Autumn 2014 Newsletter

Transforming Lives Through the Word of God
Autumn 2014
“Thrust in thy sickle, and
reap: for the time is come for
thee to reap; for the harvest
of the earth is ripe.”
E3M Graduation and Anniversary Ceremony
Second Annual Celebration of Harvest held Oct. 4
Revelations 14:15
Inside this issue:
1Message from the Board
President, Pastor Castro
E3M Graduation
2
1,4-5
E3M Volunteer of the Year
3
Community Christmas
Celebration
6-7
Lisa’s Story
8, 13
Meet Vera House’s Randi
Bregman
9-10
Corrine’s Story
11, 17
“The Shack” Event
12
E3M’s Angel Allies
14
Become an Ambassador
15
Special poem
16
Upcoming Events
Dec. 21 — 11 a.m.,
Community Christmas
Celebration at Fellowship
AME Church.
Exodus House 2014 graduates took part in the second annual graduation ceremony held Oct.
4. Exodus House’s first graduate, Liz Garcia (far right), spoke words of encouragement and
introduced each of the graduates. From left are graduates Corrine Boatwright, Samantha
Volles, Mary Horner. Fourth graduate, Lisa Marie Walsh, was unable to attend. For more
photos, turn to page 4.
E
xodus 3 Ministries was proud to
present Exodus House’s second
anniversary and graduation ceremony
Oct. 4. The Second Year of Harvest
Celebration saw three of the four
graduates stand and speak, proudly
wearing their purple caps and gowns
donated anonymously for the occasion
by an Earthly angel.
The event was held at Great Grace of
God in Christ, in Syracuse. After Debra
Person, founder of E3M and director of
Exodus House welcomed all those in
attendance, current Exodus House
resident, Aracelli Cullipher, performed
a beautiful and moving rendition of
“Holy, Holy, Holy.” Exodus House’s first
graduate, Liz Garcia, introduced each of
the graduates and in her opening
remarks, likened them to warriors.
Continued on page 5
PAGE 2
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
A Letter from E3M’s Board President
T
hanksgiving greetings from the Board of Directors, Mrs.
Debra Person, founder and executive director of Exodus 3
Ministries, Inc., and the amazing women who have benefited
from the services of this powerful outreach ministry:
Fall is the season for harvesting and a time to be thankful!
Prayerfully, we have generously sown seeds of hope this past
spring, cultivated and tended our assigned fields during the
summer and are reaping a righteous harvest this fall. Please be
encouraged as the world prepares for winter. The season of
winter is a much needed time to focus inward and retool during
the cold and grey weeks ahead. The Board of Directors remain
committed to the vision to position E3M to be a great community
service that cares for the healing hearts of phenomenal woman in the city of Syracuse, New York.
Exodus 3 Ministries, Inc. is an awesome gift from God that remains true to its divine assignment to
assist others who are transitioning from one season to another. We are thankful to the Lord for Mrs.
Debra Person and her personal story of incredible triumph over the challenges of life. While she
continues to press toward the mark for the prize in Christ Jesus as the Apostle Paul urged the
church at Philippi in chapter 3:14, we will do likewise. There are miracles all around us, take a
moment to observe God’s gracious handiwork and you too shall experience your personal
transformation. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and a Spirit-filled Christmas!
In His Service,
Rev. Pedro A. Castro, Jr.,
Pastor and Presiding Elder, Fellowship AME Church
President, Exodus 3 Ministries Board of Directors
EXODUS 3 MINISTRIES’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pastor Pedro Castro, Jr.
President
Valerie Orr
Secretary
Vivian Cantello
Treasurer
Members
Janice Hamlin
Pastor Rickey Montgomery
Myrlene Jones
Betty Ryan
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 3
Meet E3M’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year
Christine Volles
A
s the Volunteer Coordinator, I have been blessed to know and work
with so many of our volunteers, some of whom have been part of the
ministry since the beginning. We truly appreciate all of our volunteers
and the work that they do. Since all of our staff are volunteers, the
ministry could not happen without all of you!
Christine Volles has been a faithful, dedicated volunteer for Exodus 3
Ministries since before Exodus House opened in October 2012. She has
served in many roles and is always willing to help in whatever capacity
she is needed.
Christine has been responsible for writing thank you notes, maintaining
our contact database, spending time with the residents to ensure that they
were provided with supervision and companionship, including
overnights at Exodus House, working tables to accept donations and to
share information about E3M at events, decorating for celebrations, and
picking up food donations from Wegmans, just to name a few.
