spring 2020
Suzanne Murr: Passion with a Purpose
Parker County Master Gardeners
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Page 13
Adult Teen Challenge Page 21
Table of Contents
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Suzanne Murr: Passion with a purpose by carla noah stutsman
During her 48-year tenure in education, Suzanne Murr, PhD, has watched the pendulum of Career and Technical Education (CTE) swing from “unimportant” to its place now as the number one priority in the education community.
Elevated Gardens by lindsAy smith
Whether you want to add beautiful colors to a balcony, patio or yard space, or create a backyard vegetable garden, adding elevated or even tiered planters is a great way to add the space needed.
Parker County Master Gardeners by lindsay smith
The Parker County Master Gardener Association (PCMGA) is an educational and volunteer based program sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service of the Texas A&M University System.
Son Shine Ministries by carla noah stutsman
Tucked away on about 20 scenic acres south of Azle, a small Christian ministry has been making a big impact on families and churches both locally and around the globe since 1977.
Adult Teen Challenge by vanessa pham
Just two years ago, Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas celebrated fifty years of helping men and women recover from serious addictions and rise to become successful members of society.
Kid’s Health 101 by Jessica Brace, D.C., C.C.S.P.
Give your kids and grandkids an amazing head start toward a lifetime of good health simply by following the safe, effective and inexpensive protocols in Bruce West’s Kids’ Health 101 article. Cover: Photo courtesy of Parker County Master Gardeners
Heritage Magazine is published quarterly as a supplement to the Azle News and Springtown Epigraph. The entire content of each issue of Heritage Magazine is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publisher. 321 W. Main St. Azle, TX 76020, 817.270.3340
© 2020 Azle News
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Heritage Spring 2020
Dr. Suzanne Murr attended the historic “Rock School” when she first moved to Azle. Now, she offices there. photo by carla noah stutsman
Passion with a purpose Murr makes a difference from day care to drones, video game design BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN
During her 48-year tenure in education – 47 of those years in the Azle ISD – Suzanne Murr, PhD, has watched the pendulum of Career and Technical Education (CTE) swing from “unimportant” to its place now as the number one priority in the education community. The Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the Azle Independent School District says opening doors of opportunity for her students has always been her passion, but due to advances in CTE, Murr says she’s found purpose in that passion. Her passions begin with early childhood development and culminate with the myriad programs offered at
Azle High School’s CTE program; her purpose is being fulfilled day-by-day as she works to bring more opportunities to students at every level. It’s those qualities of passion and purpose she wants every student to find, as well. When Murr taught her first class in the very early 1970s in Holliday, where she was born, many of her students would follow the traditional
path following high school; the men would go to work and the women would stay home, be good wives and mothers. But the groundwork was already being laid for what would someday become CTE through programs such as Agriculture and Future Farmers of America, and Home Economics and Future Homemakers of America. Since that time, multiple program Spring 2020 Heritage 3
titles and course content have been continually modified to meet the changes in workforce and society. “The olden days of Vocational Education (Voc Ed) designed for those ‘not-so-academic’ students are gone,” Murr says. “Now the content is designed to help students identify their passions and equipment for the future. Through multiple titles and content changes, CTE is designed to morph with these changes.” Students no longer train for one specific job, but instead gather a “tool belt of skills” and “stackable credentials” to be successful in a pathway, according to Murr. “Fashion designers or firefighters certainly need career-specific skills, but they each also need professional skills, like the ability to communicate, collaborate, meet deadlines, balance workload and life, solve problems and develop confidence, just to name a few,” Murr explains. “Quality CTE is designed to be authentic, real-world learning. We want students to be able to identify why the classes are relevant to their lives. It takes collaboration and community to make that happen. Business and community partnerships are a catalyst to career readiness. Their
Students studying Automotive Technology in Azle High School’s CTE program (l-r): Alexander Roecker, Ian Deel and Juan Mesta work on a vehicle’s brakes.
interactions with teachers and students can change the path, change a future – make a student’s dream a reality.” Currently, Azle ISD and its CTE program partner with Integrated Machine Solutions (IMS), Tarrant
photo by carla noah stutsman
Regional Water District (TRWD), MRBraz and Associates, James Wood Auto, and Azle Manor to further CTE students’ experience. The goal is to provide a senior practicum partnership for students in every career cluster.
Azle at the forefront
Peyton Kirby makes improvements to a drone he’s building in the CTE program at Azle High School. photo by carla noah stutsman 4
Heritage Spring 2020
The Texas Education Agency recently presented new Programs of Study (POS) to ensure students have a coherent sequence of courses offered in their area of interest. Those new plans really didn’t affect Azle ISD’s CTE course offerings since the district prides itself in being first in providing opportunities for students. Currently, Azle ISD offers 26 Programs of Study with a total of 103 courses, Murr explained. That includes 13 career clusters taught by 28 teachers. “Some career clusters offer multiple programs based on a student’s special interests,” Murr continued. “For example our Agriculture Science department offers three different POS including an Animal Science program with Advanced Animal Science and Veterinary Medical, Plant Science or Applied Agricultural Engineering.”
