September 2016
& Family Ministries
hope & care p ro v i d i n g h o p e & c a re
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ABCS HIGHLIGHTS
Message from the Executive Director
You can help the Rio Vista Center feed over 1,200 families for Thanksgiving. Page 2
One of our core values at ABCS is to build relationships through trust and respect. Relationship is important to us. We desire to build strong relationships within our organization, as well as with communities, clients, partners, supporters, churches and volunteers. Communication is key to good relationships. We send out this Hope & Care Newsletter, our e-Newsletter and other communications in order to share stories of how God is working in the lives of those we serve together with you.
The Christmas Present Project provides holiday hope and care to foster children across the state. Page 3 Thank you to churches that supported their local New Life Pregnancy Centers with a Baby Bottle Campaign this year. Page 5
Another way we communicate and begin relationships is through our website. It’s New Life Counselors the place where we tell now certified Prepare/ stories about impacting Enrich facilitators to help lives through our seven couples strengthen their ministries, and also relationships. Page 8 provide information on our mission, Pursue Life New Life ministries and Adult Pregnancy how to get Ministry Centers involved. A few months ago we began to reevaluate our website New Life Mission and decided it was time to & Family Ministries Transitional Encounter improve it to make it more Program 360 7 Ministries | 1 Mission user-friendly and easier to find ministry-specific Providing hope and care to hurting children and families information. With this through Christ-centered ministries. Community goal in mind, we now have New Life Resource Counseling separate ministry websites Centers Foster Care & Parent Aide
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connected to abcs.org. The multiple sites allow clients and supporters to explore individual ministries and read impact stories by ministry. We are excited to share the new website with you and encourage you to explore the multiple sites by clicking the ministry logos in the top menu. In our effort to maintain relationships, we want to communicate with you in a way that is convenient and engaging. That may include reading this newsletter or our ABCS Brief monthly e-Newsletter, receiving an email or call, or staying connected daily on social media (search for us via ABCSministries). We invite you to update your communication preferences at abcs. org/update to let us know how best to stay in touch, or feel free to give us a call at (800) 678-0648. Thank you for being a part of this ministry. In Him,
Steve Hanna Executive Director
abcs.org 7 (800) 678-0648 7
M N P V ABCSministries
UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Resource Centers
TURKEY DAY AT THE RIO VISTA CENTER You can help provide Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Sponsor a turkey dinner for a family for $20, donate a frozen turkey or volunteer at the Rio Vista Center’s annual Turkey Day on November 19. Visit azresourcecenters.com.
CONTACT JOSH HANNA
Director Caring Ministries & State Director ABCS Resource Centers jhanna@abcs.org (520) 495-0333
AARON NORWOOD
LOCATIONS CARING MINISTRIES, TUCSON CASA DE AMOR, MESA RIO VISTA CENTER, SOUTH PHOENIX TUCSON CENTRAL PHOENIX
Decisions: 8 Foster kids in care: 232 Current foster families: 182 DCS-involved families: 1,328 (est. 3,984 children) Adoptions: 44
Since March of 2015, three major food distribution centers in Arizona have become a part of ABCS: Caring Ministries in Tucson, Casa de Amor in Mesa and the Rio Vista Center in South Phoenix. These partnerships have allowed ABCS to meet greater needs throughout Arizona and show more people the love of Christ. Together we can do more than each major center has traditionally done apart. These larger “hub” centers, along with smaller “satellite” distribution sites across the state, make up our Community Resource Centers (CRC) ministry. The goal of the CRCs is to build relationships while meeting physical and spiritual needs in each community. Resources include food, clothing and other assistance to support families in need. CRCs work to bring hope to families and restore dignity in their lives. We continually strive to assist the families we serve toward upward mobility by connecting them with available resources, job opportunities and support in making their “next step.” The CRCs seek to make sure no one goes hungry, and the partnership and expansion throughout the state will help us meet these needs in more areas. In addition to the three larger centers, we currently have two smaller satellite resource centers in Tucson and Phoenix. The Tucson resource center was established in 2013 and was the first ABCS community resource center. The Phoenix BHHS Legacy Foundation Resource Center was sponsored in part by a grant from that organization and opened in March of this year. The hub facilities handle more volume and, from their overflow, help supply each satellite center. We have plans to add two more satellites this year, totaling seven sites throughout Arizona, many located on campuses of our church partners.
Director Rio Vista Center & Casa de Amor anorwood@abcs.org (480) 510-1353
Foster Care & Parent Aide
WORKING TOGETHER TO MEET NEEDS
Together we can do more. With CRC hub and satellite centers we can provide hope and care to even more hurting children and families in need through Christ-centered ministries. This would not be possible without the support of local churches, organizations and volunteers. Visit azresourcecenters.com for more information about this ministry, stories of the impact supporters have through CRCs and details about how you can get involved.