Anything that she has been asked to do, she has done with a willing
heart. Her compassion and the love of God is reflected in her and she is
often referred to by the residents as “Mom.” She always offers a
listening ear and a hug when needed. Exodus 3 Ministries is truly
blessed to have such a wonderful volunteer.”
In His Service,
2014 Volunteer of the Year, Christine Volles,
left, receives a hug and congratulations from
E3M Founder, Debra Person, at the Second
Year Celebration of Harvest Ceremony held
Oct. 4.
Cathy Peterson
Volunteer Coordinator
Exodus 3 Ministries, Inc.
PAGE 4
E 3 M SP E CI A L E D I TI O N
Graduation Snapshots
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 5
E3M Graduation and Anniversary Ceremony
Continued from page 1 Debra and Exodus House in emotional and
“When we enter Exodus House, we enter with stirring testimonials.
wounds. When we leave, we leave with the scars of life, Before ending the ceremony, the church’s pastor, the
healed and strong, and never forgetting where the Lord Rev. Rickey Montgomery and his wife Antoinette (Lady
has taken us and what He has brought us out of,” she M) offered the graduates encouragement and profound
said. “What an awesome God we serve. We leave words of advice for the future. Lady M spoke a personal
Exodus House with God in our hearts, knowing we word to each of the graduates, reminding each of them
have a purpose and that we will move forward with how special they are in God’s eyes.
that purpose. We have become God’s warriors, soldiers Rev. Montgomery quoted Proverbs 8:21 where it says
and Kingdom fighters through Exodus 3 Ministries.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Graduates Corrine Boatwright, Mary Horner and “The common denominator that is missing in a lot of
Samantha Volles each received a
our lives is that “Kingdom
rose and a hug from their former
Man,” he pointed out. “A man
housemate, Liz, before stepping
that is ruled and covered and
up to the podium to thank God
governed by God, not by what
“Exodus House is the best and
and Exodus House for changing
the world has to say. Once we
most comforting place I have
their lives.
have a Kingdom man in our
ever lived. I never had a place
“I will be two years sober Nov.
lives, he is able to transform
where I felt so accepted.”
2,” said Corrine. “I give thanks
and give a sense of worth to us
~ Samantha Volles
to God and Debra and everyone
as men and boys and ladies. It’s
who was in my life while I was
missing in our society.
there, showing me how to live
Statistics show that 71 percent
again and how to love myself.
of those who are incarcerated
Debra always told me she was going to love on me until grew up in a home without a man. I am not talking
I learned to love myself. She was always there for me about having a male in the house, I am talking about
and she is still there today.”
having a kingdom man in the house. When it comes
When it was Mary’s turn, she talked about Exodus down to not having a kingdom man in your life, it is
House and how four women in particular had filled a important you find a leader or a pastor who will love
void in her life. She invited Debra, Debra’s mother you and deposit something in you that will cause you to
Rebecca, volunteer Christine Volles and E3M outreach be the woman or the man you are supposed to be. If a
participant, Joyce, to stand up and be recognized.
man is calling you ‘nothing’ or ‘no good,’ that is what
“These women have had a major impact in my life,” you are going to become. Amen? That is what is going
Mary declared with emotion. “When I lost my mother to stick in your mind, so it is important that we find
and I prayed to God to send me a mother, God blessed someone who will speak light into us.”
me with four!”
The graduation was followed by a reception with a
Samantha, a former heroin addict and victim of delicious luncheon prepared by the ladies of Exodus
sexual abuse, not only praised Exodus House for saving House and warm fellowship.
her life, but broke into powerful song, belting out “To Congratulations to our E3M graduates and may God
God Be the Glory” to the delight of everyone in the bless the next phase of your journey in Christ!
church.
The audience was further blessed when a current
resident and a former resident asked for the
opportunity to speak and added their appreciation for
NOTE: To appreciate just how far all of these
women have come, read their stories:
♥ Lisa’s story is on page 8.
♥ Corrine’s story is on page 11.
♥ Sam’s story can be found on our website at
www.exodus3ministries.org/exodushouse/
♥ To read Mary’s story, go to
www.exodus3ministries.org and click on Summer
Newsletter.
E3 M S PE CIA L E DI TI O N
PAGE 6
Community Christmas Celebration
Sunday, Dec. 21
11 a.m.
Fellowship AME Church
1085 E. Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY
Please help make our Community Christmas
Celebration a success!
E3M is currently seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys for
children of all ages as well as items for women (Wish List on page 7).
They may be dropped off at Exodus House, 305 N. Geddes St., Syracuse.
