May Newsletter


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May 2017

A Summer on Purpose Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:18 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

I am so excited to introduce our summer theme for 2017. This year promises to be a summer like no other! Our theme, Love in Action, will be one that we walk out with the kids and families, as our partners & teammates. You may have heard the idea of having a “life verse,” and mine is found in Proverbs 19:21— “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I am a list and plan maker (to be honest, better at making lists and plans than actually doing them), and this verse serves as a reminder of an important reality. Even though a person may have many plans, the reality is that in the end, the Lord’s purposes will ultimately prevail— of this we can be supremely confident! Therefore, rather than our priorities being to make lists and plans in order to accomplish goals, the #1 priority becomes aligning our plans with the plans of the Lord. The purpose of House of Faith, which the Lord gave in the fall of 1993, has always been about “Taking JESUS to neighborhood children, youth and families.” We have made many, MANY lists and plans over the years to accomplish this mission. A file in my desk holds an original copy of this vision we wrote, and it clearly states: Phase 1 – Children, Phase 2 – Youth, Phase 3 – Families. Consider the following quote: The third phase of ministry will be to the families of the children and young people who are already involved in the program. With each passing month as parents and other family members see a long term concentrated effort of love and concern aimed at their children, they will be more open to Christ being shared with them. This will provide an opportunity to refer them to local churches and to meet needs in ways such as parenting classes and home Bible studies.

Please don’t miss my point! Family ministry has always been on our list. It has always been in our plan. First and foremost, our plan was birthed out of prayer and a deep desire to honor the Lord and align our purposes with God’s purposes for this community. Over the years it

By Kevin Reynolds, Executive Director

has been amazing to experience the Lord’s leading in building this ministry, and now we finally have traction to fully step into the 3rd phase of ministry, FAMILIES. I wish you could see our calendar for this summer. Each week is an exercise of Love in Action, and this summer looks very different than any summer we have had in the last 23 years. At a glance it might seem to be both a little crazy and exciting. A major difference is that we won’t be going to Overnight Camps. These Camps are something we have done faithfully for over 2 decades. Make no mistake, this was one of several very difficult decisions that were made, again, with much prayer. We love Overnight Camps; they are both powerful and effective for the youth who attend. For some, it is hard to imagine a HOF summer without Overnight Camps, yet, at our CORE, we are about children, youth & families and nothing will change that. This decision allows us to step into something that has been a long time coming for the families of the kids we work with, AND fulfills the original vision the Lord gave. It is important to note that the Lord brought this opportunity AFTER the decision was made to NOT go to Overnight Camp. What we are stepping into is Parenting Classes! We are so excited to launch an effective and powerful endeavor that I believe is capable of changing the very fabric of our community, one home at a time. We only have the kids a few short hours each week, but they go home to their families every day. We all understand the value of impacting their families, and the Lord has brought us an incredible opportunity to do this very thing. We have entered into partnership with the HEB Foundation to launch a pilot program we are calling Parent University. This will be a 6 week course using curriculum from Rezilient Kidz titled, “Raising Highly Capable Kids.” Families will attend classes at our facility, and we hope this pilot program will lead to several launches around the city in the fall. continued inside

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Other summer changes include multiple connection points with our kids throughout the summer including special events, large and small group gatherings, leadership training and service projects. We are excited for the opportunity to have a more consistent presence in our full range of local events that include our very popular Kids Connection and Sports Camps. Love in Action this summer means a serious investment of time and energy into helping our kids learn to love “in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). It also means a serious step out into the 3rd phase of this unique ministry. Thank you for your faithful support and encouragement. It is important to note that while the Lord showed himself to be so good through San Angelo Gives, which was a tremendous success, we are still in need of your ongoing monthly support; this and the Lord’s moment by moment leading truly is our lifeblood. God bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In him and for them,

Parent University: Dream Big!

By Darlene Bratton

Through a partnership with The HEB Foundation, House of Faith is launching a "pilot program" this summer offering parenting classes for House of Faith families, limited to the first 100 adults who register. Expanding Family Ministry has been the prayer and dream at House of Faith since the ministry began 24 years ago with the mission statement of “Taking JESUS to neighborhood children, youth, and families". Starting June 14, the group of parents of children in House of Faith programs, will attend a 6 week course called Parenting University, using curriculum from Raising Highly Capable Kids. The class curriculum is based on 40 developmental assets identified by The Search Institute as building blocks for healthy development that help young people grow up to be healthy, caring, and responsible. Parents listen to In Memory Of: presentations, hold Clif Cauthen discussions, and engage Ken & Carolyn Fannon in activities to help Barbara Jean Hall Jean Corley them apply what they Jim Hamby learn in their own Claudia Hulse homes. Raising Highly Dr. George Hill Capable Kids (TM) is Ken & Carolyn Fannon being implemented in Mary Jo Hill 32 communities across Bill and Joy Morehead nine states. Walmar Hohmann Classes will be at House of Faith, 321 Montecito, on Wednesday evenings with a meal, childcare, and teaching materials underwritten by The HEB Foundation. We know that "our" families love their children and want them to be the best they can be. We are grateful beyond words for this opportunity!

