448 N. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 • (269) 345-2974 • www.kzoogospel.org

HEALING WATERSYears

Serving for over

April 2017NEWSLETTER

Continued on page 2

SAVE THE DATE!May 19, 2017 • 8-9am

Heart2Heart Breakfast Kalamazoo Radisson Hotel

(More details to come)

KALAMAZOO GOSPEL MISSION OF OUR COMMUNITY@ THE

National Day of Prayer

May 4, 2017 • 12pmFront Steps of Kalamazoo City Hall

Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk

April 30, 2017 • 2pm Bronson Park

Sign up at: http://kalamazoocropwalk.org

CHRISTINA WAS MOLESTED by multiple family members as a child. This caused her to medicate herself heavily through drugs and alcohol. At 20 years old and with her life so out of control, she was put into prostitution and began robbing stores. Addictions overwhelmed her life and she was placed in prison multiple times. After her last release, and while taking care of her mother, Christina knew she needed to get clean. She came to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission with low

expectations. Even though she said that she wanted to be clean of her addictions she knew she didn’t really believe she ever could. She had been addicted for more than 30 years. Christina was placed in the Women’s shelter for 90 days before starting the program. Everything inside her self wanted to rebel against the rules placed upon her, but she complied and did what they asked of her. She began praying and for the first time believed she could get clean.

Once she started the program it took

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM

Pastor Michael BrownExecutive Director

You served 16,884 meals • You provided 8,446 nights of shelter in the month of February

For God so loved the world that He sacrificed His only son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

Every year people talk about what they will give up in the New Year. For some folks its meat, for some it may

be sugar, and for others it could be smoking or some other bad habit. It’s interesting how many will communicate their decisions. Often they talk about the “sacrifice” they plan to make. These sacrifices usually have a benefit for them and while it will require a change of attitude. Generally the cost is minimal, if there is a cost at all.

At this time of year, I can’t talk about sacrifice without thinking about the sacrifice Christ made to redeem us to fellowship with God. It was a sacrifice that would cost Christ everything. As I consider the pain and humiliation He was subjected to, not to mention the feeling of total abandonment, (Matt 27:46) yet He trusted the will of the Father. This is true sacrifice. This is sacrifice grounded in love. The Word of God says; “For God so loved the world that He sacrificed His only son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. This is a demonstration of the value God has place on us and His desire to have a loving relationship with us.

Scripture has more to say about sacrifice though, in Romans 12:1, Paul declares that we should present our bodies as a “living” sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. He goes on to say that this is our “reasonable” service. When I think about it, it makes my New Year’s resolution sacrifices seem irrelevant. Understanding God’s love for me continues to motivate me to live everyday with the purpose of sacrificing my will for His. As He directs my life I continue to become that living sacrifice Paul talked about.

This is our consistent message as we share the love of God with the people we serve. For those who surrender their will to His, addictions are broken, families are restored and life is never the same-The thought that God sacrificed His only son so that they / we might have fellowship with him, abundant life, and now and everlasting life later. Here at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission we see God’s amazing plan worked out every day.

Thank you for partnering with us as we share the message of love, life, hope and yes, sacrifice.

CHRISTINA (continued) her two years to finish it. Christina relapsed into drinking multiple times, especially after her mom died. “They always took me back,” Christina recalls with tears in her eyes. “John Simpson and Katrina Wood changed my life. They gave me tough love, but they weren’t tough about it. If it weren’t for their grace towards me I wouldn’t have made it through.”

Christina began to learn more about how God thought of her and began to believe she could change. The staff at the

mission allowed her to see how much God loved her and how valuable her life truly was.

Christina now has housing and is part of her church choir. She knows her life belongs to God and desires to live fully for him. She doesn’t want to live with addictions, and she knows this because of The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and its staff have made it a reality.

VOLUNTEEROPPORTUNITIES

To volunteer, please fill out a volunteer application on our website,

www.kzoogospel.org. For more information, contact our Volunteer

Coordinator Tim Keith at volunteer@kzoogospel.org or 269-345-2974 ext. 203.