C
hristmas is in the air and Exodus 3
Ministries (E3M) in partnership with
Fellowship AME Church hopes to brighten
Christmas for many families in the
community. Together, they are hosting the first annual
Community Christmas Celebration to be held at 11
a.m., Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1085 E. Genesee St.
For E3M, this will be the third year they have hosted
a Christmas give-away for its outreach families. This
year, E3M Executive Director Debra Person said she is
excited and blessed to be able to join forces with
Pastors Pedro and Stephanie Castro of Fellowship
AMEC.
“The first year, we were able to provide toys and gifts
to 62 children and their families thanks to the
generosity of Welch Allyn and our partnership with
Vera House,” said Debra Person, founder of E3M. “In
2013, we served 96 children and their families and we
hope to bless even more this year through our
partnership with Fellowship AME Church. But we
need your help.”
E3M is currently accepting donations of new,
unwrapped toys for children of all ages. They
may be dropped off at Exodus House, 305 N.
Geddes St., in Syracuse from now until the event.
of making children happy, especially at Christmas?”
Debra asked. “We don’t want to forget the moms either,
and would love to surprise them with a little
pampering by giving them some gift bags full of spa
items, so donations of women personal care items such
as lotions, body wash, loofas, etc., would also be greatly
appreciated.”
The Dec. 21 special event will begin with anointed
worship and a spiritual message by Pastor Castro
followed by a professionally catered luncheon by Chef
Curtis Washington of That’s What’s Up and the gift
giving to E3M’s outreach families. There will also be a
food pantry courtesy of Wegmans and child care will be
available.
E3M’s SWAT (Servants Without a Title) team,
comprised of volunteers and residents from Exodus
House, will be serving the lunch to the outreach
families as well as handing out the gifts. The public is
invited to attend the worship service and to be part of
this Christmas experience by joining E3M’s Christmas
SWAT team.
After the event, watch for the jubilant smiles of the
children on E3M’s Facebook page as they open the gifts
your generosity has provided.
For more information, to help with the gift-wrapping
Please call 315-299-7153 for more information or or to become part of this festive and heart-warming
event, please call us at 315-299-7153 or email
to arrange a drop-off.
“The need is great and who does not want to be part [email protected].
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
Lisa’s Story: Through the Fire
H
ooked on heroin for more than 20 years and
living on the streets between jail stints, Lisa
knows she is blessed to be alive today. Her
journey to Exodus House was a long and
hard-fought one, but thanks to the caring insistence of
John Tumino of In My Father’s Kitchen and Maria
Sweeney of Maria’s Outreach, Exodus House was able to
get her off the streets and on a path to a better life.
Lisa was working in a restaurant and already doing a
lot of partying when she met her husband in January of
1990. By December of that year they were married. She
was only 19. She became pregnant quickly and had four
children one right after the other.
Then, Lisa was mainly into prescription drugs such as
Percocet and Hydrocodone, occasionally doing black tar
heroin which she said was the “in” thing at the time. It
all stopped when she got pregnant.
“During my pregnancies I stayed clean,” she said. “I did
nothing – no alcohol, no heroin. I didn’t even do Tylenol.”
Her husband’s drug of choice was gambling – and
abuse. But in spite of the emotional and sometimes
physical abuse she endured, Lisa stayed with her
husband because she was taught marriage was forever.
However, in 2002, after nearly 12 years of abuse, she
decided she had to leave.
“My kids saw a lot of the abuse growing up,” Lisa
admitted. “But after I left I was so bad into my
addiction, I was committing crimes to support it.”
Her drug use sent her to jail three times for a year
clip each time, including some prison time. During her
jail time, Lisa temporarily lost her children to the state
of New York.
“But my family and my husband’s family stepped up to
the plate and each took one of the children.”
In between jail stints, she drifted between returning
home to her abusive husband and Vera House. It was
not until a fight with her husband in 2007, which ended
with him slapping her in front of her young son, that she
finally left for real.
“My son started crying and I got so angry,” she said.
“That time when I left, I left for good.”
With jail time behind her, Lisa’s drug addiction was
not. A little over a year ago, Lisa was living on the
streets, panhandling, when she was approached by John
Tumino, founder of In My Father’s Kitchen, a non-profit
organization that feeds the Syracuse homeless. She said
he delivered her a meal but it was a profound word from
him that truly fed her.
“Pastor John told me, ‘You are not invisible. God sees
you,’” she said. “I never forgot that and did not forget
him.”
This was major for Lisa because she said other people
had stopped to bring her food, but she only found them
annoying because what she really wanted was money.
