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Transcript of Spring 2014 Messenger
Thank you so much for taking
the time to read the Messenger.
I am excited to share with you the “new look” of our
magazine but more importantly the stories of success
detailed inside. While you read the pages and see the
photos, I am sure you will understand this magazine
can only contain a small amount of what is going on
in our many ministries. I must say that Rosa Elena’s
story is one of tremendous faith and transformation. I
have enjoyed getting to know her and see her amazing
faith in action. She is a very special lady whom God
has used to impact the lives of so many children and
families through her servants heart. Not only have
I gotten to know Rosa Elena personally, but I have
gotten to know her teachers and the children in her
school, “the Glory goes to God”.
Eron Green, President and CEO
You will also read stories of how God has called others
to serve Him through joining our team here at South
Texas Children’s Home Ministries whether as staff,
volunteers, or donors. In Matthew 9:36-38, he wrote,
“When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them.
They were troubled and helpless like sheep without
a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest
is large, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord
who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his
crops.’” I challenge you to pray about what God has
called you to do. We should always remember that we
must have a willing heart to serve. We strive diligently
to serve those entrusted into our care at South Texas
Children’s Home Ministries. Service before self!
Service Before Self!
Join us on www.STCHM.org [email protected] STCHM is a Texas Baptist agency affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
2 Spring 2014
Family Counseling - Rockport 361.575.5151
Family Counseling - Victoria 361.575.5151
Christian Women’s Job Corps - Corpus Christi 361.334.4263
International Ministry - Corpus Christi 361.994.0940
President’s Office and Development 361.375.2417
Homes for Children - Beeville 361.375.2101
Homes for Families - Goliad 361.375.2101
Family Counseling - Corpus Christi 361.991.8680
Spring BreakThere were kids everywhere! During
spring break, we hosted several
churches that provided activities and
meals for the children at the Boothe
Campus in Pettus. Oak Hills Baptist
Church of Floresville’s youth group
kicked off the week with activities in
the gym and some outdoor fun while
the sun was out. First Baptist Church
of Floresville and Spring Baptist
Church kept the fun going with a block
party and games. Mark Childs, Vice
President of Residential Programs, said
the youth and church members “shared
lots of smiles, friendships, and the love
of Christ to our students and staff.”
contentsSTCHM Snapshots
Homes for Children
You are Loved
We demonstrate our love to the special
people in our lives in many ways. We
pray for them, we take care of them,
and we provide for their needs.
Valentine’s Day provides a special
opportunity to demonstrate our love to
one another. On the Boothe Campus,
the staff threw a wonderful celebration
for the kids that included homemade
sweets, from cakes and cookies to
pudding and chocolate covered
strawberries. The kids received gifts
and heard from God’s word during the
“You are Loved” inspired chapel service.
The message the children heard was
from John 3:16, “For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting
life.” No matter who you are, where you
come from, or what you experience in
this world…You are loved.
www.STCHM.org 3
P3STCHM SnapSHoTS
P4La gLoria a dioS
P6viSion Trip 2014
P7FaiTH MakeS THingS poSSiBLe... noT eaSY
P8FroM THe HearT
P9igniTe Your reLaTionSHip
P10voLunTeer appreCiaTion
P11LiFe aFTer STCHM
P12SToCk SHow 2014
P14CHriSTMaS reFLeCTion
P15growing a MiniSTrY
FoLLow uSConnect with us on Facebook for an up-to-date, as it happens, snapshot of what we are doing daily. There is always
something post-worthy! We encourage you to share what we are doing with your Facebook friends, so check us
out and tell others about us, www.facebook.com/stchm.
“Ruth! Ruuth!” The voice penetrated… across the
street and up the hill. Ruth sat motionless, tears running
down her cheeks staring at the cup of “tea” brewed
by a neighbor. Her four children suffered with hunger
every day and now she was pregnant again. An abusive
husband, a two-room shack lacking beds for all, no
hope and no future for the children she already had,
how could she face bringing another child into this life of
misery? Her neighbor assured her this cup of tea would
help her abort her “problem”. “Ruth!! Ruuth!” The voice
of Rosa Elena persisted louder.
Rosa Elena was a single mom who had moved into the
dark and desperately poor neighborhood of Hatillo.
Rosa Elena herself had known hopelessness and poverty.
