THE SAN ANTONIO
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2019
Be A Light
SA Hope Center: New name, same commitment
SA Hope Center New name, same commitment to Christ 4 1
Cru Military PTSD battle rages but vets find peace 7
Children’s Bereavement Center Walking through grief together 9 w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
Church Under the Bridge Bringing holiday cheer to homeless 11
Tell Your story United prayer is piercing the darkness 14 O c to be r / N ove m b e r 2 0 1 9
A LETTER FROM THE
CO-PUBLISHERS
Fall is finally in the air. We are embarking on a new season. God uses seasons in our lives to accomplish many wonderful things. Every time we enter a new season, God is teaching us more about His Kingdom and His principles. One of the most important principles we can learn is that God is always at work. John 5:17 says, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” He is at work among the nations, in our own community and in each of our individual lives. So, what should our response be to this important principle? I believe it is recognizing that we can do nothing apart from God. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” It never has been about what we can do for Him. It is staying connected to Him and longing for Him to work through us to change and transform lives. Only God can change the hearts of men and women. And He chooses to work through us to accomplish that very thing. Amazing. This leads us to another important Kingdom principle. Our recognition of God’s work is our own personal invitation to join Him in what He is doing. John 5:19 says, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. It is in this place of joining God in what He is already doing that we will actually experience Him and there is nothing that comes close to that. Please don’t get us wrong. We love prayer, Bible studies and a good sermon. But experiencing His power, His peace, His joy, His ability to change a life — well, there just isn’t anything that comes close. Living out these Kingdom principles is one of the objectives we have at The Beacon. Our desire is to act as a communication tool that will help point you to where God is working so you can join Him and experience Him as well. When you read one of our stories and God is tugging at your heart, please know that this may well be Him inviting you to participate with Him in all He is accomplishing through that nonprofit effort. Perhaps you have read an article and over the next several weeks you hear the name of the ministry you read about brought up in conversation again and again. That is God inviting you to join Him. Maybe you view one of the videos on Beacon TV (visit saBeacon.com) and tear up as you see and hear a testimony. Yep, that is God inviting you to join Him! We at The Beacon pray that many of you will enter a new season of stepping out of the boat and joining God in His work of redemption. After all, it’s better and more refreshing than the first cold front of the year! Come on San Antonio, it’s a new season, let’s Be A Light together! Duke Jonietz
Claude Roberts
Co-Publisher Co-Publisher
The principles listed in the letter above are taken from the book Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby.
INSIDE
OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER 2019
Thank you to our local businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories.
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SA Hope Center New name, same commitment to Christ The SA Hope Center nurtures, empowers and transforms for God’s glory. Find out how you can be a part of their momentum.
Cru Military PTSD battle rages but vets find peace The Dorners bring healing through the message of Christ to our veterans in Military City, USA. You can serve those who’ve served, too!
STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner
Anonymous Partner
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Children’s Bereavement Center Believing no child should walk the painful journey of grief alone Volunteers and certified grief counselors ensure relationships are strong and healthy so families feel they can move on together. STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
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Church Under the Bridge Bringing holiday cheer There's no time like now to reach out! Put Church Under the Bridge on your holiday schedule today and make this season one to remember.
Tell Your Story United prayer is piercing the darkness with Christ’s light Have you been eager to pray with others for this city and nation? Find out how you can host a men’s or women’s prayer group.
STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner
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Be A Light.
PUBLISHER: The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS: Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR: Jennie Rosio PRAYER DIRECTOR: Doug Fletcher WRITERS: Inez Kirchner, Denise Marcos, Jessa McClure, Amy Morgan, Jennie Rosio, Denisse Warshack, Richard Zowie PHONE: (210) 614-8885 ONLINE: www.saBeacon.com MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be a communication and resource tool that reflects God's activity in our community, connecting nonprofits to resources, businesses to customers and people to purpose.