“I was in survival mode and continually on the
defense,” she added. “I trusted no one and a lot of times I
wouldn’t even trust women who tried to help me. Bad
things had already happened to me very quickly out
there.”
By October of 2013, however, Lisa let her guard down
and called Pastor John, who told her he would get her
into Exodus House. But Lisa was not ready for that.
“I needed detox and knew (at Exodus House) there
were programs and things I had to do if I went there.”
So, determined to get clean, she went to one detox
clinic but there was a six-month waiting list. She then
called Conifer Park in Schenectady, which is both a
detox and rehab facility, and was told there was one bed
available.
“But I got so high the night before, I missed my bus.”
God, however, had his hand in the situation. When
Lisa called to apologize for missing her appointment, she
was told they would pay for her bus ticket to the facility
the next day. Lisa was extremely grateful, but then God
Continued on page 13
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 9
Meet Vera House’s Randi Bregman
T
his summer, while taking some time to prune,
restructure and strengthen, Exodus House
was blessed to be able to help one of their
established community partners, Vera House.
Typically, Exodus 3 Ministries’ seven-bed Exodus
House only serves women. However, because of their
decision to step back and reorganize, it was available
when Vera House was filled to capacity. As a result,
eight families were able to be served through Exodus
House who normally could not have been.
Over the past 24 years that Executive Director Randi
Bregman has worked at Vera House, she has seen a lot
of community networking by agencies in order to do the
best service for the community. She said Vera House
has expanded tremendously since its inception in 1977
in an attempt to meet the diverse needs of any victim
of domestic or sexual violence.
“When I started in 1990, there were five of us who
worked outside the shelter,” she said. “Now we have
about 50 staff working outside of the shelter.”
Randi explained this includes administration,
therapists, advocates, educators, all based at their
Thompson Road facility.
“Back then we had one educator and one advocator;
today we have nine advocates, four educators and eight
therapists,” she said. “In 2005, we merged with Rape
Crisis Center of Syracuse and our slogan that year was
‘Together for hope and healing.’ And that is really what
we tried to do – to take the strengths of both
organizations in order to better serve those in the
community who had suffered either relationship
violence or sexual violence or both.”
Randi pointed out the marriage of the two missions
was a successful alliance from the start.
“We often found that what we first recognized as a
domestic violence issue (in the life of) someone who
came through the door of Vera House, it would also
come to light that sexual assault was an issue as well,
either for the victims or their children.”
She said both agencies were doing a lot of crossreferral and felt each could better serve the community
by coming together for mission and service.
Today, Vera House continues to try to expand and
enhance their services to reach underserved
population, which now includes an International
Victims Project for people who are faced with
immigration issues.
“We have partnered with Hiscock Legal Aid so that
our advocate, who is tri-lingual, can provide the initial
intake and support people through the process and
then an attorney from Hiscock can handle the
immigration paperwork, divorce, custody and those
types of things.”
Through a major accessibility study performed over
the past decade, Vera House has also made every effort
to make sure their services are accessible as possible
for individuals with disabilities and now also serves
men as well as individuals identified as lesbian, gay or
transgender.
“Essentially, the one thing that brings you through
the door of Vera House is that you have been a victim
of relationship violence or sexual assault,” she said.
“Beyond that, we want to be able to serve you any way
we can.”
From the front end of the war against abuse, Randi
pointed out that Vera House provides primary
prevention training and education, citing each year
their four educators reach approximately 8,000
students in the schools and about 10,000 people in the
community.
“We have worked with nationally-recognized
programs such as Coaching Boys into Men, Mentors
and Violence Prevention. We also have an engaging
men’s program called ‘Men Lead by Example’ led by
George Kilpatrick where he goes out into the
community, meeting with men to have pre-violence
conversations.”
Randi said Vera House also has mental health
professionals, marriage and family therapists and
social workers on staff in a variety of positions
throughout the agency.
Vera House currently operates two shelters – a small
nine-bed safe-dwelling shelter and a main shelter
facility that can house up to 27 individuals. When full,
Continued on page 10
PAGE 10
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
Meet Vera House’s Randi Bregman
Continued from page 9
Vera House refers to Help Line which offers alternative
housing. If the alternatives are full, then they will put
the individual(s) up in a hotel or motel until something
becomes available – as in the case this summer, when
Exodus House was able to take in some of Vera House’s
overflow.
