and
Isaac (3). Karl has been teaching 5th grade science for the past
12 years. Over the past few years, Karl has been feeling a call into
ministry, specifically camping ministry. It appears that God had
been crafting this position just for Karl. Karl brings the skills
and the passion we have been looking for in this position since
we started this search. Please continue to pray for Karl and his
family as they serve in this ministry.
Karl adds, “I’m so excited to be here at Hephzibah. In just the
last few months, God has shown me that this is where I am supposed to be. He opened doors to get me here and has continued
to bless my family since we have arrived in Macon. Elizabeth
was blessed with a teaching position at Quail Run Elementary in
Warner Robins, Georgia. Spencer is at Sonny Carter Elementary
in Macon, and Isaac is just happy to be with anybody. Thanks for
allowing us to be here. We are excited and blessed to be a part of
God’s plan at Hephzibah.”
Thanks for allowing us to be here. We
are excited and blessed to be a part of God’s
plan at Hephzibah.
Macon Mud Run
A
fter a year of planning, plotting, organizing, scheduling, and countless volunteer hours, on March 16, 2013, 1409 participants gathered on our campus to participate in the first-ever Macon Mud
Run. We estimated that close to 1500 additional spectators were on
our campus to cheer on their family and friends through the tunnel crawls,
our pond (twice), hay hurdles, climb mud walls, and jump, run, climb, and
crawl through over 60 mud pits! A few of our staff and residents were even
brave enough to face the challenges of trenching through all the mud.
While no one on our staff imagined we would have had this great of
a turn out our first year, God knew all along. Our first year was a huge
success! Not only we were able to generate additional funds for the children’s home, but the connections and relationships we have been able to
establish in our community to help us carry out our mission here at Hephzibah have been spectacular. From the perfect weather to all the logistics
of the event, it was a truly humbling experience to see how God pulled
everything together to make this such a success. While I’m sure no one
originally thought we would use our property for a mud run, we are so
thankful we were able to be good stewards of the amazing property God
has blessed Hephzibah with. The feedback in the Macon community has
been outstanding and we are can’t wait to bring it back next year—maybe
even with a little more mud! To God be all the glory!
Kyle Muir
Director of Recreation
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Hephzibah Happenings
Christmas is all about
Giving from the Heart
T
alk about a heart gift! God, Heavenly Father of
all mankind, gave His heart in the form of flesh
to be Savior of the world, giving the gift of eternal life. Jesus, the Gift of all gifts, came and gave
His all on the Cross. Through His people, the love Gift of
Himself gives and lives out His example.
Christmas heart-gifts have faithfully come in for the
children at Hephzibah since the ministry was founded in
1900. Generosity, joy, and love have never ceased to flow
freely, especially at Christmas time. The real reason for
Christmas is expressed tangibly by giving gifts. Through
loving acts of people, Christ shows how much He cares for
the children in ways they have never experienced. Many
come from dysfunctional backgrounds and have never
known the joys of waking up on Christmas morning with
packages with their names on them under a lighted tree.
Some of our children and young people have not been
taught the true meaning of Christmas. They may have
never heard the Christmas story. We are careful to make it
central in the celebration at Hephzibah. Applying it to their
lives, we want them to know that the giving of gifts comes
from Christ who lives and gives through people like you.
We do depend on your help to make Christmas special
for every child and young person here at Hephzibah. You
can imagine in an environment like this, kids always need
something. We ask them to make a wish list. If there is
money left after the wish lists are filled, it is used throughout the year to meet unexpected additional needs. You may
help in various ways. Individual gifts may be purchased.
A special group project could be providing the gifts for a
cottage of ten. Perhaps a Sunday School class would like
to give a monetary gift for some specific significant-sized
gift. An offering is always extremely helpful or you may
send gift cards for us to use in purchasing gifts.
Thank you for participating in the Christmas offering
for Hephzibah. We depend on your partnership. We appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Keep Christ as your
focus during this Christmas season. Make all of your giving “Heart-Giving”.
For specific questions or more information, contact
Shirley Duncan, 6601 Zebulon Road, Macon, GA 31220.
Ph: 478-477-3383, ext. 106.
