"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1 Incredible Blessings At Strong Life, we have so much to be thankful for as we enter this wonderful season. God led us to grow a team with a heart to serve the homeless community. We can certainly say that has happened over the past year. There have been 4 new members added to our team that wholeheartedly desire to help those in need and show the love of Jesus. We are almost finished with the new construction that will allow our ministry to expand into 2 new office spaces, an education room, and an additional bathroom. This space comes just in time as we are preparing for the winter months ahead. We have partnered with several churches and community partners such as The Service League of Hickory to open on Saturdays for the winter season starting December 2nd. Thankful for Transformation
As the transition of the season is taking place, we are incredibly thankful to see God transform the lives and hearts of the people dealing with difficulty and crisis. One such individual is Derek. He came to us a few months ago coming off a life of strife, hard drugs, and extreme family discord. We had the opportunity to see Derek surrender his life to Jesus and his heart start to take shape. While coming to the Rescue Mission, he worked hard towards a life of stability. Then, he entered our transitional program for men. He saved money to buy a scooter, reconciled with some of his family, and most importantly began to grow in his walk with Jesus. Derek made the decision to be baptized! After he connected with a military recruiter, we celebrated his military departure to the Army as he hopes to provide a more stable future for his family and serve our country. With this season of Thanksgiving upon us, we invite you to give thanks and join us in what God is doing to transform many lives like Derek. Would you forward our newsletter to a friend or tell someone about what Strong Life is doing as you see them during this special time of year? You are welcome to call 828-994-4321 or go to our website www.stronglifenc.org for more information. Happy Thanksgiving! "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people." Galatians 6:10 Ministering in Love We would like to share what a recent Friday at Strong Life looked like. After getting everyone shuttled in from the Salvation Army and going through our morning routine of snacks, physical needs, and devotional. One of our pastors was purchasing a Greyhound bus ticket to get a friend across the state for a fresh start at a drug rehabilitation center. He encountered a man at the bus stop who overheard his position as a minister and asked for prayer. His name was Sam and he shared he had a terminal illness and was in town to see some family as he awaited his final months in this world. Our pastor counseled and prayed with him right there in the bus station. They cried together as he assured Sam of eternity and Sam professed his faith in Jesus Christ. That same Friday Afternoon we had 2 separate visits that left us filled with gratitude. The first was a single mother named Carole who came needing gas to look for work and food for her and her daughter. We got to talk, laugh, and pray about some things as we talked about ways we could help and encourage her in the situation she was in. We gathered her groceries from our food pantry as well as household and toiletry items and had a powerful time of prayer together. Just behind Carole, we met Jessica another single mother of 4 children referred to us for help with gas. She had just found a job and we had an opportunity to encourage her with many connections and opportunities for help in the area. We had a very uplifting time together as we helped her with groceries and filled her car up with gas. Establishing a Team
Strong Life is excited to announce we have filled the position of our day program coordinator after 2 months of searching. Larry Williams has answered our call and will be a great fit for the program. Pastor Williams is a collegiate graduate and a 21-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He is also the founder, senior pastor, and general overseer of Living the Word Church formerly of Conover, NC now relocating to Statesville, North Carolina. As the husband of one wife and father of three; the ability to fuse the necessary collaboration between family and ministry has become synonymous and verifiable by all who encounter him. He has attributes of insightfulness which are guided by the smooth hand of encouraging calmness. We are thankful for your support and prayers. We readily confess that we need your help to get the word out for continued support and encouragement as the winter season approaches. We have a litany of needs that range from finances to blankets. Please visit our website to learn more or social media for current needs. Would you take the time to forward this newsletter to those who might help? For more information email us at stronglifenc@gmail.com. "For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" Isaiah 25:4 Staying Cool and Hydrated This summer in the Carolinas has been scorching hot with high levels of humidity. For July, most days reached 90 degrees and above. This heat wave makes it extremely dangerous to be outside for long periods without an adequate water supply and shade from the sun. At