Automotive Technology teacher Bob Herring, left, looks on as students Trystan Simpson (center) and Matthew Dahl (right) learn to use the district’s cylinder head machine. Herring believes Azle High School may be the only high school in the nation with such a machine.
This year, seven teachers were added at the junior high campuses, where CTE courses for high school credit are now available. One of the most innovative programs offered at Azle High School’s CTE program is Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration. It’s the only program of its kind at the high school level in the nation, and it’s taught by local businessman Marcos Braz. Braz’ company provides internships and employment for students enrolled in the program. Many in this program have received the internationally-recognized CARO certification at no charge. Azle is also among the first districts in the DFW metroplex to offer the FAA107 Drone certification to its students. As a result of that success,
photo by carla noah stutsman
the district was invited to participate in a $500,000 grant with Fort Worth ISD and eight other school districts. Among the benefits of that grant were teacher training and $20,000 to purchase drones for the program. The most popular career cluster for Azle CTE students is Arts and Audio Visual (AV), which involves Digital Communications as well as Design and Multimedia Arts. Courses include multiple levels of Audio Visual, Graphic Design, Fashion Design and Video Game Design and Programming. Because of the success of Azle’s CTE program, students are graduating with industry certifications in fields like veterinary, floral, welding, business, computer, culinary, business, finance, automotive, health
science and computer. Some examples include American Welding Society (AWS), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, QuickBooks, Microsoft Technology Association (MTA) and ServSafe food handler certifications. Beginning this semester, certification opportunities for Hornet Academy students are being expanded with the addition of Microsoft Office exams, as well. But the champion program for industry certifications at AHS is its Health Science program. “A student in this program spends 40 hours of clinical work at Azle Manor and is given the opportunity to earn licenses in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), phlebotomy, EKG, Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Spring 2020 Heritage 5
is her quick reply. “I’d like to think there are 28 teachers in this program who are doing the same thing.”
Day care also Murr’s passion
Dr. Suzanne Murr sometimes cannot contain the joy she experiences in her day-to-day interactions with kids in day care all the way to high school. Here, 2-year-old Elena Garcia gives Murr a good laugh. photo by carla noah stutsman
Pharmacy Tech,” Murr said. “Many of them are currently employed with their certification as they continue their education.” Murr says all students are still encouraged to take the classes they need to get in college, regardless of their POS. Then, they can take that job as a welder making $20 an hour right out of high school. But when the welder is tired of working in the cold, or the heat, or is tired of the climbing, he can go back to college and get that degree. “If they have skills, they don’t have to do that same job all their lives. They can create their own plan,” Murr said. As part of North Central Texas InterLink, Inc., a regional non-profit alliance that bridges the gap between business, education and government, Murr and others within Azle ISD gain valuable information about 6
Heritage Spring 2020
in-demand careers and the skills needed for them. “A couple of months ago, we learned that the most in-demand job candidate in the state of Texas right then would have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), be proficient in Excel, be able to pass a drug test, show up to work, and hopefully, get along with his co-workers,” she said. “That means truck drivers are in high demand, but now you have to be able to use Excel on your iPad or laptop. IT (information technology) is the one skill that bleeds over into every career cluster.” As Murr walked through several CTE classes at AHS, she subtly pointed out student after student, proudly telling of each’s accomplishments in a particular program. How does she know so much about each one? “I’m investing into their lives,”
In 1998, Murr, along with former Azle ISD educators Dee Gilley, Tanya Anderson, Nadine Coomer, Dani Gilcrease and others met to formulate a plan to provide daycare for teachers and employees of the district. They presented that plan to the school board. “Bless [former AISD Trustee] Keith Hoover’s heart, he said ‘if Murr says it’ll work, I think we ought to vote for it,’” Murr recalled. The board approved the proposal, which called for the district to provide available space(s) on campuses and utilities. The operation itself was incorporated as a 501(C) (3) non-profit corporation, which means that the tuition collected determines the pay rate for its employees, who receive no sick days, vacation or benefits. In short, day care employees are not employees of the district. Children of teachers and school employees receive first priority for available slots in day care. When slots are available, grandchildren of teachers and school employees are next in line. Finally, children of high school-age students take up any remaining spots, allowing young parents to attend school and/or work. Several children of high school-aged parents have been served over the years, Murr said. One thing that sets this day care apart is that it’s tailored to the parents’ needs. Unlike most for-profit day care programs which require parents to pay for full-time service whether or not the child attends, children can be full-time, part-time or drop-ins, and parents only pay for the time their child spends there. The program has been successful for 20 years. As enrollment increased or decreased at various AISD campuses, day care locations changed accordingly until this year, when the entire operation was centralized at one location next door to the administrative offices in the newly refurbished, historic “Rock School.”
Other area districts like Springtown and Crowley soon patterned day care programs after Azle’s, however, those district’s chose to employ day care staff so they could receive the same benefits as other district employees. Murr’s dream is for the AISD to someday take over operation of the day care and provide benefits to the employees there. It’s a program that remains close to Murr’s heart, and that shows as she walks the halls of the day care. As she peeked through a window into the 2-year-old classroom, one little boy’s face lit up and he pointed at Murr, exclaiming to his teacher, “Look! Murr-Murr!” Similar scenes repeated as she walked through the various classes, pointing out children by name and sharing a little information about their parents’ role in the district. Clearly, “Murr-Murr” is just as excited to see each child as they are to see her.