Combined Palm Sunday worship service
SA Hope Center — new name, new ventures, yet consistent commitment to Christ
BY AM Y M O R G AN FREELANCE WRITER
She was at the end of her rope. Born into generational poverty and suffering from its consequences, it only took one bad relationship with her boyfriend to land her on the streets. She was 4
running out of hope and considering suicide. We have all made bad choices. However, the consequences for most of us are not nearly this staggering. Thank goodness God provided help for her. The SA Hope Center stepped in and offered her a lifeline. The young woman had stumbled into their first satellite office in the basement of First Presbyterian Church. Their case manager, Janiece Cantu, befriended her, helped her obtain identification, a shower, clean clothes and, soon after, safe shelter and a new job. This story is just one of the hundreds coming from people whose lives have been changed by the presence of the SA Hope Center, formerly Christian Hope Resource w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
Center (CHRC), whose flagship location opened in the 1980s. Around 2001, CHRC moved to the Westside. In 2005, CHRC opened its doors at 321 N. General McMullen Drive. The ministry formally changed its name to SA Hope Center this October. SA Hope Center’s beginnings were as a benevolence ministry of Oak Hills Church. Its 78207 zip code has earned the reputation as one of the poorest areas in the nation, with a poverty level hovering at 42 percent. Counselors and case managers at the SA Hope Center stabilize families first with food and connections to childcare, housing and transportation. Then they transition them to sustainable, holistic stability by teaching workforce develO c to be r / N ove m b e r 2 0 1 9
opment, financial literacy and parenting skills, among many other things. For the past four years, they’ve seen 800-1000 people monthly, loving them into wellness of mind, body and spirit, says Executive Director Megan Legacy. “We also provide senior services and pastoral counseling,” adds Megan. The faith-based, Christ-centered ministry provides a relationship and safety net in time of crisis. SA Hope Center ( formerly CHRC) became a nonprofit in 2001 and in 2014 implemented a more successful program model to address the root causes of poverty. Since then, they have been hiring more staff to serve more families. The center now employs 20 staff members. They bring on 30 master’s level social work interns annually. This includes three intern site supervisors, dozens of volunteers and a counseling pastor. However, those they helped kept referring to them as The Hope Center. There was a branding problem. “Families have been calling us the ‘Hope Center’ for years,” Megan says. “The acronym CHRC was very confusing to the community, especially as we expand to new sites in San Antonio. People ask if we are a cancer center or a research center. And frankly, some residents are afraid to walk through the doors if they don’t embrace our Christian faith. The new name more accurately reflects the mission of the SA Hope Center but in no way abandons our dedication to love and serve people in the name of Jesus Christ,” Megan emphasizes.
On October 25, the ministry will host a “Better Together” fundraising luncheon at the Vista at Valero to officially announce their name change and showcase God’s blessings — the new locations and greater momentum. “We are still faith based. We share the gospel through stabilizing families and loving them well and then warmly inviting them into a relationship with Christ,” she says. “There is no such thing as hope without Jesus. We just believe we’ll be able to reach more O c tober / November 2019
Client Cathleen Anderson and her daughter are recognized for making great progress toward becoming self-sufficient. This was part of the Milestones of Hope Celebration.
people and have a deeper impact for the kingdom of Christ with a streamlined name.” Additionally, SA Hope Center stands on the threshold of several new collaborative ventures, providing services in five locations. For the first time, SA Hope Center will partner with Ogden Academy to support the family engagement staff there. Ogden Academy, which is in the San Antonio Independent School District, was identified as one falling below critical performance standards. Many of the problems can be attributed to trauma in the home, Megan says. “I am so excited to expand our family strengthening programs inside of a school,” she adds, pointing out that when families are in crisis, perhaps homeless, or without food, it is unrealistic to expect academic performance. Staff Case Manager Carla Castro offices at Ogden to engage personally with families of its 800 students. The former intern with SA Hope Center will help them obtain employment, increase literacy and teach parenting classes. And if families need help navigating the many crisis situations poverty brings, the main campus is just down the street. There they can get help with things like a food assistance or classes for grandparents who are parenting. Another project that has been launched this year collaborates with Restore Education — a tutoring and testing program serving adults pursuing a General Education Diploma w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
Juana stands ready for a new life after graduating from an SA Hope Center program.
Little Violet and her mom, Esmerelda, clients at SA Hope Center, play in the children’s area while waiting for an appointment.