Hadlee Holik Jim Whitson Benny & Marilyn Holik Bob Wheeler Nancy Vaughan and Sasha Low Esther Wyman Arlo & Dorothy Bray Mac & Glenda McCleery Hoot & Kathy Hearn Coletta Lively Gary and Ella Joyce Tami Spearman

In Honor Of: Martha Gerber Barbara Merrill Sheri and Lloyd Norris Owen Hamilton

House of Faith receives donations in the form of Memorials and Honorariums throughout the year. These donations are acknowledged with a personalized card sent to the recipient you designate. Gifts can be made in any amount to: House of Faith 321 Montecito San Angelo, TX 76903 or online at www.hofministries.org

Congratulations, Seniors! House of Faith is so proud of these graduating high school seniors (listed below)! We enjoyed an evening of celebrating them and their families with a Senior Recognition Banquet. It was a touching time of honoring these students and hearing them share what House of Faith has meant to them over the years. Left to right: Kaleb Turner, Bernie Arredondo, Taylor McCarley, Joey Sanchez, Casie Rannefeld, Marzelle Golden-Lee, Patrick Cassel, Rosie Swick, Callie Dupree, Elizabeth Medina, Alfred Martinez, Austin Weed

14 Reasons Why We Care

By Marci Menchaca

We love that our community is one that comes together to bring hope to the children and youth of Tom Green County. Our combined impact is powerful. On Friday, May 19th, House of Faith was host to a community conversation facilitated by SAISD and attended by many organization and church leaders. This gathering was in response to concern for students who might be experiencing crisis going into the summer months. “The definition of community is a group of A new popular teen Netflix people living in the same place or having a series, “Thirteen Reasons Why,” has come on the scene this spring bringing up particular characteristic in common. many issues our students might be facing and the most concerning issue is that the show revolves around why the main character has committed suicide. With the After our meeting last Friday, I think it heaviness of the content, our group of community organizations, schools and leaders is safe to say we are a community with collaborated to come up with “14 Reasons Why We Care.” This list has become a flier that will be sent to families in the San Angelo area to build hope and a heart for our youth.” encouragement, inform of crisis warning signs, and give steps to follow to get help, providing contact information for where to call or go in times of crisis. We look —Stephanie Free, forward to future Community Conversations to collaboratively address the needs of SAISD Executive Director of Special Programs our children, youth and families of San Angelo!

Our annual Hoop Shoot program is always a fun time for our outbound 5th grade students! This event is a fundraiser, but it also is the introduction for these students into what “their” House of Faith will look like next year as they move up into the 321 program. This year, Hoop Shoot was hosted across two afternoons at the House of Faith building. Students enjoyed the fun atmosphere of our warehouse as well as the games and competition. At the end, everyone gathered for a devotional and explanation of summer opportunities and 321 for them next year. Special thanks to Robert and Melba Ramirez and their crew with Arctic Blast Shaved Ice for providing snow cones at Hoop Shoot to keep us all cool!

House of Faith 321 Montecito Dr.

www.hofministries.org

San Angelo, TX 76903

Summer at a Glance 

Tues, May 30th: Family Swim Party 6:30-8:30pm

Our 2nd Annual Family Swim Party will be held at Love Municipal Pool. We are limited to 600 people, and it is on a first come, first served basis. 

Mon, June 5th-Wed, June 7th: Sports Camp, 1-5pm (Transportation

Provided) Students entering 4th—6th grade may attend either Volleyball, Football, Soccer, Basketball or Tennis Camp, and we finish our week with an Awards Dinner for the families of the Sports Camp Attendees. 

Mon, June 12th: Family Block Party, 5-7pm

Families are invited to attend a fun block party hosted by our friends from Grace Fellowship in Paradise, TX as they kick off a week long mission trip serving the children, youth and families of House of Faith. 

Tues, June 13th-Thurs, June 15th: Kid’s Connection, 12:30-3pm (Transportation Provided) In partnership with Grace Fellowship Youth, this program allows children ages 4 years to entering 3rd grade to enjoy Crafts, Bible Story Time and Recreation that make these 3 days full of fun and adventure!



Wed, June 14th: Parenting Class Kickoff with classes held Wed, June 21st, 28th, July 5th, 12th, & 19th) Families are invited to participate in our first ever Parenting Classes. This 6 week course will be held at House of Faith and is made possible through partnership with the HEB Family Foundation. (see inside for more information)



Mon, June 19th: Summer 321 Kickoff (also June 26th, July 10th, 17th, 24th) (Transportation Provided) High School and Middle School students gather on Monday evenings to enjoy some evening adventure, great fellowship, a meal and relevant teaching focused on our theme of Love in Action.



Tues, June 20th-Thurs, June 22nd: Student Life Mission Group House of Faith is excited to have our friends and Student Life Mission Group from BridgeWay Church in Copper Canyon, TX helping with work projects during their mission week.



Wed, June 21st: Club 456 Kickoff (Transportation Provided) Students entering 4th-6th grade will come together for a high energy, larger than life time of games and teaching about Love in Action!



Thurs, June 22nd: Summer of Service, Student Leadership Kick-Off (Transportation Provided) Middle School and High School students will put into practice “Love in Action” in weekly discipleship small groups that not only learn but become “Love in Action” to our community through service projects.



Wed, July 19th: Club 456 (Transportation Provided) Students entering 4th-6th grade will come together for a high energy, larger than life time of games and teaching about Love in Action!

Fri, June 30th-Tuesday, July 4th: Office Closed for Independence Day!  Wed, July 26th: Family Event/Parenting Class Graduation 

Family event with parenting focus and honoring the graduates of our first ever parenting class!