Hephzibah Happenings
Gift Cards may be purchased
from these stores:
Aeropostale
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body Works
Best Buy
Cato
Dick’s Sporting
Goods
Game Stop
Gap
JC Penney
K Mart
Kohl’s
Life Way Bookstore
Old Navy
Target
Wal-Mart
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Jayden
Damien
Hannah
Cameron
Allen
Jordan
Dontae
Breanna
Alicia
Jesse
Cydni
Adam
Alicia
Joshua
Dakota
Chelsea
Ashley
Holly
Danny
Christian
Michaela
Elisha
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Micah
Tiffani
Nathan
Torris
Rivera
William
Shaquetta
HEPHZIBAH CHILDREN’S HOME
T’Erica
Nora
Merry Christmas
S’Erica
Marquiesha
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Shelby
Congratulations
graduates!
Anasterasia Terrell has been a resident at
HCH for seven years. She has accomplished
many personal goals in track and academics
and was awarded a full scholarship to Clemson
University for track. Anasterasia is working
hard and enjoying her first semester and looks
toward becoming a physical therapist or occupational therapist.
Ashley Averett became a resident at HCH in
2011. Ashley was part of our teen parent program and has a little girl named Ally. She was a
great student and worked hard at Howard High.
Elisha Brooks has also been a resident at
HCH since 2011. Elisha is the mother to twin
boys. She graduated from Howard High and
is in her first year of college and plans to be a
nurse.
Tiffani Ferguson has been a resident at HCH
since 2011. She is a mother to a little girl and
graduated from the GED program. She is currently attending college in Macon.
All of our HCH graduates
are to be commended
for their personal effort
and determination to
finish their undergraduate
schooling and pursue
secondary education to
better care for themselves
before they turn 21. God
Speed Class of 2013!
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Hephzibah Happenings
pp
pp
n
Hephzibah Awarded Grant
by the Governor’s Office
for Children and Families
n
T
he Hephzibah Ministries Board of Directors hosted a Community
Awareness event during their fall sessions to announce the awarding
of a grant from the Governor’s Office for Children and Families! The
grant was awarded to Hephzibah Children’s Home as one of only twelve
grants awarded state wide – from more than thirty applications received.
In accepting the grant, board chairman, Dr. James Wiggins said, “Hephzibah
Children’s Home was founded in 1900. Our board has endured many changes in
the services we provided for 113 years and we continually look for ways to better support families and children in our local communities. In 2012, the board
approved expanding our development opportunities to support Hephzibah
Children’s Home’s mission by working with partners in surrounding counties.
This past summer, an opportunity to develop a unique partnership to support
families and children by improving positive parenting skills became available.
Our executive leadership team determined that expanding program services in
Monroe County was logistically the next right step in expanding our vision. At
the same time, an opportunity to submit a funding proposal to the Governor’s
Office for Family and Children attracted our attention and was uniquely a perfect
fit for our new vision.”
Rev. C. K. Chitty, General Director said, “After learning of the governor’s office
funding opportunity, we hit the ground in Monroe County to meet the movers
and shakers who could help us determine the urgent need of an invigorating
positive parenting initiative. Our team called on the Forsyth/Monroe County
Chamber of Commerce to seek directions and get introductions to influential
leaders. Our planning team called on old friends at the Department of Family
and Children Services to be our first true partner in this great work.”
Commissioner Larry Evans, District 1 Representative for the Board of Commissioners in Monroe County, expressed his excitement at the opportunity to
work with Hephzibah on this initiative designed to bring stability and training to
families - through an emphasis on the development of positive parenting skills.
In conclusion, Rev. Chitty expressed the commitment of the Board of Directors and Hephzibah to continue to serve at-risk children in this way, “What we
are doing now at Hephzibah is similar to operating an ambulance at the bottom
of the cliff – so, if a child falls off, we can pick them up, provide care, help them
get back on their feet and equip them to live productive lives.” He concluded his
remarks by suggesting, “This new emphasis is like erecting a safety fence at the
top of the cliff – in an effort to prevent the child from falling off the cliff in the
first place!”
As the event wrapped up many of the attendees and board members alike expressed their delight in this new, additional avenue of ministry where Hephzibah
will continue to build on her 113 year history of caring for children and families!
