DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021
THE SAN ANTONIO
Be A Light
BE A FRIEND BE A VOICE BE FOR HER Local nonprofit expands its efforts to reach teens at risk for sexual exploitation For Her Founder | CEO Kayla Moilanen
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D E C E M B E R 2020 / J A N UA R Y 2021
A BEAM OF HOPE | A LOOK AHEAD
INSIDE
Happy New Year! We did it. We made it to a new year. And with you, we are hopeful it is a year filled with new beginnings, promise and hope. With the need for assistance having increased exponentially in the last year, our nonprofits have had to increase their services to meet these needs. In addition, they have had to get creative to meet their fundraising goals. We believe that there were more lives touched and changed last year than perhaps any year in the history of San Antonio. The need was so great. We offer a big thanks to you as well. Many of our readers stepped up, volunteered, offered insight and gave financially so the nonprofits operating in our city could meet the overwhelming needs of our community. The Beacon is excited about 2021. We are adjusting our model and providing new ways for you to stay updated on all God is doing in our city. One of the new ways we intend on helping get the word out is by adding local podcasts to our website including The Transformation Report podcast. The Transformation Report will cover important Christian news and powerful stories about the difference makers in our community. Additional local podcast leaders will be featured as well. Please visit sabeacon.com or transformationsa.org to listen, be equipped and encouraged. Our plans include covering more than 50 ministries, nonprofits and churches over the course of 2021 through multiple media channels. To provide you with these stories that touch hearts and help connect your passion to purpose, we need your help. Would you prayerfully consider one or more of the three ways you can partner with us to bring you the Good News below? 1) Please consider buying a one-year subscription that will be delivered to your home or business six times this year at a special price of just $25 for a limited time. Email us at editor@sabeacon.com to subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine.
Thank you to our local community-minded businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories.
C O V E R S TO R Y
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Be FOR HER Local nonprofit expands its efforts to reach teens at risk for sexual exploitation
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Persisting Through The Storm SA Hope Center serves 40,000+ in the first 10 weeks following city closures
Love Across Borders San Antonio man co-founds nonprofit to help Nigerians
Inner Healing Through Prayer Ministry provides support through prayer,rejuvenation for spiritual leaders at new center
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Business Spotlight Well known family business blesses faith-based nonprofits by giving back through local stands/stores
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A Declaration of Faith. A Story of God's Grace. In uncertainty and fear of losing his son, 5th grade teacher finds strength through the Lord
2) Perhaps you are able to donate to our nonprofit partner, Transformation, to help us continue to shine a light on God’s activity in our city. Any amount will help (see the page to the left to learn more). 3) If you own a company that cares, please consider advertising with The Beacon through our unique “cause marketing” strategy that provides new customers and helps change lives. Learn more at beaconbealight.com. Of course, we are interested in your God stories and your feedback as well. Drop us a line at editor@sabeacon.com. Together we can meet the needs of our community until every need is met. Come on San Antonio, let’s all Be A Light! With love, The Beacon Family
Duke Jonietz Co-Publisher D ec em be r 2 0 2 0 / Ja n u a r y 2021
Denise R. Marcos Editor-In-Chief
Claude Roberts Co-Publisher w w w.saBe acon.com
Be A Light. PUBLISHER: The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS: Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Denise R. Marcos WRITERS: Inez Kirchner, Denise Marcos, Amy Morgan, Richard Zowie, Jessa McClure, April Newell EMAIL: info@saBeacon.com ONLINE: www.saBeacon.com
The Beacon is a Christian publication provided by the San Antonio Beacon, LLC. The articles and ads in this publication express the opinions of the ministries, churches, schools and businesses featured and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the San Antonio Beacon, LLC. The San Antonio Beacon, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the facts stated in the content of this publication including any ad copy. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the advertising content in this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. The San Antonio Beacon, LLC assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of the advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. Under no circumstances shall the San Antonio Beacon, LLC be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or from any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above. 3
COVER STORY
BE A FRIEND
BE A VOICE
BE Local nonprofit expands its efforts to reach teens at risk for sexual exploitation BY DENI SE R. MAR COS PH OTOG RAPHY B Y: ABI GAI L R OBI NSON | ABI GAI L MARI E PHOTOGRAPHY
How can we love our daughters? How can we best love our wives? How do we show our sister support? How do we comfort a friend?
