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THEN and NOW:
History Snapshot
In 1986, Tom Vandegriff was a summer missionary ("critter") at the Joy Mission Center through the Texas Baptist Student Union. He came back on his own in 1987, and met and fell in love with a BSU summer missionary named Kristy. Tom went back to Howard Payne University to finish school and Kristy continued to work at Joy for the year. "When he graduated on May 14,1988, we married at the Joy Center on May 28,1988, and stayed through the summer," shares Kristy.
  • FUN FACT #1: The girls in teen club at Joy and Gano were all in the wedding.
  • FUN FACT #2: MCH Founder "Miss Mac" read a scripture at the wedding.
  • FUN FACT #3: The Vandegriffs are looking forward to the Great Critter Reunion at the MCH 60th Anniversary celebration!
Ready, Set...RSVP!

Faithfulness + Fun: 60th Anniversary Celebration

God began laying a foundation for inner-city ministry long before the Mission Centers of Houston became an official entity in 1962.
 
Over the last six decades, countless believers have been involved in some capacity with the Mission Centers of Houston, which is a ministry founded through the Union Baptist Association. If you are one of those donors, volunteers, leaders or supportive church members, you will be blessed to see the collective impact of others who have also been obedient to God’s prompting. If you have not been involved yet, now is your chance to hear about the amazing impact this ministry.
 
On Saturday, October 15 you can be a part of the nostalgia and celebration as we recap 60+ years of God's faithfulness from 5-8pm at Houston's First Baptist Church at 7401 Katy Freeway. Spoiler alert: You might also hear an exciting sneak peek about the Vision for the future.
 
The night will include hor'd'oevres, live music (from the SNY Praise Team), touching testimonies, party pics, a few surprises and a faith-building flashback to 1962. RSVP  (tickets are $10 each) now and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship that will conclude with cake, a trivia contest and door prizes.
 
After you RSVP, help us get the word out to others from years past who might enjoy a walk down memory lane.
 
BONUS: Saturday AM tours
Supporters, volunteers and summer "critter" missionaries and any other visitors will enjoy touring the centers from 10-noon on October 15, particularly seeing the new Faithfulness Timeline on the central hall of the Mildred McWhorter Missionary Building at 1815 Gano. Drop by the Gano Center, Joy Center at 7629 Avenue F, Fletcher Center at 1013 Fletcher between 10 and noon and hear about these current ministry environments.
Seamstress training for the young (and young-at-heart)
Volunteer SHOUT OUT to Donna Dockell, Wilma Mitchell, Kathy Deleon and Amalia Chamberlain (not pictured) for sharing their sewing expertise with students and adults excited to learn a practical, marketable skill.
When Mission Centers of Houston received the gift of three sewing machines several decades ago, a Sewing Club was born. At the time, volunteer Kathy DeLeon had been serving as the Christmas store chairman and doing other projects at the Joy Mission Center with her children and friends from Sagemont Baptist, but she was ready for a new adventure. "At first, I taught 9- and 10-year olds to sew and they learned quickly," she recalls. She soon had 15 students and three adult helpers. Adds Kathy, "We made doll quilts, pillows, baby blankets and bibs and eventually made a T-shirt quilt out of my old shirts. Our goal was to teach a life skill, and students began by learning to use a pattern. Before long the young learners were making their own clothes." Special kudos to Kathy and her sidekicks for organizing a sewing room at the Joy Center and spending several days a month getting ready and coordinating seamstress projects.

This summer, the volunteer team expanded their student base by seven -- this time, teaching senior adult ladies! Joy Center Director Vanessa Ortiz says their excitement was contagious. "Modesta Chavez has been involved in our ministry for seniors for many years," shares Vanessa, "but she had the biggest smile I have ever seen when she finished her first sewing project!"
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WANTED:
Donations to provide Christmas blessings

With Christmas fast approaching, the staff at Mission Centers of Houston is making preparations for sharing the life changing gospel and special blessings for all ages during Christmas season.

If you would like to help provide funds for Christmas expenses gifts, meals and special events for youth, families or adults, donate here.
Praising God for our Pastor Partners
MCH Executive Director (Pastor) Jeff Chadwick considers all MCH pastoral partners (like SNY Pastor Jabez) to be special blessings to the staff, volunteers and inner city residents that each pastor and church supports.

Many pastors across Houston are personally involved, and many support MCH through love offerings, by hosting mission fairs and by providing groups of volunteers to help run programs and share the good news.

If your church would like to host Pastor Jeff in the pulpit or share what God is doing in Houston's inner city, call 713.227.0304.  
MINISTRY MOMENTS UP CLOSE
Special thanks to @phillyconnects for serving with us! You brought our volunteer leaders encouragement through everything you accomplished.
Gano Mission Center was recently blessed by the helpful, reverent and kind Boy Scouts from The Woodlands Webelos Pack 772. The scouts stocked the pantry, prepped bags of dog and cat food, organized books and put together craft materials for senior adult groups.
Joy Center Mission Market set for
November 19
The November 19 Mission Market will facilitate the "community serving the community" by providing a forum for residents to do business with each other.
SAVE THE DATE

The ever popular 2023 BBQ, Boots & Boogie 'fun'raiser will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church on Friday, February 17.
Thank you for your support and encouragement as we continue to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people living in Houston's inner city with the love, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.