Deserted by her unfaithful husband, completely broke
after failed business ventures, she and her two girls moved
near the IBQ church. While praying to a God she was sure
existed but didn’t know personally, Pastor Rudy, IBQ Pastor,
knocked on the door, and introduced her to Christ. Over
the next few months, Pastor Rudy and his wife, Patria met
her needs for housing and food, and discipled her. Almost
instantly God placed in Rosa Elena’s heart a passion for
making a difference in the lives of children in the Hatillo area.
In the divorce settlement, Rosa Elena had been granted
a small amount of seemingly worthless land that slanted
straight down on both sides of a gorge outside the town
of Hatillo. The roots of this community were imbedded
in prostitution to service the former dictator, Trujillo,
and his henchmen. A burning desire began to grow
within her to reach the children in this poor community,
children without a personal knowledge of Christ, without
hope of an education, and no future.
Could God use this land and an untrained school teacher
with no resources to fulfill this vision? “To impact this
community with biblical principles and moral values; to
help break the cycle of generational curses; to alleviate
spiritual and physical poverty by providing children and
adolescents the tools of education but always with
the truths of the Gospel as our guiding North Star.”
And so she began with 7 children in 1996. “Just be
faithful,” she was told repeatedly as missionaries
helped her chisel into the side of the canyon
and erect 2 small wooden chapel-buildings for
housing and a classroom. She labored faithfully
for 10 years, often without resources. The
struggles seemed overwhelming at times.
“We had to break a crayon in four pieces
to share.” The school grew to over 50
children ages 2-8, poor children who
could not pay tuition, whom she also
fed once a day. Rosa Elena’s vision
included classes to reach mothers
with the Gospel and give them training in
parenting, hygiene, health, and nutrition.
In 2007, God brought STCHM and partner churches
who began to sponsor children through the Samuel’s
Fund Sponsorship program, they shared resources
of school supplies and food. And so it happened in
God’s providence that Rosa Elena remembered Ruth
one morning. As a child, Ruth had accepted Christ,
but drifted away during her teen years. “Ruth!” cried
out Rosa Elena. Ruth hesitated, put down the tea, and
walked down the street, broken and desperate. Rosa
4 Spring 2014
By: Joanna Berry
“The glory goes to God”
barrowing it over a precipice, disassembling heavy
playground equipment and inching it up a ravine to a
new location, hammering zinc roof sections over a new
open-air porch, while others re-built fences, painted and
replaced rotten wood, built a new kitchen and more. With
a thumbs up! Rosa Elena gave God all the glory….but her
vision included more.
In 2012, STCHM President, Eron Green visited Rosa
Elena’s school, inquiring about her vision for the future;
Rosa Elena gave him the architect’s blueprints developed
by her daughter several years before. She had no doubt
that God, who had given her this vision and sustained
her for over 15 years, had the resources to provide. In the
summer of 2013, an amazing transformation occurred at
the Rosa Elena School. Assisted by mission teams from
several Texas churches, STCHM Projects Coordinator,
Russell Jerez, under the leadership of Dominican
Contractor Luis Pichardo, have built beautiful classrooms
that cascade down the hill to the canyon level, including
rooms for a science class, a library, a computer room,
and a new dining room. The exact plan Rosa Elena’s
daughter drew up 10 years before. At every stage
of this amazing story, Rosa Elena’s faith in God never
wavered. He would provide in His time. Her part was to
be faithful and continue to work. And she never wavers
when people marvel or question. “La Gloria a Dios,” is her
refrain, as she points with her thumbs to the skies. The
Glory belongs to God.
Many individuals and churches have joined in faith to
make Rosa Elena’s dreams a reality. Together they
believe that Rosa Elena’s God is big enough to provide
these needs in His time. For all who have participated
and witnessed what God has already done, we join
Rosa Elena with a “Thumbs up! All glory to God!”
www.STCHM.org 5
Elena shared from Psalm 127:3, “Children are a gift from
the Lord. We can help you feed your children, and they
can go to school here because of the Samuel’s Fund
Sponsorship program.” Today Ruth gives the glory to
God, and thanks the many sponsors of her five children.
She is in charge of the kitchen, and all of her children
attend school and are active in serving God.