It starts with you, with me—with us. It starts by being a voice for her. “. . . everything exposed by the light becomes visible— and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” Ephesians 5: 13
Kayla Moilanen and her team are changing the way our community expresses care for our youth—comfort for our community’s most vulnerable young women. Moilanen, founder of San Antonio-based nonprofit For Her formerly named Lavish, founded the organization nine years ago in an effort to provide crisis care for sexually-exploited women in our city. The nonprofit began as an outreach working directly with women in strip clubs and providing care packages for them. The For Her team was an essential lifeline for emotional and spiritual support. Through this work, they realized there were several issues restricting freedom from this lifestyle: gaps in services, human rights violations, trauma-informed care. Moilanen said that the majority of women
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involved in the sex industry are victims of exploitation, sex trafficking or those who have aged out of foster care or come from extremely abusive and unstable homes. “By visiting women working in sexuallyoriented businesses, we have the opportunity to provide a direct access point to services for those most vulnerable,” she said. “We developed programs and partnerships to help provide trauma-informed care and wraparound support. Our services include personal and spiritual mentoring, licensed professional counseling, peer support groups, legal advocacy, case management, life skills training and job readiness.” As a faith-informed organization that aims to provide permanent relief and sustainable growth for sex exploitation victims, For Her
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provides opportunities for individuals and groups within religious entities to come together to meet the immediate needs of the victims. “We aim to be a resource to all faith communities regarding these difficult topics surrounding systemic issues,” Moilanen said. “Our church partners have also engaged their members in this work through volunteerism and contributing pro-bono professional services.” In order to prevent the long-term repercussions of an abusive lifestyle, Moilanen reminds us that we must work together to educate, support and empower our at-risk women and youth. In the fall of 2020, For Her adopted a 19-yearold ministry that helps to address these issues. Its newest program, ForTeens, helps prevent young girls from future sexual exploitation, trafficking and power-based abuse.
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While continuing to provide services to survivors of these heinous crimes, we have expanded our prevention and educational programs to reach vulnerable teens and women at-risk,” Moilanen said. “As a whole, our programs were created to empower teens and women with tools to change their trajectory and transform their lives. We are further developing an innovative training program designed to on-ramp individuals toward self-sufficiency, prevent exploitation and reduce re-entry into the commercial sex industry & sex/labor trafficking.” While looking to expand its outreach efforts to more areas of the city, ForTeens currently ministers to teen mothers attending Healy Murphy High School. w w w.saBe acon.com
“The ministry to teen mothers was started by a woman who has since passed, but her ministry has continued. They approached me after I had been a guest speaker and asked me to take it over under the For Her umbrella,” Moilanen said. “It was such an answer to prayer because I feel like our youth, especially those who are in foster care, don’t have a strong family support system or faith community. We don’t realize the power of having a community.” Moilanen notes that more women and children are victims of abuse than we realize. And while socio-economic factors play a major role in the systemic cycle of sex exploitation, women in with For Her. The work Kayla and her “ Iteamam sohavehappydonetoinpartner our community is incredible. For Her has directly impacted the lives of hundreds of women in San Antonio. I encourage you to learn more about this amazing nonprofit.
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BIANCA RHODES | CEO AND PRESIDENT KNIGHT AEROSPACE
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every area of our city, every level of education, every income—are vulnerable. The silence from our community around these topics needs to come to an end. “We need to talk about it. We need to address the fact that women, children, people of every sort are being victimized. Your zip code does not make you immune to the problems of Her continues to help the most vulnerable women and “ Forchildren in our community. Lives are being transformed. This ministry is a real difference-maker in our city. I personally invite you to support the nonprofit’s efforts through advocacy and partnership.
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sexual violence,” Moilanen said. “For too long we’ve told others— ourselves—that this is something to be ashamed of. When really, it is something to heal from.” The lives, the stories, the pasts of these victims are not untouchable. They are the tragedies of your neighbor, your friend, your bible study leader, your mother, your sister, your daughter. Everyone, every organization, every leader, every church, can be for her.
BIANCA RHODES | CEO AND PRESIDENT KNIGHT AEROSPACE
CO M M U N I T Y - M I N D E D S P O N S O R
Maximized Solutions for The Global Environment
Be a Light Learn how you can support FOR HER
GIVE Since the pandemic swept our nation, the statistics for abuse—sexual, physical, mental—particularly in San Antonio, are record-high. The need for help is bigger than ever. Donations of any amount can make an impactful change in a young woman’s life.
VOLUNTEER
Improving Lives in the Local Community
Become an advocate. Walk alongside the women For Her serves and be an encouragement on a weekly basis.
PARTNER As a business focused on improving the lives in our community, we try to give back whenever we have the opportunity. We understand the importance of supporting local nonprofits like FOR HER. And are grateful for their dedication to improve the city we call home. Several Knight Aerospace employees are involved with numerous community efforts––an involvement we are proud of.