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(GED) test or job-skills certification. Restore Education and SA Hope Center together were awarded a five-year United Way grant to add a full-time social worker to the facility’s Monte Vista location and bring a full-time GED instructor to the SA Hope Center’s main location. These older adult students are highly motivated to complete their program, but they drop out because of a family crisis, Megan says. That’s where SA Hope Center will act. The case Client Ida and her grandson, Jude, stand manager will wrap together; they received services around the assistance from the SA students to make sure Hope Center. they are stable and enable them to continue. “If we can come in, offer support and deal with the crisis, we can get them to a level stability conclusive to finishing a GED program,” Megan says. Removing roadblocks to allow people access to the resources they need is a hallmark of SA Hope Center. Megan recalls an instance where a local college contacted her because a bright, promising student on full scholarship had withdrawn from school. He lived with his disabled mother, who was confined to a wheelchair. It was freezing cold that day just prior to Christmas, she remembers, and the family’s trailer had no electricity or running water. SA Hope Center stepped in. They got the utilities turned back on, provided emergency food and helped the mother with her disability application. Not only was her once-denied claim accepted, she was able to brush up her skills and land a part-time job. The support changed the trajectory of the family’s life. The son was able to stay in school to improve his prospects for a better career. The mother could provide for their physical needs and was no longer socially isolated at home. Another SA Hope Center venture connects Restore Education, the SA Hope Center and the Good Samaritan Community Services with resources at 6
Gina Collins, SA Hope Center client, receives fresh produce at the Client Choice Food Pantry.
the Good Samaritan center through a grant from the local Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation. This program also removes obstacles for adults working to advance their education. The collaboration includes free, high quality, on-site childcare and parenting classes for low income families along with financial literacy, GED classes and job training. “The trend is to capitalize on collaborative programs that holistically care for families,” Megan says. “We can’t just provide youth services when parents aren’t doing well, and we can’t help parents and not their kids.” SA Hope Center is the light at the end of the tunnel for families who feel invisible and don’t know where to turn. There are many reasons families may present in crisis. Like most nonprofits, SA Hope is funded by generous donors. On October 25, the ministry will host a “Better Together” fundraising luncheon at the Vista at Valero to officially announce their name change and
showcase God’s blessings — the new locations and greater momentum. You can make a difference as you join SA Hope Center in their mission to: “Love people well by empowering them to meet their own needs.”
SA Hope Center www.sahopecenter.org 321 N General McMullen Drive San Antonio, TX 78237 (210) 732-3776
Be A Light. Share. Schedule a group for a tour or lunch and learn. Give. Donor dollars directly impact the number who can be served. Volunteer. Help in the food pantry or teach a class. Follow. Learn about events on social media. Pray. Pray for the ministry to continue to reflect the heart of God.
STORY MADE
POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so SA Hope Center could be featured in this issue of The Beacon. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.
SA Hope Center client learns financial management skills. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
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CRU MILITARY:
PTSD battle rages A ministry brings a spiritual response The epidemic of PTSD creates a lingering emotional war within our brave warriors and veterans. This war can give way to peace with spiritual guidance and the great power Christ gives. Cru Military, the military ministry of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ International) is on the front lines of this freedom here in Military City USA. The ministry's origins were during the Vietnam War in 1965. It all began when a U.S. Air Force colonel didn’t want any soldier going into harm’s way without the opportunity to be saved by Christ. Cru Military is a global ministry serving near military communities and bases. They partner with chaplains and churches to present the gospel, provide Bible studies, marriage support and spiritual guidance. They invite active duty military members, veterans and families to small groups, seminars and online content. In San Antonio, Steve and Karen Dorner lead Cru’s efforts to provide specialized support addressing the epidemic of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, combat trauma and other wounds of war. Steve and Karen walk small groups through issues dealing with grief, moral injury, forgiveness and Christ-centered solutions to begin healing. They also assist spouses in becoming whole and spiritually fit. “It helps the veteran to recover when their family is doing well, too,” says Steve. Steve and Karen host REBOOT O c tober / November 2019
Combat Recovery, a 12-week course for veterans and family members. Together, they explore healing the soul to recover from combat trauma. When participants graduate the class, the Dorners provide ongoing support, follow up and discipleship material to those who wish to continue their healing. “We work with singles, married couples, active, retired. And veterans from the Vietnam era and current conflicts. It’s a mixed group,” says Karen. As a combat medic with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Steve grappled with his own traumas when remembering the people he could not save. Today he wants to help reduce the number of soldiers lost to spiritual warfare and emotional wounds. “I feel like I’m still losing people,” he says. “This spiritual darkness is leading 22 veterans a day to commit suicide and over 80 percent of combat veterans getting divorced,” says Steve. “By mobilizing the church to help in their local areas, they can make a real difference.” The church plays a major role in the
Steve and Karen can equip your church group to launch a ministry to vets. ministry’s mission. Many churches provide support for military families but tend to steer clear of a ministry related to combat trauma, which is often misunderstood. Over half of our veterans are National Guard or Reserve, which means they are not based in military communities, but in their hometowns. “There is still a need. God is calling our churches to be a healing hub in every little town,” says Steve. “Whenever someone calls, we want to provide them with multiple people, places and w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
‘Doc’ Dorner, age 19, serving as a Combat Medic with the 25th Infantry in Vietnam, 1969.