2016 YTD Decisions for Christ: 33 ABCS MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Community Resource Centers
New Life Pregnancy Centers
New Life Transitional Program
Decisions: 21
Decisions: 0
Food boxes: 20,046
Pregnancy tests: 563
Current clients: 8
Clothing bags: 6,558
Material assist: 16,167
Children: 9
Diapers: 17,476
Decisions for life: 19
Hygiene bags: 971
Attendance in parenting classes: 2,214
Decisions: 0
Bible study: 741
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Work program clients: 3 Mentors: 4
New Life Counseling
Mission Encounter 360
Decisions: 4
Decisions: 0
Sessions: 1,444
Volunteers: 1040
Leader Care Sessions: 44
Volunteer hrs:
Leader Care Event Participants: 67
Interns: 25
Leader Care Contacts: 1,483
26,519
ABCS Tours: 617 Mission actions: 61
Foster Care / Parent Aide
Parent Aide
WORDS OF LIFE
UPCOMING EVENTS CHRISTMAS PRESENT PROJECT
A parent aide was working with a young, single father of a 14-month-old. The client shared that his time with parent aide showed him the true impact of fatherhood. He said his one-on-one parenting sessions helped him understand he would be the first man in his daughter’s life. He also realized his actions will be the example she sees and will teach her what to accept from men when she’s older. Because of this, the father said he became more aware of his words and choices and was motivated to be a proper role model for her. Parent aides meet families in times of crisis and separation but get the opportunity to interact with clients in a way that can impact generations. This parent aide is humbled that God gives opportunities to speak life into parents and families and continues to pray along with many other parent aides that God will give them words and guide them with wisdom in their interactions. We invite you also to support this ministry in prayer.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHRISTMAS Being a foster parent is a blessing but can also be challenging, especially during the holidays. Foster children often feel a heightened separation from their biological parents, and foster families may be stretched to provide gifts for foster children. Said one foster parent after last year’s Foster Care Christmas Present Project, “Receiving gifts for our foster children was an extra blessing and brightened Christmas for our whole family. One of our foster children said to us on Christmas morning, ‘Is that really for me?!’ Thank you from our family to yours!” A family in Coconino County had foster children Sam* and Chris* in their home during the holiday season. Before coming into care, these children’s lives were very unstable, and Christmas was always an especially difficult time for them. Sam and Chris never knew where they would be living around the holidays, since they would often be sent to stay with extended family due to issues their parents were having. A church in Flagstaff provided Christmas gifts for Sam and Chris. The foster family was hesitant at first to be a part of the Christmas Present Project, thinking there were families in greater need who could use the gifts more. However, thanks to churches and groups around the state, each year there have been enough presents for every child in care. The family’s licensing worker shared with them which church was providing the children’s gifts. The foster dad knew the pastor at that church and had worked in ministry with him in the past. With the family’s permission, their licensing worker told the pastor who the family was, so the pastor wrote an encouraging note to accompany the gifts. The note ended up being exactly what the family needed. The Lord used the note and generous gifts from the church to encourage the family in the exact ways they needed. See the sidebar for more details on how you or your church or group can help provide hope and care to foster children and families over Christmas.
Last year, your gifts made sure Christmas was merry for over 300 children in foster care. On behalf of those children, their foster families and Arms of Love, thank you! This year, the need for partners is greater, as our foster children are more spread out across the state. Providing Christmas gifts supports and encourages foster families and helps share Christ’s love with children in care. If you would like to be a part of the Christmas Present Project this year, please contact Amy Oekerman at aoekerman@abcs.org or (800) 678-0648 for more information.
CONTACT NICHOLE TAMBURSTUEN State Director Arms of Love Foster Care ntamburstuen@abcs.org (602) 346-2300
CHERYL HUTCHINS State Director Parent Aide chutchins@abcs.org (800) 678-0648
*Names have been changed to protect children’s safety
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STUDENT QUOTES Alexis: “God has given me such a different outlook on society since I started this program. I have definitely grown as a Christian and feel I have become more patient and merciful.” Adam: “We need to make sure we honor God while we are helping others. We got to help people and honor God every time we cleaned a pool.” Alyssa: “I’ve learned so much about the community and its needs along with the mystifying ways God meets them. From watching someone find the perfect shoes for their barefoot child to handing a client that one loaf of bread that will get them through the month. I’ve seen the smallest things make a huge impact.” Lola: “God taught me to care about others first while I work, not about what I can gain. He took me farther than my limits.”