Link arms with For Her through your business or church by providing professional services or participating in service projects.
Our CEO, Bianca Rhodes, leads by example. She founded her own ministry, Any Woman Can, seven years ago. She also serves on boards of other community nonprofits, such as the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. Knight Aerospace is proud to be an advocate and supporter for our local nonprofit For Her. The San Antonio-based company provides maximized solutions for the global environment. Knight Aerospace is a design, manufacturing and modification center dedicated to providing reliable and functional products and services to the aircraft industry. As world leaders in the field, we specialize in the design and manufacturing of aircraft passenger “Quick-Change/Roll-On Roll-Off” Modules/Pallets and equipment that undergo a thorough design process to ensure quality, safety and reliability. In our industry, we are known as innovators. Our newest product is a room, much like you would find in a hospital, for the transportation and treatment of patients with contamination or contagious issues such as COVID-19.
www.iamforher.org P.O. Box 700554 San Antonio, TX 78270
210.201.0066
Learn more about how Knight Aerospace is making a difference in our community. www.knightaerospace.com 3606 SW 36th Street | San Antonio, TX 78226
210.433.9961
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MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT
PERSISTING THROUGH
the S torm
SA HOPE CENTER SERVES 40,000+ IN FIRST 10 WEEKS FOLLOWING CITY CLOSURES We’re all in the same storm,but not all in the same boat.”
During this season of pandemic, we’ve heard the phrase, “We’re all in the same storm, but not all in the same boat.” This adage holds true not just for individuals, but ministries created to serve. SA Hope Center (SAHC) provides crucial support to those who are the least resilient in times of crisis. When COVID-19 threatened operations, Executive Director Megan Legacy needed to make immediate, critical decisions on multiple fronts: service delivery, safety, HR, finances and fundraising.
BY AMY MORGAN
Clients come to SA Hope Center for help breaking cycles keeping them in poverty. They rely on the food and clothing pantry to make ends meet as they prepare for employment, and learn to manage finances and parent children and grandchildren. Most live paycheck to paycheck, working low-paying jobs in the hospitality industry, which were the first to be lost when the pandemic began. Overnight, the SA Hope Center had to pivot to meet the community’s desperate needs. While most businesses and some nonprofits were scaling down, the SA Hope Center was all-hands on deck and expanded its services. “Do you shut down in the midst of fear and not serve the community, or do you ask even more of your team during a time like this and figure out how to meet the needs?” Legacy knew her choices would impact thousands of lives. Every decision had consequences. “You’re leading in complete uncertainty. There’s no manual, no Ted Talk on YouTube for how to handle a pandemic,” she said. As a leader, she learned she needed to pause, pray, and ground herself in the values of the organization to keep from making decisions out of fear. She also relied on feedback from peers met through the San Antonio Nonprofit Council and fellow CEOS a part of the United Way cohort.
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“The pressure of responsibility for so many lives and livelihoods was enormous,” she added. “Some of my employees lost loved ones to COVID. I’m asking my staff to show up and put their lives at risk.” In the end, Megan felt called to keep SA Hope Center open, albeit shifting services initially to focus on emergency food distribution and immediate job placement. Schools provide breakfast and lunch for children in their district; when they close, kids go hungry, so SA Hope Center also distributes breakfast and lunch to children. A crisis hotline assisted those who lost jobs or housing. Repurposed social workers distributed emergency groceries, sanitizers, masks and PPE—averaging 400 cars a day, five days a week. An unexpected benefit—social workers were able to case manage on the spot. Many who sought food from the Hope Center had never asked for assistance before. Staff connected patrons to immediate resources, funds, help finding health care or job placement. Megan estimates SA Hope Center provided 350 households with grants of $500 each, which kept lights on, vehicles running and paid for children’s medicine. These grants were made possible by a partnership with the H.E. Butt Foundation and the Family Independence Institute. Megan remembers one distraught newcomer who had just lost his job. A SA Hope Center mentor helped him fill out a new application and fax to an employer. And before he left, he had a new position as a delivery driver making $18 an hour. Normally, SA Hope Center serves 800 - 1,000 people a month. But in the first 10 weeks of the pandemic, the ministry served 40,000 individuals, with at least 200 job placement clients. Every act of assistance represents the love of Christ to those in desperate circumstances. (See testimonial sidebar)
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SA Hope Center opened in the 1980s as a benevolence ministry of Oak Hills Church under the name SA Christian Hope Resource Center. In the early 2000s, it moved to the 78237 zip code, finally settling at 321 N. General McMullen Drive in 2005—one of the poorest areas in the nation, with a poverty level hovering at 42 percent. The faith-based, Christ-centered ministry provides a relationship and safety net in times of crisis, then moves clients toward holistic stability, Megan explained. As restrictions eased this summer, the SA Hope Center transitioned from crisis mode into their “new normal.” Satellites sites are back online at Good Samaritan Center, Restore Education, and First Presbyterian Church. Megan hired a teacher to proctor 12 of her own staff’s children on site so their mothers could continue to work.