Rev. C. K. Chitty, CEO of Hephzibah
Dr. James Wiggins, Chairman of the Hephzibah Board
of Directors
Monroe County Commissioner Larry Evans
Hephzibah Happenings
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First Church of the Nazarene, Huntington,
Indiana Rose Bailey, Vicki Stephens, Linda Holmes,
Nancy Arnold
F
our years ago, Ann Gannone from
Chichester United Wesleyan Church in
Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania heard
Shirley Duncan speak at a Ladies’ Retreat in New York. The message stayed on her
heart. At that time she was not free to come
and volunteer on a work team. In her heart, she
longed to do this. Finally, she got the chance! She
showed up on Monday morning and had no idea
what she was going to be doing. She was excited,
until…her assignment…”Ladies, you’re going
to be helping Ron do some outside work.” They
each got their rake and off they went! Ann says,
“But, I just got my nails
done!” That was the joke
of the week. Ann raked
and painted and raked
and painted. She soon
forgot about those beautiful nails. She was here
on a heart-mission. Her
desire was to serve and
do whatever needed to be done and she willingly
pitched in.
This past year, we have been blessed over and
over by men and women, college students, teens
and boys and girls who came and donated a
week or more of their time to serve the ministry
of Hephzibah Children’s Home by volunteering.
Our ministry cannot survive without the help of
volunteers. Thank you—you are a gift!
We invite you to come and serve on a mission
work team. Maybe you think there’s nothing you
can do. Believe it or not, there’s always something to do! All you have to do is come! You will
soon discover that there is a job for you! For
more information, please email Peter Bagley at
[email protected] or call 478-477-3383,
ext. 200 for available dates.
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First Wesleyan Church, Blacksburg, Virginia Cindy Harris, Tina Russell, Esther
Larkins, Leigh Barnett, Tom Russell, Johnny Kirk
Oak Ridge Wesleyan Church, Largo, Florida Carol Fyvie, Stephanie Rapko,
Margie Caudill, Floyd Fyvie, Mike Caudill
McAdenville Wesleyan
Church, McAdenville,
North Carolina
Hephzibah Happenings
Kevin, Joshua and Deborah McNight,
Duncansville, Pennsylvania
New Life Wesleyan Church, Greensboro,
Maryland Jim Saathoff, Russell Lease, Don
Hecker
Bill Polzin (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Eiliana
Zupcich (Middle Island, New York), Jim
Terwilliger (Milton, Pennsylvania)
Madelyn Martinez-Valdes from Grace Point
Wesleyan Church, Topeka, Kansas
Kernersville Wesleyan Church, Kernersville, North Carolina Lou Arnold, Carol Oliphant
(Gumboro Wesleyan Church, Millsboro, Delaware), Robert Frailey, Don Oliphant (Gumboro),
Sharon Turner, Pastor Don Martin, Luther Trivette, Christyna Trivitte, Dorothea Dorsett, Ralph
Dorsett, Maxine Reid, Bill Tuttle
Good Goers Group (front) Chris Wisener,
Huntsville, Alabama; Abbey Crisp,
Wilmington, North Carolina; Jeremy and
Emma Fowler, Deltona, Florida; (back)
Robbie Duncan, Deltona, Florida; Stephanie
Crisp, Wilmington, North Carolina; Diane
Duncan, Deltona, Florida
Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church, Sandy
Lake, Pennsylvania
Hephzibah Happenings
Northgate Wesleyan Church, Salem,
Oregon Tara Stark, Jessica Miller, Andi
Sanders, Joanne Hass, Derek Settlemoir, Terry
Sanders, Wanda Pettipiece, Evelyn Cole, Dane
Gjesdal
Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, Roanoke,
Virginia Bill and Peggy Overstreet, Clyde
Allison, Rick Poff
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Community Wesleyan Church, Horseheads, New York Walt Michalko, Elwyn Patrick and Cliff
Shadduc, Diane Strope, Anna Mae Shadduck, Cheryl Michalko, Barb Patrick
Lili, Jackie, Emma and Dominic Greathouse and Michael Paynter (in blue jacket)
from Pennsylvania
Indiana Wesleyan University, Indianapolis,
Indiana
Indiana Central District Sandra
Gross, Virginia Shaffer, Karen
Snider, Larry Gross (back) and
Bob Weinmann, Gene Lohrman,
Marvin Wilson, Dick Doan (from
Pennsylvania), Bob Weinmann
Coleman Wesleyan Church, Coleman,
Michigan Dave Border and Moose
Murphy, Sheryl Ruhle, Pam Acker, Barb
Greer (back)
Chichester United Wesleyan Church, Upper
Chichester, Pennsylvania Dorothy Strum, Lois
Nancarrow, Pattie Seitz, Ryan Gray, Ann Gannone
Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church, East Smithfield, Pennsylvania Betsy Field and Jean Bird,
George Bird and Bill Field
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Hephzibah Happenings
Thanksgiving
B l e ssi n g s
Y
ou are always generously giving when we have a
need. We acknowledge God’s goodness through
your kindness. Time and time again this past
year, when we needed toiletries, diapers, linens,
clothing, gift cards and baby items, we put the word out and
you answered. On behalf of the children and staff of Hephzibah Children’s Home, we thank you from the bottom of our
hearts. We wish for each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving
season. We feel so blessed that you love us!
