Welcome to the Missions & Outreach Newsletter!
I was driving to work yesterday, listening to The Message, and a short but impactful devotion spoke to me.
It started with a question, "How do you live your life as a Christian? Are you living by Fear or Faith?"
Fear likes to ask, “What if”...
There are so many “what-ifs” that we like to entertain. And it doesn’t help that the news we hear every day can trigger more “what-ifs” in our minds. As a result, we can all become highly anxious and fearful, if we fail to guard our hearts. And fear is contagious; when we become worried, we can easily pass on that anxiety and fear to others.
Faith says, "Even if"...
To profess a faith that says “even if” is not easy, because it is always hard to surrender our desires, and we somehow feel entitled to certain blessings, thinking that God owes it to us to give us what we pray for, especially if we have been a faithful follower. God does not promise that our feared “what-ifs” will never happen, but He does promise to be with us through it all.
Jesus told His followers, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
When you find yourself worrying about what-if, remember that God promises you even-if.
Blessings,
Mignon Fowler
Director of Missions & Outreach
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BSUMC Vision Team
heading to Dominican Republic with Mission of Hope
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A team of 6 people from our church will be traveling to Missions of Hope's new campus in the Dominican Republic May 8-11. Please pray for safe travels and for God to reveal how our church can help support this new ministry.
Vision Team Members:
Paul Carr, Anna Thompson, Betsy McCart,
Mark & Lee Robirds, Mignon Fowler
ABOUT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation by size and third by population. It is located on the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Despite improvements in recent years, there is still significant poverty throughout the Dominican Republic. Large communities of Haitian people have moved to the Dominican Republic in hopes of a better life, but they have instead been met with challenges. Mission of Hope is working to transform lives by focusing on nutrition, education, medical care, and church advancement.
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APRIL 20TH @ SOTERIA CDC
210 Shaw Street // Greenville, SC 29609
- 11am - 1pm: COMMUNITY DROP-IN
- Proclamations declaring April as Second Chance Month will be read by City, County, and State officials. Visit with Soteria staff and program participants, and learn what we mean by second chances and the impact they make on our community. Light refreshments will be served.
- Please RSVP below by April 15th.
APRIL 27TH @ FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
847 Cleveland Street // Greenville, SC. 29601
- 6:30 - 8:30pm: REENTRY SIMULATION
- Experience the challenges of Reentry first hand as our Director of Programs for Women, April Barksdale, leads a Reentry Simulation. Spots are limited.
- Please RSVP below by April 20th.
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Help our summer mission teams transport much needed supplies by donating a suitcase! Drop at the church office during office hours. |
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Mark your calendars now to spend a week in our community learning about four amazing organizations and volunteering your time. Sign up for one day or all four! Registration will begin in May. Contact Emmi Kodat with questions. |
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"A New Way To Live"
by Beverly Clapp
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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. They may mistakenly think that those with these addictions lack willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug and alcohol addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting seem impossible, even for those who desperately want to stop. |
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I had seen Carson Love around the church working in our maintenance department since the time he started. One afternoon I ran to the kitchen for ice and saw him looking like he had been hit by a truck. I asked him if he was okay. He told me "No, you know the temptation for drugs never goes away. You have to acquire the tools to control the urge." I had the privilege of praying with Carson and loving on him that day and have encouraged him many times since. Working with him to write the story of his journey from addiction to business owner has been an honor and deeply impactful for me. |
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Carson and Mary Love, his beautiful, 90-year-old, spirited,
loving mother at her birthday celebration in 2012. The woman who prayed for him and loved him unconditionally as he made his journey through and out of addiction.
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Born and raised in Harlem NYC, Carson Love, was part of a great family that afforded him all the opportunities to become whatever he could dream of. He managed to attend college; unfortunately, he got caught in the grips of drug addiction and did not graduate. Through all of this time, Carson managed to hold a well-paying job and maintained a home. He was what is commonly referred to as a functioning addict. That is not a term that Carson approves of, to him it was merely masking the inevitable need for healing from this disease. |
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Carson moved to Greenville SC in 1986 where both his parents were born and where they chose to retire. He joined Narcotics Anonymous (NA) shortly after he moved here but dropped away to rejoin the program in 2007. He has been an active Narcotics Anonymous member since that time, encouraging others and heralding news of the great work accomplished in the program. |
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Carson joined the Maintenance Team at BSUMC in March of 2018. He became a member at BSUMC in February of 2019. He joined the Circles Family program, successfully graduated, and now serves as a Circles volunteer. When Carson graduated the Circles program, he wanted to build something to help others who did not have the support of a family or a church. Carson wanted to create a home where recovering, working addicts could live and be accountable to in community with others. |
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"With all the help from GOD, my business partner Supreme, Ms. Judy Brown, Ms. Sara Carter (Community Works) my dream of helping other addicts has become a reality. Supreme and I connected early in Recovery. We bonded as Brothers and came up with Men Moving Forward "A New Way To Live" Recovery Environment for men." |
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"A New Way To Live" is a drug and alcohol-free home for men. It's a safe environment for them to start working toward a new life. The program provides tools, skills, and a new mindset to assist in navigating the countless temptations they face on a daily basis. |
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As of today, the house is at full capacity with 4 men and a waiting list. Carson and Supreme plan to share a quality Recovery Experience with these gentlemen. The main goal is to ensure they leave this program much stronger than when they arrived.
Carson and Supreme plan to expand the program with a second home to help many more people suffering with this disease of addiction. Carson is so thankful to GOD for the people, for the Church and for his personal Recovery. Service to others is the key!
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"Thank you for your prayers, your love,
and for advocating on my behalf."
~Carson Love
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If you would like to donate to this ministry, please email Carson Love at carsonlove1960@outlook.com for a list of needs for the house. |
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The Power of Prayer
Introducing:
The Crisis Ministry Prayer Wall
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Join us in praying for the needs of a Crisis Ministry client!
HOW IT WORKS
- Come to the prayer board outside of our Crisis Ministry Coordinator’s office on the hallway to Sisk Hall. Look over the pray requests from clients and pick a card to pray over.
- Take the prayer card home. It's yours to keep.
- Lift up this prayer request every day for 7 days.
- Check this section of the Missions & Outreach newsletter for client updates.
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Optional- Mail a letter of encouragement to this individual. Please use the Buncombe Street return envelopes provided.
We can’t wait to see how God uses your prayers to grow our faith and to bless the lives of those participating in our Crisis Ministry program!
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For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 |
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Director of Missions & Outreach
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