No matter what, we are not going to shut down,” Megan emphasized. “We are just going to be really safe.” The center outfitted offices with plexiglass dividers and restructured client visits. Currently, about 30 percent are accessing service in person, as it is difficult to counsel life skills and specific job placement online. Some just crave relationship and social connection with their caseworker. Other services like parenting classes have successfully transitioned to virtual platforms, with staff and volunteers enlisted to deliver clients’ food and clothing pantry requests curbside. The pandemic has even created new opportunities—digital literacy classes began Saturdays in October to train how to use electronic platforms—applicable for a grandparent helping with distance learning or someone pursuing continuing education online.
Be a Light Learn more about how you can support SA Hope Center
GIVE Financial resources are vital for the SA Hope Center to continue serving our community at this pace. The funds raised, directly impact the number of those they can serve. Pray and consider a special gift or a monthly donation.
HIRE Employ those who have lost jobs. Contact the ministry for possible candidates.
VOLUNTEER Help in the food pantry or clothes closet.
FOLLOW Learn about events on social media. Subscribe to the SA Hope Center newsletter.
PRAY Pray for the SA Hope volunteers, staff and leadership to remain healthy, strong and vigilant as they serve our community. Pray they continue to reflect the heart of God through their actions.
SA Hope Center www.sahopecenter.org 321 N General McMullen Drive San Antonio, TX 78237 210.732.3776
SA Hope Center benefited from public COVID relief funds, but private donations are crucial for continued operations. Like so many nonprofits, SAHC’s fundraising luncheon was canceled this fall. But the team is looking forward to a golf tournament in April. Learn more about how to get involved on the nonprofit’s website.
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Local man finds peace through SA Hope Center’s Outreach BY AMY MOR GAN
Joe’s problems were exacerbated by a cancer diagnosis that—combined with the loss of his wife—overwhelmed him. He arrived at SA Hope Center in need of immediate assistance. Staff mentor Gladys met his emergency food and financial needs, then helped him complete multiple-agency paperwork to obtain utility bill relief and sign up for Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG.) Because of the support, Joe was able to complete his treatments and go into remission. However, in the process, he fell behind on his mortgage. SA Hope Center helped him obtain employment as a forklift operator, which enabled him to catch up on his mortgage and other outstanding bills. His job didn’t last, and another obstacle presented itself as his stove began leaking dangerous carbon monoxide. Joe returned to SA Hope Center where a mentor advocated for him with Bexar Necessities and found a donated stove. She enrolled him in SA Hope Center’s job readiness program and connected with employers with positions to fill. Joe was training as a VIA bus operator until the COVID pandemic hit and training ceased. However, he was able to stay on and work sanitizing bus stations. He and his mentor are working to obtain health insurance, and he is still in remission from cancer. Joe continues to access SA Hope Center for food support, but he feels good about his future. He is employed and physically and mentally healthy and stable, despite the pandemic shutdowns and many obstacles in his life. The center has given hope to thousands of San Antonians for decades. It will continue to transform lives as the need exists and for as long as monetary resources remain. To learn more about how you can make a difference visit, www.sahopecenter.org. *name changed to protect privacy
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SPREADING THE LOVE
Love
SAN ANTONIO MAN CO-FOUNDS NONPROFIT TO HELP NIGERIANS
murder, kidnapping from Muslim extremists, are a few, The next time your car needs a along with churches being major repair or your bathroom is burned to the ground. As a flooded with foul-smelling water Christian, Ango was forced to because the toilet overflowed, flee to avoid torture or death. remember that your inconvenience Her daughters are with her, Mike Arnold | Co-founder is someone else’s dream. but she is now a widow. The rest of her family (a mother Particularly, someone like Hanatu Ango. and siblings) are scattered throughout Nigeria and even in Cameroon, which borders Nigeria A member of the Hausa, a native group to the east. within Africa that comprises 30 percent of the population of Nigeria, she fled her She lives near the Nigerian capital of Abuja home region with her three daughters, due in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to persecution from Boko Haram, an Islamic Camp. There’s no running water, no jihadist terrorist organization in electricity, and she and her daughters live in northeastern Nigeria. a “house” consisting of sticks and feedbags poorly assembled. “We left in the middle of the night and took nothing with us,” she remembered. “I saw many “I started crying when I saw the shelters,” Ango people killed.” recalled. “Not even cows or goats would sleep there. The rooms all leak when it rains.” Nigerian Christians face severe persecution that many Americans can’t imagine. Genocide, The plumbing is crude, as makeshift toilets are B Y R I CH AR D ZO W I E
