HELPING overcome HOMELESSNESS

Prayer Breakfast Thanks Community For Support

WORDS BY KRISTY OLSGAARD

Sometimes life takes

unscheduled turns. Who plans to become homeless? How can someone overcome homelessness and get back on track?

Tucked in a low-key neighborhood in north Fargo sits the New Life Center (NLC), a rescue mission since 1907 helping homeless and hurting men discover value and find hope through the love of Christ. The NLC Auxiliary assists in meeting both small and large needs and transforming lives. The word auxiliary means helper, and this is their function.

Auxiliary president Paula Johnson says, “A hundred years ago a handful of church women gathered to minister to the general work of the center and the community. Our aim is to help people go from merely surviving to truly thriving. Today the auxiliary is comprised of 37 churches that meet regularly to support the mission’s changing needs.”

The auxiliary meets monthly on the third Friday with member churches hosting on a rotating basis.

“Each month we collect a different item,” Johnson says. “Anything from coffee to socks. We also contribute to larger projects like updating appliances or technology improvements. Some auxiliary members help in our thrift store or serve meals. We welcome more churches to join the auxiliary.”

To learn about the center, visitors are invited to “Meal at the Mission” for lunch and a tour on the third Thursday of each month. It takes just one hour. RSVP to reserve a spot.

The auxiliary’s biggest public event is the annual Prayer Breakfast, which Ruby Danielson began in 1977 to thank our community for supporting the center’s mission.

Currently Michelle Albrecht and Diane Albrecht co-chair the Prayer Breakfast. Albrecht says, “For the 40th anniversary on April 20, we booked Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, authors of the 2012 number one New York Times Bestseller, “The Vow.” Their story inspired the motion picture of the same name. They’ll share how they overcame adversity.”

Two months after saying their marriage vows, a devastating car wreck shattered the Carpenters’ lives. Coming out of a coma, Krickitt had no idea who Kim was. Kim persisted in keeping their vows, even when Krickitt experienced personality changes common to those who suffer head inju- ries. It took time, patience and prayer, but they overcame the odds and fell in love all over again.

Albrecht says, “We’re excited about our new evening event, A Movie & A Message, at the Fargo Theatre. After viewing the movie, the Carpenters will share how they restored their relationship and lead a question-and-answer session. We think it promises to be a great date night for couples.”

As the Prayer Breakfast marks its 40th anniversary, the auxiliary realizes change is vital to every organization and it is with a heavy heart they announce this will be the last.

But a fall fundraiser begun last October picks up where the Prayer Breakfast leaves off. Last year the fundraiser addressed homelessness issues, conducted a silent auction of quilts donated by local church women and featured the personal witness of inspirational speaker Billy Butters, a former NHL player. Watch for the 2017 program announcement.

Adversity can stop people in their tracks, but it doesn’t have to. The NLC and auxiliary will help homeless people find hope-filled direction step by step.