by Keith A. Josey, Lay Pastor, Mission of the Holy Spirit
Thank you for
supporting the Mission of the Holy Spirit with your prayers, gifts and
resources. This summer, many of our children were blessed with trips to
pool parties, a Tides game, Busch Gardens and the Children's Museum. All
these trips were made possible because of the generosity of those who
gave out of a love for helping others and a belief in the services we
provide at the Mission of the Holy Spirit. As we move into the fall
months, our programming has shifted from activity-centered to
educational enrichment and healthy living.
Have you ever seen
the look on a person's face when they finally realize that they can
make a change in their lives? It is so vastly different than the
expressions of hopelessness that occur when people are faced with the
sad realities that surround so many. Despite all the daily struggles
faced in our community, seeds of hope, joy and purpose are planted with
your support.
At the Mission of
the Holy Spirit, we strive to effectively change lives by nurturing the
gifts of the people we serve and offering opportunities for all to
experience God's love in multiple ways. Through our efforts, lives are
being changed, as evidenced by the many young people in our program who
graduate high school and go on to college. When the Mission started in
1993, few participants had hope of graduating from high school; as I
write, 8 Mission members are currently enrolled in college and pursuing
their dreams. We have also experienced an increase in our Sunday worship
attendance from an average of 35 (mostly children) in 2007 to more than
50 children and adults in recent months. We are indeed proud of this
growth, coming at a time when many churches are seeing a decline in
membership. We have baptized 43 infants, children and adults since
2007, forever bonding them with Christ Jesus. Our growth is a result of
quality programs, people and purpose.
In order to
sustain our purpose "to effectively change lives" we need your help. Due
to the economy, our contributions are down considerably; in order to
maintain our worship services and programs into 2013, we are in very
serious need of your continued financial assistance. These tough
economic times make your giving so much more important than ever before.
Please think about asking for donations to the Mission in lieu of
birthday and Christmas gifts, and send your own contribution after you
consider this ministry for God's children prayerfully.
These times are
challenging, but "we can make a difference and we will make a change."
Through working together to share God's love and allowing the light of
Christ to shine, we can continue to touch the lives of the people we
serve.