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very close to the shelters; the camp sewage flows on the ground in puddles and ditches that send streams into the dirt. Ango added that children often get a fever because of the food they eat. She receives no aid, no assistance. She grinds corn daily to earn a living, which is just enough to feed her children and herself. Mike Arnold, a San Antonio native who now lives in Blanco and co-founded the ministry Africa Arise, visited with Ango while touring the IDP Camp. He asked her what they needed the most and her answer wasn’t what he expected. An educated woman, Ango, who had started a teaching program, said what they really need is more teachers. Educated children will refuse to do things that Boko Haram commands them to do,” she said. Teachers are scarce in the IDP Camps. “[Having more teachers] was atop her list of
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Be a Light Learn more about how you can support Africa Arise
INVITE
ACROSS BORDERS needs,” Arnold recalled. “A trained, certified teacher makes about $1,300 per year there. Some American churches spend more than that monthly on air conditioning. They have a Book of Acts-type faith in Nigeria. The best way to spread the Gospel is to educate kids in the camps. They need to understand that God provided their teachers.” The Africa Arise co-founder hopes to encourage people stateside to consider sponsoring a teacher or teachers in these camps for at least a year. Arnold described Nigeria as a “country in chaos.” The country is approximately 54 percent Muslim and almost 46 percent Christian. Unfortunately, many Nigerian Muslims prefer to use violence as they force Christians and other faiths to convert to Islam or face death or torture. Arnold remembered a visit where he landed in Lagos, the largest city in both Nigeria and on the continent. “When I got off the plane, a poster for a national bank read, ‘Welcome to Nigeria, home of a people with passion,’” he said. “The people are not homogeneous. You have in the north Shariah Law and an open genocide on Christians. In the southern part is a Book of Acts-Christian faith. “There has been a thin veneer of inter-faith unity, which is rapidly eroding. The Christians there are fighting for
D ec em be r 2 0 2 0 / Ja n u a r y 2021
Help spread awareness of what Africa Arise is doing in Nigeria. Invite Mike or his team to speak to your church, Sunday school class or business.
PRAY Pray for peace of mind for Ango, her family and the hearts of all in Nigeria. Pray for God to move hearts to sponsor teachers in the IDP Camps.
their very survival and literally risk violence and death just to gather and worship. Yet in the pressure of that environment, they’ve emerged as bright diamonds of faith.” Arnold’s involvement with African missions came from being the keynote speaker at the 20th Annual Leadership Conference for United for Africa and meeting the late Professor John Ofoegbu, a Nigerian pastor who had been living in San Antonio. As their relationship developed, Arnold’s compassion grew. He hopes to see teachers in all the IDP Camps across the country. He also sees a bright future in Africa and sees Nigeria as a place of promise.
“Americans, please help us,” Ango pleaded. “Take us from this slavery. We feel like we are in slavery.” Pray that you or others can be the answer to Ango’s prayer.
GIVE All donations go to the mission field. It costs just $1,300 to sponsor a teacher in the IDP Camp for an entire year. Visit letusriseafrica.org to make a difference. Your gift will change generations.
I believe God is raising Africa to be the continent of light in our generation,” “I believe there’s a pronounced, vital kingdom importance to the church there. What they’re going through now is birth pains. I believe the future belongs to Africa. Nigerians are rich in natural resources. They’re sharp, bright, entrepreneurial, intelligent, hard-working and honorable people with a strong rock on which their faith is built. People with those characteristics can’t be held down for long. From a spiritual perspective, Nigeria should be sending missionaries to America.”
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www.letusriseafrica.org mikearnold@letusriseafrica.org 210.286.4875
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r e nn I HEALIN G
PRAYER MINISTRY
THROUGH PRAYER
RAPHA GOD MINISTRIES
Ministry provides support through prayer, rejuvenation for spiritual leaders at new center B Y M I C H E L LE R. TORR ES
For the last eight years, Rapha God Ministries (RGM) has provided the San Antonio and Hill Country community an opportunity for inner healing. Through the compassionate hearts of the ministry’s volunteers, numerous individuals have turned to the nonprofit for comfort, guidance and a listening ear. With the help of RGM’s prayer warriors, people from all over the city and the surrounding area have experienced healing through the direction of personal prayer via phone conferencing and in-person ministry. “Our ministry is slightly different from traditional altar prayer. Instead of people dropping off notes in a box, in an effort to practice safe social distancing, they can tell us their requests over the phone. While our primary way of ministering to the community is in-person prayer, people have the option to take part in our phone-based ministry. We listen and then act as facilitators, helping them take their own words to put into prayer back to the Lord,” explained Founder Tammy Watts.
