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September 6, 2008 Entry
I Am Back On The Job--This is my first entry since sometime in July. My life really got crazy for a few weeks. My wife was in a bicycle versus automobile accident. She broke her ankle in two places and she broke a bone in her chest. She had to be helped in and out of bed. I had to help her with almost any activity you could think of. But praise God she much better now--and my routine is returning to normal.
August 12, 2008 Entry
Eprayer chain
Bethlehem members and other Christians are praying for inmates in the Allen County Jail. In my search to find ways to get more Bethlehem members involve in outreach ministry, I have learned that potential volunteers need to be given opprontunities for which they have an interest and for which they have the time to participate. The Eprayer chain is new opprontunity for busy people to participate in our jail ministry. The way this works is as I get prayer requests from the inmates in my jail ministry--I email these requests to people who have agreed to pray for these men regularly. The inmates are very grateful for these prayers.
August 9, 2008 Entry
Today was a bit frustrating; there is a young woman that I really want to get enrolled at Bethlehem Lutheran School, but there are certain things that her mother must do. For example she needs to meet with Pastor Jeff so that she is clear about what is expected of her and her child. She didn't keep her appointment with the pastor and me today; and she has not called. This young lady is in the eight grade; I have known her since kindergarden. Lisa Bratton and I are her baptism sponsors. I find it impossible to give up on her; but her mom is not helping enough. God tells us in His Word to bear with each others weaknesses--with the help of the Holy Spirit I am doing this, but it is not easy.
I made one home visit this evening. Home visits are one of my favorite ministry activities. I prefer home visit over having the person come to my office. Although coming to my office is more efficient, office visits do not provide as much information about what is going on in a person's life as regular visits to the person's home. The home is rich in information about a person's life. Through home visits I learn how the children in the family are really being care for. Through home visits I learn a lot about the people in the mother's life. Through home visits I get an idea of how much drugs and alcohol are part of the home's activities. Through home visits I learn what kind of literature is read in the home and what kinds of television programs are watched. What I look forward to the most is seeing the children in the home. The picture shows me holding a little guy I hope to baptize soon along with his mother and his sister.
August 7, 2008 Entry
Sports Ministry Narrative Report
Academics
Our players are doing better than their peers. We are seeing fewer “F” and “D” grades on report cards. A few of our players are doing very well in school—one of our freshman players is ranked number 5 in a class 254 students. One of our players will be attending Brown University on an academic scholarship.
Citizenship in school and community
The citizenship of our players in school and community is substantially better than their peers. Disciplinary actions against our players in school is very low—it rare for one our regular players to get in trouble in school. As for citizenship in the community there has been great improvement. There was a time when I was going to court or the detention center every week to minister to a player and his family.
We have not had fights in our ministry and no gang involvement—in urban ministry this is rare.
Church Attendance Seventy five percent of our players attend church at least two times a month.
Seniors going to college
More of our young people are going to college this fall. One of player won an academic scholarship to Brown University. We already have number of our players attending college.
Basketball
We have given our players a great basketball season. Our program has a great reputation in the Midwest as being one of the better inner-city programs. Sport programs throughout the Indiana and Ohio know our players are very physical and are good sports. Players and fans feel safe in coming to our gym.
Bethlehem members involvement in the Sports ministry
We have five members of Bethlehem who are very active in this ministry. They are Ed Ramos, Zuri Jackson, Pam Fuller, Fasica Lee, Priscilla Brown, Victor Brown, and Reggie Tharp. These members have given us increased capacity improve the quality and quantity of the services we deliver to those we serve. Zuri has counseled a number of our young people on issues they face as they get serious about going to college. Pam Fuller and Fasica Lee establish and ran the CUMI concession stand. The money from the concessions was used to help buy balls for the ministry.
Ed Ramos played an important role in bringing money into the ministry. He approached Walmart and received a $1,300.00 grant, a printer, and a number of gift certificates. Ed has approached several individuals and businesses obtain money or gifts for the ministry.
Other members are supportive other ways. They are Greg Coleman, Rod Geans, and Ron Knox.
Coach Willie Shears coached the Bethlehem eight grade boy’s basketball team. Coach Shears relationships with Bethlehem was instrumental in getting the Bethlehem members involved with this ministry.
The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Ministry
Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink….”
We have hungry hurting people in Fort Wayne. Many of them are women and children. These people are on the streets of our city, but they are invisible to most people driving by on their way to and from work or just conducting personal business. When folks eyes are opened and they see these invisible people—they usually say something like “I just didn’t know”. The hungry and the hurting have never been invisible to God and they shouldn’t be invisible to God’s people in Fort Wayne. Praise God, everyday day more and more of God’s people are seeing the hungry and hurting and God’s people are stepping up. Bethlehem members are stepping up.
The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission is a great ministry that ministers to hungry people. This ministry has been blessed with an abundance of volunteers—many are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Some members are helping to serve lunch, some serve dinner, and some prepare desserts to served at the mission. The picture shows a trunk full of food leaving Bethlehem Lutheran Church for the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.