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Doc gathers for a reunion with buddies he served with in Vietnam. They’re still a band of brothers 50 years later.
Carla McDougal, executive producer of the We Are Stronger movie, joins Karen Dorner at Cru’s U.S. Staff conference.
resources to direct them.” Another powerful resource is the movie We Are Stronger, produced by Reflective Media Productions of Houston. The feature length film depicts the struggles of a veteran dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, the effects on the family and how God intervenes in his life in an amazing way. The most common thing many veterans and family members say after seeing the movie is, “We saw ourselves on the screen.” This realization is often the first step towards seeking help. When We Are Stronger came to San Antonio, most of the registrants for the Dorners’ first REBOOT course had seen the movie just before signing up. The Dorners equip churches and organizations to identify the specific Steve Dorner equips churches for post-traumatic stress disorder ministry in North Carolina.
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needs in their own community and develop a ministry outreach to meet those needs. “This isn’t a prescription but based on the church’s own DNA — their strengths, gifts, and ideas,” says Karen. “We don’t just train; we’re in it for the long haul. We’re always here.” The greatest challenge the ministry faces is spiritual warfare and getting participants to know the truth of God, rather than the lies they’ve told themselves. “There’s a major attack on the truth, forgiving one’s self and experiencing false guilt,” says Steve. “If we can get them to know the truth about God’s forgiveness, the healing process can begin.” Speaking anonymously a U.S. Army veteran says REBOOT helped him tremendously. “Earlier this year,” he says, “I reached the lowest point in my life. My Steve and Karen Dorner have served Cru since PTSD had placed 2002. me in a psychological abyss from which I had no hope of recovering. After coming close to committing suicide, I decided that I needed help. I asked God for help and he answered me by placing REBOOT in my path. “As I went through the class, my eyes were open to the possibility that relief and recovery were possible. I met some amazing God-loving people that did not judge me in any way. I met brothers and sisters in arms who felt as I did. I was not alone in this fight. It was through this program that I have been able to fully face my demons. Through this fellowship, I have learned to love myself again and begin the w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
healing process that I needed so badly,” says this man. Steve says this healing is priceless. “I’ve had men come up to me and say, ‘Other organizations have given me gifts and hunting trips, but you’re the first to give me hope,’” he says. “It’s the loss of hope that pulls the trigger, takes the pills and leads to divorce and there is only peace through Jesus Christ.” Steve emphasizes the need to interject the churches and Christ into the healing process. “We want to enlist everyone we can,” he says, “to join the battle.”
www.crumilitary.org Give to the Dorners: www.give.cru.org/0532918 Contact: steve.dorner@crumilitary.org (210) 363-3390
Be A Light. Invite. Steve and Karen can equip a group in your church to launch their own ministry to those who serve. Watch. Download the We are Stronger movie at www.strongermovie.com. (For easy access, use the link at saBeacon.com.) Donate. The Dorners serve and live totally by faith. Prayerfully consider keeping them on the frontlines of this epidemic by becoming a monthly financial partner. Go to www.give. cru.org/0532918 and give.
STORY MADE
POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so CRU Military could be featured in this issue of The Beacon. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.