Requests can be made through one of RGM’s two ministries, the Prayer Phone Bank or a Personal Prayer session. The Prayer Bank ministry allows people to call in for 10-15 minutes for a prayer blessing of Christcentered direction while a Personal Prayer session can last up to two hours. A session involves a 2-3-person team of Rapha God ministers who guide, with the help of the Holy Spirit, individuals through the prayer healing process. While ministers are not licensed counselors, the ministry can provide referrals to Christian-licensed counselors if needed.
When we set out to establish this ministry, we knew we wanted something that would meet the specific needs of San Antonio’s people,” Watts reflected.
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Be a Light PRAY
Building a network of volunteers and affiliates to support the nonprofit’s efforts was a priority for Watts. “In addition to our English services, we want to be able to minister to the Spanish-speaking population here, too.” Thus, RGM formed a team of Spanish-speaking volunteers to reach more people in the South Texas city. Director of Spanish Ministries, Laura Falconer, oversees the group and advocates for its significance to the community. “All services are provided in Spanish—from prayer to worship, scripture and music,” explained Falconer. “The value of our Spanish ministry is not only to be able to speak the language, but just as important, to recognize the cultural background of our Spanishspeaking community, too. It’s been powerful to be able to offer these services and to see the positive response we’ve received.” In addition to personal prayer services, Rapha God Ministries recently expanded its efforts to provide spiritual leaders an opportunity to refocus—a literal getaway in the Texas Hill Country. The idea for the space emerged last fall after Watts was teaching a training session. Sensing the need to take a step back, she and other ministry leaders took a semi-sabbatical to reflect and pray. It was during this time that she envisioned a long-term, more intensive place for ministers to go to rest. Shortly thereafter, the retreat center was established and fittingly named, Grace Way.
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It is intended to be a place for ministry leaders and pastors to stop and pause. It is convenient because it’s nearby, but still provides an escape outside of the city. More importantly, it allows church leadership to get the ministry they need for themselves. It is also a great place to talk with other church leaders and form new relationships,” Watts said. Mike Oakes who serves on the board of directors for Rapha God Ministries, adds, “Grace Way is a place for men and women involved in ministry to find rest and peace. To calm their minds to hear more clearly from God. So many servants are worn out and need to take time to rest. Tammy and the Rapha team feel that God is leading them to take some aspects of the traditional prayer ministry out into nature where they can encounter God in a fresh and personal way.” Whether through personal prayer or leadership ministry, Rapha God is leading the way offering unique healing experiences that meet the needs of the San Antonio community and local church leaders.
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Pray that those who reach out to RGM seeking prayer and healing, that God reveal answers, that trained volunteers through the guidance of the Holy Spirit would facilitate a personal experience with Jesus as He wills, and that this act provides an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with the Lord.
SUPPORT Train to become a volunteer to be a prayer warrior for those needing the healing love of Jesus Christ and see God move in the lives of those who are hurting.
GIVE Prayer is the starting place for God to move. Prayerfully consider a special gift or monthly support for Rapha God Ministries’ efforts.
raphagodministries.org info@raphagodministries.org 4 Dominion Drive Building 1 San Antonio, TX 78257
210.969.9900
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Well known family business blesses faith-based nonprofits by giving back B Y D E NI S E R. MA R CO S
Turning Fear into Faith Trusting the Lord in times of uncertainty or hardship requires an immense amount of faith. Kelley Martinez, vice president of Mr. W Fireworks, and her family know firsthand the peace giving God control can have on your life.
I believe our success is a direct result of putting God first and integrating our faith in our work, through which we have continued to grow,” Martinez testified. “Mr. W Fireworks may be family-run, but we know that God owns our business.” Several years ago, the generations-old company faced an uncontrollable adversity. The months-long drought that spread across the state brought the realization that could impact the prosperity of Mr. W significantly. With the days leading up to opening day, the looming unpredictability drew Martinez to turn to deep intentional prayer. She started a prayer event that gathered employees and their families to pray for the business and the trials they saw coming ahead. The following fireworks season, when they were expecting the worst, they had their best season ever. Despite their success since that time, Martinez continued to host the event. “If you only pray when you are in trouble, then you are in trouble. I have seen how powerful prayer is. How we should trust and include God, not just in our daily lives, but in our work as well,” Martinez said. “We open our event
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with, “Where two or more come together; He is there with us.” The feeling we get when we pray is amazing. The Holy Spirit is so present.”
