May June Issue of The Beacon

THE SAN ANTONIO

M AY / J U N E 2019

Be A Light

Hope and Love There’s a path with 1HOPE for kids and families in crisis

Hallmark University: Offering college degrees in half the time 7 M ay / June 2019

Love Reboot: Highly effective help for troubled and hurting marriages 9

SPECIAL REPORT:

The truth behind the Chick-fil-A vote Urging Christians to get involved 14

nextTalk: Helping parents engage their kids in a digital world 16

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Mosaic: Helping those with IDD live more comfortably 18

Young Life: Reaching the next generation with the gospel 20 1

Crises and Crossroads

These summarize this issue of The Beacon.

There seems to be a clarion call going out to the Christian community to stand up and join God in what He is doing in our city.

Our cover story features an amazing ministry making a big difference in the foster care crisis.

You’ll also read about heroic people responding to needs in education, marriages and our children in the digital age.

You’ll read about our youth as future leaders, standing in the gap for the intellectually disabled, a 24/7 ministry for the homeless and a story of deliverance.

Enjoy these stories here and online at saBeacon.com, and if you like them, share them with friends.

In addition, our timely Special

Report: The Truth Behind the Chick-fil-A Vote provides real insight into what happened in the Chick-fil-A city council vote, who is behind it and how we as Christians should respond. This debacle could be the spark needed that leads to revival and awakening.

God is indeed at work in our community and it seems He is saying to each of us—“get off the sidelines and into the spiritual battle.”

Henry Blackaby’s classic, Experiencing God, comes to mind in this crucial hour. Its premise rings true today. It is not what we can do for God. It is seeing Him at work and joining Him in what He is doing that allows us to experience Him. Sermons and Bible studies are

good things, but, joining God in what He is doing brings a closeness and real intimacy to our relationship with Him like nothing else.

With this in mind, we invite you to ask yourself this question as you read through these pages: “What are you asking me to do, Lord?" And then, to respond in obedience by joining the ranks of difference-makers across our city. Come on San Antonio—together let’s Be A Light!

Duke Jonietz, Co-Publisher

The Beacon Purpose The Beacon’s purpose is to build awareness in order to connect people to purpose and nonprofits to resources while highlighting community-minded businesses that partner with us.

Weekly updates on God’s activity in our city at saBeacon.com.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Like and follow us on social media.

Facebook (saBeacon) Twitter (@saBeacon) Instagram (sa.beacon)

INSIDE

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 9

Thank you to our local businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories.

4

There’s a path with 1Hope for kids and families in crisis John Wilhelm explains how this child placement agency honors Christ and has placed nearly 400 kids in loving homes.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

7

9

Hallmark University offers college degrees in half the time It's not a trade school; Hallmark University is a thriving higher learning experience taking a unique approach.

Highly effective help for troubled and hurting marriages When a couple feels like counseling is just not enough to save them, Jon Anderson's ministry provides a "Love Reboot."

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Pulmonair

Anonymous Partner

11

Learning differences welcome; faith flourishes and leads to success At Achievers Center for Education, the Holy Spirit and a sense of acceptance make success flourish.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partner

Special Report: The truth behind the Chick-fil-A vote Mike Sharrow of C12 illuminates your moment in our city's history to shine. Could this recent city council decision be the spark that brings revival and awakening?

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Round of Your Life

Valcor Commercial Real Estate

14

12

Life Restored Church: Restoring life to the homeless and hopeless Pastor Alex Fleming casts a vision for their 24/7 church to reach the homeless.

16

nextTalk For parenting in the digital world Mandy Majors bravely spearheads an effort to help parents engage their kids in sensitive topics.

18

Mosaic serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities Justin Botter says quality and continuity of care are nonnegotiable at Mosaic.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Slattery Perkins Ramirez P.C.

DOCUmation

20

Young Life reaches next generation with the gospel Annie Mays works to keep the Young Life motto alive: “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

22

Tell your story A business woman and romantic at heart finds a second chance at life through the saving power of Jesus.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

AM 630 The Word KSLR

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Avanzar Interior Technologies & Anonymous Partner

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partner

Be A Light.

PUBLISHER: The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS: Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR: Jennie Rosio PRAYER DIRECTOR: Doug Fletcher WRITERS: Amy Morgan, Inez Kirchner, Dana Michea Marquez, Jennie Rosio, Richard Zowie PHONE: (210) 614-8885 ONLINE: www.saBeacon.com PUBLISHED: Monthly MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to use cause related marketing to promote partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, churches and schools by bringing awareness of the good news in our community in order to help change our city.

M ay / June 2019

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

3

1HOPE for Kids IMAGINE a childhood filled with abuse, neglect, loss

of control and life-changing trauma. Imagine being removed from your home, separated from your parents or your siblings—possibly forever. If you’re the average foster kid in Texas, you will bounce from five to six homes before returning to your parents, being adopted, or aging out of care.

BY INEZ KIR CHNER BEACON WRITER

4

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

NOW IMAGINE how, in your short life, you might feel abandoned by a society that treats you like a commodity. Imagine how you might have lost hope, and how your view of the world and God might have changed and hardened. This is the current reality of thousands of children in San Antonio.

But God is intervening.

Our country's attention turned especially to these children in May, since National Foster Care Month was proclaimed in 1988. In our city, a nonprofit agency called 1HOPE for Kids addresses the modern-day orphan crisis. Its mission is to love and provide safe homes for every foster child in our community.

According to the Texas DFPS 2018 Data Book, every day in Bexar County, five to seven children will be removed from unstable or dangerous home situations, and three of these children will leave Bexar County because of a lack of local foster homes. 1HOPE is restoring families with its unique faithbased approaches. The team at 1HOPE places kids in God-centered homes and partners with area churches. Its focus: the absolute best for every child.

1HOPE, one of the two largest child-placement agencies in Bexar County, was founded in 2014 by a group of Christians who wanted a foster agency to recommend to their congregations. Since its first foster placement in 2015, 1HOPE has trained more than 800 people and placed nearly 400 kids in 165 loving homes. 1HOPE supports children from birth to 17 years old, as well as those who have aged out of care but have chosen to remain with a family for additional structure and support.

While foster care is designed to be temporary with the hope that every child will return to their biological families, adoptions occur when situations do not improve, or when a child can’t return to their parents’ or a relatives’ home.

Almost one third of all 1HOPE “fosteradopt” parents (those who have been licensed to foster and adopt) have ended up adopting: 86 so far.

1HOPE provides the foster trifecta.

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

There’s a path with 1HOPE for kids and families in crisis Since its first foster placement in 2015, 1HOPE has trained more than 800 people and placed nearly 400 kids in 165 loving homes.

Their team trains parents, licenses homes, and places children. It is a government licensed child placing agency that provides all three services.

The process to become a licensed foster home takes about three months on average and is not for the faint of heart. “We have to ensure we’re placing children in good homes,” says John Wilhelm, Program Director. “I’m only going to license a home that I would put my own child in.”

“Parents go through an orientation, 40 hours of classroom training, background checks, and a home study to evaluate the stability of the home,” says Kristi Nnokam Parker, Executive Director. Each home must also provide several references, one of which must come from a pastor or spiritual leader. Foster parents learn, through 1HOPE’s training sessions, to love a child who’s been significantly hurt by childhood trauma. All foster parents receive knowledge of state regulations and faith-based wisdom for a challenging journey—restoring a young but damaged soul. Most foster parents will tell you the kids are worth the process to help remove them from a dire situation.