CONTACT DANE CLARK
State Director Mission Encounter 360 dclark@abcs.org (800) 678-0648
AUTUMN BUSBY
Assistant State Director Mission Encounter 360 abusby@abcs.org (602) 346-2300
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Mission Encounter 360 MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERN PROGRAM This summer Mission Encounter 360 rolled out a variation of our internship program. Over the years God has led us to invest in students of all ages and walks of life. Running the spectrum of high school, college, graduate school and non-traditional studies, we are passionate about mentoring and exposing students to life-changing ministry. So when a few middle school students expressed interest in serving at ABCS, a new idea was born. This age group can easily be overlooked for ministry development, but are on the cusp of making decisions for future pathways in life. Four middle school students in Tucson completed a six week internship that gave hands-on experience in making a difference. Three young ladies, Alexis Byrnes, Lola Martinez and Alyssa North, served in the New Life Pregnancy Center and the Tucson Resource Center. At the pregnancy center, they sorted donations, helped with childcare for parenting classes and assisted in the mommy store. In the Resource Center the three girls made food boxes, packaged diapers and helped clients carry materials out of the center. On many occasions the students were able to pray with the clients – including many struggling women and singles moms. What a witness to these women to be prayed for by young believers! One middle school student, Adam Haynes, worked in the ABCS Pool business and sweated alongside pool staff. He was exposed to a new trade and was given the opportunity to build his work ethic. He also learned from the pool staff how diverse work in ministry can be. The four students also participated in a book study with a staff member to foster discipleship. We thank these students for the courage to serve outside their comfort zones. We know that they will be better because of it, and so will God’s kingdom.
New Life Pregnancy Centers
newlife pregnancy center
FINDING HEALING Erin* visited the Tempe New Life Pregnancy Center to receive peer counseling regarding her unplanned pregnancy. She previously had an abortion and now her boyfriend was insisting she have another one with this pregnancy. But Erin did not know what to do with the guilt and emotional pain she felt from her past. Sobbing, she said, “They were so nice to me [at the abortion provider] and told me I would never even remember any of it afterwards. But I think about it every day!” Erin gave the peer counselor permission to share with her how God could take away her guilt because of the sacrificial death of Jesus. They talked at length about how the penalty of sin could be washed away by His blood and that Jesus loves her so much He chose to pay her death penalty and remove her guilt. Then, the peer counselor asked Erin if she was interested in asking Christ to come into her heart and change the direction of her life. She said, “Yes, I would like to do that.” Erin prayed right then to receive the gift of salvation. After she prayed, the peer counselor explained how God’s power was now available to help her and heal her from the pain of the abortion she had. Erin agreed to begin a Bible study at the center to help her healing process. She left the center with this study and her own New Testament with her name and the date written inside to mark her decision to follow Christ. She plans to return regularly to the center to work through this Bible study with the staff for support. As she left, she smiled and said, “Now I have homework to do!” We rejoice over Erin and her decision to trust in Jesus! We pray she finds strength as she begins her new walk with Christ. We also pray she is encouraged and strengthened as she begins her healing journey and steps into motherhood.
HELP IN MESA A father visited the Mesa New Life Pregnancy Center for material assistance for his baby girl. He told the volunteers he had been out of work due to physical limitations. Before he left, he allowed the volunteers to pray with him. They prayed God would provide for all their physical needs and would show this family how much He loves them. It was a special moment of encouragement and connection with this new client. Shortly after, a grandfather visited the center for material assistance. He had just received temporary custody of his 14 month old grandson and needed items for the baby. The volunteers happily gathered clothes and diapers for the baby and gave them to this grandfather. With a smile, He praised God as His provider even in the midst of this new challenge. Since the Mesa New Life Pregnancy Center opened in May of this year, many clients have received help and encouragement. By providing physical help through clothes and diapers, doors are opened for volunteers to also provide spiritual help. We are grateful for the individuals and churches who have supported the center both financially and through material donations. Your support allows families like these to be encouraged and given hope through difficult times. Thank you!
THANK YOU CHURCHES! Thanks to churches that supported their local pregnancy centers with Baby Bottle Campaigns. Top Baby Bottle Campaigns in the state Pinal County Cowboy Church, Casa Grande First Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale Foothills Assembly of God, Yuma
Your change is changing lives. JINGLE BELL JOG Join us for Wickenburg’s third annual Jingle Bell Jog to benefit New Life Pregnancy Center. Walk, jog or run laps around Coffinger Park on Saturday, November 26. Find more information and register at abcs.org/jingle.