Bethlehem people who are involved with this ministry are:
Sue Amt, Sherry Avery, Janine Bernabe, Judy Bostwick, Lois Braningan, Greg Coeman, Ramona Coeman, Joan Domrow, Alice English, Tyler Fuller, Jeffery Geisler, Jarret Geisler, Laurie Hapner, Jacob Hapner, Josiah Hapner, Zuri Jackson, Demetrius Jackson, Kaliq Jackson, Nancy Kruger, Fasica Lee, Yohanes Lee, Lori Matter, Lisa Moore, Ben Moore, Candace Moore, Matt Moore, Elvis Netterville, Barbara Netterville, Patti Niday, Barb Owens, Ed Ramos, Eddie Ramos, Sharon Rigdon, Ilene Saalfrank, Peter Schlie, Thomas Scott, Myra Scott, Jonathan Scott, Cindy Thies, Sue Tumpaugh, Nancy Wallace, Rick Wood, Trish Wood, Rick Wood Jr., Jessica Wood, and Ellen Zschiegner.
Jail Ministry
As many of you know Gene Dettmer has been doing volunteer work inside the Allen County Jail for a number of years. Up to now, as far as I know, Gene was the only volunteer from Bethlehem, although many Bethlehem members supported this ministry with donations of money and books.
As your missionary to southeast Fort Wayne I have been visiting inmates at jail for a number of years. Some months I visiting at the jail two and three time a week—other months it is only one or two time a month.
I became very active in the volunteer chaplain program about six months ago. I am currently teaching a three hour substance abuse recovery class once a week and a three hour biblically based life skills class one month. The average class will have fifteen to twenty men in it. Their criminal history will vary from first time in jail to been to jail and prison many times. What most of them have in common is that they have hit bottom and are sincerely looking for a better way to live.
I have started to prepare letters of encouragement that address their individual situations and needs. Almost of the men have indicated that Christian friends and mentors would be welcomed and most helpful to them. They also point out that just going to church is something that they have all done and did not find it helpful. What they are saying is that mentoring relationships where solid bible study takes place would very helpful.
I have invited a number of men to come visit me when they are released. We should be seeing some of them any day now.
Ed Ramos and Pastor Olsen have requested applications to become a part of this ministry.
There is a need for women volunteers to work with the women inmates.
Food Bank Ministry
Food Bank Ministry Volunteers (twenty people):
Phyliss Doty, Pat Abbott, Wilma Janeway, Betterae Ihssen, Bill Ihssen, Bud Spencer, Virginia Bryant, Marcy Soest, Bob Soest, Nancy Wallace, Vicky Geisler, Nancy Ferguson, Margaret Cleveland, Ellen Zschiegner, Rebecca Reagan, Nancy Kruger, Betty Reinking, and Pat Hormann.
Families and individuals served by this ministry the last six months of 2007; 597 families made up of 2,012 individuals. Families and individuals served by this ministry the first six months of 2008; 460 families made up of 1,565 individuals.
Our food products and other items that we received from the associated churches are no cost to Bethlehem. We have to purchase some of our food from various stores and the Community Harvest—we have spent $2,500.00 on those purchases. We currently have $8,961.31 in our food bank account.
Food Bank Ministry needs:
To date we have done very little to exploit the great outreach opportunities generated by the food bank ministry. What is needed is an outreach team trained and led by the missionary to southeast Fort Wayne to call on the people coming to the food bank. Calling on strangers is very difficult for most people—this makes if difficult, but not impossible, to get volunteers for this kind of activity.
Communications
You can keep up to date on the missionary to southeast Fort Wayne activities by going to www.christianurbanministries.com . There you will find my blog and other items like this report.
You can always call me with any questions or suggestions you have at 260-704-8071. My email address is enettervil@verizon.net .
August 4, 2008 Entry
8/4/08 Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink….”
We have hungry hurting people in Fort Wayne. Many of them are women and children. These people are on the streets of our city, but they invisible to most people driving by on their way to and from work or just conducting personal business. When folks eyes are opened and they see these invisible people—they usually say something like “I just didn’t know”. The hungry and the hurting have never been invisible to God and they shouldn’t be invisible to God’s people in Fort Wayne. Praise God, everyday day more and more of God’s people are seeing the hungry and hurting and God’s people are stepping up. Bethlehem members are stepping up.
The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission is a great ministry that ministers to hungry people. This ministry has been blessed with an abundance of volunteers—many are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Some members are helping to serve lunch, some serve dinner, and some prepare desserts to served at the mission.
Bethlehem people who are involved with this ministry are:
Sue Amt, Sherry Avery, Janine Bernabe, Judy Bostwick, Lois Braningan, Greg Coeman, Ramona Coeman, Joan Domrow, Alice English, Tyler Fuller, Jeffery Geisler, Jarret Geisler, Laurie Hapner, Jacob Hapner, Josiah Hapner, Zuri Jackson, Demetrius Jackson, Kaliq Jackson, Nancy Kruger, Fasica Lee, Yohanes Lee, Lori Matter, Lisa Moore, Ben Moore, Candace Moore, Matt Moore, Elvis Netterville, Barbara Netterville, Patti Niday, Barb Owens, Ed Ramos, Eddie Ramos, Sharon Rigdon, Ilene Saalfrank, Peter Schlie, Thomas Scott, Myra Scott, Jonathan Scott, Cindy Thies, Sue Tumpaugh, Nancy Wallace, Rick Wood, Trish Wood, Rick Wood Jr., Jessica Wood, and Ellen Zschiegner.