“We don’t believe every Christian is called to be a foster or adoptive parent, but every Christian is called to do something,” says John. 1HOPE relies on its volunteer program to provide babysitting, daycare, tutoring, transportation, and hand-written notes of encouragement for their families. 1HOPE uses donations to provide diapers, camp experiences or the opportunity to enjoy sports.

Government agencies provide for many medical Almost one third issues, but they of all 1HOPE exclude provision for other vital “foster-adopt” needs such as parents (those forming helmets who have been or braces. Expenlicensed to foster sive therapies also get excludand adopt) have ed—and this is ended up adopting: where donors can step up.

86 so far.

1HOPE has beaten the odds of the average foster agency by continuing to employ its faith-centered model despite its growth. The all-Christian staff prays and walks the spiritual path with the families and kids, and allows the gospel to inform their every decision.

“We do this for the love of the kids,” says Kristi. “Every one of the kids has felt like one of our own.”

“We encourage parents to look at what they’re doing as a ministry, and to connect with birth families, which is pretty unique to our agency,” says John.

Many of the 1HOPE kids who were previously unchurched have found Christ through their foster parents, and have gone on to share the love of Jesus with their biological families.

“ We’re the bridge between the government and the church.”

— John Wilhelm, Program Director

After five years and seven months in foster care, this beautiful teen found her forever home with 1HOPE parents Mike and Sue. M ay / June 2019

“The state is coming to the church asking for help with this crisis because they’re looking for stable, loving homes. We’re the bridge between the government and the church.” w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

This child knows the joy of being adopted into a 1HOPE family!

Valcor, we believe God has given us talents, gifts, and “ Atblessings that are to be stewarded carefully and used for the good of others and the glory of God. We passionately partner with 1HOPE for Kids because 1HOPE boldly brings the one true hope of the gospel of Jesus to the crisis of broken family relationships in San Antonio. 1HOPE rescues hopeless, desperate, and orphaned children and gives them love, resources, and family. Please join us today in ending the foster care crisis in our community.

”

Charlie Malmberg, Partner, Co-Founder, Valcor Commercial Real Estate

5

Thank you VALCOR for making this story possible to share.

“ This is the best experience and the hardest, but knowing we’re connected to 1HOPE has made all the difference.”

— Laura Bergeron, foster and adoptive parent

1HOPE family and staff pray together at the courthouse.

In 2014, 1HOPE only had three church partnerships. These partnerships have since grown to include more than 30 area churches, which also serve as training sites. However, John says, the need is still great. “If every area church took responsibility for just one child, we would eliminate the problem.”

“ If every area church took responsibility for just one child, we would eliminate the problem.”

— John Wilhelm, Program Director

1HOPE’s Christ-centered approach was the drawing card for Laura and Stephen Bergeron who chose 1HOPE’s help after 11 childless years. “We just knew we wanted to be parents, and we had a lot of love to give,” says Laura.

While 1HOPE wasn’t the first agency they scouted, Stephen adds, it felt right immediately. “We had never seen anything like it. They were building an ecosystem for foster support within the church community; they shared our same heart.”

In 2017, the couple was licensed, then received a six-week-old baby girl.

Now, at two years old, this little person is their very own forever-child through adoption. “We couldn’t imagine our life with 1HOPE for Kids because San Antonio “ Weis inpartner crisis. Thousands of children are desperately

without her,” says Laura. The couple has fostered five kids total and continues to open their home and their hearts to kids in need. “We don’t see this process as temporary and give all of our hearts upfront to these kids,” says Stephen. While packing up a foster child’s belongings to return to their birth families is never easy, the couple has faith in the system and God’s plan. “It’s not about our feelings; it’s all about them,” says Laura. “Some kids are going to need a forever home like our daughter, and some just need a home for a little bit.

But we have to focus on what’s best for these little ones.”

The couple urges families considering foster care not to let the fear of loss to rob them of this joy. “A lot of families don’t believe they can endure a child going back home,” says Stephen. “You don’t have to shoulder that alone; the Lord helps, and 1HOPE is amazing. It can be challenging, but 1HOPE has helped us to live open-handed with the kids we care for, and without judgment for their parents.”

“ We have to focus on what’s best for these little ones.”

— Laura Bergeron, foster and adoptive parent

“This is the best experience and the hardest, but knowing we’re connected to 1HOPE has made all the difference,” says Laura. “They have an amazing team that supports, loves, and lifts us in prayer; they’ve become part of our family, too.”

crying out for help. They are alone, unadopted, or trapped inside abusive, traumatic homes. Their need, too often, goes unnoticed and unheard.

They live in fear and without hope.

Let’s come alongside 1HOPE to eagerly and urgently work until every child has a home.

”

Jonathan Collins, Partner, Co-Founder, Valcor Commercial Real Estate

6

1HOPE for Kids (formerly 4KIDS of South Texas) www.1HOPEforkids.org 11550 W IH 10 Suite 225, SAT 78230 (210) 910-6533

Be A Light.

Pray. Ask God to call more people to become foster and adoptive families to meet the crisis we have in Bexar County. Donate. Choose the Defender Program and pledge just $1 a day, or sponsor a family’s journey from training to placement to support for $3,400. Visit: www.1HOPEforkids.org/donate Volunteer.

Provide babysitting, daycare, tutoring, transportation, and hand-written notes of encouragement for the foster families.

Contact them today! Partner. Churches are 1HOPE’s greatest partners and also serve as the training sites for family licensing. Open your doors to 1HOPE to learn more!

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

www.valcorcre.com 1723 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 204, SAT 78232 (210) 824-4242 A FULL-SERVICE BROKERAGE AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRM HEADQUARTERED IN SAN ANTONIO Founded in January of 2010, we are a dynamic, entrepreneurial company built on the core values of thankfulness, grit, and stewardship. We strive for an exciting family-based culture that is fun, intentional, hardworking, innovative, relational, intelligent, and focused. Our team has a generous spirit and is involved in local and international charities. At Valcor, we are deeply committed to the personal and professional growth of our team members, vendors, and clients.

The 1HOPE staff meets for weekly prayer.

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

College degrees in half the time

Hallmark University offers programs in business, nursing, information technology, cybersecurity and aviation maintenance School of Nursing students practice healthcare studies on lifelike training mannequins at Hallmark University.

BY RI C H AR D ZO W I E BEACON WRITER

For students craving hands-on learning at a fast pace and an early start on their career, there’s a perfect fit: Hallmark University.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary of changing lives, Hallmark was founded by missionaries Richard and Carolyn Fessler. Beginning as an aviation maintenance school named Hallmark Aero-Tech at Stinson Airfield, Hallmark University’s excellence has resulted in the university branching out to business, nursing, and information technology.

“Dad’s mission field turned out to be right here in San Antonio,” says Brent Fessler, Chief Advancement and Institutional Effectiveness Officer and son of the founders. “We have a sacrificial desire to see our students succeed.”

As a result of its origins in aviation maintenance, many misperceive Hallmark, believing it’s a trade school.

“Far from it,” says Brent. “Hallmark has evolved into a thriving university that takes a unique approach.”

“We’re not a liberal arts university, but we are professionally focused in all our degrees,” he says. “We let the industry drive the offering of our M ay / June 2019

degrees. This makes us look different, and potential students and families can confuse us with trade schools.”

Hallmark offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the same vein as ‘high-demand universities,’ such as UTSA or University of the Incarnate Word.”