Strong Life Rescue Mission, we have added pop-up tents to serve as additional shade for our picnic area while using a large fan to provide cool air. Inside our main facility, we use air conditioning and a few extra fans to increase airflow within each room. In addition to keeping our facility as cool as possible in the summer heat, we supply everyone with bottled water and Gatorade to ensure that no one gets dehydrated. Each morning our staff shares the weather forecast for the day and the coming week during our morning devotionals to prepare everyone on what to expect. This is essential for those who live on the streets so they can prepare for the elements. Each season comes with different challenges and opportunities for those in the homeless community and we are so thankful that because of our financial supporters, staff, and volunteers, we can help alleviate those barriers. Creating Refuge One Step at a Time
Since we began construction for our new building in 2022, it is incredible to see all the new opportunities the space has brought us. Our new building has been up for several months , allowing us to have storage space for donated items such as clothes, blankets, and more. The vision does not stop there, we are ecstatic to share that our second phase of construction is making lots of progress! Currently, we are now adding two new office spaces, a bathroom, and a classroom along with the already existing storage for donations. The Lord has been so gracious as we have been constructing this building. Our vision is this additional space will provide safe and confidential meeting spaces, an additional restroom facility, and a place to host informative classes for small groups. We are confident that the Lord will continue to bless this ministry as we help those experiencing homelessness find hope and restoration. This new construction helps us do just that, provide a refuge to those in need. Would you please help us continue to make this happen? Please continue to pray for us as we continue our construction and try to provide a cooler area for those in the homeless community. You can help our ministry by donating cases of bottled water, and Gatorade powder, or donate financially by going to our website at stronglifenc.org. For more information about our ministry, please contact John Hays at 828-994-4321 or email us at stronglifenc@gmail.com. "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 Changing Demographics in the Homeless Community Most people have a certain idea in their minds of what a homeless person looks like. We can certainly vouch that demographics change in different areas, but we have seen an alarming trend here in Hickory. There is a growing number of elderly and disabled people who are homeless or unhoused in our area. The extreme housing crisis consists of hardly any low-income housing being built despite a growing population in our area. The lack of housing becoming available is leaving more and more vulnerable folks on the street. We pack our van full of walkers, canes, and wheelchairs every day as we make our way over to our day program Strong Life Rescue Mission near Conover. We take on the role of a CNA some days helping people with basic needs that are limited by mobility. It is a heartbreaking way to share Christ’s love for those that are truly in the greatest need in our community. We certainly ask for your prayer in this situation that doors would open to care facilities, senior housing, or we can find housing in other cities for those that are most vulnerable. Please pray for strength and patience for our staff as well during this season. Back with Family
At Strong Life, we have seen two men in the past month transition back to their families. Due to the lack of housing in our area, both men were offered an opportunity to go back to family or extended family, who lived out of town and out of state. Peter is back with his family in Lenoir and came back to see us to get some of his mail and we were able to bless them with some food on their way back. Another young man Thad is back with his extended family near Charleston, West Virginia, and has started working and walking in newfound recovery. We are reminded in our time with people that the journey seems a bit longer when you’re headed home with a limp. It reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for the journey even when we don’t feel we have enough of our own strength to take another step. We can testify that God will give us strength and lead us home while showing us a way to a stronger life. "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs" Isaiah 58:11a Finding Freedom on the Journey Home Strong Life has had the great honor of seeing extraordinary progress from our men in our transitional program. We are happy to share how God has blessed their hard work and dedication to move forward. Our friend Thomas is a great example of someone taking the next step. Thomas came to us out of a tent over a year ago. He was battling drug addiction but came to a turning point where we could tell he wanted his life to be different. He transitioned into our program at Strong Life and quickly started working in the furniture industry. We started encouraging him and building his self-esteem in his own walk with God. He found a great church that supported him. He paid off thousands in fines and debt and saved up to buy a scooter for transportation last fall. We saw his resilience as he moved through each phase of our program. Earlier this year we took all our guys to a pizza party to celebrate his 1 year of sobriety. After looking for permanent housing for several months with no results he was holding steady and holding onto hope God would provide. This past week, we were able to link him up with a private landlord to have an apartment to call his own. When asked what Strong Life meant to him, he said “I have never felt closer to God than my time here at Strong Life.” On the Road to Success