“We could not have done this if God had not led us to
take advantage of a dormant period within Exodus
House in order to rejuvenate our office and do some
organizational pruning in order to ready ourselves for
the next chapter of E3M,” said Debra Person, founder of
E3M and director of Exodus House. “We were so blessed
to be able to help these families when Vera House was
maxed out. It is especially meaningful to me because it
was at Vera House that I received the final step in my
healing and it is always such a good feeling for me to
give back to them.”
Debra explained it was at Schenectady City Mission’s
Serenity House that she overcame her drug addiction
and received spiritual and emotional healing. But, she
said, she never realized that she was still holding onto
the pain deep inside until she came to work at Vera
House.
“I went to Serenity House because I knew I needed to
do something different besides the typical drug and
alcohol rehabilitation centers,” Debra explained. “I
knew what I needed was what my grandmother always
told me I needed – not the ‘12 steps’ but the one step,
and that is Jesus Christ.”
So, on Dec. 3, 1998, Debra took that one huge step
through the doors of Serenity House where she received
her spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and
social healing. But God was not finished with her yet.
“I truly believe that God did not send me to Vera
House for employment, instead he sent me there to
continue the healing process for the emotional and
physical pain that I had endured from the molestation
and the sexual assaults,” she said. “I had been hurt in
Syracuse and He was going to heal me completely in
Exodus 3 Ministries, Inc.
305 N. Geddes St., Syracuse, NY 13204
315-299-7153
[email protected]
Website: www.exodus3ministries.org
Syracuse. I didn’t come to Vera House for a job, but for
healing the pain I did not even know was still inside
me.”
Debra explained it was a particularly disturbing crisis
call that brought it all rushing to the forefront. She said
after taking it, she found it hard to breathe and started
sobbing so deeply, she was moaning and wailing. She
said she pulled herself together enough to step outside
her office and the hall was empty except for one person
– a woman who was there giving a workshop to all of
the crisis call personnel. Debra said she couldn’t speak,
but gestured to the woman to please come to her. (Deb,
if you want me to put her name in, I can, but I couldn’t
remember it)
“That was when I finally dealt with the last piece of
pain I didn’t realize I was holding onto so deep inside of
me,” Debra said.
She said it was through this woman and her coworkers’ compassion and support that she was finally
able to rid herself of the last of the demons keeping her
from fulfilling what she truly believes is God’s calling –
to open her own women’s home with the hope of
changing lives with the word of God.
“Exodus 3 Ministries and Exodus House would
probably not be here today if it wasn’t for Vera House,”
she acknowledged. “We are all on the same mission in
this community and any time we can work together is
truly a blessing.”
Randi concurred.
“It has been a joy and an honor to have both Debra
and Janice (Hamlin) and Exodus 3 Ministries as a
community partner for those who a faith connection is
important,” she said. “I think the world of everyone I
have met associated with Exodus 3 Ministries. It has
been a wonderful partnership where we resource each
other and help meet the needs of the community even
better. It is when one plus one equals more than two
sometimes.”
For more information on Vera House, call 315-4250818 or visit their website at www.verahouse.org.
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E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 11
Corrine’s Story: Staying in Today
F
or Corrine Boatwright, her
childhood memories only
flash in bits and pieces.
What memories she has
retained include an absent father,
an outhouse instead of a bathroom,
hand-me-down clothes and
glimmers of abuse and punishment,
mostly at the hands of family
members.
“I have a big void in my memory
and a bigger one in my heart,” she
said. “There was a lot of hurt and a
lot of pain growing up. I always
longed for the love of my dad and I
always felt as if I had to protect my
mom. I didn’t really have a
childhood.”
Born in Florida, Corrine is the
youngest of eight children and said
she never got the chance to know
her siblings until she was older.
“My mom moved up north with me
and two of my sisters (to Syracuse)
to get away from my dad, who was
an alcoholic,” she said. “It wasn’t
until I was older that I found out
just how badly my dad used to beat
her.”
Corrine said her mom was easy
going and her family often took
advantage of her.
“She never had her own voice,”
Corrine said. “She was abused and
molested by her stepdad growing up.
When we moved back here, I was
probably about 5. We stayed with
my g randmo the r a nd ste p grandfather for a while and when
we went to bed at night, my mom
would pull the dresser in front of the
door.”
When she asked her mom why she
did that, she was just told to lay
down and try to sleep. She asked
her again when she was a little
older and her mom told her it was so
her step-grandfather wouldn’t
bother them. Although this tactic
kept them safe at night, it did not
protect them during the day.
Corrine Boatwright, right, gets a hug from Exodus 3 Ministries Executive Director,
Debra Person after the graduation ceremony held Oct. 4.