Brent described Hallmark’s current programs of study as a response to San Antonio’s needs. Hallmark created the nursing program as a result of the reality that San Antonio has a significant shortage of registered nurses.

“The model set for us early on was to have two customers: students and industry,” Brent says. “We’ve always tried to respond to industry, and they have helped design our biggest programs. We work very closely with the industry to design the academic programs.” Because of this approach, over 90% of Hallmark’s graduates in 2018 found careers in their chosen industry.

Hallmark’s four schools include the Martha Fessler School of Nursing, the College of Aeronautics, the School of Business and School of Information Technology.

“What sets us apart is we offer professionally-focused degrees in half the time,” Brent says. “We don’t take summers off. The students go year w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Students work under a CFM56 jet engine donated to the College of Aeronautics by Southwest Airlines.

around. They have three very full semesters instead of just two. When you do that, it takes 28 months instead of four years. Part of this stems from our ‘go fast’ passion in aviation. It’s going fast, but safely. We don’t like wasting time, and we find our students don’t like wasting time, either.”

Octavio Roque, Hallmark University Class of 2004, came from a struggling family. and Hallmark University share similar “ Pulmonair origins. We are both Christian family-founded and Kingdom-focused organizations. Hallmark University has taken education on innovatively by offering affordable, accelerated degree programs rooted foundationally in a set of specific core values. More and more employers like Pulmonair are using organizational core values to measure their candidates during the hiring process.

Hallmark University focuses on building character for the future leaders of our communities.

They are uniquely equipped to position the next generation to succeed at a higher level.

”

John Raimondo, D.C., CEO, Pulmonair 7

Thank you PULMONAIR for making this story possible to share.

Student learns cybersecurity in one of Hallmark University’s hands-on classrooms.

“When I went to Hallmark and saw what they could do for me—get me into a position where I could start making money to We offer help my family professionally- out—that’s what really opened the focused degrees door for me there,” in half the time. says Octavio, who studied in the aviation program.

Classes began May 6 for Hallmark University’s newest program: Eastside Cyberforce Prime.

As a community minded university, Brent describes the program as one where they worked to help the community build relationships on San Antonio’s underserved east side, an often-overlooked area for talent.

Demand has been high, as they received 40 applications in the first week for the 16 seats available, offered at no charge for aspiring students that are accepted. Hallmark officials see cybersecurity as being in growing demand on the east side and decided to use the program to reach the underserved community.

“In the parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:30–37], Jesus challenges us to be a neighbor to those who are University’s innovative Character Program and “ Hallmark their focus on having their students serve with other nonprofits and mentor local high school students who attend their Summer Intensive Programs sets them apart from other universities. We have hired several of their graduates for our clinics in the recent past with excellent outcomes. Add the opportunity Hallmark provides for our community by offering a hand up and a head start on a new life and it’s easy to see the reason Hallmark University is so important to us and to the rest of San Antonio.

I encourage you to support Brent, his team and the difference Hallmark University is making.

Here is to another 50 years of changing lives!

”

8

John Raimondo, D.C., CEO, Pulmonair

different,” Brent says.

“Programs like Cyberforce Prime and scholarships for single mothers or victims of sex trafficking enable us to bring life-changing education to those unable to pay the cost. These programs require financial support from our community.”

Besides teaching students skills, Hallmark administrators and teachers aim to develop “the whole person,” building on the foundation of Christian faith to provide this framework. The university teaches character by having every program integrate ethical decision-making scenarios and equipping students with a strong sense of leadership. They do this by teaching character traits of integrity, servanthood, stewardship, communication, dependability, leadership, and agility.

“Character traits are rooted in Christ’s love but universally accepted,” Brent says. “We have chapel services, and we see lives change as we develop the character of the students to become more like the character of

This is the same character employers look for: high integrity; serving others more than oneself.

Christ. This is the same character employers look for: high integrity; serving others more than oneself.

Students realize that employers look for character as much as skill, whether the employer is faith-based or not.”

Home-schooled students can gain acceptance into Hallmark University, provided they comply with Hallmark University’s entrance testing requirements and present an official transcript for home school education.

If you or someone you know is looking for a career that provides hands-on training and allows you to graduate sooner, rather than later, in a position that pays well in an outcome-driven environment, consider Hallmark University. It’s a private, nonprofit, affordable San Antonio university. Hallmark is providing a proven path to purpose. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Main campus: 10401 Interstate-10 West College of Aeronautics: 8901 Wetmore Rd Eastside Cyberforce Prime: Ella Austin Community Center, 1023 Pine Street

San Antonio, Texas 78249 (800) 880-6600 www.hallmarkuniversity.edu

Be A Light.

Pray: Ask God to send revelation and guidance as Hallmark University continues serving San Antonio’s career needs and looks to what’s on the horizon. Support: You have the opportunity to help support and provide an education to disadvantaged students including abuse victims that otherwise may never go to college. Donate to Hallmark University: www.hallmarkuniversity.edu/ about/advancement/ STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

http://www.pulmonair.org/

PULMONAIR INSPIRING INNOVATION Improving healthcare one patient at a time.

5563 De Zavala Rd, Suite 130, SAT 78249 (210) 923-9500 | info@pulmonair.org

It’s our passion to honor God selflessly by helping patients, families and the medical communities breathe easier. We do this by providing quality and innovative healthcare solutions. We create opportunities so people can live better. We consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve. At Pulmonair we are passionate about helping people live better lives. We help people suffering from a wide array of breathing related challenges like emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, ALS and neuromusculoskeletal diseases breathe easier and live life to the fullest.

Watch our patient testimonials: www.facebook.com/drjohnnyrai.

We are offering qualified patients the opportunity to try our innovative life changing IPV breathing treatments for 30 days FREE. Please contact us at info@pulmonair.org or 210-923-9500 today for more information.

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Love Reboot marriage intensives

Highly effective help for troubled and hurting marriages

BY AM Y M O R G AN BEACON WRITER

You may suspect your marriage is headed the wrong direction. Arguments have become more frequent and intense. Or maybe you’ve discovered an affair or financial crisis. You might have even entertained the idea of divorce. Or maybe your marriage is strong, but you’ve seen warning signs in the marriage of a friend or relative.

Couples may consider counseling, but often spending an hour a week with a therapist is just not enough to turn things around. This was the experience of relationship coach Jon R. Anderson, founder and president of Growing Love Network. Jon began leading three-day marriage intensives in 2005, and has since led 118 such courses – almost one every month – and has seen tremendous success in marriage restoration.

“In the first seven years, two different groups of graduate students studied our intensives and found that M ay / June 2019

an average of 75 percent of the couples who went through the marriage intensive were still together,” Jon says—and those were marriages identified as on the brink of separation or divorce.

A study found that after the intensives, 75 percent of couples were still together seven years later.

"Couples come to me when they are in crisis. At that stage, counseling is not the best first step, although it is often the best second step,” he continues. After a couple completes a marriage intensive, they are more ready for counseling to be fruitful.

Once they are “out of the ditch,” they can see more clearly and be in a much better position to move forward and gain ground, he says.

Jon likes to use a medical analogy to explain why a marriage intensive is more effective than traditional retreats, books or even mentoring.

“If a person is critically wounded, you wouldn’t take them to a doctor’s office. They don’t need a diet and w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Jon R. Anderson, Founder and President of Growing Love Network, and his wife, Joanna, go the extra mile to get couples "out of the ditch."

exercise plan. They need emergency attention to stop the bleeding,” Jon says. “Likewise, a once-a-week visit to a counselor is not adequate to be lifesaving to a marriage that is heading toward divorce. In both cases, immediate, specialized treatment is needed to be effective.”