Sparks fly as Automotive Technology student Nikolas Delano works on a project.
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You can call me ‘Murr’ The former Suzanne Lawler was born in Holliday and moved to Azle in 5th grade. She graduated from Azle High School, where she was a cheerleader and Miss Azle High School in 1967 before earning a bachelor of science degree in home economics from Texas Christian University. She credits Tri-County Electrical Co-op and Bud McAnally for making that possible. She worked 40 hours a week for the company, but McAnally allowed her to work those hours around her full college schedule. She often came to work at 3 a.m., got her work done, and was in class by 8 a.m. During the summers, she taught Food Fun for Juniors to 9 to 11-year-olds in school districts in the area like Granbury and Peaster. “I wasn’t going to come back to Azle, Texas and be a teacher – I thought I’d go be a county agent somewhere,” Murr related. But an opening in Holliday ISD changed that. That same year, Suzanne Lawler married another AHS alum, Roddy Murr, who worked as a pharmacist for Eckerd Drug Store. There wasn’t one in Holliday, but Ft. Worth did have an Eckerd’s, so the young couple moved. Mrs. Murr, as she was known then, taught at Azle Junior High one year before moving to the high school, where she was part of a team consisting of herself, Kathy Hufstedler and Iris Hamilton for 33 years. “Between the three of us, we made one really good teacher,” Murr laughs. “We each had our strengths – Hufstedler loved foods, Hamilton liked to sew, and I loved Early Childhood. We built a strong team, and rotated students through.” Along came a daughter, Jaylee, who was born with Spina Bifida. Throughout her medical challenges, Murr and husband Roddy “dragged Jaylee along” to school and school-related activities, Roddy’s business, Murr’s Main Street Drug, and the Azle Florist, owned and operated by Suzanne’s mother, fondly known as DeeDot. Along the way, Murr earned a Master’s degree in Education from TCU, and eventually, a Doctorate Degree (PhD) from Texas Women’s Univer8
Heritage Spring 2020
Information Technology teacher Sherri Prather (right) works with student Jason Phillips on a video game he is designing in class. photo by carla noah stutsman
sity in 1997. “No one really called me ‘Doctor’ back then. I’m not sure when that started. But at my age, I run into people and sometimes can’t quite remember how I know them,” she laughs. “I can usually tell by what they call me. If they call me ‘Suzanne,’ I probably went to school with them. If they call me ‘Ms. Murr,’ I probably taught them. I have students who are almost my age, who are really friends now. I tell them to just call me ‘Murr.’ Jaylee eventually married Jeremie Williams, and they gave the Murrs their only grandchild, Peyton, now 7. But Jaylee developed cancer which ended her life on earth in October 2018. “Sure, I’m sad, and I miss her,” Murr said, fighting back tears. “But I can’t go around being a sad sack every day and expect people to believe me when I say I know she’s out of that wheelchair and dancing around in heaven. Jaylee was a miracle from day one and God continued to do miraculous things throughout her life. Friends have allowed us to carry
on her legacy by funding the Jaylee Murr Williams Class of ‘96 Scholarship through the Azle FFA Alumni.” These days, there’s another precious little girl with curly, flaxen locks in the Murrs’ life. Roddy, now retired, picks Peyton up from school, and then helps their granddaughter with reading and spelling. Having Jeremie and Peyton living next door allows the couple the blessing to help with his single parent challenges, Murr explained. Most people have hobbies and interests, Murr says. “I have my faith, family, day care and CTE.” Murr, who retired in 2011 but returned part-time in 2012 and took on the role of Director of Career and Technical Education full-time in 2014, laughs when asked when she’ll retire for good. “If it ever stops being fun and exciting, that’s when I’ll retire.” From newborns and toddlers, to high school seniors looking forward to graduation in June, that’s a really good thing.
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10 Heritage Spring 2020
By LINDSAY SMITH
Elevated gardens are becoming more popular as suburban home yard spaces seem to keep shrinking. Whether you want to add beautiful colors to a balcony, patio or yard space, or create a backyard vegetable garden, adding elevated or even tiered planters is a great way to add the space needed. Elevated planter boxes help to prevent back strain and protect the knees during the time spent maintaining a garden. Since they are not planted in the ground it is easier to keep unwanted weeds and pests from entering the bed as well. Adding wheels is another feature that allows the garden to be planted earlier because the container can be moved indoors or to a sheltered area if the weather unexpectedly changes. Completely built elevated planters and DIY kits are available at most home improvement stores or if building your own, make sure to use a naturally treated wood rather than a chemical treated as it could affect the crop.