Thank you to the Sisters In Christ Women’s
Retreat from Park Place Wesleyan Church in
Pinellas Park, Florida who recently collected
supplies for Hephzibah.
Archie Lane from Fruitful Ministries
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has been
delivering fruit to Hephzibah for 47
years. He’s still going strong! What a
“fruitful blessing!”
North Carolina East Wesleyan
Women loaded Shirley up with
supplies when she was at their
district get together! Her eyes got
big when she saw all these precious
women had! Thank you, ladies!
Hephzibah Happenings
Shirley Duncan received a call from East
Gold Street Wesleyan Church in Kings
Mountain, North Carolina that they had
supplies for Hephzibah. She went by the
church and picked them up! Thank you
East Gold Street!
Taryn Spencer saw Shirley Duncan’s post on Facebook
that Hephzibah was in need of toiletry and school
supplies. Taryn called Shirley and said, “I have
collected some items for you.” When Shirley showed
up to get the supplies, she was expecting a few bags.
Trinity Wesleyan Church in Salisbury, North Carolina
collected enough items to fill a van in one afternoon.
Wow! Shirley learned that the little girl helping load
the collected items from Taryn’s van was Beyonce,
Taryn’s foster daughter. Shirley’s heart was touched to
know that this little girl, who herself was a foster child,
was helping other children just like her.
Claire Webb, from Hayworth Wesleyan Church in
High Point, North Carolina, is a special young girl
with a big heart. Claire contacted Shirley Duncan to
see if Hephzibah could use some new shoes that she
had collected. She had a shoe ministry called Sole
Savers where she gave shoes to students in her area
and also in the Dominican Republic and she had
some extra inventory. Claire was getting ready to go
away to college and she wanted to put the shoes to
good use. She started Sole Savers in 8th grade and
has given away over 150 pairs to those in need. Claire
is a freshman at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.
19
For years, Rev. Trent Patterson and
members of Beulah Heights Wesleyan
Church in Troutman, North Carolina
have been purchasing and filling diaper
bags for the pregnant girls and teen
moms at Hephzibah. They give the
leftover money in the form of Wal-Mart
gift cards to buy items for the babies
and toddlers.
Rev. Linda Riffle and her husband Keith
from Hudson Wesleyan Church, Hudson,
Florida stopped by on their way to
South Carolina to drop off supplies their
church had collected. We are always
amazed when people say, “I have a few
items!” Why their trunk and back seat
were full! Thank you Hudson Wesleyan!
Shirley put the word out that our ministry
needed certain items and churches in the
North Carolina West District responded.
Mr. Gary VonCannon from Hayworth
Wesleyan Church in High Point, North
Carolina donated all kinds of school
supplies including a box of colored paper!
God always supplies what you need before
you ask and he uses kind-hearted people!
20
Pastor Randy Addison from Trinity Wesleyan Church
in Salisbury, North Carolina presents Shirley Duncan
with a check for $5000 from the church’s annual
missions budget. She was shocked! Pastor Randy
expressed, “We want our giving to make a difference to
the ministries we support!” He said they had decided
to trim the number they give to… a few dollars here
and there, and instead give an amount that will meet a
need. That unexpected offering was a huge blessing to
Hephzibah. Praising God for this love gift! Thank you
Trinity Wesleyan!
Special thanks to Diane Stockwell from Randleman,
North Carolina for the beautiful fall wreaths for our
front entrance. Diane is a floral designer and is the
manager of the floral department at Harris Teeter in
Greensboro, NC. She generously donated these lovely
wreaths to Hephzibah.