In Love Reboot, Jon helps couples break down barriers and stabilize the relationship so subsequent therapy can begin at a more effective place and growth can start to happen, he says.

The goal is transformation—changing hearts so thoughts, attitudes and behaviors start to look different.

Jon recruits churches to host Love 9

The goal is transformation–changing hearts so thoughts, attitudes and behaviors start to look different.

Jon speaks at a My Love Lasts seminar.

Reboot, which keeps the cost low.

Growing Love Network offers scholarships to ensure funds are not a barrier to any couple who wishes to participate. Roughly half of those who attend Love Reboot benefit from financial assistance, he says.

Registration is still available for June 28-30, and August 2-4.

A marriage intensive provides focused, concentrated time.

Also, the instruction and structure address the issues that have become obstacles in a marriage. Love Reboot has even rekindled affection in couples who have already divorced. Jon recounts the situation of one such couple—a couple inspired by their 14-year-old daughter—who attended the intensive to improve family communication skills. After Love Reboot, they joined Jon’s follow-up Growing Love course, and halfway through, announced their plans to remarry. And theirs is not an isolated example. As word of the positive results of Love Reboot has spread, Jon has been receiving referrals from a most unlikely source—divorce lawyers.

Led by the efforts of the San Antonio Marriage Initiative, he intentionally pursued a group of family and divorce lawyers to inspire them to help identify couples whose marriages had a chance of being saved. Now they are referring couples they think have hope to Jon. “I just finished 10 sessions with one couple who had filed for divorce and 10

looked like a hopeless case. We not only saved their marriage—they have since become donors to the ministry,” he says.

Growing Love Ministries also offers resources to help strengthen marriages. Jon created a podcast, Relationship Rewire, “where we talk about what’s wrong and what’s right with marriage and relationships in our world today.”

He was inspired by a colleague almost three years ago to utilize podcasting to expand the reach of his ministry.

Jon interviews nationally known guests from various marriage ministries like Tim Russo, Michael Smalley and Julie Slattery. He also posts excerpts from his own lectures. In particular, he recommends a series of four sessions from the My Love Lasts retreat Halfway through the he delivered last year as a wealth of useful inforcourse, they mation.

“It helps people find announced a starting point,” he their plans says. Currently, to remarry Relationship Rewire each other. counts 1,600 downloads daily for a total of 50,000 a month, he says.

You can find dozens of Relationship Rewire’s relevant podcasts at iTunes, Podomotic or www.GrowingLoveMinistries.org.

“We try to prepare people for marriage, support people to develop healthy vibrant marriages and step in when marriages are falling apart,” Jon says.

You can find more information about w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Growing Love Network, Love Reboot, Relationship Rewire and Jon R. Anderson’s relationship coaching practice at www.growinglovenetwork.org.

Be A Light.

Visit the ministry website. Download the Relationship Rewire podcasts. Attend.

Register to attend one of the Love Reboot marriage intensives June 28-30 or August 2-4. Pray. Pray for the ministry to continue to thrive and reduce the divorce rate in our community. Give. Growing Love Network invites you to partner with them financially so even more marriages can be saved in our community.

Growing Love Network www.growinglovenetwork.org 5170 Broadway, Suite 28 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 823-5282 STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so Growing Love Network could be featured in our May/June Issue. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

A C H I E V E R S C E N T E R F O R E D U C AT I O N

Learning differences welcome; faith flourishes and leads to success We hear this phrase often from the parents of kids at Achievers Center for Education: “My child has never had a friend until coming to Achievers!”

It’s a school offering a rare combination of culture and benefits: within the walls of Achievers, students thrive in a completely bully-free, accepting zone with low student-to-teacher ratios. It’s accredited and faith-based.

Success stories abound. One student who came in with shyness and a low reading ability has become a leader at Achievers. This student has made significant advances in reading.

Another student, after being told she was illiterate and that she’d never

graduate high school began a completely new life at Achievers. After arriving, she began to feel comfortable in the safe and nurturing environment and began developing socially, intellectually, spiritually and emotionally.

Upon her graduation, she was reading at a high school level and performing pre-algebra computations with great accuracy. Through the vocational program, she earned a food handler’s certificate and is now employed at a catering service.

The faith-based status is not just a matter of religious rules. The work of the Holy Spirit seeps into every area of life at Achievers. We see more and

more enthusiasm in parents, students and staff for good reason. More support from the community is coming through grants. Inquiries from a broader range of special needs students keep coming in. Students with social and emotional issues receive great acceptance by others and are developing real friendships. Parents gain peace when they see the positive reports of their kids progressing socially, emotionally—quite often, dramatically, and quite often on a daily basis.

Their kids, who’d been bullied in other schools, have found safety, friendships and an avenue to improve academic skills. We are actively accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year now! School starts in August this year.

Contact us soon to apply.

Achievers Center For Education 5084 DeZavala Road San Antonio, Texas 78249 www.aceschool.org iross@universitysatx.org (210) 690-7359

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

In Theaters June 21, 2019 M ay / June 2019

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

11

Life Restored Church

Restoring life to the homeless and hopeless

BY RI C H AR D ZO W I E BEACON WRITER

Growing up on San Antonio’s west side near Buena Vista, Alex Fleming remembers seeing many homeless people living in camps near the bridge.

They braved the cold winters and the Alamo City summer heat waves.

It didn’t take long for Alex to develop an appreciation for having a roof over his head and a burden for those who did not.

Today, Pastor Alex, 41, leads Life Restored Church, a ministry to the homeless in his area.

He became a pastor after trusting in Christ in 2003 and undergoing years of discipleship.

Pastor Alex is the type who will give a needy person the shirt off his back, but wanted to do even more when he learned that on a freezing night in San Antonio, a homeless person died from exposure.

“I told the church I felt the Holy 12

Spirit wanted me to do something,” says Pastor Alex, who attended Lanier High School and then later Fox Tech High School.

Live on Facebook, Pastor Alex walked outside his church and took his shirt off, enduring the freezing weather for 30 seconds. He challenged other men to do the same.

“Imagine the homeless being out there all day in those conditions,” Pastor Alex says.

“That moment gave us media coverage through the city and was a pivotal moment in the ministry.” Stockpiles came in: jackets, sleeping bags, and other supplies I asked Jesus the homeless what we should needed.

“I asked Jesus do with our what we should church building. do with our — Pastor Alex Fleming church building,” Fleming says.

The answer: transition from a church that’s open twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays to one that’s w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

open 24/7. “The vision is we never close and we always help. We are closer now.

We will get there very soon," he says.

Pastor Alex became a Christian after his now-wife invited him to an outreach event at Cornerstone church.

“I went and accepted Christ, out of respect as a Catholic,” he says.

“Growing up as a Catholic, you respect God. When you pass by a church with a beer, you put it down, make the sign of the cross and then pick it up again.”

After becoming a Christian, Pastor Alex began to fall in love with Christ.

God gave him many mentors, including Pastor Warren Beemer, Jacob Diaz, and many others including his current one, John Walters. The discipleship taught him commitment, persistence, wisdom and financial peace. It also fueled his desire to change lives, and he remembered the homeless and set out to make a difference in their lives.

Life Restored Church, at 400 Arbor Place near where Interstates 35 and 10 meet west of downtown, was birthed out of his heart to change lives.