July 17, 2008 Entry
Sports Ministry Narrative Report
Academics
Our players are doing better than their peers. We are seeing fewer “F” and “D” grades on report cards. A few of our players are doing very well in school—one of our freshman players is ranked number 5 in a class 254 students. One of our players will be attending Brown University on an academic scholarship.
Citizenship in school and community
The citizenship of our players in school and community is substantially better than their peers. Disciplinary action against our players in school is very low—it rare for one our regular players to get in trouble in school. As for citizenship in the community there has been great improvement. There was a time when I was going to court or the detention center every week to minister to a player and his family.
We have not had fights in our ministry and no gang involvement—in urban ministry this is rare.
Church Attendance
Seventy five percent of our players attend church at least two time a month.
Seniors going to college
More of our young people are going to college this fall. One of player won an academic scholarship to Brown University. We already have number of our player attending college.
Basketball
We have given our players a great basketball season. Our program has a great reputation in the Midwest as being one of the better inner-city programs. Sport programs throughout the Indiana and Ohio know our players are very physical and are good sports. Players and fan feel safe and coming to our gym.
Bethlehem members involvement
We have five members of Bethlehem who are very active in this ministry. They are Ed Ramos, Zuri Jackson, Pam Fuller, Fasica Lee, Priscilla Brown, Victor Brown, and Reggie Tharp. These members have given us increase capacity improve the quality and quantity of the services we deliver to those we serve. Zuri has counseled a number of our young people on issues they face as they get serious about going to college. Pam Fuller and Fasica Lee establish and ran the CUMI concession stand. The money from the concessions was used to help buy balls for the ministry.
Ed Ramos played an important role in bringing money into the ministry. He approached Walmart and received a $1,300.00 grant, a printer, and a number of gift certificates. Ed has approach several individuals and businesses obtain money or gifts for the ministry.
Other members were supportive other ways. They are Greg Coleman, Rod Geans, and Ron Knox.
Coach Willie Shears coached the Bethlehem eight grade boy’s basketball team. Coach Shears relationships with Bethlehem was instrumental in getting the Bethlehem members involve with this ministry.
July 17, 2008 We have hungry people in Fort Wayne. But praise God--God's people here in Fort Wayne have not overlooked them. There are a number of churches and organizations that run food pantries where people needing some help with their food needs can get some food. At Bethlehem Lutheran Church on South Anthony Blvd. as part of the congregation's outreach to Southeast Fort Wayne; our food pantry is open five days a week.
We have been blessed with faithful volunteers who out of gratitude for what God has done for them--give our clients food for the body, food for the soul, and hope for the future.
July 14,2008 Entry
A Great day in the Allen County Jail I teach a substance abuse class once week at the jail. I have been away for about four weeks because of a family emergency. It sure was great to see the guys again that God has called me to befriend and teach. From the first day I started to work in the jail ministry I knew this was one of the places that God want me to be. What is great about this ministry is that we keep it real. This is ministry raw--there is no pretending that any of us are ok. We are all hopelessly broken and lost--unless we accept God undeserved offer to rescue us--we are eternally screwed.
One the great thing that the Lord has shown me is a technique that always helps me avoid an argument. When a man want to argue a position contrary to scripture--I don't spent much time try to persuade him that he is wrong. I simply ask him "How is that working for you?" or "How has that worked so far?" It is hard for a man wearing an orange jumpsuit and locked behind ten steel doors to try to convince you or himself that things are going his way.
About fifty percent of the guys attending the class are looking for a way to change their lifestyle. About twenty five percent are just looking. The other twenty five percent just wanted to get out of the jail blocks.
I really believe that the Holy Spirit is placing genuine saving faith in the hearts some of the inmates in the class.
I would really appreciate you praying for me and the inmates. Pray that God will start a work of transformation in hearts of these men and that these men will return to their families and communities as a blessing not a curse.
July 11 Entry
Christian Urban Ministries Staff Call "Time Out"We are calling a short time to talk over a few things. We have been running year round for over ten years. Ten years without a break--not very smart--but that what we did. We felt we couldn't shut down during the summer months when kids are out of school with not much to do. We knew how dangerous the the summer months can be. But with the serious challenges we will be facing this fall we know that we are going to need a serious game plan and we need to be rested if we are going to execute the plan at a high level. We know that we have to do better in the following areas: Game schedule--an attractive and exciting game schedule is key to keeping players and parents excited and working hard. Volunteer coaches who have the Christian character, basketball knowledge, teaching skills, time, and commitment to mentor and coach our players. Communicating with all of our stakeholders. Communicating with school and parents about the academic and citizenship of our players. Coaching and modeling the fundamentals of a Christian life style. Using our gym time for organized team play and team practice. No more than one day per week will open for drop in open gym.These are just some the issues we have to address.