Dick and Irma Gayan from Crossroads
Wesleyan Church in Belmont, North
Carolina are always meeting Shirley
Duncan on Interstate 85 in NC with a
load of supplies. The Wesleyan Women
and their Sunday School Class are
quick to respond when we have a need!
A great church with warm hearts!
Shirley Duncan arrived to pick up a
U-Haul and discovered someone had
stolen the hitch off her van. It was a
Saturday and about time for businesses
to close. She needed a hitch because
she was to get a U-haul to take back
vegetables, fruit and birthday supplies
from Bethel Wesleyan Church. She
searched to purchase a hitch and no
one had the one she needed. Danny
Todd from Southside Automotive in
Hendersonville, North Carolina made
one that would fit her van and donated
it to her! Thank God for caring people
like Danny Todd!
Sally Edmonds from High Point, North
Carolina was so kind to sort and package
toiletries, school supplies and baby clothes
that were collected by the NC West and
East area churches. She used her garage
willingly to do this so when the supplies got to Hephzibah they would be ready to distribute. Sally
has a soft spot for Hephzibah Children’s Home! Thank you, Sally.
Hephzibah Happenings
In Honor
TOM & PEGGY BRITT
Tim & Cindy Leonard
Asheboro, NC
HELEN CALLAWAY
Stacy White
Apex, NC
Stephanie Callaway
Courtney Thompson
Chicago, IL
CHILDREN AT THE
HEPHZIBAH HOME
Gary & Sharon Hall
Lakeport, MI
DAVID & SHIRLEY DUNCAN
Charles & Joyce Kinney
Asheboro, NC
Rev. Wayne & Yvonne Byrd
Asheboro, NC
Delbert & Mary Ann Green
Fenton, MI
Harriet Chapman
Dunwoody, GA
FATHERS OF COUNTRYSIDE
WESLEYAN CHURCH
Countryside Wesleyan Church
Alva, FL
MAXINE FREIHEIT’S
99th Birthday
Rev. Phil & Betty Lou Harris
Imperial, NE
C.K. Chitty, HCH CEO, and Daniel Guinn, Campus Life Coordinator, help
unload 40 cases of apples from Dan Henderson at Henderson Farms in
Hendersonville, North Carolina and an assortment of vegetables donated by
Tom and Robert Henderson. Rev. Bob Allred who attends Bethel Wesleyan
Church in Flat Rock, NC started a “Hephzibah Weekend” which has become
a yearly tradition. On Saturday evening the guys start cooking on a fire
outside in back of the fellowship building while the ladies are working on
the inside. They are preparing for the “Poor Man’s Supper” which consists
of cabbage, homemade corn bread, pinto beans, fried potatoes, fried bacon
chili and desserts! Yummy! On Sunday morning David and Shirley Duncan
shared the ministry of Hephzibah Children’s Home with the congregation.
A love offering of nearly $1000 was given. Thank you Pastor Tim Clark,
Bethel Wesleyan and Rev. Bob Allred for a wonderful blessed weekend for
Hephzibah Children’s Home!
Hephzibah Happenings
GERALDINE FORTUNE
MASTERS
Jennifer Fortune
Pelzer, SC
ELIZABETH MILLS
Birthday
Gail Johnson
Laurel, MD
LEO RECORD
Birthday
Adult Class
Kernersville Wesleyan Church
Kernersville, NC
GERALD & CONNIE DELANEY
LAVERNE & MARGARET
JOHNSON
50th Wedding Anniversaries
Jim & Peggy Ricker
Brooksville, FL
HAZEL RICHNER
CARL “SHORTY” RICHNER
Birthdays
James & Sharon Strunk
Bellefonte, PA
REV. GARY WAISNER
80th Birthday
Ruth H. Hamilton
Asheboro, NC
GRANDCHILDREN RACHEL,
ZACHARY, NATHAN, & NOAH
Virginia Trueblood
Cameron, NC
RUBY HUDSON
JOE & SHIRLEY NEYMAN
ANGIE GONZALES SHIMP
DAVID & SHIRLEY DUNCAN
Cecil & Elsie Daniels
Macon, GA
CHARLES & JOYCE KINNEY
Shirley McLain
Asheboro, NC
21
In Memory
LUZ MARIA AGUSTI
Lucy Agusti
Charles & Debra Fischer
Miami, FL
REBECCA APPLEMAN
ROSEMARY BUDD
Jan & Greg Doublestein
Indianapolis, IN
RUTH BAIRD
MAXINE BLAKE
Rev. Richard & Mary Deisler
Fairmount, IN
BARBARA’S PARENTS
Bob & Barbara Hutchins
Suwanee, GA
DR. RONALD BRANNON
Benny & Violet Hurlock
Wichita, KS
Herschel & Van Smith
Greer, SC
EILEEN BURRIS
Glenda McBride
Rainier, OR
GEORGE CALLAWAY
Stacy White
Apex, NC
Stephanie Callaway
Courtney Thompson
Chicago, IL
DARVIN CAMP
Peggy Ann Camp
Mooresville, NC
JUDY CARSWELL
Certus Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Deaton
John & Jane Willingham
Jennie Stabenow
Macon, GA
Timothy Broyles
Jackson, GA
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Pitts
Robert & Annie Melton
Harold & Glenda Smith, Sr.