In 2009, God led mission teams to build a cement
classroom to replace a rotting wood structure. The
following year, a lady of modest means and great faith
looked at the shack where food was cooked for the
children, and began to raise funds for a new
kitchen. In 2010, Trinity Baptist Church
from Kerrville and First Baptist Church
from Kenedy began a significant
renovation: picking at
caliche, wheel
6 Spring 2014
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
When we leave they are able to
continue to grow and take care of themselves physically and
spiritually. The Vision Trip gave an opportunity for Board Members, Staff, and Pastors to meet people we serve and our staff in the Dominican Republic.
“This is an opportunity to get
a full picture of STCHM across
the board, to hear about the
future plans for all parts of
our ministry,” stated Eron
Green, STCHM President and
CEO, of the Vision Trip taken
in January to the Dominican
Republic. What a great way
to showcase how vast our
International Ministry is, while
sharing about the needs and vision of all of our ministries.
To get an understanding of why Vision Trip 2014 was
important, you first need to understand what we do at
STCHM and the vision we have as an organization.
The vision of STCHM is to show the love of Christ to each
and every child and family we minister to each day. We
do this by creating a culture where the needs of families
are seen and met in creative and innovative ways, in each
of our ministries.
It is wonderful to raise money for
a cause or collect donations for
a country in need. This is great,
but “we don’t want to give until it
hurts,” responded Eron. “We help
them build up themselves and
be self-sufficient.” This ensures
when we leave they are able to
continue to grow and take care
of themselves physically and
spiritually. Would it be in the Dominicans best interest
for us to start purchasing their land and then just hand
it over to them? No. What makes the greatest impact
is working alongside the people to help them raise the
money they need or build the structure they need, all
the while praying, encouraging, and fellowshipping with
them. That builds them up as a people, allows them to be
successful in their endeavors, and gives us and the rest of
their community the opportunity to bear witness to the
grace, love, and power of our God.
STCHM has a special calling to partner with those already
doing what we feel led to do, people who are doing it
right, and help them continue to, as Eron says “grow
and impact people for the Kingdom of God.” “We want
to come alongside those doing the best they can with
what they have and help them, not start something
new.” Establishing relationships with the community and
strategic business partnerships are crucial to the growth
and the success of our ministry. The Vision Trip gave an
opportunity for Board Members, Staff, and Pastors to
meet the people we serve and our staff that help fulfill our
responsibilities on a daily basis in the Dominican Republic.
With the help of our staff members Russell Jerez, Projects
Coordinator and Rebecca Dinzey, Samuel’s Fund Director,
we have the unique advantage to continue our ministry
between mission trips. They oversee many functions of
our projects and relationships in the Dominican Republic,
guaranteeing continued success.
Continuing these relationships and building new ones is
the key vision for 2014. But our vision does not stop there;
it is to continue to establish roots now that will continue
to grow when we are gone. Eron says “I want deep roots
for all of STCHM. Our purpose is to help others grow
spiritually and see God’s Kingdom grow.”
Sometimes as Christians we feel that we should have
things easy, things should just naturally fall into place
for us. However, life teaches us that those times are
rare. It is not because we have angered God that bad or
difficult things happen; it is because that is a part of life.
Sometimes we ask “why me” or “why would God let this
happen” when in truth, these are the moments when God
is with us the most. “God can use our brokenness and
pain, and change it into a source of blessing for others”
reflects Joanna Berry, Vice President of Family and
International Ministries. “A Christian therapist can make
that truth more real by their presence and support. It’s
what we do at STCHM Family Counseling.” This echoes
the popular saying, faith makes things possible…not easy.
The Family Counseling program offered by South
Texas Children’s Home Ministries is growing faster than
ever expected. But how did it start? On faith…faith
demonstrated by a donation made with hope that it
would help families and children. With that faith the
ministry began by providing prevention counseling. With
the established children’s home filled with children, there
was a desire to get to the root of the issue with the
family as a whole, in order to deter children needing to
be placed at all.
In order to maintain STCHM’s integrity and mission, the
services were offered on a donation only basis. This still
continues today, giving the program the opportunity to
flex its Christian muscle. Joanna says, they offer “overtly
Christian counseling. We are licensed professionals
FAMILY COUNSELING
integrating Christian principles, to help ordinary people
with ordinary problems of living.”
Joanna believes that “Family Counseling is our (STCHM)
future; it has the biggest impact on the most people!” It
offers referrals to both Homes for Children and Homes
for Families, connects women to Christian Women’s Job
Corps, and provides the opportunity for families to serve
together in the Dominican Republic through International
Ministry mission trips.