“My sister later told me she was
standing by the sink and he tried to
touch her,” she recalled. “She said
she started screaming and yelling
about it and he told my mom we had
to leave.”
Corrine pointed out after this, she
does not remember her sister being
with them anymore.
In spite of her memory gaps, one
recurring theme remains locked in
mind – and that is how badly she
and her mom were treated by
family. Christmas was especially
difficult.
“We were invited to Christmas, but
we weren’t really part of it. We
would always be the last to eat and
while my cousins got to open lots of
presents under the huge Christmas
tree, we got nothing. I remember
running into the bathroom to cry.”
When she was about 8 or 9, her
brother, who was in the Air Force,
popped in for a rare visit. While
there, he attempted to molest young
Corrine.
“I didn’t tell anyone because I
didn’t want to get anyone in trouble,
including myself. I once was
molested by my uncle and no one
believed me. Instead, I got a
whipping from my aunt.”
Because they moved around a lot,
school was a struggle for Corrine.
“I was way behind and I knew I
needed help,” she said. “I struggled
so much to learn. I also found myself
trying to teach my mom, too, so at
least she could count money.”
By the age of 14, Corrine said she
really wanted to finish school and
knew she could only do that if she
got out of the environment she was
in. So she made arrangements
through a guidance counselor to be
placed in a foster home.
“I know it must have hurt my mom
so bad, but I wanted something
better for myself and in turn help
my mom.”
She said the family she lived with
treated her well and admitted that
Continued on page 17
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Syracuse Blessed by Best-Selling Author,
William Paul Young
W
illiam Paul Young’s Syracuse visit inspired, encouraged and
blessed so many. The fundraiser for Fellowship AME Church in
partnership with Exodus 3 Ministries (E3M) began with an
elegant, yet intimate reception where VIP guests for those who
generously donated to the cause were treated to delicious food courtesy of
Chef Curtis Washington, proprietor and chef of That’s What’s Up, and the
opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the national best-selling author of
“The Shack.” With a down-to-earth charm and an obvious compassionate
nature, Mr. Young signed numerous books, gave out many hugs and posed
for pictures with his enthusiastic fans.
After the reception, everyone headed upstairs to Hendricks Chapel in
anticipation of what they were going to hear from this anointed man. Pastor
Pedro Castro, of Fellowship AMEC, introduced the evening’s master of
ceremonies, the Rev. Darren C. Jaime of The People’s AMEZ Church,
followed by a powerful invocation from the Rev. W. Reed of the Greater
Evangelical Church of God in Christ.
Pastor Stephanie Castro wowed the
“The Shack is inside all of us. It audience with her amazing singing voice
is where we store all of our secrets
before stepping up to the podium with her husband to introduce the man
and we are terrified that anyone
everyone had been waiting to hear.
should enter that house because
And he didn’t disappoint.
then they will know that is who we
The crowd was riveted as he spoke passionately and at times humorously,
are.” ~ Wm. Paul Young
about his personal journey to “the shack” inside himself and the message of
how good God really is. He described this as the primary the message of The
Shack, but said it is even more than that. Mr. Young assured everyone that not only do we serve a good, fair and
loving God, we have a God we can trust our lives with. That, he said, was one of the hardest steps for him to
make in his life. But now that he has done that, life holds more joy than he could ever have imagined.
Thank you, Mr. Wm. Paul Young, for coming to share your wisdom and the love of your God with us
and with Syracuse. You are truly an anointed and powerful man of God!
William Paul Young signs an autograph for Teri Nichols who
attended the VIP Reception prior to Mr. Young’s presentation.
William Paul Young poses with Valerie Orr, Outreach
Coordinator with Exodus 3 Ministries, at the VIP Reception.
E
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PAGE 13
Lisa’s Story: Through the Fire
Continued from page 8
took it one step further. Lisa called Medicaid next to see
about getting a cab to the bus station even though she
knew she had failed to recertify. Amazingly, Lisa was told
her Medicaid was still active and arrangements would be
made to give Lisa a ride right to the front door of Conifer
Park!
“And they did even though it was two hours away!” she
said, her voice still reflecting awe.
Lisa said that first week was very difficult and after
eight days of detox, she was told she needed to stay at
least another week for treatment or they feared she was
going to die.
She said one woman, Jan, saw her distress over this
unexpected development and assured Lisa that she would
see her through every step of the way.
“And she did,” Lisa said. “She came every day. I even
stayed 35 days of rehab. I truly believe God touched Jan’s
heart and sent her to me.”
When Lisa was finally discharged, she was left with
nowhere to go. She was dropped off at the Department of
Social Services in Syracuse and was given a voucher to
stay in a hotel for the weekend.