Forsyth, GA
Dr. Pat & Gail Hunnicutt
LaGrange, GA
David, Kathy & Kate Blankenship
Lizella, GA
WALTER ECKLER
Donna Eckler
Medina, NY
GERRY GUNDERSON
Marion Peter
Azusa, CA
ARLENE EDDY
Fred & Carole Wandrei
Marion, IN
DON HAMMONS
Rev. Phil & Betty Lou Harris
Imperial, NE
Don Berens Family
Gene & Donna Heasley
Door, MI
Betty Folkert
Lee & Sybil Veldhoff
Hudsonville, MI
Cecil & Sybil Demaray
ROBERTA PEAK ELKINS
Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Chriscoe
Rev. & Mrs. Edwin Chriscoe
Lexington, NC
REV. FRANK HARRIS, SR.
Rev. & Mrs. Frank Harris, Jr.
Macon, GA
GRACE ROSCOE
Spring Hill Wesleyan Church
Hamlet, NC
J.E. ELLINGTON
Robert & Candice Bridges
Bessemer City, NC
REV. JACK HARRIS
ANNIE WEBB ROBERTS
Helen Callaway
New Castle, IN
CONSTANCE J. “CONNIE” RUST
Jan & Trina Stout
Yorktown, IN
Tim & Dianne Haris
Marion, IN
BARBRA EMMONS
Christine Gillen
Delta, OH
LOIS D. HOLDER
Dr. Dolores Holder
Arlington, TX
CAROLYN FIKE
ROBERT STEPHEN FIKE
Silver Village Club
Livonia, MI
DAVID “HOLT” HINSHAW, JR.
Steve & Cynthia Denny
Archdale, NC
EULALIA WADE GENTRY
C.K. & Pearl Johnson Gentry
Family Fund
Georgetown, KY
LEON JAY GIRARD
Philip & Carol Girard
Hudson Falls, NY
PAUL GOON
Sharon Stolz
Elkhart, IN
The Burlington Family
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Mark & Ruth Ryan
South Bend, IN
Richard Peterson
North Liberty, IA
Gloria Heminger
Granger, IN
Herb & Norma Amstutz
New Paris, IN
Irene Jones
Goshen, IN
Sonja K. Smith
Dowagiac, MI
Sonlight Fellowship Wesleyan
Church
South Bend, IN
ALPHA MARGARET CLARK
Pauline Croy
Duluth, MN
WRAY E. GRAHAM
AMANDA BREECE
Viola Graham
Anderson, IN
REV. YORTON CLARK, SR.
Rev. Phil & Betty Lou Harris
Imperial, NE
IMA JEAN GRIMES
Earl Grimes
Milford, OH
22
PARKER JONES
Drs. Billy & Gloria Jones
McDonough, GA
LOUISE KINNEY
Rosa Welborn Missionary Society
Ramseur Wesleyan Church
Mont & Ann Cox
Asheboro, NC
RALPH KRIEGER, JR.
Christine Gillen
Delta, OH
MARY SUE MANESS
Bobby Hammonds Senior Adults
Sunday School Class
Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church
Asheboro, NC
KATHLEEN H. MARLEY
Virginia Trueblood
Cameron, NC
CLAUDE B. MASTERS
Geraldine Masters
Pickens, SC
BILL MAW
Drs. Billy & Gloria Jones
McDonough GA
HARRY MITCHELL
CHARLES JESTER
David & Roxana King
Taylors, SC
SALLY OSBORNE
Jerry Berens Family
Zeeland, MI
ALMEDIA “TOOTSIE” PAYNE
SPIRES
James (Bimbo) & Goldie Faulk, Sr.