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Thank you ANONYMOUS PARTNER for making this story possible to share.

Homeless become hopeful at Life Restored Church.

They got a break from the streets and a new chance at becoming amazing citizens.

“Our focus has always been the westside,” he says. “That was always my people and where I’m from. Some said, ‘Plant the church in the suburbs to have more of an outreach.’ I felt the church’s core and DNA needed to be reaching the down and out. When we moved into the building, most of people we encountered were homeless.

“We’ve told church leaders that we all need to do more to help the homeless,” Pastor Alex says. “We’re working to offer more meals per week, showers, and inspiring other pastors to do more than the bare minimum. I answered these leaders’ questions and explained: the homeless aren’t a gang.

They don’t all know each other. If we could get city churches tackling the homeless problem, then there would not be a homeless problem. Consistency leads to life transformation.”

Pastor Alex has seen the results as some have gotten off the street into their own place. One man cried as he showed Pastor Alex his apartment keys; that man now volunteers and serves.

“Eight homeless have become members of our church,” Pastor Alex says. “They desire to know the Lord and have a church family.”

Perhaps another reason Pastor Alex feels the burden to One man cried reach the homeless: it’s a as he showed Pastor Alex his subculture of drug addicts, former apartment inmates rejected keys; that man by their families, now volunteers veterans, and even those who want to and serves. live off the grid.

Pastor Alex spreads the word about his ministry on Facebook to reach more churches.

“We definitely need the involvement of ‘The Church’ in general,” he says.

They serve breakfasts six days per week but would also like to eventually include lunch. They’d also like to have a detox area for drug and alcohol addicts; this would require the services of doctors.

Pastor Alex does not see a reason to apply for government grants. “I believe the Kingdom of God has all the resources we need.”

He and his church are also praying for an 8,800 square-foot building that

would house 300-400 homeless, five days per week. He described this as a “church-run, Christ-centered, emergency shelter, and a destination of hope.”

This summer, many area churches are sending kids to inner city missions, which is fantastic. But, what a privilege we have in our own city, 24/7, 365 days a year, at Life Restored Church!

Life Restored Church Alex Fleming, Pastor P.O. Box 380636, San Antonio, Texas 78268 (361) 317-2219 aflex7@gmail.com www.liferestoredchurch.com www.facebook.com/liferestoredchurch

Be A Light.

Give. The Life Restored Church needs financial gifts most of all. Contact Alex to learn how you can take part as a foundational giver to purchase the much needed building to increase their impact.

Dive in and help. They need social workers, case workers, prayer chains. More manpower overall would help. Currently they run showers Tuesday and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, but with more volunteers they could do it almost every day. Sign up to help serve meals beyond breakfast and use that time to meet with the homeless and pray with them.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so Life Restored Church could be featured in our May/June Issue. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.

A morning is better when it begins with breakfast at Life Restored Church.

M ay / June 2019

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

13

SPECIAL REPORT:

The truth behind the Chick-fil-A vote

TIME TO WAKE UP Christian business owner urges Christians to get involved

BY RI C H AR D ZO W I E BEACON WRITER

Three years ago, Mike Sharrow and the company he leads, the C12 Group, relocated to San Antonio from North Carolina. “We felt San Antonio would have a non-discriminatory environment and would be conducive to our business,” says Mike, whose company serves 1,500 CEOs in America including 100 in the Alamo City (www.c12group. com). San Antonio City Council’s recent “Battle with the Bird” has made him wonder if his first impression was wrong.

The majority of our city council voted for an amendment to the San Antonio Airport contract to ban Chickfil-A to operate as a vendor. A motion was made by Councilman Greg Brock14

house to conduct a revote. It too was defeated. Despite the opposition from some council members and the remorse of another who regretted his vote, the vote now stands.

This local government decision has earned statewide and national attention. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate to see if the city violated religious discrimination laws.

“Tolerance in our city is a two-way street,” Mike says. “Christians have a right to exist even if we disagree on religion, politics or sexuality.”

The trumpet has sounded. Multiple faith-based churches, ministries and businesses believe we are at a significant crossroads in our city. Lines have been drawn. Rights violated. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Mike feels the city council’s decision is especially dangerous, since it could cause many local Christian business leaders to suppress their faith out of fear and even pull out of pursuing certain city contracts in order not to have to compromise their faith.

Why has this happened?

Opponents have been critical of personal remarks made by Dan Cathy (current CEO) regarding one man, one woman marriage. In addition, they oppose donations made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army (among other nonprofits) by Chick-fil-A corporate.

What are the implications of this decision? Ryan Tucker, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, an alliance-building, legal M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Thank you ANONYMOUS PARTNERS for making this story possible to share.

nonprofit, has seen his organization secure scores of First Amendment victories across the country. One recent and well-known example involved Jack Phillips, the cake artist who owns Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado. Citing similarities between that case and the recent debate over the airport concession contract, Tucker stated that “when the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Jack last year it found that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated the Free Exercise Clause because it was hostile to his sincerely-held beliefs. And that’s exactly what’s happening here in San Antonio.” He continued, saying “this is something that should be concerning for every San Antonio business and quite frankly everyone in the city. Because today it’s one belief or point of view. Tomorrow it’s another. Which company are they going to target next?”

What is a Christ-led response, now and in the future? Christians can no longer sit on the sidelines of the political arena because we are too busy or feel we have no voice. At the same time, we must recognize that this is a spiritual battle. In fact, 2 Corinthians 10:4 speaks to this. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

These weapons include love, prayer, faith and relationship.

LOVE. Yes, many are angry about this decision. But anger cannot drive our actions. Love must. Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40 said the “Greatest Commandment” is to love God with everything we have, with the second being to love our neighbor as ourselves. What do we gain by complaining, criticizing, growing impatient?

PRAYER. On May 19, a citywide prayer event was held with the runoff election and the future of our city in mind. This historic event saw the two largest churches in San Antonio co-host and act in unity, to sound the trumpet and alert the body of Christ to pray. More prayer events should be M ay / June 2019

held, but you have the power to move heaven in your own individual and ongoing prayer efforts. Prayer can turn the tide of events! Prayer can fuel future decisions that impact our city.

We encourage you to get on your knees and cry out to heaven on behalf of our local government and our city.

FAITH. Trust this did not catch God off guard. He is aware of what is taking place and actively involved in our affairs. Faith also requires action ( James 2:26). Every vote really does count. Of the 1.5 million people who live in San Antonio, only a few thousand showed up for the election.

Mark June 8 on your calendar, text 10 friends, inviting them to do the same, and take the time to vote in the runoff election. Together, let’s set a record for Christian turnout in the upcoming runoff election.

RELATIONSHIP. In June, Mike plans to meet with whomever the new mayor will be, along with the city council, and present a coalition of business owners, faith community leaders and citizens and ask for constructive dialogue for a remedy.

“I want [this issue] to stay at top of local minds until it’s addressed,” Mike says. Mike encourages local Christians to get to know their city council representatives and communicate with them, whether they voted for them or not.

“Do some due diligence on this issue,” he says. “It’s not just about chicken sandwiches or restaurants in the airport. It affects all of us. Make it clear the faith community is one to be heard and respected. I think the misunderstanding is Christians think their voices can’t be heard or they can’t make a difference. There are tremendous opportunities to influence the city by being engaged biblically.” Building a relationship with your local council person and our mayor is not difficult. Call them. Send them an email. Connect with them on social media. Let them know where you stand on important issues (in love of course).