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Believing that no child should have to walk the painful journey of grief alone BY AM Y M O R G AN FREELANCE WRITER
Tragedy strikes when least expected. A car accident, a sudden illness, suicide — even a natural disaster or active shooter. Lives are changed forever for families who have lost a loved one. How do they pick up the pieces and go on? The Children’s Bereavement Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Martha Atkins, Ph.D., to help children ages three to 24 and their caregivers “understand the depth of their grief, stabilize and preserve family relationships and develop healthy coping skills after the death of a loved one.” Here, you’ll find a safety net for children recovering from loss. Dr. Atkins’ own personal journey with loss led her to develop this program. She began serving families with the support of Colonial Hills United Methodist Church while pursuing post graduate schooling. The Center eventually became today’s thriving organization. In just the first six months of 2019, the Center saw O c tober / November 2019
1,766 children and their caregivers, according to Franchesca Velten, the Center’s Marketing and Development Manager. Services are available seven days a week. Eight licensed professional counselors, with specialty training in grief and trauma, oversee dozens of interns and volunteers to provide services. Programs include individual grief counseling, peer support groups, school-based groups and grief camps. Peer support groups match those with similar loss experiences to help children know that others struggle with similar feelings. These no-cost programs meet twice a month and begin with a community meal, prepared and served by volunteer "Potluck Partners." The Center, located in Olmos Park, provides a safe, nurturing environment conducive to healing in a beautiful home-like setting. The facility has space for a variety of fine art therapy modalities like dance, drama, and music, as well as visual arts to help participants physically process their loss. Notable is the glass art suite, where children melt shattered glass together into a new object to tangibly w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
A young woman expresses her feelings through music to reduce anxiety and physical effects.
illustrate the concept of making something beautiful out of brokenness. Twice a year, the Children’s Bereavement Center hosts Camp Heroes for school age children. They focus on the weeks of Thanksgiving and spring a mom, I see such value in their mission. “ AsI know how important it is to provide a safe space for kids, especially while trying to heal and grieve. I ‘m grateful that the Children’s Bereavement Center can provide that. They make each child’s journey just a little bit easier to walk because they walk with them, in understanding and compassion.
”
Elisia Carr, Marketing Coordinator, DOCUmation
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Clients gather for a training session in the living room of the Center.
break to provide maximum support to families. The newly single parent may need to be working during these school breaks, Franchesca points out, so Camp Heroes serves tangible as well as emotional needs. “Camp Heroes gives everybody that extra support and sets the tone for the holidays,” says Franchesca. During the summer, the Center takes more than 80 grieving children ages six through seventeen to Hermann Sons Life Camp in Comfort, Texas. Pastors and other colleagues can attend training events to develop counseling skills in the area of child trauma. The Grief Education Institute meets quarterly and offers CEUs to applicable professionals. Those interested can find information about upcoming events on the Center’s website. New groups have been developed as needs have emerged. Previously they didn’t provide adult support groups, but, Franchesca says, “we saw parents sitting outside talking while they waited for their children and realized they needed support as well.” Another new group is forming: grandparents raising grandchildren. As the numbers of teens committing suicide continues to rise, support groups for their close friends and family members have been created as well. “We’re ultimately about ensuring relationships are strong and healthy so
families feel they can move on together,” Franchesca says. She remembers a teen who was extremely emotionally guarded. “He always had his headphones on,” she says, “and we weren’t sure if he was even listening. He progressed to just one earbud, then throwing them over his shoulder. It was great to see him opening up and laughing at the end of the semester,” she says. “Sometimes moving forward without carrying the baggage of trauma is a slow process.” Emma Wood is an example of one for whom the Children’s Bereavement Center made all the difference. Now a sophomore in college, Emma lost her father to leukemia at the age of 10. After participating in the program, she volunteered at the Hermann Sons grief camp as well as took part in healing circles at the Center. “In my role as a young adult, I can really connect with the younger kids,” she says. “It was easier for them to come talk to me and open up than it might be with an adult. It was really cool to see them heal through that.” Emma’s mother, Leslie, a licensed clinical social professional, also worked at the Center. Emma says her mother “finds it really important we are involved there [at the Children’s Bereavement Center] because it is the place that helped us when we lost our dad.”
he loss of a loved one is always hard. Imagine “ Tbeing a kid going through a loss like that. They’re so fragile. We need to provide services that help kids not only cope with the loss, but that also provide them with tools to help deal with their emotions and help them to continue moving forward in a healthy way. The Children’s Bereavement Center supports a huge need in our community.