It is recommended to fill planter space with 10% potting soil, 30% compost, and 60% quality topsoil for best results. Weeding your garden is very important, especially in the beginning. Weeds need to be removed quickly so that flowers and vegetable plants are not having to compete for water, nu-
trients and root space. Watering can be a challenge in the dry summer climate in our area. “Most people over water their plants and that is why they do not survive,” says Sharon Abner, Vice President of Parker County Master Gardners. “I highly suggest getting a water meter.” Rain gauges are also important so you will know how much rain has fallen and can adjust the watering as necessary. “I tell people they will need to water every three days,” added Abner. “Plants are better at holding the moisture than we are, just because we are thirsty doesn’t mean our plants are too.” Soaker hoses or snip and drip hoses will usually fit any bed configuration and keep the bed moist as needed. Plants wilting during the hottest of days isn’t always an indicator of being moisture deprived, it is how they reduce moisture loss; remember to check the soil for indications of too dry conditions.
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HERITAGE
March-June
March 6
May 1
May 29
Springtown Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, 6 p.m. at Oak Knoll Ranch, 478 3 Skillet Road, Springtown Azle Memorial Library Family Film Friday, 4 p.m.
Springtown Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Clay Shoot, 11 a.m. Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds Azle Memorial Library Family Film Friday, 4 p.m. City of Azle Music in the Park – Me and My Monkey (Beatles Tribute Band), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
City of Azle Music in the Park – Gunpowder & Lead (Miranda Lambert Tribute), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
May 2
Azle Memorial Library 2020 Summer Reading Kickoff at 9 a.m. City of Azle Music in the Park – Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
March 12 Azle ISD Showcase Event. 5:30 p.m. at Azle High School
March 20
Election Day
Azle Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Clay Shoot, 11:30 a.m. at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds
May 7
TRWD Annual Eagle Mountain Lake Community Clean-up Event, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Twin Points Park
National Day of Prayer City of Azle: 11:30 a.m. at 404 Main Place at 404 Main Street City of Springtown: 7 a.m. at Hilltop Family Church at 1227 Old Cottondale Road
March 28
May 8
Parker County Clean-up Day, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. at County Barn, 3000 Veal Station Road in Springtown
Azle Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 a.m. at Cross Timbers Golf Course City of Azle Music in the Park – Blaze of Glory (Bon Jovi Tribute Band), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
March 21
April 3 Azle Memorial Library Family Film Friday, 4 p.m.
April 4 City of Azle Easter Egg Hunt TBA City of Springtown Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. at the Old Porcupine Stadium (next to Springtown Middle School) City of Reno Easter Egg Hunt TBA
April 20 Early voting begins for Local General Election
April 22 Earth Day
April 23 Azle Area Chamber of Commerce After-Hours Mixer, 4:30 p.m. at The Werx Co-working space
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May 15 City of Azle Music in the Park – Hip Hop Hooray (80’s-90’s Hip Hop Music), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
May 16 City of Azle X-Treme Green Recycling Event at Azle City Garage
May 22 Springtown ISD Graduation Ceremony at Springtown High School Stadium at 8 p.m. City of Azle Music in the Park – Andy Meadow Band (Big Band/Jazz Music), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
May 23 City of Springtown Annual Memorial Day Celebration, 10 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park
June 2 Azle ISD Graduation Ceremony, 7 p.m. at Fort Worth Convention Center
June 5
June 12 Azle Memorial Library Family Film Friday, 4 p.m. City of Azle Music in the Park – George Navarro (Latin Music), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
June 13 Springtown Area Chamber of Commerce Annual All American Bike Rally, 8 a.m. at Springtown High School
June 19 Springtown Education Foundation Annual Golf Tournament at Cross Timber Golf Course Azle Memorial Library Family Film Friday, 4 p.m. City of Azle Music in the Park – Walk This Way (Aerosmith Tribute Band), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
June 26 City of Azle Music in the Park – Chinatown (70’s, 80’s and 90’s music with light show), 8 p.m. at Azle Central Park
Chandor Gardens is a 3.5 acre garden created as a private home garden, now owned by the City of Weatherford. photo courtesy of pcmga
Parker County Master Gardeners By LINDSAY SMITH
The Parker County Master Gardener Association (PCMGA) is an educational and volunteer based program sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service of the Texas A&M University System. They currently have 87 active members and offer many services including “Ask a gardener” advice hotline, email service and an annual plant sale in addition to the numerous volunteer hours spent on many local area projects within Parker County. Each prospective Master Gardner Intern has to apply to the program.
Once accepted, training includes 50 instructional hours and 50 volunteer total hours on all of the current projects before certification can be achieved. Prospective members are ones that have the desire to learn more about the culture and maintenance of plants, like to participate in educational activities, have the time to attend training, and are excited to work within the community to share their horticulture-related knowledge. PCMGA chapter Vice President, Sharon Abner, said, “We have the
volunteers work on all of our projects so that they get experience of all different styles and get to work with all the different project lead teams.” The Master Gardener Certification is a two year process to obtain the instructional and volunteer hours needed. A new class will be starting this fall. For information on applying to the program please visit www.pcmg-texas.org. Some of the instruction topics during monthly meetings and trainings include: lawn care, insect and weed management, landscaping with native and adaptive plants, and water Spring 2020 Heritage 13
Great Smiles Start Here
Azle Central Park garden with gazebo photo courtesy of pcmga
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conservation. In 2000, Neil Collins discussed organizing a chapter for Master Gardeners in Parker County with Jon Green, then Parker County Extension Coordinator. During that year, Collins and 11 other Parker County resident gardeners were just persistent enough to create the new chapter of the Master Gardener Association. The 12 original members are to this day known within the chapter as “The Dirty Dozen�. The first projects created were in Aledo and at Chador Gardens. The original 12 members donated funds to have an operation budget, answered phone call questions, volunteered at the two ongoing projects and continued to research and train. In 2001, only nine members were still active, but they still managed to hold their first annual plant sale. The PCMGA held their first intern class in 2002 with 26 students signing up for training. The first scholarships were awarded and a speakers’ bureau was formed as the programs were in public format.