There are currently two men in our transitional program who are working hard and have saved to get transportation for themselves. In a time where finding permanent housing has become incredibly difficult, it is a great feat for these men to obtain transportation. This allows them to look for housing in other areas as no low-income or low-cost housing is currently available in Hickory. Having a vehicle helps them continue to get to resources, family, and work. Used vehicles have certainly increased in price so we think this is a well-recognized asset for our men to own and not be in debt. Like the transportation that will greatly help and encourage these men, we at Strong Life have a strong desire to be the vehicle for people in need. We want to get them where they want to go in life. To journey with them to a greater destination and the plan God has for their life. Our Men's program director Jacob Inman has faithfully served this past year to do just that. He has shown God’s direction and grace to these men so they can obtain their goals and be successful. In this, we are incredibly thankful to him and to what God is doing in the lives of those in need around us. Please pray for us as we are looking for a new housing manager for our men's program and reach out via our email if you know of anyone who may be interested in joining our team. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…” Colossians 3:23 Property Projects
As humans made in God’s image, we are designed for work. Since the beginning in Genesis chapter 1, God has given mankind the task to cultivate the earth, and work helps us flourish in the way God intended! We see this clearly with the willingness of our friends to help with various projects around the Strong Life property. With summertime around the corner, we need our lawn mowed and weedeated on a regular basis. The men here at Strong Life are eager to jump in a take on this task. The men also recently dug a trench for a new plumbing pipe. This brings up a praise and a prayer request – we have started the last stage of construction on our new multipurpose building! We will add two office spaces, a meeting room, and a bathroom over the next few months. Please pray for God’s provision in this process. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.' " 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 Springtime is Coming! Winter is fading and springtime is approaching. The cold air and desolate trees are replaced with a gentle breeze and a sweet fragrance of fresh blooms. Spring helps to remind us that though our circumstances might appear dim, and our needs are plenty, with time, the Lord brings restoration and provision. At Strong Life Ministries, we have seen the goodness of our God provide for our ministry, for those we serve, and in our own lives tremendously over the last few months. As the summer turned to fall and winter weather, the need for blankets was immense, and shortly it was met in abundance. While it may seem small, blankets are huge blessings as they help protect campers from freezing temperatures, and all praise to God that there were enough to last us through the cold winter days. When different needs arise, it is important to remember to reach out to others. A few weeks back our microwave broke which at first was discouraging, but with time and the generosity of our community, we were gifted not one but a few to replace our broken one. We are beyond thankful for our supporters and know that when needs are presented, we can count on the generosity of the community for help. Just like nature changes, we are reminded of the possibilities ahead we need not fear what comes next. The Gift of Transportation
Unfortunately, lack of transportation leads to many barriers, especially for the homeless community. However, we are ecstatic to share that in the last few weeks, we have had multiple clients able to purchase cars! Jody Friend is one of these new car owners and what a friend she has been to others. Her car houses three other friends who now have a safer alternative than their previous living situation on the streets. Another new car owner Beverly Sigmon now has reliable transportation for employment. Beverly has been offered a job and will be starting soon. We have been thrilled to see how God has provided these cars and how having them provides safer living conditions and more opportunities to accomplish goals. Before needs are met circumstances appear incredibly dim and even though each day has its challenges, we are reminded that springtime is coming, and the Lord’s blessings are blooming. For more information about how you can help our ministry, please contact John Hays at 828-994-4321 or email us at