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Hunter Woolfolk, Co-President DOCUmation
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Children at the Center visit with a pet from Therapy Animals San Antonio to help overcome their grief.
205 W. Olmos Drive, San Antonio, TX 78212 www.cbcst.org (210) 736-HUGS or (210) 736-4847
Be A Light. Follow. Learn about events on social media. Invite. Ask your church leadership if they’d like to develop counseling skills in the area of child trauma; the Bereavement Center can train them. Pray. Ask God to help every child find the help they need. Give. Send a monetary donation or teddy bear through Amazon Smile. Or, sign up up to be a Potluck Partner.
STORY MADE
POSSIBLE BY:
DOCUmation provides IT, print, and software solutions to businesses and nonprofits throughout Texas and beyond. 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 (210) 341-4431 info@mation.com
A girl chooses an item from the Sand Tray Suite to express her feelings.
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Church Under the Bridge ramps up homeless outreach during the holidays BY AM Y M O R G AN FREELANCE WRITER
Church Under the Bridge (CUB) sacrifices for the least of these in our city unconditionally. As the old hymn goes, each can say he comes “just as I am, though tossed about…” The humble ministry began 23 years ago when individuals with hearts for San Antonio’s homeless population began showing unconditional love to those living on the street. They worked literally under the bridge of U.S. Highway 281 downtown. “We don't care if you're in a gang. We don't care if you're doing meth. We don't care if you sleep under the Ninth Street bridge. We're just going to love you. We're going to take you in. As long as you are orderly, we’re going to let you come in the sanctuary to hear about Jesus,” says current Executive Director Dianne Talbert. CUB moved several times until donors purchased property by the O c tober / November 2019
Hayes Street Bridge, where they built a $1.3 million indoor facility that opened in 2011. The building houses a sanctuary, where services are held three evenings a week. It includes restrooms, a commercial kitchen, a dining hall and a medical and dental clinic. Around 350-500 homeless and marginalized men, women and children consider CUB their church home, says Dianne. At CUB, they’ll see 3,000 volunteers and 60 partner agencies donate items, cook and serve a hot meal. Dinners are served Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights for the participants, many of whom are regulars. “We feed them spiritually and physically, then connect them to other agencies that can help them get off the street,” says Dianne. She’s been leading the operations of CUB for the past eight years. Upkeep for the physical building creates thousands of dollars of recurring expenses. Rather than drop services, part-time staff members perform their duties at CUB as volunteers. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
“God put me here,” says Dianne. “I love the men and women who come here — both the members of our congregation and the many churches and people who serve them.” She’s seen 300 to 500 weekly benefitting from the support CUB provides. Some have returned to become volunteer staff ! One woman has especially blossomed at CUB. When Suzanne first started coming, says Dianne, she seemed despondent. Her speech was never positive. As she kept coming to church, she grew to love the Lord. “She walked around with a Bible in her hand all day long. But — one day,” says Dianne, “she finally realized that she is important; that God loves her, not somebody else. Then, anybody that will listen, she will tell them about Jesus. She’s like a mini Billy Graham.” Suzanne even saved her money from the good job she landed and pursued her dream to travel to the Holy Land. Spiritual growth also comes 11
Thank you ANONYMOUS PARTNER for making this story possible to share.
through improved physical health at CUB. Recently they began offering a medical and dental clinic visitation in conjunction with the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA). CUB provides the physical location and the patients; CMDA brings the professionals and the equipment. The effort allows medical and dental students to garner patient experience alongside a professional, Dianne says, and serves a real need for the homeless. Dianne is amazed at this and says that when the homeless come to this kind of event, it’s a sign their spirit is transforming; so often, on the streets, they’ve spiraled emotionally into a state where they don’t care about their own health needs. “The chronically homeless don’t generally have the opportunity to access medical care unless they go to the emergency room,” she adds. In September, 56 health care professionals offered eight hours of free medical and dental care. These professionals were able to provide 160 dental and 58 medical procedures in one day. They’ll return November 16 and then twice a semester. “We’re extremely thankful that these professionals are offering their time for people who cannot afford these services,” says Dianne. During the holidays, the ministry plans several seasonal outreach events. For Thanksgiving, CUB volunteers provide a feast for 300 using food donated by ministry partners. Likewise, CUB hosts a Christmas
dinner the week before Christmas and a Christmas gift giveaway the Saturday prior to the holiday. Participants meet for a worship service, then gather for a cup of hot chocolate. At the end, they receive a Christmas gift bag and a sandwich to go. In the gift bags are hygiene kits, gift cards to fast food restaurants; scarves, gloves, hats, socks and other items they collect from generous donors. Children also are invited to select a toy. One partner group knits all year long to provide scarves, she says, and she can’t keep enough gloves in stock. A volunteer-run ministry of this size and magnitude can always use funding assistance. There’s still time to participate in a 5K benefitting CUB on October 19. Or you can organize a special project like a food or sock drive. Find CUB’s wish list on DollarDays.com or Amazon Smile.