The National Vietnam War Museum Gardens includes a meditation garden. photo courtesy of pcmga
Projects The current projects include the Aledo Community Project, which is located at the entryway to the city and includes the Neil Collins Memorial Rose Garden at City Hall and the community center and park gardens. Azle Central Park, located on 28 acres in the heart of Azle on Main Street includes the park entrance garden and the gardens around the gazebo which include a Monarch Waystation. Chandor Gardens is a 3.5 acre garden created as a private home garden built by Douglas Chandor, located at 711 W. Lee Ave. in Weatherford. The City of Weatherford now owns the property. The garden is listed on the National Register and includes a 40 foot waterfall, a bowling green, and walk across ponds. The PCMGA worked 2 days a month at this garden with Steve Chamblee, the garden horticulturist. PCMGA designed and maintained a butterfly garden with an official Monarch Waystation and a memorial garden honoring past master gardeners in Parker County.
Azle Central Park's flower garden.
Extension Demonstration Garden, located at 604 N. Main St. in Weatherford, contains a variety of drought tolerant native and adaptive perennials, grasses and shrubs and focuses on water conservation. There is a 2200 gallon rainwater harvest tank on site as well as a composting program created in 2011. The National Vietnam War Museum Gardens, located at 12685 Mineral Wells Highway in Weather-
photo by lindsay smith
ford, includes a meditation garden as one of the six designed by PCMGA. Pathways lined with native stones and more than 350 minimal maintenance required plants are located in the area designed with benches and memorial plaques and stones to honor veterans. There is a second garden created by PCMGA that contains a Vietnam -era helicopter and covered bench, surrounded with dedication plaques Spring 2020 Heritage 15
called Contemplation Garden. In 2014, the PCMGA created a garden and have been diligently preparing the soils, designing, planting, bed mulching and installing drip irrigation located at Old Anetta Road and Thunderbird Lane. This garden is also a registered Monarch Waystation. Weatherford Public Library Garden was planned with stone edged raised beds, drip systems and decomposed granite walkways. Each bed was given a unique literary name and has since placed two memorial benches for two Master Gardeners who spent many hours working on the area. Willow Park Gardens originally started as the Cross Timber Demonstration Garden and was assumed by PCMGA in 2004. Located across from City Hall it hosts the Parkfest Celebration every October. Although the type of gardens may be different with each project, the commitment of the PCMGA remains to enhance and educate communities. The PCMGA annual plant sale will be held Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 this year at the Parker County Extension Services office at 604 N. Main St. in Weatherford. They will also have a “ask a gardener� booth to answer all your gardening questions.
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Spreading ‘Son Shine’ for four decades BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN
Tucked away on about 20 scenic acres south of Azle, a small Christian ministry has been making a big impact on families and churches both locally and around the globe since 1977. While Son Shine Ministries is focused on its mission, “To share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, and equip families to serve him effectively,” its individual team members are also deeply invested in the Azle community, its churches, and a Fort Worth church where several are members. Son Shine Ministries may be best known locally for its creation of Follow the Flag, a Christian, patriotic celebration now sponsored by the Azle Area Ministerial Association in Azle’s Central Park each year on Independence Day. But there is much more to know about the ministry and the work it does to strengthen families through sharing Christ.
In the beginning Two lieutenant colonels in the U.S. Air Force and their wives, Lew and Sandy Shaffer and Ted and Barbara Platt, founded Son Shine Ministries in 1977, and relocated the ministry from Prattville, Alabama, to its current location near Azle in 1981. Through the ministry, the Platts, Shaffers, and others reached out to thousands around the globe, providing practical ministry training and spreading the Gospel. After retirement from the ministry, the Platts moved to Montgomery, Alabama, several years ago to be closer to their son, but remain close to the ministry. Lew Shaffer, with Sandy always by his side, remained a beloved figure in the Azle community, even after a
A 40-foot cross rises above the Son Shine Ministries property south of Azle. Photo courtesy Son Shine Ministries
devastating stroke left him wheelchair-bound since 1987. In fact, the citizens of Azle voted him Favorite Hometown Hero in the 2013 Azle Area Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Awards. He will long be remembered for his encouragement through visits and the cheery “yellow letters” he mailed out daily to encourage friends
and pastors until his passing in 2018. Annually during the Follow the Flag celebration, the Lew and Sandy Shaffer Award is bestowed upon an Azle-area resident who is recognized for enduring Christian servant leadership. These days, Sandy is busy with Bible studies and is an active member of First Baptist Church Azle. She also Spring 2020 Heritage 17
travels frequently to visit family members.