“Families are the building blocks of the church, community,
and nation!” said Joanna. Christian counseling offers
the opportunity to shape the community from within.
“People are desperate for quality Christian Counseling,”
Joanna stated. With this need in our community and the
surrounding area, the Family Counseling ministry has
grown. Beginning with an office in Corpus Christi, STCHM
branched out to include an office in Victoria and recently
announced a new satellite office in Rockport.
Christian counseling is unique in the way it allows the
counselors to get to the root of the issue spiritually,
which in effect makes a difference in every relationship
a client has, including their relationship with God.
STCHM Family Counseling successfully demonstrates
the organization’s vision “to show the love of Christ to
each and every child and family we minister to each day.”
With faith, this ministry will continue to receive blessings
from our Heavenly Father and grow to reach even more
children and families.
www.STCHM.org 7
“I felt strongly about learning in my chosen field from STCHM specifically, because of the reputation of the organization and the demonstrated values.”
Christi Walker, LPC Intern
Faith Makes Things Possible…Not Easy
“God is good and faithful and he opened the path for me to join with the awesome counselors and staff in Corpus Christi.”
Karen Knowlton, LPC Intern
New STCHM Family Counseling Staff
8 Spring 2014
”God openedthe door andI walked through
it. Putting my faith in Him that He has good things planned for me at STCHM.”
Stacy ForbesDevelopment and Communications Assistant
From the Heart
“We lived as a family, helping with duties; we cleaned the kitchen, we cleaned the floors, we set the table, and they had huge tables!” said Linda with her arms stretched out, “And there was always so much food, good food.”
Linda remembers her time at the
home with fond memories. When
five of the Argo kids first came to
the children’s home, they really didn’t
want to be there. Their mother had
just passed away and they had been
split, girls in one cottage and boys in
another. However, she later realized
how wonderful her life was there,
getting to grow up with her siblings,
“We were blessed being there.”
The Mineral Baptist Church was one
of her favorite places. The kids would
go to Wednesday night services
on campus, but on Sundays, they
all attended Sunday school at the
little church. In 1960, Linda and PC,
her high school sweetheart, were
married by Brother Lunsford in that
same church. Mrs. Lunsford would
not allow the girls to marry until they
had graduated from high school,
so Linda and PC were married that
afternoon, then later that evening
she graduated.
Linda shared that the home had
strict rules that had to be followed,
especially for the girls. When the
pool was first opened on campus, “it
was something!” The boys and girls
were not allowed to swim together.
Girls had to cover up as they went to
and from the pool. They also had to
ask Mrs. Lunsford for permission to
date. However strict, the home was
a warm and friendly place to live.
Having six kids in her family, she was
not accustomed to going shopping
and picking out her own clothes. The
Commissary was very impressive to
her. Here she got to pick out her
clothes and shoes. That was really
wonderful for her as a child.
At the passing of one of her brothers,
Linda and her husband agreed to
make a donation in his memory. Now,
when a family member or a friend
passes, they make a donation in their
memory. Her family donates together.
The Coffins also donate at Christmas
time because of the memories Linda
has of that special time of year at
the home. She remembers how each
child at the home was given five silver
dollars to go Christmas shopping in
Kenedy. The Coffins are so grateful to
the children’s home and continue to
keep in touch with her STCHM family,
“We wish we could do more, but what
we do, we do with all our heart.”
“We love the home and what it did for our family,” reflects Linda Coffin.
“I prayed one morning that there was a job close to my home that had purpose, where I
could grow in my faith and encourage others spiritually. That very day I found out about an opportunity at STCHM and here I am.”
Maxie BeyerDirector of Communications
SUPPORTING STCHM
New STCHM Development and Communications Staff
“I am being richly blessed every week as I meet with our donors, serve
alongside Godly men and women, and watch our Moms and Pops pour their lives into the children we serve.”
Jeff BrewerDirector ofDevelopment
Share Your STCHM Story by visiting www.stchm.org/sharestory
www.STCHM.org 9
the surprising wayTo a
stronger marriage
This year our Family Counseling offices in Corpus
Christi and Victoria teamed up to provide a wonderful
opportunity for nearly 250 couples and singles. Sponsored
in part by the Blanche Davis Moore Foundation and hosted
by Second Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, the evening
was full of laughter and personal testimonies that allowed
us to drop our guard and open our hearts as Michael
and Amy Smalley, a dynamic couple who specialize in
marriage counseling presented, The Surprising Way to a
Stronger Marriage.