SHARING GOD’S GIFTS The Reason Exclusive, potential, FUN! With nothing more in mind than simply building a business from something that people could enjoy. The Start In 1963, off US Hwy 90 located just outside of San Antonio, two good friends got together and opened their first fireworks stand. The humble wood construct was an entity representative of the values the two men held dear––community and celebration. More than 50 years later, the family-owned business still operates off of those principles. In 1965, just a couple years after their kickstart operation, the two thought they would find greater success if they had more locations. They opened 18 more stands across the city and the surrounding area and divided it among the two of them. It was then that Mr. W Fireworks was created. The Growth Presently Mr. W Fireworks, incorporated in 1972, has more than 400 stands and 150 indoor stores across three states, staffs more than 25 employees year round and has partnered with more than 200 ministries and churches throughout the years. The Experience Kindness, compassion, humility are just a few words that describe the experience you get when you visit a Mr. W stand or store. But it's their everyone-is-family mentality that keeps customers coming back year after year, w w w.saBe acon.com
celebration after celebration. The Mr. W family is mindful of providing the best quality products for the best price and pass these savings on to their customers. “We try to stay consistent and give the customer a great experience. We are a familyrun business and make the stores a familyfriendly atmosphere,” Martinez said. The Difference The company saw such great success that they felt called to share those blessings with others. Since opening their first indoor superstores in 2003, Mr. W Fireworks has partnered with churches and ministries as an avenue for the entities to fundraise. “We have always used and promoted nonprofits but the real success and partnership came when we were able to sell out of indoor stores,” Martinez noted. “It helped the churches and other nonprofits to have an indoor, air-conditioned store and they had the help to staff them.” That year, with big plans to open four new indoor stores, Mr. W faced big hurdles and their dreams to open did not look bright. But, the family’s faith and trust in the Lord prevailed. They prayed fervently for an answer—a miracle. “God answered our prayers in a mighty way and we were able to open three out of the four new stores,” Martinez said. “We then dedicated the stores back to God and partnered with Christian entities to help them raise money for their work.” In addition to being an outlet for the nonprofits to fundraise, Mr. W gives back a percentage of all sales as a thank you for the ministries’ service to the community.
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WHY CHOOSE MR. W?
Hear what a few of the beneficiaries have to say
When someone shops at Mr. W, you are supporting the local nonprofits’ efforts to serve and minister to our neighbors.
The efforts of partnership with Mr. W Fireworks goes beyond a business opportunity for San Antonio Youth for Christ. Mr. W Fireworks and their leadership have committed to pray for the organization, provided camping opportunities at Mr. W’s Camp Sequoia, and given generous support.
“Most of our stores are run by nonprofits and they are very appreciative of the money they make,” Martinez said.
DID YOU KNOW? Mr. W Fireworks supports our community faith-based nonprofits, churches and ministries through fundraising opportunities?
Since 2005, we have partnered with Mr. W Fireworks, since then our partnership has resulted in more than $250k in support to the mission of Youth for Christ. Without Mr. W Fireworks, SAYFC could not reach the thousands of kids we reach every year with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Faith-based nonprofits, churches and ministries can partner with Mr. W for a 13-day period in which they can raise anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000.
Gilbert Hernandez CEO | San Antonio Youth for Christ
Your purchase can directly impact the lives of the hundreds of people these nonprofits, ministries and church communities serve.
It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. W Fireworks. The money that we have raised by operating our stand has made a huge impact on our International Missions in Africa. We’re grateful for their willingness to partner with Churches like ours.”
Mr. W works directly with local organizations. The money you spend at Mr. W goes back to the community you live in.
It’s still family-owned and operated. Mr. W is run by three generations. Their Christian values and community-mindedness is just as important today as it was 50 years ago.
James Evans Lead Pastor | Alamo Ranch Community Church
You can raise money for your Christian organization. If you are a faith-based organization, you can get your nonprofit, ministry or church involved. Or if you want to learn more about how you can support these groups, visit www.mrwfireworks.com or call 210-622-3112.
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We encourage you to purchase your fireworks at Mr. W Fireworks. When you do, you are helping to transform lives in our community!
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LOCAL NONPROFIT STANDS: 1. Agora Ministries: 7350 Talley Road 78253 5. McCauley Baptist Church: 6608 FM 1346 78220 2. Alamo Ranch Community: 11804 Culebra 78253 6. Southwest Baptist: 19425 Hwy 281 South 3. Freedom Hill Church: 6650 Lakeview Rd. 78244 7. Youth for Christ : 12444 Hwy 90 West 78245 4. Impact Now: 144454 IH 35 South Von Ormy, 78078
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DECLARATION OF FAITH
A
Story of God's Grace
In uncertainty and fear of losing his son, 5th grade teacher finds strength through the Lord The Lord has a wonderful way of using unexpected encounters to show us the door to the life he has planned for us.
