The Spirit-Filled Life of Faith

In our own efforts to live this life good enough, we will always fail.  When we admit our weakness, though, Christ can then become strong inside of us (2 Corinthians 12:10).  This is proven in Hebrews chapter 11 where we see the honor roll of God’s faithful men and women. People like Moses, David, and Rahab.  Wait a minute! Moses… the murderer and the man with a hot temper?  David… the liar, the adulterer? Rahab… the harlot? How can these be God’s finest?  Because they recognized in their own power, all they would ever be was a liar, a murderer, or a harlot.  In God, however, they were chosen, redeemed, and forgiven.

Someone once said, “The fact that the Scriptures are brim full of hustlers, murderers, cowards, adulterers, and mercenaries used to shock me.  Now it is a source of great comfort.” 

You may look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker.  But by faith, look in the mirror and see yourself as Christ sees you:

Col 3:3 – Hidden with Christ;

Col 1:4-- A forgiven child;

Col 1:22 – Holy and blameless;

Col 2: 10 – COMPLETE in Christ.

Whew, what a relief!  Now, we can rest (Matthew 11:28) and enjoy (John 10:10) this spirit-filled life of faith in Christ.

Theresa Allen

Women’s Ministry Director

Spreading the news....

When we have an opportunity to be in a local church on Sundays, it is a special privilege.  Most of the time it’s to share updates with the congregation on what their financial support is doing.

Sunday, March 20, 2011 we were doubly blessed by being in two of our local supporting churches in one day.  First we were able to share in the early service at Christ Reformed Church of the Carolinas.  Pastor Alex Campbell and Christ Reformed are great people and friends of the ministry.  Later that same morning we participated in a Haven of Rest Day at the 11 am hour with Barker’s Creek Baptist in Honea Path.  Pastor Wesley Taylor and the Barkers Creek folks made us feel welcome as always, having encouraged us by their support through the years.

If anyone knows of a church who would like to have a Haven speaker, choir, and testimonies for any service, we would love to schedule one in the near future.

Every first Friday we invite you to join us at the Men’s Training Center, 1106 North Major Rd., Belton, SC.  We have a meal beginning at 6:30 pm, testimonies, and choir.  An area pastor shares from the Word of God.  This is a great opportunity to come and find out a little more of how the ministry you support or have heard about operates.  Each month several men will be progressing from one phase to another, usually with the sending off of one of our men who has finished the one year program at the Men’s Training Center.  Come and join us as we challenge and encourage these men to go on with Christ.

Eddie Capps, Men’s Training Center Director

Paper, paper, everywhere!!

The other side of ministry is the record keeping that is required.  Due to various tax laws and recommendations by our auditors, we have a tremendous amount of paper files that we keep – some for 7 years or even forever!  We recently purchased a document scanner that is connected to our computer system and backed up every night.  We are in need of volunteers who could come for a few hours every week to help in scanning our documents into our computer system.  It wouldn’t take a lot of concentration, just attention to see that the machine worked properly and that the correct name is attached to the file.  If you would be interested in more information about possibly serving in this area, please call 226-6193 and ask for Sharon Brown at ext. 106 or Nan Stephens at ext. 107.  Our goal is to retrieve information efficiently while decreasing the number of filing cabinets that are currently taking up precious space in our offices.  Thanks for your interest and prayers for our ministry. 

Sharon Brown, Financial Director 

Good News

God is blessing the ladies in Phase II.  To date, Jackie has gotten a full-time job, and Jade has begun classes at the Adult Education Center to earn her GED.  Please continue to keep these ladies in your prayers as God faithfully works through them to reach others and to bring glory to His name.

Why we are here

A man once said to me, “Do you really need a place here in America to help men get off drugs?”  I had to step back a minute to see if he was just kidding.  Sad to say he was not.  This question of need hits me every day that I work here.  Just the other morning while we were going through a testimony class, I heard story after story of broken young lives crying out for help.  Who will help them?  Almost every family involved with these young men had said, “Don’t come back; we cannot help you any more.”  So here they are, broken and hurting.  This is just how God wants them.  He is willing to look at their sin and to pour His love and grace into their pain.  At the Haven of Rest this is why we are here, and yes, we need to be here.  I would think almost everyone out there has had some part of their lives impacted by some life-controlling substance.   We are here to help.  Do keep praying for our Lord’s hand to be on this place.  God Bless!

Gene Christian

Industry Coordinator