stronglifenc@gmail.com. "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Love in Action Hidden in plain sight at Strong Life is one of the secrets of our love for others. The strength of this love is exemplified by one of our faithful volunteers. Behind the desk several days a week, folks are greeted by Donna Swoverland. Donna moved here over a year ago from Texas. Even before she got to North Carolina, she knew Strong Life is where God was calling her to serve. We can vouch for her faithfulness, but it is not just her loyalty that makes a difference. She is a gritty and gracious picture of love for our friends at the rescue mission. She was molded from the fires that decades of airline stewarding gave her in the service of others. She has the gentle touch from many years as a caretaker and the heart of a mother all while exemplifying hard work in cleaning and organizing. Donna makes our house here at Strong life a home in that she shows a tough yet tender heart to many men who didn’t grow up around a mother or haven’t seen their mother in years. Donna is a great reminder for us about how God loves us in a variety of ways. He knows the love language of our hearts. As we move into springtime, we are reminded of how we get renewed by love. It makes a huge difference to slow down and recognize that we really are loved by God. We can then release such love to others through our actions and faith to show them such love as well. Loving In Season and Out
The beauty of spring around the corner has encouraged our weary staff through the difficulty and pressure the winter season brings to our work at Strong Life. We are very thankful for the many prayers, meals, and support that have come our way to help get us through the wet winter we have had. We are currently putting together spring projects that need to be done on our campus. Please let us know if you would be interested in volunteering by visiting our web page or calling 828-994-4321 for more information. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, we pray spring is just around the corner for you. "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19 A New Heart Of Compassion
We are excited to announce Rachel Dillingham as our case manager at Strong Life. This gives us an incredible hope that she will have a positive impact on many lives. Rachel graduated from Gardner Webb with a degree in Psychology. She will work one on one with friends to help them with employment, housing, healthcare, and addiction recovery. She not only lays information out before people, but helps them connect and start moving forward with it. Most importantly, she listens and takes time to pray for those who need it. She is highly compassionate and excited to be a part of our team to show love to those around us in greatest need by advocating for them. Please pray for Rachel as she seeks to learn and connect with many other resources for our folks to utilize as they find their way home. Please help us continue to make this happen. We need the friends of this ministry to get the word out to others who might be interested in volunteering with Strong Life so that we can expand our availability to the homeless community. Please take the time to forward this newsletter to those who might help. For more information about volunteering, please contact John Hays or email us at stronglifenc@gmail.com. "She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" Luke 2:7 Built For Such A Time As This All of Strong Life is very grateful God has shown His perfect timing as we prepare for the arctic weather arriving before Christmas. We have worked all year to be where we are now with construction on our new multipurpose building. In the Christmas story, rooms were so full in town that there was no place for Mary and Joseph. This made way for God’s plan of a manger birth to reveal His humility and access for all people to come to Him. This winter we are going to extra lengths to make sure we are accessible to people. Accessible to show love, mercy, and kindness and make room in our hearts for the greatest story ever! We pray there is room in your heart for this story of compassion for those being invited into this wonderful story, our story, and out of the winter cold. Another Warm Seat!
Our new warehouse has allowed us to squeeze 10 more seats into our rescue mission to enable folks to get out of the weather and come to a safe warm place for the day. There are several churches we are very thankful for, who are willing to cook and deliver meals on Saturdays to provide a hot meal for our friends during the winter. We have extended our hours and added a day to be available to our friends 6 days a week! Please pray for us as this certainly takes its toll on resources and our staff over the next 3 months of winter. We are currently in need of groups to sort the incredible outpouring of donations that come throughout the winter season. If you or anyone you know wants to come, please call Pastor John to schedule. We also have the need for financial provision during this season to pay heating bills and assist with gas for our bus shuttle to run extra trips to get people out of the cold. If you would like to give for the end of the year, please visit our website www.stronglifenc.org and click on the give tab. Please know we are so very grateful for you and wish you a Merry Christmas! |