“I was in a panic,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do so
I called Pastor John and my friend, Maria.”
John wanted to bring Lisa to Exodus House and
although she was against it, Lisa eventually agreed
despite feeling she was not ready for what was ahead.
“It was overwhelming. I had not felt anything because I
had numbed my feelings for so long. So, when I started
feeling the guilt, shame, anxiety and sadness, it was so
hard.”
Lisa said she recalls the day she came to Exodus House
vividly.
“God really spoke to me that day John brought me to
Exodus House. Everything in my being did not want to go
there, but it was almost as if I had handcuffs on me in the
car and I felt as if I was unable to get out of the car or go
anywhere else. I remember thinking, ‘this car is
possessed,’” she said with a laugh. “When we pulled into
the parking lot of EH, it was like the pressure I had felt
for so long was relieved. I felt like this was where I
needed to be.”
Lisa said her experience in Exodus House was pivotal in
bringing her into a relationship with God, which
blossomed while there and is still growing today.
“I have more peace than I have had in my entire life,”
she said. “There were so many times in my life that I
should have been dead. If you look at it in a natural
realm, it is impossible that I am alive. So, I believe there
is a reason and a purpose I am here. I would like to know
what that is, but I think I have figured out part of it.”
Lisa believes that God has spared her so she could share
with others her story of hope and show them that no
Lisa’s beautiful 1-year-old granddaughter, Soccorsa.
matter how bad it gets, God can get you through.
Today, Lisa is a year clean and sober and has been
working in the Syracuse community with Pastor John.
She has reconnected with her daughter, Heather, and is a
proud grandmother to 1-year-old Soccorsa. Still working
on reclaiming a relationship with all of her children, Lisa
said she is still walking through the fire at times, but
reminds herself constantly that “I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.”
“I have to sometimes repeat this several times a day to
myself. It gives me that ‘umph’ I need to keep moving
forward no matter what. I was a broken mess...caught up
in the things of this world. But God loved me
unconditionally, changed my life, changed me, has
provided for ALL my needs and has given me eternal life
and forgiveness through his son, Jesus Christ…I am
blessed to be clean and sober, have my beautiful
granddaughter in my life. Without God’s great grace and
mercy, none of this would be possible. Thank you, Lord,
for blessings.”
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 14
E3M’s Angel Allies
Angels come in all sizes, shapes and genders and E3M has some of the best! Thank you and God
bless you all who support our mission of transforming lives through the Word of God.
Beacon Baptist Church, Christ Community Church, New Life Temple of Praise, North Syracuse
Baptist Church, Syracuse Vineyard Church, Barney II Foundation, Roger Burdick, Jim & Juli
Boeheim Foundation, Gary Bell, Geoffrey F. Wilk, Chris Graf, Schenectady City Mission, Paula
Shortsleeve, Home Depot, Ralph Planty, Peter Sieburg, The Gifford Foundation, Welch Allyn, Vera
House, Chris Parsons, Johanna Hanna, Brent and Holly Sears, Curtis Washington, Sheree Akins,
Paul and Barbara Howard, Eagle Wings Academy, Teri Nichols, Mary Kay Cosmetics, The Venuti
Foundation.
We also are so thankful for ALL the individual financial donors who have supported E3M and
Exodus House. The monies received are so appreciated as it helps to pay the bills and purchase
necessary supplies so we can keep our doors open and continue serving the Syracuse community.
SYRACUSE VINEYARD CHURCH
E3M sends out another big “THANK
YOU” to the volunteers from the Syracuse
Vineyard Church — Syracuse and Cicero
sites — for their time and hard work on
Nov. 8!
They accomplished so much in a few
hours — organizing clothing donations,
cleaning, vacuuming, shampooing carpets,
polishing woodwork and doing some
carpentry and plumbing projects!
“We were truly blessed by all of those
who came to help,” said Cathy Peterson,
E3M Volunteer Coordinator. “And when
time ran out before the work could be
finished, the volunteers were quick to offer
to come back and complete the projects
they began. Thank you again for working
as His hands and His feet in Central New
York, especially at Exodus 3 Ministries!”
ROB ESPOSITO & FRIENDS
E3M also wants to send a shout-out to Rob Esposito (third on
the left) for all of the good work he continues to do for Exodus
House. He recently patched and refinished the wall by the
utility sink, fixed some screens and repaired one of the garage
doors so it now locks! He is tireless in his efforts to help us
with needed repairs and improvements on Exodus House. Rob
is shown here during one of his visits with friends who worked
alongside him.