Darin Griffiths, Administrative Director of Corpus
Christi and Satellite Offices, began the evening with
the analogy, “Marriage is like rubbing two rocks, there
is a lot of friction and some crumbling. After a while
the two rocks have a mirror image of one another and
fit together rather nicely.” Enter Michael and Amy, with
their non-judgmental and humorous approach to what
they call, The Dance. They ask the question, “Why
do couples get so stuck?” Well, first you have to ask
yourself, why do we argue? Would you believe that it
is not about finances, kids, or your in-laws? It’s about
buttons! Yes, I said buttons.
The buttons being feelings
of embarrassment, being
ignored, judged, neglected,
mistrust, disconnected, and
so on. Understanding
these buttons helps us
understand the dance.
Before understanding
the dance, you need to
understand that conflict
is not bad. It is perfectly
natural, expected even.
According to Michael
and Amy, “Conflict reflects intimacy; what is bad is
unresolved issues.” Michael asked the question, “Do
you wake up in the morning thinking, ‘I want my wife to
feel rejected or I want to control my husband.’?” No, of
course we don’t. But sometimes we get so caught up in
feeling rejected or controlled that we assume that is what
our significant other is doing on purpose. So, if we feel
rejected or controlled by our loved one, we need to focus
on the buttons and how we react to them being pushed.
Instead of reacting like we usually do, that in turn starts
the dance. Our button is pushed, we react, which pushes
our loved one’s button, and then they react…starting a
never ending dance of button pushing and reaction,
which gets us nowhere.
“So, how do you stop the dance?” asked Amy. “Can you
stop having your buttons pushed? No. But you do have
control over how you react.” Once you know the dance,
you know how to stop and react better and this allows
you control over the situation.
With Michael and Amy’s approach, they illustrated that
we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously, recognize that all
relationships have their moments, and don’t let pride get
between you and the person you love. Michael and Amy
assured us this is just a teaser. To learn more about The
Surprising Way to a Stronger Marriage, sign up for their
two day seminar, the ER4Love Intensive at er4love.com.
Retired from the Department of Justice after 23 years of service
and having been a brick mason for many years, Michael brings a unique set of skills to STCHM.
Michael YeomanMaintenance
“I had a dream about the children’s home and in
the dream I was here for a job interview. STCHM chose me and the rest is history!”
Anna WoodCase Worker
New STCHM Homes for Children Staff
“We have a heart for children; God called us to pour
into the lives of the next generation.”
Jeremy, Heather & Genesis MillerHouseparents
We are very grateful to volunteers who serve on our campus, assisting with our needs and in turn helping us continue
our ministry. During the month of March our Boothe Campus in Pettus was a host to 106 volunteers. From providing
activities for the kids to working on many of our ongoing projects, we were blessed by the generosity, energy, and
fellowship we received.
Steve Brazzel of Exposed to Christ Ministries (ETC Ministries) served as the leader for each Mission Team Group that
visited our campus during the first three weeks in March. ETC Ministries exists to “Expose students to Christ through
student camps and missions. Train them for ministry and connect student ministries
to missions.” Overseeing projects and six groups while we continued to operate our
Homes for Children ministry was no
easy task. However, these volunteers
not only were able to tackle
renovating one of our duplexes, they
did repairs on other buildings and
helped with landscaping flowerbeds.
With Spring Break falling right in the middle of all these projects, the
teams took time to “contribute 20 hours of student activities,” shared
Mark Childs, Vice President of Residential Programs. “They provided three
meals, coordinated a Block Party and shared lots of smiles, friendship and the love of Christ to our students
and staff.” We appreciate all of the teams who took the time to help make the much needed changes to
our campus and for the memories they made with our STCHM family.
10 Spring 2014
Volunteer Appreciation
Thank you!Exposed to Christ Ministries
Hillcrest Baptist Church – Austin
First Baptist Church – Shepherd
Oak Hills Baptist Church – Floresville
First Baptist Church – Floresville
Spring Baptist Church – Spring
Life After STCHM
www.STCHM.org 11
When a child in the care of South Texas Children’s Home
Ministries graduates from high school and moves on to
the world outside of the Homes for Children ministry, it is
curious what life is like after they leave the campus. Where
do they go, what do they do, and does STCHM help them?