Multiple churches and individuals donate the items inside the Christmas bags that will be distributed during the CUB Christmas celebration.
Church Under the Bridge 724 Chestnut St., San Antonio, TX 78202 www.cub-sa.org dianne@cub-sa.org
Be A Light.
Doctors and nurses donate their time to check vitals and make healthy recommendations.
Pray. Ask God to empower this ministry to continue to be a spiritual light to San Antonio’s homeless population. Share. Follow CUB on Facebook to find out about events. Give. Funds are needed for the upcoming holiday events and for operations. Mail a check to P.O. Box 34421, San Antonio, TX 78265 or donate online. Tell. Encourage your church to sponsor a donation drive or a cook team or to sign up and serve. Volunteer. The upcoming holidays bring a special opportunity to get involved. Serve and increase your joy.
STORY MADE
POSSIBLE BY:
Anonymous Partner Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so Church Under the Bridge could be featured in this issue of The Beacon. With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.
Volunteers get ready to distribute Christmas bags at last year's celebration.
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C O M M U N I T Y - M I N D E D PA R T N E R S
Thank you to these community-minded businesses for making this issue possible. We encourage you to do business with companies that care.
DOCUmation cares deeply for our community At DOCUmation, we know that technology can really help or hinder a business. As a locally-owned technology solutions company that provides print, IT and software services for businesses and other organizations, we want to help ensure that your technology works for you. Our solutions are designed with your business in mind. We evaluate your current setup and make recommendations on how to improve performance and minimize cost. We want to ensure our customers have the right equipment to meet their needs and budget — not ours. With master-certified technicians, a help desk with hours beyond the standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a 96% resolution rate (which means we solve your issue on the first call, 96% of the time), we are set up to provide you the exceptional service we strive for. Founded in 1990, DOCUmation is now in its
third generation of family leadership, with brothers Hunter and Preston Woolfolk serving as co-presidents. Our Founder and Chairman, Lou Scantland, believes that the greatest achievement one can attain is making an impact on the lives of others. This belief is the foundation upon which we have built our mission to provide technology solutions to any business that values exceptional service. We joyfully give of our time and talents to positively impact the work and lives of our teammates, customers, partners, and community. We have a strong desire to make DOCUmation a great place to work. It is our hope that our employees fully invest in our value of Community, so creating fun and engaging ways to do this remains our focus. At DOCUmation, we work with inspired people, where the energy of our optimism drives our
attitudes, creates a fun environment, and builds successful relationships. By partnering with DOCUmation, you join in our vision to consistently and positively impact our communities. Our customers are beacons within our city, agents of change who not only want to drive success within their businesses, but also throughout our communities. Our dedication to service started three generations ago and continues to be the guiding force in our company. We’re building a legacy of service that serves.
DOCUmation
www.mation.com | (210) 341-4431 info@mation.com
Win the hearts of your customers The Beacon uses cause marketing to strengthen relationships between nonprofit ministries and community-minded businesses. Effective cause marketing is more than just a community page on your website. It should be consistent and spread across multiple media channels. Read why you should consider cause marketing for your community-minded business. THE TOP FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD IMPLEMENT OR STRENGTHEN CAUSE MARKETING 1. Matches your company values. Alignment is important. You are a difference-maker. Cause marketing matches the heart of who you are as a business and why you do what you do. 2. Provides a competitive edge. Chances are O c tober / November 2019
your competitors are NOT using cause marketing nor branding themselves as community-minded. Research shows when choosing between two brands of equal quality and price, 90% of U.S. consumers are likely to switch to a cause branded product. 3. Increases customer loyalty and locates new customers. Especially today, consumers are attentive to companies that give back. Research shows cause marketing builds additional loyalty among existing customers (think repeat business and referrals) and even locates new customers. Simply put, people want to do business with companies that give back to their communities. 4. Provides a win, win, win. By specializing in cause marketing, The Beacon has established w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
a win, win, win. Your favorite nonprofit wins as a result of increased resources, your company wins as a result of retaining and adding new customers, and finally, our community wins as more lives are changed! 5. It is biblical. Sowing and reaping (2 Corinthians 9:6). Giving and receiving (Luke 6:38). Seeking first His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Cause marketing with pure motive is promised a return. Please contact Duke Jonietz at duke@sabeacon.com or at (210) 316-8260 to set up your cause marketing discovery meeting today.