PAGE 15
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
PAGE 16
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
Sweeping up the ashes
The road is hard to cross,
But I am taking it one day at a time.
So alone and so lost,
Nowhere to go and nowhere to turn,
But I have had enough.
I don’t know what to do any more,
But I know you will show me the way.
That is why I have surrendered
And here I fall down on my knees to you.
I have tried everything and everybody
But still I come back to you.
Lonely days and lonely nights,
But now I know that I am not alone,
And never was.
I have been through the trash,
Under the trash,
But now I am over the trash.
I have thrown it all away
And have burned the leftovers of the debris.
Now, I am sweeping up the ashes.
Now, I must mop up the dust and spray it out
With the spirituality I have now found,
Which is my life.
Recovery, one day at a time.
~ Corrine Boatwright
E3M Exodus House Graduate, 2014
PAGE 17
E3M SPECIAL EDITION
Corrine’s Story: Staying in Today
Continued from page 11
she often took advantage of the freedom she was
granted.
“I was allowed to drink for my birthday, I must have
been 15, and I soon learned how prone I was to
addiction.”
Corrine also revealed that her foster sister,
unbeknownst to the family was a prostitute and she was
constantly trying to get her alone. “It was uncomfortable
and I couldn’t tell, so I left.”
Returning home to her mom, Corrine fell into some fast
friends, alcohol and drugs.
At only 15, she was drugged and raped by a man 10
years her senior. A virgin, Corrine said she was scared
when she woke up and saw blood.
“I thought I had been raped, but I didn’t even know
what that was. I felt like it was my fault and I had done
something wrong.”
Corrine stayed with the man, Brian, and had her first
child, a son, at the age of 16. Life was difficult as Brian
dealt drugs and her mother-in-law despised her. In spite
of all this, she still fought for a better life for her and her
baby. And it cost Corrine her son.
“I left my son with Brian and his mother while I went
out of town to attend Job Corps,” she explained. “It took
about three months and when I got back, they wouldn’t
give me my baby. I was told I would have to go to court
in order to get him back.”
Corrine found out they had told the court that she had
abandoned her baby and, even worse, her boyfriend had
told police she was the one who was selling marijuana.
She lost her son to his father, setting her on the road to
more drug use and more physical and emotional abuse
from men, including another rape.
Over the years, Corrine had five more children, all
girls, along with one miscarriage and one abortion. In
between, she got turned onto crack.
“(The abortion) really killed me,” she said. “I didn’t get
over it until I came to Exodus House and learned from
Miss Janice that God could forgive me. I never realized
how much guilt I carried with me until I came to Exodus
House.”
Corrine said there were many times over the years
that she tried to get clean but circumstances and
abusive relationships would drag her back into drugs.
In November of 2012, Corrine finally kicked the crack
habit, but still did marijuana. As a result, she found
herself in a jail cell and it was in jail that she discovered
what a personal relationship with God is really about.
“I was taught to have a fear of God, but it wasn’t until I
was in jail that I learned fear meant respect.”
A few weeks before she was to be released, Corrine met
a woman who had planned to go to Exodus House. At
Corrine’s family attended her graduation and shared in her
victory.
the last minute, however, her parents decided to send
her somewhere out of town. On her way out the door,
she shoved an Exodus House brochure in Corrine’s
hands.
Corrine entered Exodus House in February of 2013
with nothing but her jail uniform. Exodus House
provided her with clothing and she said she enjoyed the
home’s busy structure. She said she also learned how
forgiving God was.
“I learned a lot about forgiveness and how to let go,”
she said. “I was told he is a forgiving God but I thought
God would not forgive me. But I was taught how to let it
go and … I finally feel that burden lifted.”
Now, when she looks back over her life, she can see the
many times that God was with her and helped her in
spite of all of the terrible things she had endured.
“I feel I am a miracle to be here,” she said.
This November marks two years drug-free for Corrine.
She attends Narcotics Anonymous and is working hard
to do all they ask her to do to stay clean.
“It was easy for me to stop, but it was the staying
stopped that I have had to learn. The key is getting
through and stopping every day. I’ve learned to not
worry about yesterday and not worry about tomorrow. I
learned the key is to stay in today.”
And with God and the support network she has found
from being a part of Exodus House, she is flourishing,
reunited with her siblings and is close with all of her
children. She is currently working to get her GED and is
looking forward to one day owning her own business.
“Exodus House was my safe place and my second
chance in life. It gave me the opportunity to get to know
myself and to love myself and to learn the values of life.”