Leadership today David Shaffer, son of Lew and Sandy Shaffer, has served as Director of Son Shine Ministries since 2002. David and his wife, Daniele, who serves as part of the ministry team, have two grown sons, Nathaniel and Jonathan. Both are graduates of Azle High School and Texas A & M University. Nathaniel is married to Gabrielle, and the young couple has blessed the Shaffer family with its newest member, Scarlett. David received his post-graduate credentials from Dallas Theological Seminary, from which he is poised to receive his third seminary degree this May, a Doctor of Ministry. David and Daniele serve together in marriage ministry and have a combined 67 years of full-time ministry experience. David also currently serves the Azle community as vice president of the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce,
where Son Shine Ministries is an active participant. David and Daniele are active members of Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth where they also serve on the Marriage Team.
Additional team members
Through the years
Paul and Amy Collins round out the full-time team at Son Shine Ministries, where they help with ministry programs (speaking and supporting), administration, and care of the ministry property. Amy serves in the vital post of missions coordinator. Both are active in college and youth ministries at Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth, where they are members. Paul Collins currently serves on the board of directors for the Azle Area Ministerial Alliance, where Son Shine Ministries has played an important role since the 1980s. In addition to its full-time team, Son Shine Ministries also benefits from a
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number of volunteers who allow the ministry to extend its outreach and increase its capacity. Ten individuals from across the nation are also actively involved in strengthening the ministry through their service on its board of trustees.
For decades, Son Shine Ministries has supported churches and the community through its outreach. The ministry offers training and certifications for church leaders in using marriage assessments and consultations on setting up marriage and family ministries. It also offers weekend marriage and parenting programs as well as support through its Marriage Care and Family Care Programs for churches. Couples – from pre-married to seasoned couples – may access Son Shine Ministries as well by taking part in its Marriage Care Program, while parents and children of all ages can participate
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in the ministry’s Family Care Program. Historically, Son Shine Ministries accomplished this work through weekend events that reached many people and involved a lot of travel for the ministry’s team. That work continues today, but with new focus on discipleship centered primarily in the DFW area. Locally, many of Azle’s churches have hosted Son Shine Ministries’ programs over the years. Members of the ministry team have also reached out locally by leading monthly services at Azle Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and supporting many of Azle’s servant ministries for decades.
Son Shine now About three years ago, David Shaffer explains, Son Shine Ministries shifted its primary methodology from events to discipleship. It’s a change that’s been very successful. But what exactly does it mean? In the past, Shaffer and his staff prepared during the week for events that would occur over the weekend. Often those events were out-of-state; sometimes they were even overseas. Team members traveled to those events and addressed groups of varying size, and it worked. It was a successful ministry. But as David studied available statistics, he recognized that process-based ministry (discipleship)–meeting “couple-to-couple” over time–is where effective change is more likely to take place and stay in place. “Our most effective model involves three steps for those participating in our marriage ministry—individual study and preparation, couple discussion time, and small group interaction,” Shaffer explained. “This is the model used at our church where we are coaches for the Marriage Team, and we are helping other churches implement this model.” Shaffer added, “The discipleship model requires time so that people have the opportunity to learn and practice relational skills in a supportive environment.” It’s also been good for his and Daniele’s marriage, Shaffer says. “We’re getting to serve together more than we used to, and I’m enjoying the work we do now more than I ever have. Daniele is so important to that process,” he said, adding that while the
The founders of Son Shine Ministries spoke at a fundraising event called Evening Son Shine in December 2017. They are (l-r) Barbara Platt, Ted Platt, the late Lew Shaffer, and Sandy photo by carla noah stutsman Shaffer.
individual cases are often quite tough, they are always hopeful. “We genuinely love what we do.” Sometimes a couple may say they are seeking help as their final effort before making a decision to divorce. “While we take such situations seriously, we don’t take on the pressure from them because we know we don’t change anybody,” Shaffer said. “If a couple is going to grow out of a desperate position, we know it’s going to be through their cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Our hope is to facilitate constructive conversations in an atmosphere where respect and love are present, all the while pointing to the hope that is found only in Jesus.” Daniele says rather than focusing on what divides a couple, she and David help couples discover how they can learn to complement one another’s unique giftings. The Shaffers are highly encouraged by the many marriages that are strengthening. In addition to meeting with couples individually, Son Shine Ministries focuses much of its effort into equipping churches and their staffs, who can then provide effective marriage ministry within their own church. “We still present weekend marriage programs, and we have several scheduled this year in various states, but these are no longer our primary outreach,” Shaffer explained. “We work with all sized churches, but our burden
is for small- to medium-size churches, where small staffs bear all the responsibility and may think they have no way to have a marriage ministry. We love to show them how they can, utilizing people in their church. It’s not expensive, it’s not hard to set up, there’s great material out there, and we’ll train them to manage it.” Last year, for example, Son Shine Ministries certified 18 people at The Abbey Church in the Prepare/Enrich marriage program.