In the summer of 2019, Nichols and his wife Ashley welcomed their son Liam to the world. But unexpectedly, doctors had to perform an emergency cesarean.
Alexander Nichols grew into his faith in his last year of high school, when a faithful brother and friend told him about Jesus and invited him to a bible study group on a Wednesday night.
“They could not get a strong heartbeat and when they were able to pull him out, he was not breathing on his own. It took five adrenaline shots, 10 minutes of CPR, and God’s goodness and kindness to revive him,” Nichols reflected. “My wife and I spent the next 25 days in the NICU praying for our son to be OK. There was discussion of brain damage, organ damage and other repercussions of not having the right amount of oxygen fed to his brain.”
“It was bizarre for me to understand why I’d been invited to something from someone I didn’t really know at all, let alone to a church service,” Nichols remembered. “For whatever reason, I decided to go.” From those small but significant invitations of fellowship, Nichols grew a connection with the church and worked to increase his understanding of living a Christ-like life.
Alex and Ashley Nichols praise God for the blessing of saving their son Liam after devastating news of Liam’s condition after birth.
“The greatest hurdle I encountered was dying to myself, laying down my own desires and truly picking up my own cross to follow Jesus,” Nichols said. As months passed and summer approached, he was invited to be a leader at a youth camp. He decided to go out of moral accountability, but it was during that week that his life would be transformed. “God worked in my heart in mighty ways. He opened my eyes to see the beauty of the Gospel,” Nichols recalled. “He showed me kindness and by the end of camp all my students, including myself were baptized. From that weekend on, my life and my heart were radically changed.” Devoted to continue to shape the lives and hearts of youth, Nichols pursued a life of service. He graduated with an elementary education degree from the University of Texas
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San Antonio (UTSA) and today is a fifth grade teacher at a local elementary school. Every day, even days when he leaves the campus grounds, he continues to find ways to serve his community. In 2018, Nichols became an ordained deacon for The Well Community Church where he serves as the Facilities & College Ministry Director. “Our members are passionate about living out Matthew 28:19-20 in our everyday life. We aim to strategically evangelize, disciple and care for the individuals Christ has put in our sphere of influence,” Nichols said. “I’ve spent a significant amount of my time discipling men on campus at UTSA alongside other campus ministries. Our hope is to see citywide transformation spiritually, socially and culturally.” While faithful of his love and devotion to the Lord, Nichols has not been immune to the hardships of this journey.
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During those long hours of unanswered questions, worry and heartache, God softened their hearts.
“We clung to him as we never had ever in our entire lives. And through tears and hardship we put our trust in Him. Christ has shown us that there is beauty in suffering and hardship and that ultimately, it’s all for His glory,” Nichols remembered. “God healed our son,” the grateful father exclaimed. “The doctors are amazed that after all the tests and scans, he was completely OK. And to date, has exceeded all of his developmental markers and tests.” It was through this experience and heartache, Nichols’ faith grows stronger every day.. As a way to bring others to know the Father’s love, Nichols continues to dedicate his life to sharing the Gospel with others. “My family and I are currently in the process of raising full financial support so that we can enter vocational ministry. As of today, I’m also currently a fifth grade teacher which tends to D e ce mb e r 2020 / J a n u a r y 2021
take up a lot of time. To contribute to We appreciate anyone who When I’m not at school their ministry efforts, I devote a significant visit thewellsa.org/ is willing and able to support chunk of my time to the give, click “give to us, especially during these work Christ has called my The Well, and family and I to,” Nichols change “General hard times.” Ad Proof (correct ad size Christian Brothers Automotive dimension—08/12/20 stated. “It looks a lot like Giving” to “Resident meeting with individuals Missionary.” that may or may not Alexander Nichols know Christ, teaching them to observe all that He’s commanded. We’re looking to launch a group that will exist strictly for individuals who don’t know Christ. Through this group, we can have difficult, but civil conversations while teaching them God’s word.” To date, Nichols and his family have raised a third of their goal. With Christ’s teaching in their heart, the Word displayed in their lives, they hope that the faith community can come together to support their efforts to step into this vocation ministry full time. Nichols continues to pursue a ministry career with the intent of becoming executive director with the continued planting of a second church in the summer of 2021. “We have witnessed firsthand the powerful work of God’s love and we pray that we can bring everyone to have a relationship with Christ,” he said.
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