Jefferson, GA
LAURIE SUMMERS
Mabel Summers
Winchester, ON
CHARLES & ROSETTA TAYLOR
Dorothy Wilcox
Ostrander, OH
REV. RONALD TERRY
MARY FOWLER
Rev. James & Rachelle Denny
High Point, NC
CECIL & EDITH TICE
Richard & Mary Deisler
Fairmount, IN
Chuck & Jackie Neidig
James & Jean Sullivan
Florence, KY
Thomas & Michele Kohorst
Aurora, IN
Tony, Lynn, Mason & Michael
Nienaber
Hebron, KY
Professional Properties
Ft. Wright, KY
Larry & Sandra Stephens
Union, KY
Harry & Pamela Spahr
Bethpage, TN
Nancy Stodghill
Louisville, KY
Charlene Tipton
Hebron, KY
Jerry & Luanne Williams
Villa Hills, KY
Timothy & Rose Simon
Newport, KY
RONALD H. WEBER
Tom & Joyce Wirsing
Margaret Combs
Sarasota, FL
NELLIE RUTH WEATHERMAN
Roy Weatherman
Overland Park, KS
HARRIETT YORK
Alan & Diane Hall
Hamburg, NY
Mary Alice Walz
Alton York
Buffalo, NY
NANCY TINSMAN
Tom & Joyce Wirsing
Sarasota, FL
LAURA NAOMI VAZQUEZ
Stacey & Michael Schlesinger
Statesville, NC
KAREN VERST
David & Tracy Beck
The Hoffman Family
Ronnie & Pamela Lonkard
Union, KY
Winifred Boxell
Warren, IN
Robert & Susan Davis
Louisville, KY
Sid & Margaret Galbaugh
Walton, KY
Jeffrey & Annette Hatfield
Edgewood, KY
Rick & Mary Hulefeld
Covington, KY
Barry & Kimberly Johnson
Charles & Denise Korzenborn
Hephzibah Happenings
tttt
G
OKY MOUNTAI
M
S
T
A
NS
RE
gathering
is for
You!
April 7-11, 2014 | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Music Road | Hotel • Convention Center • Inn
T
he Great Smoky Mountain Gathering
is a four-day spring getaway planned
to refresh the body, mind, and spirit.
The relaxing setting of The Music Road Inn in
scenic Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is where this
first-class event takes place. A packaged retreat
awaits people of all ages.
The Gathering is sponsored by Hephzibah
Children’s Home. It has been defined as an annual spiritual vitamin by some. Here, in one
of the most beautiful areas in our country, a
change in pace happens. There is time to relax,
enjoy fellowship and activities with friends,
and take in the treasure of soul-renewal. The
Rick Webb Family provides incredible music
every day. If you don’t have a singing heart,
you will have one after being around them for
a bit. If you find it hard to laugh, you will experience “laughter-renewal” from being around
the most unhandicapped, handicapped per-
son ever, David Duncan, who is known as the
South’s “Minister of Mirth”. Additional wellknown musicians, singing groups, comedians,
and entertainers are featured in the evening
rallies. Rev. Jerry Brecheisen, author, humorist, and preacher, speaks into our lives from the
Word of God daily. Both Old and New Testament Scripture are applied to life today. Jerry’s
messages are directed to “where we live”. Ministry at The Gathering is a huge boost to walk
the challenging terrain of life’s journey ahead.
Free time is even a highlight for everyone.
Front-porch rockers at The Apple Barn overlook a quiet flowing river. The taste buds are
satisfied with a country lunch, including apple
butter and fritters. The Old Mill is just down
the way with more delectable choices. Some
folks enjoy taking a picnic lunch and driving
on the Smoky Mountain Parkway until the
perfect spot is spied for a quick picnic. A local
show might even be worked in. Mel’s Diner is
the happening place for more laughter, time
with friends, and the biggest banana splits
ever! Mel’s is a must in Pigeon Forge! After
Mel’s, The Village Shoppes are close by to shop
for the next size in clothing.