IN THE KITCHENServing Breakfast Tuesday-Thursday andSaturday and SundayAfternoon Food PrepEvery Day

KITCHEN WAREHOUSEMonday-Saturday

WITH OUR CHILDRENSonshine Kidsand Creation StationMonday-Thursday

DONATION DROP-OFF CENTERMonday-Saturday

WOMEN’S SHELTERSaturday and Sunday

LONG TERM PROGRAMMING Mentors for men and women to meet weekly with program members for about an hour

BUILDING HOPE CAMPAIGNGrant Writer

I.D.E.A. CENTERCareer Course InstructorLife Skills Instructor

RESCUED TREASURES

Rescued Treasures is our Thrift Store at 524 N. Burdick, where people from the community can donate clothing, home décor, blankets, kitchen items, couches, and much more. The store is open Monday through

Friday 9am to 5pm and on Saturday from 9am to 3pm. The money we collect from the store goes right back into the Mission to help support the programs and recovery we provide for our clients. Clients who stay with us are

also able to get vouchers for the store to buy items they need such as coats or boots. If you have not come by our Rescued Treasures thrift store lately, today would be a great day to shop! We can’t wait to see you.

WISH LIST

like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/kzoogospel

Women’s ShelterFurniture, beds, infant beds, matsCopier/fax machine/Computer privacy screenMetal detectorBibles, study biblesDressers (metal)Industrial washer and dryerEducational activities gamesSippy cups, bottles, diapersPaint books (water)Socks and underwear (all sizes)Shampoo, lotions, deodorantMedication boxesClear bags and backpacks (large enough to fit books & binders)Diapers 3,4,5,6, and adult sizePull-ups for children and adultsThermometersZip drives (1 gig)Hair grease & relaxer (African products) Bus passes, tokens, gas cardsTylenol and Motrin, cough drops Blankets

Men’s ShelterSocks and underwear, winter glovesBlankets, towelsLarge print biblesReading glassesTriple-X size clothing

Children’s MinistryDoll Strollers and FurnitureChild size spoons and Cups (30)New children’s clothing (all sizes)

Long Term ProgrammingLoose leaf paper, spiral notebooks2-Pocket foldersBulletin board suppliesMentors

MaintenanceWork boots – Size 9-11Snow shovels, snow blowerThermal underwear, thermal socksWinter overalls and work coatsDenture adhesive, men’s and women’s razorsShaving creamDiapers 4, 5, 6

KitchenGround beef, #10 cans of fruit and vegetables, Bulk frying oil, cheeseDisposable cups and silverware

Health ClinicBus tokensNew, in date, over the counter medications and hygiene productsBlood pressure monitorsGlucometers with strips

Rescued TreasuresPacking tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts

Education/Life SkillsProjector

Tech Dept.Laser printers

LEGACY GIVINGDid you know a DVD of “Apollo 13” was responsible for the demise of Blockbuster? The

concept for Netflix actually came to Reed Hastings when he was forced to pay $40 in overdue fines for the video he’d forgotten to return. That one incident created a seismic shift in how we watch digital media.

“Seismic shifts” are happening all around us. In fact, the biggest wealth transfer in history is happening now—$59 trillion! In order for this transfer to pass from one generation to the next, individuals need to exercise wise estate planning.

One way to give is through a “Donor Advised Fund.” This is the fastest-growing charitable giving tool because they are simple, flexible and tax-efficient. When you give through a Donor Advised Fund, you’ll step into a seismic shift of generosity. Every gift you name to a charity like Kalamazoo Gospel Mission—whether large or small—will create a ripple effect in the lives of those they serve, and bless you in return. As Proverbs 11:25 says: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of “Step into a ‘Seismic Shift’ of Generosity” by contacting Tammy R. Clubb, Director of Development at Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, at 269.345.2974 ext. 211 or tammyclubb@kzoogospel.org