Ministry finance Son Shine Ministries is a 501( c)(3) non-profit organization. It’s a Christian ministry focused on families with emphases on marriage and parenting. As such, the ministry operates entirely from donations and remains debt free after 43 years. Typically, one fundraiser per year to businesses and one to its mailing list meets most financial needs. Money is also received from ministry programs; however, those programs are provided at no charge for those who cannot afford to pay. Plus, staff members raise an amount equivalent to their individual salary through deputized fundraising each year. “Financial management is an area where we want to be clean and sharp,” Shaffer said. “We are long-time members of the Evangelical Council for Spring 2020 Heritage 19
Financial Accountability (ECFA), and there’s a link on our website where you can look at all our financial statements. It’s our desire to always be excellent stewards and transparent.”
Also in the works As part of his doctoral applied research project, Shaffer has developed a new Bible study method that teaches a particular book of the Bible while at the same time strengthening the marriage relationship. The first book is called Galatians: True Freedom – A Small Group Study for Couples. It’s Shaffer’s hope to publish the first book following his graduation in May; he also envisions getting other authors on board to complete an entire series following the same methodology. That methodology involves first studying individually “so you have your own voice,” before coming together as a couple to discuss each other’s viewpoints. Third, couples come together in community, such as in a small group, where you realize you’re not alone and can share different perspectives.
David and Daniele Shaffer are partners in life and in the ministry they lead.
“We’re really excited about this new approach to strengthening marriages through the format of just talking together.”
photo by carla noah stutsman
In Shaffer’s mind, it’s just one more way to share Jesus and equip families. Find out more about Son Shine Ministries on its website, www.equipfamilies.org.
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Regular worship and chapel times are an integral part of the Adult Teen Challenge program. Photos courtesy of adult and teen challenge of Texas
Adult Teen Challenge changes lives in Azle By vanessa pham
Just two years ago, Adult and Teen Challenge of Texas celebrated fifty years of helping men and women recover from serious addictions and rise to become successful members of society. What many in the Azle area may not realize is that this nonprofit organization has a men’s campus serving the Fort Worth area right here in Azle. Before it moved to Azle, the campus was opened in Weatherford when Pastor Mark Crawford offered to lease his three bedroom home, and the program welcomed its first students in January of 2008. Not long after that, Dave Woodcock, a Teen Challenge of the Midlands graduate, was invited to speak at the Azle Ministerial Alliance and shared his vision to expand the campus beyond the three-bedroom house. It was at this meeting that Pastor Paul Brownback of The Abbey Church in Azle tapped Woodcock on the shoulder and told him he wanted to show him something. He then showed Woodcock the building his church was
selling. Adult Teen Challenge purchased the seven and a half acre church property at 1099 Flat Rock Road in March 2009. Since then, the program has admitted over 650 men and has a 78 percent success rate. This success rate reflects not just graduates, but men who graduate and don’t return to their old lifestyles. Like other Teen Challenge programs across the state, the Azle men’s campus is a nonprofit and offers a yearlong, faith-based residential recovery program for men who struggle with a variety of addictions. “It can be any kind of addiction,” Azle campus Director Greg Ambroson said. “We’ve had a lot who come in with gambling addictions. Other addictions are pornography, gaming, and the most common ones are drug or alcohol addictions.” Acceptance into the program is based on a referral process. One can be referred by individuals, pastors, other programs, attorneys, or they can be mandated by the courts.
“Some of them ask the courts if they can come,” Ambroson said. “But ultimately, the person has to want to be here.” Just last July, the campus opened a new men’s dormitory that houses up to 48 men and has four rooms with 12 beds and wardrobes each. The Azle campus currently has 50 residents. When asked why the program is residential, Ambroson said for accountability, but “Often they’re in toxic situations they need to get away from.” The program isn’t just about taking these men out of their situation, either; it’s also about getting them back on their feet so they can re-enter society to become contributing members. Still, some graduates go beyond even Spring 2020 Heritage 21
that. “There are graduates who are pastors or have gone back to college and are doing incredible things,” Ambroson said. “It’s amazing some of the things these men are doing in our community.” One example is Cody Joplin, who graduated from the Azle men’s campus in 2011. After graduating, he began an internship at the Azle facility but didn’t complete it. “I messed up by drinking and left,” Joplin said. From there Joplin found himself on a downward spiral. “Then I was working a lot, so there was no time for God. Then I slipped up and got into a car accident and went to jail.” After hitting rock bottom, Joplin made it a goal to return to Adult Teen Challenge and finish his internship. It was that decision that led to his success. Upon completing the internship, he was asked to take a staff position in the education department and taught classes. During that time, he became involved in helping lead the youth group at his church where he met and married his wife. Today, Joplin and his wife are youth pastors at Victory Christian Center in Azle. He has been sober for four years, and he and his wife have a newborn baby. Joplin still works at the Azle campus, too, where he is now the Graduate and Program Coordinator. He has his hands full with his job, church, and young family, but it’s clear he has come a long way from where he started. When asked what was instrumental in him getting back on track, Joplin replied with one word: “surrender.” “I knew I needed help, so I asked God to handle it,” he said. “I stopped trying to do what I wanted to do and just did what I needed to do.” Ambroson credits graduates like Joplin’s success to the fact that the Teen Challenge program is cooperative and faith based. “People can’t grow alone,” he said. “You need others to help you grow— you grow in relationship with the Lord and with each other, and that is the key to the program’s success.” The program consists of three phases. The first phase includes orientation, induction, and adjustment 22 Heritage Spring 2020
Students stay busy with projects from soap making (above) to coffee roasting (below) as a part of fundraising to support their rehabilitation. Photos by Vanessa Pham
to living without addictive substances. The second phase requires learning how to live a life that glorifies God, isn’t controlled by something external, and involves replacing lies with truth. The third and last phase is coping and preparing for the outside world and implements a society re-entry plan. Several program components are essential for completing these phases. These include group and individual counseling, parenting classes, spiritual support and worship, relapse prevention, anger management, drug and alcohol education, societal and recreational activities, vocational rehabilitation, and sober living for graduates. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to give men a new lease on life so they can start over, and Ambroson says none of it would be possible without community support. “Our success story is the city’s success story really—is the community support,” he said. Although Adult Teen Challenge charges an admission fee, Ambroson said the students are not charged for services or tuition. Instead, they have fundraisers and accept donations for items students make and package on campus, such as decorative wooden crosses, candles, bath products, silk-
screened T-shirts, and their own line of Columbian and Brazilian coffee. Student sponsorships are also available for $35 per month, and sponsors can get to know their student. Ambroson said sponsorships go toward a student’s room and board, which costs about $1500 per month. Anyone can donate on the Azle Men’s Campus website as well at fortworthrehab.org.