A special offering is taken at the event for
Hephzibah Children’s Home. This year’s offering was $35,000 and is designated for refurbishing the Zebulon Road cottages’ air-conditioning units. What a wonderful blessing this
is! The staff and residents are thankful for this
over-the-top offering given by 2013 Gathering
attendees.
Don’t miss it this coming year! We hope to
see you there! The dates are April 7-11, 2014.
Please contact Audrey Ruth at 478-477-3383,
ext. 114, email [email protected] or check
out www.hephzibahgathering.com for more
information.
Hephzibah’s Great Smoky Mountain Gathering Registration
q
I need
a handicap
room.
($50 non-refundable deposit per person due February 1, 2014. Balance due March 1, 2014)
Bring five new attendees and receive a $200.00 rebate • Bring ten new attendees and receive a $400.00 rebate
Name
Roommate(s)
Address
CityStateZipEmail
PhoneHome ChurchGroup
q Option 1 $375 per person*
2 Queen-size beds, 3 buffet dinners plus
rallies, concerts
* Single occupancy, add $100
Mail to:
Hephzibah Gathering c/o Audrey Ruth
6601 Zebulon Rd. • Macon, GA 31220-7606
Hephzibah Happenings
q Option 2 Jacuzzi Room $400 per person*
2 Queen-size beds, 3 buffet dinners plus
rallies, concerts
* Single occupancy, add $100
q Option 3 Lodging on your own $250 per person
3 buffet dinners plus rallies, concerts
PAYMENT: q Check payable to Hephzibah Gathering q VISA q MasterCard q Discover
Card No.
Security Code
Expiration
23
non-profit org.
u.s. postage
paid
macon, ga
permit no. 297
Rev. C.K. Chitty
General Director
Dr. Jim Dunn
Executive Director
Church Multiplication and
Discipleship Division
The Wesleyan Church
Board of Directors
Dr. James E. Wiggins
Chairman
Dr. Daniel Berry
Mrs. Dawn Marie Colaw
Dr. Keith Carroll
Rev. James Clements
Rev. Anita Eastlack
Rev. Troy Evans
Mrs. Betty Lou Harris
Dr. Sharon Little
Dr. James Luttrull, Jr.
Mr. Robert Rogers
Hephzibah Children’s Home
6601 Zebulon Road
Macon, GA 31220-7606
(478) 477-3383 telephone
(478) 474-6370 facsimile
www.hephzibah.com
ion
Newsletter paperless opt
now available!
If you would like to receive our
newsletter electronically, please send
@
your request to Cheryl at ccalmer
no
then
will
You
om.
hephzibah.c
longer receive our newsletter in the
ce
mail. Selecting this option will redu
ing us
production and postage costs leav
more funds to minister to children.
Hephzibah Ministries is a non-profit, 501c(3)
organization and all contributions are tax deductible.
Financial audits are performed by Lamb and
Braswell, Certified Public Accountants.
Early Childhood
Program
T
his past September, Hephzibah launched an Early
Childhood Program. We have a wonderful team of
house parents working with our little ones under
the age of four. By caring for these children on campus,
we can ensure the quality of spiritual and educational development our children will be receiving.
Psalm 8:2 most accurately puts to words what our
efforts are in this transition: “Through the praise of
children and infants you have established a stronghold
against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
Our first goal is to teach these children who God is and
who they are in God. We are teaching them to pray, to
declare truth, to know they are loved (and of course, they
are learning their ABC’s, 123’s and much more, too!).
Our second goal is to partner with their moms as they
grow into their identities as mothers and as children of
God. We are standing by them as they walk through the
ups and downs of parenting and of being teenage girls,
trying to find their way. This program is opening up
new chances for growth in both our little ones and their
mothers. We have already had new opportunities for relationship building, and our kids are realizing that our
staff is here for them whether they are one or twenty-one.
Early Childhood
Program Wish List…
Would you like to help?
Paint Aprons for Toddlers
Sand Table & Sand
Quality Changing Table
Water Table
Art Supplies
Large, Medium Toy Cars
Dress Up Clothes for Boys and Girls
Stickers
Giant Blocks
(Especially Community Helper Clothes)
Balls
Hard Plastic Animals
Any Books for Under 4
Play Food
Toy Box
Craft Supplies
Little People Toys
Contact Shirley Duncan or Audrey Ruth
Boy Toys Under Age 4
at 478-477-3383, ext. 106 or 114.
Little Tykes Noah’s Ark