CONTACT RAQUEL WILLIAMS
State Director New Life Pregnancy Center rwilliams@abcs.org (602) 346-2300
RACHEL RAMEY
Assistant State Director New Life Pregnancy Center rramey@abcs.org (602) 346-2300
M N nlpcAZ
*Client names have been changed to respect their privacy.
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UPCOMING EVENTS ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP Attend an estate planning workshop on Saturday, November 5, in Sun City. Learn about updating your estate plan, wills, trusts and how to leave a lasting Kingdom impact. Contact David at (602) 346-2300 dtrenbeath@abcs.org.
COMMUNITY MEDICARE WORKSHOPS
Are you turning 65, enrolling in Medicare, losing or changing group coverage or helping someone with their Medicare insurance coverage? Medicare insurance plans can be confusing, but you have options! Attend a free, no-obligation seminar to help you prepare for the Annual Election Period (October 15 - December 7). This is the time of year you can change plans, review your coverage and get answers. The next seminars will be held in Sun City on October 18 and November 5. Contact Brianna Longoria at blongoria@abcs.org or (888) 875-4099.
CONTACT MONA MCDONALD
Vice President Pursue Life Adult Ministry mona@abcs.org (602) 346-2300 pursuelifeaz.com
Pursue Life Adult Ministry LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY Is leaving a Godly legacy on your heart and mind? It doesn’t just happen. It is a very intentional, life-long act of love. A godly legacy is much more than an inheritance of buildings or possessions. How you are remembered is about how you lived your life for Christ. When asked in a recent study what is most important to pass on to the next generation, the top answer offered by 74% of respondents was, values and life lessons (2013 Merrill Lynch Retirement Study). The way we live is showcased for others, specifically children and grandchildren. Psalm 78:4 says, We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Consider leaving an eternal legacy of faith to your children and your grandchildren. Live a life that demonstrates the value of a relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. 77 Provide your family history using tools like ancestry.com, and share your health history with your family. 77 Include your grandchildren in giving to a ministry or charity. 77 Get your financial and legal documents in order for your family. 77 Request the three-part “My Story, My Legacy” workshop for your church or group. Find out more at pursuelifeaz.com. 77 Learn more about leaving a legacy with your resources at abcslegacy.org.
CREATIVE WAYS TO USE NON-CASH ASSETS FOR MINISTRY Do you desire to support ministry from the resources God has given you? On average, only a small percentage of our financial resources is made up of cash. The rest is non-cash assets, including your home, vehicles, retirement accounts and other assets that are not as easy to liquidate into cash in the short-term. Non-cash gifts are a unique form of giving that may not be realized by the ministry immediately, but they provide the opportunity to make your resources go further in the long run. Below are three creative ways to use noncash assets to make a difference without breaking the bank. 77 Create a trust you can place your assets in that will liquidate and disperse them as a part of your estate. 77 Name your church or favorite ministry as one of the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and/or life insurance. 77 Donate stocks, vehicles, electronics or real estate you are not currently utilizing and take advantage of personal tax benefits from the gift. Visit abcs.org/noncashgifts to see some of the different non-cash options available to support ABCS.
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New Life Counseling NEW LIFE COUNSELING TEAM Not long ago I was asked, “How would a desire to “come along side” those who are you describe the ‘typical’ client who seeks struggling with the most common of life’s help with New Life Counseling?” On any difficulties. Each counselor is committed given day, at many different locations to his or her personal relationship with across Arizona, a New Life counselor might Christ and uses his or her gifts, training encounter individuals who are struggling and experience to help facilitate God’s with depression, anxiety, indecision about redemption and healing in the lives of those career or life choices, determining God’s who seek help. will for their life or simply trying to adjust to a new and difficult circumstance, like Each year, New Life counselors from the death of a loved across the state gather one. On that same day, for a weekend retreat one of our New Life of fellowship and counselors will work training. At this year’s with a married couple retreat, the counselors whose relationship participated in a sixhas become tired or hour training course conflicted or counsel to become certified a family in which a Prepare/Enr ich teenager has turned facilitators. Statewide New Life counselors to self-harm and substance abuse. In addition, a counselor For over thirty years, Prepare-Enrich might spend time with and offer support to has been the number one guide for a local church pastor who is approaching helping couples enhance and strengthen burnout. So, describe a “typical” client? It their relationships by exploring twelve can’t be done. relationship scales, including a couple’s spiritual beliefs. Built on a solid research Another general question is, “What’s the foundation, Prepare/Enrich has been most common problem for which people improved and refined over the years to seek counseling?” The answer is similar: become one of the best, most effective, there is no “common” problem. Most easy to use assessment tools available. It who seek New Life Counseling services is a scientifically proven program that helps do so upon referral from their friends, make a significant impact in the life of a family, pastor, youth minister or other premarital or married couple. church leader, most commonly because life has become disordered. Confusion, This time of training and certification disappointment, grief, loss, unmet reflects the commitment of Arizona Baptist expectations, questions, doubts about God Children’s Services & Family Ministries and difficulties in relationships are among to provide quality Christian counseling. the reasons individuals and families are Chances are, you know someone who referred to New Life. could benefit from this ministry. For more information, or to schedule an appointment New Life Counseling provides Christ- with a counselor in your area, visit centered, Biblically-based counseling with NewLifeAZ.org or call (800) 678-0648.