Be A Light. 13
T E L L YO U R S TO RY
L I G H T H O U S E S O F P R AY E R I N T E R N AT I O N A L Women at the Eastside Women’s Call to Prayer in April praised the Lord for His goodness in a time of worship. There were women there from Eastside churches — as far away as Pleasanton.
United prayer is piercing the darkness with Christ’s light BY JE S S A M CC LUR E
On a rocky hill beside the sea, a lighthouse shines into the darkness, guiding ships to safety. Like the early lighthouse keepers, Lighthouses of Prayer International is keeping Christ’s light shining brightly by praying kingdom focused prayers. What began in 1997 as the Women’s Prayer Committee for the South Texas Billy Graham Crusade is now Lighthouses of Prayer International. Joan Courtney, the Founder and President of LPI says, “The sweet spirit of unity continues today in Lighthouses of Prayer as we see God doing the impossible when At a celebration dinner in September pastors His people unite Ruben Mendez, Charles to pray.” God gave Flowers, Steve Branson and Jeff Roman extended Joan His vision for hands to pray over LPI city-wide prayer leaders. Many other groups in San pastors prayed over Antonio and them as well. LPI leaders, seated: Retired Sgt. Major beyond shortly of the Marine Corps after the crusade. LC Courtney and Joan God has Courtney. affirmed the vision he gave to Joan many years ago. LPI now has established prayer groups in 13 San Antonio zip codes. There are also groups in Boerne and Spring Branch and another in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There are even 14
prayer groups in Puerto Rico and in Tokyo. The format for a Lighthouse of Prayer is the same whether praying in San Antonio or Tokyo. Members gather in small groups monthly and pray for one hour for the areas that determine our society’s spiritual and moral climate. Joan says that she often hears from pastors who are thankful for prayers for their families and their churches. Nationally recognized pastor and author Max Lucado affirms the ministry of the Lighthouse groups saying, “They remind us of the importance and priority of prayer. Their work is essential.” In 2019, several brothers in Christ became interested in uniting and forming men’s prayer groups to pray for their city and nation. LPI now welcomes our brothers in Christ to form men’s LPI. Over the years, Joan has prayed with many of the prayer groups. “As women pray,” says Joan, “I hear the heart of a mother being poured out in love as they passionately intercede for their city and nation. Imagine the impact we will see in this city when these voices are joined by the prayers of men echoing the heart of their Father in heaven.” Revival historians tell us there has never been a great spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin with Christians uniting to pray across the boundaries that separates them. Joan passionately says, “When we, the church, unite in passionate prayer the crippling walls of division w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m
will come down. As we bombard the heavens with united prayer, Christ’s light will dispel the darkness and souls will be set free to come to the saving knowledge of An LPI Women’s Lighthouse Jesus Christ group meets for prayer and before His fellowship. return.”
LPI Citywide Call to Prayer If you share LPI’s belief that God will advance Christ’s Kingdom and do the impossible through united prayer, LPI asks you and yours to join them. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. Parkhills Baptist 17747 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78232 Complimentary Luncheon RSVP by Tuesday Oct. 29th (210) 349-7729 events@lighthousesofprayer.org Special guest speaker: Pastor Rander Draper Lighthouses of Prayer International 8023 Vantage Dr. Suite 200 SA,TX 78230 Toll Free (866) 325-PRAY www.lighthousesofprayer.org O c to be r / N ove m b e r 2 0 1 9
Frank Dunn Realtor LEGACY
AUTOMOTIVE – HELOTES
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 and past issues 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.
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