We are indeed at a crossroads in w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

our city. Could this recent decision be the spark that brings revival and awakening? It is up to each one of us.

It is up to you.

U.S. Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

C12 Group www.c12group.com 13403 George Road, San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 767-6200

Be A Light.

Research. Educate yourself on where the candidates stand, and which candidate has a biblical worldview. Vote. Let your voice be heard in the June 8 runoff election and in future elections. Communicate.

Contact your city council representative and the mayor. Get to know them. Share your stance and why it is important for our community. Pray. Part of prayer is us speaking God’s will back to him bringing His kingdom down to earth. Patronize.

Support local Christian businesses and help them grow stronger.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partners Thank you Lord, for the anonymous donors who generously gave so this story could be featured in our May/June Issue. With these generous gifts we were able to bring you this special report.

15

For parenting in the digital world: Mandy Majors and Kim Elerick, Hosts of nextTalk radio.

BY INEZ KIR CHNER BEACON WRITER

“At that moment, I froze.” That’s the reaction Mandy Majors, Founder and Executive Director of nextTalk, had when her daughter asked her a highly sexualized question. It wasn’t “where do babies come from?” either. Another student had exposed her daughter to graphic sexual details at the school lunch table. Mandy felt ill equipped to respond. Her daughter was only nine years old.

Fielding this type of question was new territory and a pivotal moment for the stay-at-home mom. Mandy was desperate to protect and save her kids from a new digital world of which she knew little. She set out to find answers.

16

“We’re the first generation to navigate parenting in the digital world and the dangers that come with it,” says Mandy. Her search for a solution led to nextTalk. Its mission: helping parents keep kids safe online through open communication at home.

Mandy decided to form a church group raising awareness and offering support to other parents who were feeling lost. The need was obvious—20 members quickly grew to 200. In 2016, Mandy and five other families formed nextTalk. In 2017, Mandy released her book, Talk: A Practical Approach to Cyberparenting and Open Communication. On Amazon, almost all of the dozens of reviews give it five stars.

Since then, nextTalk has launched speaking tours, radio podcasts, and a w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

nine-week video series curriculum.

Their message has reached people in 24 countries worldwide.

The need was obvious— 20 members quickly grew to 200.

According to Mandy, access to smart devices and the internet is exposing kids to sex and dangerous encounters much earlier—sometimes at four and five years old. “Sex traffickers are literally a click away, posing and interacting as other children,” says Mandy.

Mandy found the solution she was looking for in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. The M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Thank you SLATTERY PERKINS RAMIREZ P.C. for making this story possible to share.

Cross Mountain Church in Boerne, Texas hosts the nextTalk video series curriculum. Mandy will also be speaking there on Sunday evening, August 25.

scripture has become the driving force behind nextTalk. It provides four essential times for parents to talk with their kids. “Talk with your kids. On the go, at home, going to bed and getting up,” she explains. In other words, talk to your kids—anytime, anywhere.

What has become clear is that parents can delay access to technology or devices, but parents can’t delay these tough conversations. The nonprofit explores topics like sex trafficking, cyber bullying, suicide and sexuality. “Parents get squeamish, but we need to shift our thinking,” says Mandy. “It’s shocking at times, but we have to think of it as saving our kids.”

Parents also learn about various loopholes, hidden social media accounts, and unfamiliar messaging systems from nextTalk. Or, they learn how a simple web search can involuntarily lead to pornographic or harmful content. “We have to be their Google, so we can speak truth into these topics,” says Mandy. “Kids are getting a lot of false information from their friends and online.”

If you’re a parent and don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. “I had to submit to the Deuteronomy scripture and show that no topic was off-limits in our home,” says Mandy.

The nextTalk video series and podcasts present Christ-centered principles while encouraging open and honest discussion. “The mission isn’t to tell t SPR, one of our core values is family. To be able to “ Asupport Mandy and her team’s work at nextTalk

people how to live their lives or parent,” says Mandy. “The mission is to get parents talking with their kids.”

Kelli Ayres, a co-pastor at Cross Mountain Church and parent, agrees that nextTalk provides a valuable service. “It’s opened our eyes to many of the negative and harmful things our kids are facing. The good news is this team gives us the tools we need to face these problems, along with encouragement through God’s word to turn it around in our homes.”

Mandy now describes her life in terms of “before and after” her daughter’s unexpected question. “This has changed everything. I can’t imagine parenting any other way.”

The nonprofit gives a wakeup call.

It gives parents a newfound awareness of the culture we’re living in—however

Mandy Majors speaks at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.

www.nextTalk.org P.O. Box 160111, San Antonio, TX 78280

Be A Light.

Donate at www.nextTalk.org/give.

Help spread the nextTalk message! Your donations will support a new 24/7 online help desk to assist parents in crisis. Your giving will also help produce new podcast and video series content. Volunteer. The staff members at nextTalk all have busy schedules and familial duties. Expand their efforts and become trained to lead the nextTalk message. Partner. Contact nextTalk to host a fundraising event, speak with your congregation, or form a local support group.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

Top three strategies for honest conversations at home from nextTalk • Always remain calm. When we react negatively, yell, or take a phone away, our kids shut down.

We’re teaching them not to talk to us. Instead, try positive reinforcement like, ‘I’m so proud of you for telling me.’” As James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

• Create a safe place. Build their trust, and don’t broadcast their business on social media.

means we are building safer and stronger families in our community. The propensity of technology, smartphones and social media make parenting very different than just 25 years ago. The efforts of nextTalk provide the knowledge we need as parents to keep our kids safe. We love nextTalk! We encourage you to connect with Mandy, attend one of her events and support the efforts of this vital ministry.

• It starts with you. As parents, maybe we're screamers, poor listeners or on autopilot. We may be creating an environment where our kids don’t feel comfortable talking to us. If we can pinpoint those weaknesses in ourselves, we can strengthen our conversations with our children.

Michael D. Perkins, CPA, CFP,® Managing Partner & CEO, Slattery Perkins Ramirez P.C. M ay / June 2019

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

“

scary. “I also want parents to walk away filled with hope,” says Mandy.

“God knew this was going to happen and gave us a roadmap in Deuteronomy. Instead of worrying, we need to pour that time and energy into building a healthy dialogue with our kids."

www.sprcpas.com 8000 IH-10 West, Suite 705, SAT 78230 (210) 561-2668 We love our city. We specifically hire people with community minded efforts in their hearts. In fact, our people make SPR the firm that it is. We are smart, hard working professionals who share a common vision for how to serve our clients. We are a true team in every sense of the word. And while we work hard, well, we play hard too. We provide tax accounting and advisory services with a focus on value added planning and consulting for sophisitcated individuals, families, and closely held businesses. We give our clients peace of mind knowing that they have a trusted advisor behind them every step of the way so they can focus on what matters most to them, both professionally and personally.

17

BRIDGING THE GAP

Mosaic's decade of service for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

BY INEZ KIR CHNER BEACON WRITER

People with IDD are people— period. This is the message Mosaic of South Central Texas is advocating across the greater San Antonio area.

Mosaic provides long-term, daily support to help adults with IDD live as comfortably and independently as possible. “We offer a life of possibilities for people with disabilities,” says Justin Botter, Mosaic Executive Director. The local agency also promotes education, awareness and compassion for this often-overlooked demographic.

There are three major criteria for an intellectual disability diagnosis: significant limitations in intellectual functioning (IQ of less than 75), significant limitations in adaptive behavior and onset before the age of 18. People

Sergio Vega, Mosaic client, is living proof that good things come to those who work hard.