FEATURED LEADER CARE FACILITATOR BYRON REINER Byron Reiner is the program administrator for the ABCS Northern/ Northwest Region. He also provides pastoral counseling to individuals, couples and families facing trials and crises of many types. Byron graduated from Moody Bible Institute and Christ Unlimited Bible Institute. Byron has served as a missionary and church-planter in Costa Rica. He enjoys serving the Lord with ABCS because he believes in partnering with local churches to fulfill Christ’s call to care for hurting children and families through Christcentered ministries. He became a Leader Care facilitator in January 2015 to more fully serve pastors, church staff and their families in Northern and Northwestern Arizona.
CONTACT ROGER DANIELS, MA, MDIV, DMIN Vice President New Life Counseling rdaniels@abcs.org (800) 678-0648 newlifeaz.org
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GET IN TOUCH STATEWIDE OPERATIONS Southern Arizona (800) 678-0648
STEVE HANNA
Executive Director hanna@abcs.org
CHRIS CHAN
Assistant Executive Director chan@abcs.org
CURT GARNER
Executive Vice President of Finance cgarner@abcs.org
ANDREA STUART
Executive Vice President of Staff Services and Care stuart@abcs.org
MICHELLE CLEMENTS State Director of Development & Communications Program Administrator Central Arizona mclements@abcs.org (602) 346-2300
ELAINE GASTON
Program Administrator Eastern Arizona egaston@abcs.org (928) 536-4760
BYRON REINER
Program Administrator Northern/Northwest Arizona breiner@abcs.org (928) 308-1774
SHERYL VAN HORN Program Administrator Southwest Arizona svanhorn@abcs.org (928) 726-5568
CONTACT DESIREE GOODWIN Director New Life Transitional Program dgoodwin@abcs.org (800) 678-0648
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Transitional
New Life Transitional Program
HOLIDAY BLESSING The Christmas season will soon be upon us once again. The holidays can feel like a busy time full of things to get done, including getting a Christmas tree up, purchasing gifts and sending cards to our loved ones. But Christmas is ultimately a time for celebration because above all Jesus deserves to be celebrated. For families experiencing need and hardship, the celebration of Christmas can be far removed among the struggle to simply survive the day-to-day. It is a stressful time for parents and single families hoping to have the bills paid let alone provide gifts or a Christmas dinner. The holidays tend to feel this way for participants in the New Life Transitional Program, so the New Life Christmas Project was created to bring hope and celebration back to the season. Each year members from the community, including individuals, churches, groups and local businesses, participate in the project by providing Christmas presents to the participants and their families. Last year, once all the gifts were collected and wrapped, a local ministry group, Bikers for Christ, delivered the gifts in their motorcycles along with food from the Tucson resource center. The bikers also prayed for the families. The recipients were overjoyed and relieved. Carmen, a participant in the transitional program, was blessed by the community’s gifts and wanted to share her experience. “Last Christmas season I was living in an apartment with very bad conditions with my two sons, and I was facing some very scary health issues. The apartment did not have refrigeration, and my water had just been turned back on after being shut off for a while. The stipend from the transitional program was the only income that was coming in. The day the gifts were delivered, we could hear the loud noise of the motorcycles fill my neighborhood as they pulled up. I invited the bikers in, and one by one they filled our empty living room with presents for me and my two sons. They asked if they could pray for us, so we all held hands as they blessed us and our home. It was beautiful. As they were leaving one of the men handed me some cash. All I could do once they left was go to my room and cry. I want to thank everyone who provided gifts for my family and the bikers who delivered this special blessing.” There are many other stories like Carmen’s of how the Christmas Project has impacted the lives of New Life Transitional Program participants and their families. Adopting a family is a special way to show Jesus’s love to hurting families this upcoming Christmas season. If you would like more information on how to participate, please contact Desi Goodwin at (800) 678-0648 or dgoodwin@abcs.org.