Kid’s Health 101 Give your kids and grandkids an amazing head start toward a lifetime of good health simply by following the safe, effective and inexpensive protocols in Bruce West’s Kids’ Health 101 article.
What to Do … 1. For Kids Who Are Exhausted, Depressed and Have Emotional Problems
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When it comes to the health of your kids and grandkids, drugs, vaccines, and even invasive procedures like tonsillectomies and more start early and come often. Can you remember back to high school, when your first basic English class was called English 101? Well to start your kids and grandkids off on the right foot toward a healthy life, you will need to use what I like to call Kids’ Health 101. In a nutshell, if you practice Kids’ Health 101 outlined in the simple protocols in this article, your kids and grandkids will have an amazing head start toward a lifetime of good health. Everything in Kids’ Health 101 is simple, basic, pragmatic, safe, effective, inexpensive, time tested, and based on common sense.
The Basics of Kids’ Health 101 1. Eat a whole foods diet, with less fast- and processed-foods and more whole foods. 2. Practice alternatives to chronic use of antibiotics, prescription drugs, and surgeries. These alternatives will be primarily a healthy diet, real nutritional supplements, pure water, and exercise.
If your kids are chronically tired, exhausted, sullen, depressed, or are having emotional problems like anxiety, rage, anorexia, nervousness, apprehension, uneasiness, vague or morbid fears, hostility, hallucinations, ADD, ADHD, and a debilitating feeling that something horrible will happen, there is a possibility that they are suffering from B‐Complex Deficiency Syndrome (BCDS). They desperately need real vitamin B. B-Complex delivers a wide variety of B vitamins that the body needs to function optimally.
2. For Kids Who Suffer from Chronic Pain and Infections If your kids suffer with “growing pains,” which are really a calcium deficiency, feed them real bioavailable calcium. If they get chronic colds, bronchitis, ear infections, flu, gut infections, fevers, muscle cramps, or are always tense and uneasy, give them bioavailable calcium. And if they can’t sit still in school, can’t concentrate, or are having chronic joint or muscle aches, give them bioavailable calcium.
3. To Fight Colds, Flu, and Infections Without Dangerous Antibiotics If your kids can’t get over a simple cold, or just chronically get colds, flu, coughs, sinus, ear infections, etc., give them real vitamin complexes of A, C and bioflavonoids as well as calcium lactate.
4. For Skin and Gut Problems, Allergies and Asthma: The Magic of Cod Liver Oil If your kids have any kind of skin problems, gut problems, allergies, or asthma give them cod liver oil or a quality fish oil. And if they are having any of the first three problems discussed in this article: 1) emotional, 2) chronic aches/pains, 3) chronic colds/flu/sinus/bronchitis/ear infections, add cod liver oil or a quality fish oil to their protocol. It is important to get ahead of the common cold or any other virus and infection that have the possibility of developing into pneumonia. Here are some interesting facts from a recent article from the New England Journal of Medicine of kids who are hospitalized with pneumonia: • 70% were younger than five years old. • Most of the kids had a history of asthma. • 66% of the pneumonia was caused by viruses, and only 8% by bacteria • Almost three-quarters of the viruses were identified as the common colds, flu, sinus, bronchitis viruses. • 21% of the kids required intensive care. There is really so much information available to us pertaining to children’s health and diet....how to fight infections.... and overall health. Please feel free to discuss any of these scenarios with Dr. Jessica Brace or Dr. Matt Mishio at Brace Chiropractic and Wellness Center on Main Street in Azle. We carry an entire line of kids’ supplements called Springboard. They do a fantastic job of making supplements fun and taste good, because most children, even mine, become a little picky when it comes to taking supplements! Spring 2020 Heritage 23