18

with IDD may have behavioral, mental or physical health challenges and generally need additional daily support to live life fully. For example, many parents of IDD kids don't understand the need to put their child on a waiting list well before they age out of school; "school age" for the IDD child means up to 22 years of age. Plus, most schools tend to focus on preparation for college, which leaves many IDD individuals behind.

According to the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD)

Most people with IDD will wait for more than a decade before getting assistance. more than half a million children and adults have IDD in Texas and more than 150,000 of that total receive little or no assistance.

People with IDD in Texas have a greater opportunity to rely on help from nonprofit groups like the good people at Mosaic; Texas rates last in the nation “for promoting independence for people with IDD,” says the TCDD. With a lack of government funding, many remain on waiting lists; according to the TCDD, most will wait more w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

here are so many issues that affect the lives of “ Tindividuals with intellectual disabilities. What I love about Mosaic is that they bring awareness of these issues to our community. Even better, moving beyond awareness, they also advocate for these individuals and create opportunities for them that allow us to bridge the gap.

Employment, volunteerism, social opportunities —all things that, without Mosaic, they may never receive.

“

Elisia Carr, Marketing Coordinator, Documation

than a decade before getting assistance. The ripple of this economic impact is far-reaching. “When these people have nowhere to go, they end up homeless, in prison, or a state institution,” says Justin.

There’s no time to wait. That’s why Mosaic is stepping in to fill the gap.

Mosaic’s services include long-term housing, medical treatments, maintenance services, cooking, cleaning, and the list goes on. Mosaic consistently operates at a significant budget deficit to accommodate the 109 adults it currently serves through the San Antonio Agency. For Mosaic, quality and continuity of care are nonnegotiable. “We risk hurting the people we serve and our staff if we don’t bridge the funding gap,” says Justin.

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Thank you DOCUmation for making this story possible to share.

This year, Mosaic of South Central Texas will celebrate its 30th anniversary in San Antonio. “Mosaic” refers to the “whole being greater than the sum of its parts,” and encourages the community to come together for this forgotten group. Justin is especially excited about the Discover the Possibilities tours; if you are called to support Mosaic’s mission, this would be a great place to begin. (Contact information is in the “Be A Light” section below.)

In the future, Mosaic’s biggest goal is to find more host families. “We can’t fill this need alone,” says Justin. “We are asking the community, churches and families to open their hearts and homes to these people.” Mosaic owns three residential homes in San Antonio, and another 56 belong to host families.

Host homes model " We risk hurting after foster care and provide long-term the people we housing and serve and our support. staff if we don't Mosaic also raises awareness bridge the and educates the funding gap." local and international community. They seek to dispel historical misconceptions and stigmas associated with IDD. “We still see maltreatment, criminalization, and abuse of people with IDD here and around the world,” says Justin. International efforts include helping other countries develop their own support programs and services.

People with IDD have the same wants, needs and dreams as anyone else, but sadly, they become victims all too commonly. Before coming to Mosaic, one of the IDD clients’ parents died. Without resources or assistance

from the state, she was sent to live with her next of kin. There, she was abused. During that time, her insurance benefits had also lapsed—no one else thought to renew her coverage.

After being removed from the harmful environment, she found herself at Mosaic. Even though this person was ineligible for benefits, Mosaic opened its doors to meet her needs. Today, she’s thriving. She receives the medical treatments she needs to succeed and lives with three other residents that she calls friends.

Catherine’s story is another Mosaic success story. Diagnosed at 17, Catherine has the rare genetic disorder, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, and has been non-verbal most of her life.

Catherine loved school, but once she aged out at 22, it was difficult for her to cope without the additional daily support. Years later, Catherine expressed a desire to live on her own.

Mosaic was the path to independence Catherine craved. According to her mother, Debby, “She is happy, well cared for, and loved like family. She is home.”

Mosaic built its foundation on embracing God’s call to “love thy neighbor,” and serve with resilience.

Paraphrasing The Reason We Exist, Stories of Mosaic’s Call to Serve, Justin sums up their heart: “We want people to treat people with IDD with respect not resentment, solace not hostility and as guests, not inmates.”

Because people with IDD are people—period.

serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, “ Mosaic a population in our community that I very much believe is underserved. They come alongside these individuals and create incredible community connections that empower their clients; they provide opportunities that they may not otherwise have. Employment is one of those opportunities. They deserve independence too, they deserve to be happy and live fulfilled lives. Mosaic helps provide that for them.

Mosaic of South Central Texas www.mosaicinfo.org 1804 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 215 San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 967-0566

Be A Light.

Pray. Ask God to open hearts and homes in the community to people with IDD. Contact Mosaic directly to find out how your home can become a host home.

Donate. Mosaic relies heavily on financial donations, as well as goods and services.

Volunteer. Fill your bucket and theirs.

It’s free to sit and talk with a resident or assist a staff member with care. Advocate.

Sign up to be alerted of critical legislation that affects people with IDD at www. mosaicinfo.org/get-involved/advocate/ Partner. Host or attend a Discover the Possibilities event www.mosaicinfo.org/ get-involved/discover/ Or, contact them and learn more about a “No Shush” event at your church.

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

DOCUmation provides IT, print, and software solutions to businesses and nonprofits throughout Texas. As a company that values character, community, and customer, our goal is to provide service that serves. We want what we do to not only serve our customers needs, but also our community’s needs.

Giving back creates a ripple that can reach places you never thought possible. Every time we partner with a nonprofit, we uphold our commitment to leave our community better than when we started. Each year, DOCUmation proudly supports nonprofits throughout our community. When you partner with us, you support them, too.

DOCUmation

www.mation.com ph: 210.341.4431 info@mation.com

“

Hunter Woolfolk, Co-President, Documation

M ay / June 2019

Peter Moehring poses for a creative selfie at the beach.

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

19

d a v e d n n t a u n r e u F in its DNA

Young Life reaches next generation with the gospel

BY AM Y M O R G AN BEACON WRITER

Sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents has been Young Life’s mission since 1941. The Christ-centered, non-denominational organization has spread to 100 countries, engages an average of 348,000 kids weekly through 8,176 schools and ministries, and sends 160,000 kids to camp. Even more impressive, Young Life reports that leaders know two million kids by name. What a ripe harvest field for the kingdom of Christ.

Over the years, Young Life has developed time-tested methods to offer adolescents hope and friendship.

Their strategy appeals to young people’s love of fun and adventure. But first, adult leaders build relationships to “earn the right to be heard.”

A motto of Young Life is “kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Leaders intentionally seek out kids wherever 20

they gather—the football game, theater practice, or math tutoring.

Kids spell love, T-I-M-E, and Young Life staffers are committed to investing time to build relationships. Kids feel the love of God through their leaders' caring presence in their lives.

Young Life engages kids in several ways. The easiest ask is weekly Club—a power hour of fun. Young Life Metro Director of Greater San Antonio Annie Mays says a typical night of Club begins with group karaoke, then shifts to crazy mixer games. Leaders surprise kids with silly contests or skits, she adds, before the mood gets a little more serious. They’ll transition to Christ-focused songs to prepare hearts for the message. Over the course of a

semester, leaders tell the entire gospel story, culminating with Christ’s invitation to salvation. Ideally, the kids’ hearts will be soft and ready for the next hallmark of Young Life—a camp experience.

Camp is planned to be “the best week of their life.” Kids ages 11-18 participate in a myriad of adventurous, outdoor activities in five-star accommodations.