For many STCHM alumni, like Johnny, they go on to pursue
their dreams and to seek the life that God has planned
for them. Johnny lived on the Boothe Campus for several
years before graduating from Pettus High School. He had
thought about college, but before coming to STCHM had
no clue how he was going to make that dream a reality.
Once in care, he learned about the College Scholarship
Program available to students living there.
The College Scholarship Program assists students with
their tuition, fees, room and board, and books. It also
includes an allowance for clothes, as well as, medical and
dental expenses. There are guidelines that outline what
the requirements are to receive this scholarship. Among
some of these requirements are: the child must live two or
more years in the care of the children’s home, they must
pursue all possible avenues of acquiring scholarships
and other forms of financial assistance, and complete
life skills education classes. Once the scholarship is
attained, the student must keep a 2.0 with a minimum of
15 hours each semester, live in university housing their
freshman year, and they are encouraged to be actively
involved in a local church. Each scholarship recipient
maintains close communication with the Director of
Student Ministries,
Becky Robertson.
The requirements
to attain and keep
the scholarship are
a little intimidating.
However, Johnny is
excelling in his college
career so far. Proving
that however steep
these standards are,
they a re de f in i te ly
attainable. Johnny is
taking 15 hours toward a
Criminal Justice degree at
the University of Houston
- Victoria, while working
a ful l-t ime job detai l ing
cars. He has plans to transfer
to the University of Houston in
the fall and change his major
to Political Science. Inspired by
Theodore Roosevelt, Johnny
wants to go into politics, “I have
always liked helping others
and I think politics will give me
a chance to make the biggest
difference.”
CeloPlans to attend
Texas StateTechnical College
JoePlans to attend
Texas StateTechnical College
kianaPlans to attendVictoria College
LeighPlans to attend
University of Texasat San Antonio
TessaPlans to attendCoastal Bend
College
ZachPlans to attendCoastal Bend
College
ALUMNI UPdATE
Congratulations to our 2014 Graduates!
All Graduates of Pettus H.S.
12 Spring 2014
HOMES FOR CHILdREN
allison
Showed a pigPlaced 8th
Class 8 division
ariel
Showed a goatPlaced 1st
Class 1 division
Jasmine
Showed a lambPlaced 8th
Class 4 division
kiana
Showed a lambPlaced 9th
Class 4 division
grand Champion
Joe, a senior this year at
Pettus High School, won Grand
Champion for his artwork
submission. When asked what
his inspiration for the artwork
was, Joe responded, “Well, God
gave me a wonderful talent
and I saw the opportunity to
show people that anything can
be possible through God who
strengthens me. The drawing
was an inspiration of a daily
struggle in mine and my families
lives. It is an angel knelt at the
cross praying, so that the people
around him would see that even
the simplest prayer can be heard
and answered through faith and
motivation. I have 3 brothers
and 4 sisters and even though
we didn’t have anything but
each other, we’ve managed to
make it to where we are today,
all because of our faith and
belief in God.”
www.STCHM.org 13
Art work for Craft portion of show Grand Champion,
sold for $2,000
Marisol
Showed a pigPlaced 5th
Class 2 division
Zach
Showed a lambPlaced 7th
Class 1 division
Showed a pigPlaced 4th
Class 2 division
Showed a lambPlaced 7th – Class 3 division
Showed a pigPlaced 8th – Class 6 division
Joe
14 Spring 201414 Spring 2014
ConocoPhillipsChristmas Party
Imagine Santa pulling up to your
home in a decorated diesel tanker
rig, climbing down from the cab,
toys in hand…that was the highlight
of the Christmas party hosted by
ConocoPhillips. They prepared
hamburgers for our entire campus
and presented gifts to each child
and to the Houseparents.
Homespun Christmas
Our Homespun Christmas had an old-fashion feel, with an evening full of festivities, from buggy rides to a live Nativity
program in the chapel. It was a great opportunity for guests to interact with our STCHM family and to see how the
generosity of others has impacted the families in all of our ministries. New and old friends were invited to share in a
home-cooked meal, tours of our cottages, and a time of fellowship. The event was a great success thanks to the help
of our staff, Otto Kaiser Hospital, Oak Hills Community Church, Cowboy Fellowship Church in Pleasanton, George West
High School FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), and First Baptist Church in Zapata.