“Adventure is part of our DNA—at camp we offer them something that cannot be replicated at home,” Annie says. Camp also provides a safe place to process, away from phones. “They have never had a mental break from the constant, stressful, distracting screen in front of their face,” she says.

Until recently, Young Lifers had to travel thousands of miles to attend a Young Life camp. This spring Young Life purchased Camp Lonehollow, located in the Hill Country close to Garner State Park. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Thank you AVANZAR & ANONYMOUS PARTNER for making this story possible to share.

Weekly Young Life Club meetings are a power hour of fun.

“At camp, they experience a level of peace they otherwise don’t have.

“Young Life kids go to camp with their leaders, which strengthens a relationship in which they’ve already been investing. Every single night they hear the gospel story unfold. Then teens have time with their leaders to ask questions in a no-pressure environment. They are clearly asked to respond, but we want their response to be their choice and to be real.”

Until recently, Young Lifers in Texas had to go thousands of miles if they wanted to experience one of the organization’s It seems incredible signature camps. that there wasn’t It seems incredia Young Life camp ble that there wasn’t a Young in the entire state Life camp in the entire state of of Texas!

Texas! That all changed this spring, when Young Life purchased Camp Lonehollow, a beautiful property in the Hill Country close to Garner State Park.

The new acquisition opens opportunities for camping to many who otherwise couldn’t afford the travel time and expense.

“God put on our hearts a vision for all kids of San Antonio—including the disabled and the almost 70 percent of secondary school kids who are Latino.

Many say Young Life camp was "the best week of my life."

M ay / June 2019

Our heart is for our Club’s demographics to look like those of San Antonio,” Annie says.

Since Young Life has historically attracted more Anglo-American teens, Annie's staff is working to overcome any cultural obstacles to make Club inviting to everyone. In her 15 years working with Young Life on San Antonio’s South Side, her team found nuances of the Latino culture that were at odds with traditional Young Life ways. For example, going to camp is not normative for many Latino families.

“ We now have a generation of kids—even in poverty—who don’t remember a time when they did not have a daily relationship with their screen. They have never had a mental break from the constant, stressful, distracting screen in front of their face. Camp is the only place we can offer that break.”

Be A Light.

Visit. Visit the ministry website and see how you can get involved. Attend. Go to a fundraising event. Host. Offer your home as a meeting place for Club. Volunteer.

Become a leader or supporter. Pray. Pray that Young Life will keep reaching teens.

Give. Donors are vital to Young Life. Local donations remain here to fund efforts in our community and help send kids to Young Life camps.

Young Life Greater San Antonio www.sanantonio.younglife.org 1248 Austin Hwy #106-214 San Antonio, TX 78209-4821 (210) 287-4876

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

— Annie Mays, Metro Director of Greater San Antonio Young Life

“It is not considered good parenting in many families to let your kids go away with strangers for eight days,” she says, as she strives to earn the trust of parents as well as their teens.

In addition to middle school, high school and college-age Clubs, Young Life Capernaum ministers to kids with disabilities; YoungLives reaches teen moms; and Club Beyond, teens from military families. Young Life’s multicultural ministry, “focused on kids in diverse cultural communities and those in economically-depressed areas, is arguably the largest of its kind in the United States.”

“There are so many great things about Young Life that are nonnegotiable around the world—building relationships, going where kids are, sharing the gospel, doing life with them—but there are some things we can do differently to make sure that we continue to reach the next generation with the gospel,” Annie concludes. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

www.avanzar.com 1 Lone Star Pass, Building 41 San Antonio, TX 78264 (210) 271-2300 Avanzar Interior Technologies, located in south San Antonio, produces automotive interiors for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, Inc.’s San Antonio and Mexico plants.

Avanzar's CEO Berto Guerra serves on Young Life's National Board of Trustees.

And an

Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so YoungLife could be featured in our May/June Issue. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.

21

T E L L YO U R S TO RY

Enucia 'Lynne' Salinas Cruz gets a new chance at love and creating successful businesses When I looked at him, I saw my forever. We were high school sweethearts. We married in 1987 and in 1988 we welcomed our baby girl. But shortly after, something had changed and the verbal abuse began. At first, I thought, “it’s my fault.” But it happened again.

He shoved me up against the wall, apologized and promised to not do it again. I forgave him. But that wasn’t the last time. My bruised body and unconscious state became my new normal. It was then I told myself to love him harder, and that if I couldn’t change him, I’d join him. He introduced me to cocaine. Two years into doing drugs, our house was raided, and I was arrested.

While incarcerated I fell to my knees, crying and praying to God for freedom. I was looking at a 25-year sentence. But the court declared no findings and I was set free. I considered it luck. But now realize, I received God’s grace—He gave me a second chance.

Six years after that day, in the summer of 1995, I met Richard. We fell in love and were married. But when we went through a rough season, I thought I was going to lose my second marriage. Hopeful I’d get things right this time, we joined Hosanna Baptist Church in Poteet, Texas in 2013. The Lord heard my cries and our marriage blossomed into a love only possible through God. Within the first year as a new Christian, the Lord blessed me and our 22

is through the Lord’s mercy that I have been blessed with a second chance.

Turn your life to God and He will show you your purpose. Don’t seek the world for happiness. God is your answer. He will do more than you can ever think, dream or imagine!

Written with Denise Marcos Richard and Lynne stand by one of their CS Services and Logistics, LLC signs. It's one of the three businesses God gave them to steward.

marriage. Then we opened our first business: CS Services and Logistics and Blanco Creek Farms. We wore many hats and did everything to become successful. We were able to supply a large Texas grocery chain. Our business grew and in 2017 we founded our second company, Armor Shield Logistics which is now run by our other family members. God continued to use us to do his work and in 2018, we opened Diligent Employment Solutions, a company working with individuals who have recovered from drug and alcohol abuse.

Early in my life, I knew about God but I did not know Jesus personally. It

STORY MADE

POSSIBLE BY:

AM 630 The Word, KSLR is pleased to partner with The Beacon in this monthly special section called “Tell Your Story.” AM 630 The Word KSLR is your source for equipping, teaching and inspiring your walk with Christ. Please visit our website at www.am630theword.com to view our program guide for local and national Christian teaching talk programs. We are here to help listeners expand their relationship with Jesus Christ. We partner with San Antonio churches and ministries to bring quality teaching to listeners in our huge listening area. We can work with your church, ministry or business to expand your reach to this important Christian market.

Please visit www.am630theword.com or contact us to learn more.

AM 630 The Word – KSLR

www.am630theword.com 9601 McAllister Freeway, Suite 1200 SAT 78216 | (210) 344-8481

The Armor Shield Logistics team is now run by Richard and Lynne's other family members.

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Anonymous Partners

In Theaters June 21, 2019

We at The Beacon are touched by the number of businesses in our community supporting ministries. These causes are making an eternal difference in the lives of so many in our city.

We encourage you to thank and support the businesses represented in this issue of The Beacon. When you do business with them, you too are a difference-maker in our community! Be A Light.

For more information about how you can be recognized as a community-minded company please contact us at info@sabeacon.com.

Be A Light.

M ay / June 2019

w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

23

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

Full Armor Foundation PO Box 591624 San Antonio, TX 78259

PAID

San Antonio, TX Permit 1675

*********ECRWSSEDDM********** Postal Customer San Antonio, Texas

www.saBeacon.com Follow us on Be A Light.

Facebook (saBeacon)

Twitter (@saBeacon) and

Instagram (sa.beacon)