Marathon OilChristmas Party
Each year that Marathon Oil has
hosted a party for our Homes for
Children ministry, it has grown. This
year they arranged an afternoon
of decorating gingerbread houses,
pictures with Santa, and a meal for our
children and staff. Each child received
gifts, including personalized blankets,
sporting goods, and new shoes.
Each staff member present and the
Houseparents received gifts as well.
Annual Blanco Association
Christmas Kick-off
With several hundred “friends”
from churches in the Blanco Baptist
Association convening on our Boothe
Campus in Pettus, we kicked off
Christmas with games, songs, dinner,
and presents…lots of presents! Church
members joined in for a full group
participation of “The Twelve Days
of Christmas” which provided great
entertainment for everyone involved.
www.STCHM.org 15
By: Joanna Berry
In the on-going quest to fulfill our
mission statement of “honoring God,
and ministering to hurting children
and families” STCHM has attempted
to impact the cycle of generational
poverty, crime, and broken families
that have trapped so many in our
community with their children in
a state of dependence and a deep
sense of hopelessness.
Since 2008 STCHM has sponsored the
Christian Women’s Job Corp program
and has provided the facility, staffing
and financial support to ensure the
success of this ministry under Lil
Abshier’s leadership. We are grateful
for the collaboration of faithful
volunteers from over 27 churches who
have volunteered countless hours.
Their efforts included physical labor
to prepare the facility and serving as
presenters, instructors, office help,
prayer supporters, mentors, lunch
providers, and donors of monetary and
material gifts. A significant percentage
of the women who have participated
in this training have grown spiritually
as they have developed a personal
relationship with Christ, and have
been able to secure employment and
improve the stability and quality of life
for themselves and for their families.
In 2014, we decided to expand
the program and partner with
CrossBridge Fellowship in the
downtown Corpus Christi area in
order to remove the obstacles to
access this training for some of the
most destitute individuals in the
Corpus Christi community.
In response to the growth of
this ministry, we are expanding
this program in the fall and will
continue to use material from CWJC,
developed by WMU, with expanded
use of the Jobs4Life curriculum,
including Bible study, computer
classes, mock interviews and other
job preparation skills. Continued
classes will be held on nutrition and
health, as well as sessions to build
interpersonal skills. Participants in
the program will also be paired with
“champions,” these are mentors who
will continue to encourage and pray
for each enrollee for at least one year.
The ultimate goal of this ministry will
be to help individuals grow spiritually,
improve deficiencies in their job
skills, develop healthier relationships,
and move toward economic self-
sufficiency. Volunteers will continue
to play a major role in the daily
success of the program.
GrOwinG A MiniSTry
www.stchm.org/homesforfamilies
Providing a safe, comfortable home setting for single
mothers and their children during times of crisis.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S JOb CORPS
Marshall Ranch Campus in Goliad
COMMISSARy NEEDS LIST
Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 3656San Antonio, TXP.O. Box 759
Beeville, Texas 78104-0759
Address Service Requested
Needed Food ItemsCereal (presweetened)
BBQ Sauce
Brownie Mix
Cake Mix
Cookie Mix
Icing
Picante Sauce
Ranch Dressing
Rotel
Friends of STCHM enjoy honoring loved ones on special occasions by giving a gift in their name to further
the work of South Texas Children’s Home Ministries. You can also honor those who have passed on by
making a memorial donation in their name. Please use the envelope attached to make a honor or memorial
gift. To make a gift online, please visit www.stchm.org/give.
We would love to host you and your group on campus to show you first-
hand the wonderful ministry you are making possible. A visit to the Boothe
Campus Commissary is a favorite stop on our tours, so let us know if you
would like to schedule a time to drop items off or tour the campus. For the
latest Commissary Needs List, please visit www.stchm.org/needslist.
Cleaning Products409
Bleach
Dishwashing Detergent
Fantastic Cleaner
Laundry Detergent
Tile Cleaner
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Trash Bags (kitchen & lawn)
Windex
Personal Care ProductsDeodorant
Shampoo/Conditioner
Toothpaste
Other Needed ItemsPaper Napkins
Paper Towels
Toilet Tissue
Ziploc Bags
HOnOr And MeMOriAL GiFTS
361.375.2101 [email protected]