| Mission Huntsville Update - a City-Impact Initiative |
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Area-Wide Compassion/Outreach Update
John Buhler, Mission Huntsville
Jan 3, 2005
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Mis·sion: noun: 1.) a specific objective or task with which a person is charged or assigned; 2.) a personal or collaborative effort that includes a definite military or evangelistic objective; 3.) a divine assignment to the people and place within a specific geographic area;
Hunts·ville: noun: 1.) proper name identifying a city and surrounding geographic area of North Alabama in the Tennessee River Valley; 2.) historical capital of Alabama and birthplace of the state constitution 3.) a city of birth and new beginnings; 4.) a city of nations;
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Mission: Huntsville
A City-Impact Initiative |
Greetings to each of you in the New Year!
Here is a brief update of several things for you to be aware of with more to come. We continue to add to the email list and web site - though much remains to do!
Relationships are growing area-wide among pastors, congregations, prayer networks, missions and compassion ministries, and even the market place. It will be exciting to see the divine purpose that unfolds as we draw near to God and one another. Will we dare to believe what is possible with God? From our city and communities,"May righteousness go forth as the sunrise, and salvation as a torch that burns!"
If you know of others who might like to receive area-wide updates for the Christian community of the Greater Huntsville and Tennessee Valley area, please forward this note to them so they may have the option to subscribe and provide specific areas of interest here: subscribe (also if you received this note and would rather not receive future updates you may unsubscribe here: unsubscribe).
Several things included below:
May the LORD open the heavens over Huntsville!
John Buhler
Mission Huntsville
Pastors Prayer Summit
PS As we continue to nurture the area-wide relationships that are growing, let's also be diligent to build a city-wide communication network. Please share any insights you may have that can help all of us do so more effectively and efficiently.
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Choose Life Sav-A-Life Benefit Banquet |
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You are cordially invited to our 2005 Banquet
A Future and A Hope Banquet
Friday, January 28th, 2005
The Honorable J.C. Watts will be our Special Guest for the 2005 "A Future and A Hope" Banquet!
For more information see our Newsletter or Web site Choose Life Huntsville or call (256) 534-1996.
Our mission is to change lives and strengthen families by educating people to make choices that will have a positive effect on their lives, their families, and their communities.
2006 Franklin Street · Suite 204 · Huntsville, Alabama 35801 · 256-534-1996 · 256-534-1994 fax
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Mission Huntsville - Special Note:
I recently
had the opportunity to join Choose Life leaders at a luncheon to learn more about the ministries and services provided to the community. It is a tremendous ministry with six primary areas of service in relation to pregnancy:
Primary Services:
1.) Pregnancy Test Center - gospel is presented providing hope in crisis, ~300 women per month
2.) 2D Ultra Sound Service/Ministry - 6 OB-GYN volunteers (most in nation), desire 3D Ultra Sound equipment
- 95% of women who see their ultra sound keep the child!
3.) Adoption Referral Service/Ministry
4.) Mentoring/Discipleship
5.) Abortion Recovery/Assistance
- 45% of women in America will abort 1 child (43% will do it more than once)
- For many women their is tremendous grief, psychological trauma and anguish, and many other areas of associated pain that is increasingly coming to the surface - for so long it has been kept silent or hidden.
6.) Abstinence Awareness - this is not only a solution to pregnancy crisis, but also to the AIDS epidemic.
Most Pressing Needs:
1.) Awareness of the Ministry and Services available - 1 in 10 know of Choose Life, yet 49,000 women have come
2.) Facilities
- outgrown current facilities, desperately need location in Medical district ~6,000 sq ft.
Nationally:
It is also worth noting that the cause of the unborn is coming quickly to the national forefront in 2005.
Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the two court cases that brought abortion on demand in 1973, (overturning laws in all 50 states and bringing the present holocaust of the unborn - with the loss of over 40,000,000 children in the last 30 years) are BOTH in the courts again, and BOTH heading again to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Roe v. Wade will be presented again to the U.S. Supreme Court, Tuesday January 18th, 2005 ... the day after Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is observed. For the unborn, may "justice run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream" (Reference Operation Outcry).
It is sobering to discover that - in only several weeks time - there are more children's lives taken in their mother's womb in America, than total lives lost in the recent devastation of the Tsunami that brought such international attention to its death toll. One of our U.S. Supreme Court judges spoke well when He said, "Where is the moral outcry?"
"Open thy mouth for those who cannot speak, and in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction." (Prov 31:8)
The passionate cry of the younger generation concerning their peers who have perished and the cause of the unborn is growing in an unprecedented way. Consider ...
Young Christians have been standing before the high court in prayer with tape over their mouths in silence - to identify with the unborn children - with only the word "LIFE" imprinted on it - see pictures. They stand in continual prayer for this burning injustice to be addressed, and are calling on others to join them nationwide.. (Reference Bound 4 Life)
A Justice House of Prayer has been established across from the U.S. Supreme Court dedicated to 24/7 day and night prayer for the unborn, the judges, and the courts. (Reference TheCauseUSA)
Could God be choosing the foolish things of this world to confound the wise? Could Jericho's walls soon be shaken by this silent cry of intercession ... this silent obedience to a strategy that seems so foolish to the natrual man? May our covenant with death be disannulled (Isa 28:17-18), may we "Choose Life" that both we and our children may live (Deut 30:19).
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Manna House Food Distribution Center Opens |
Manna House Food Distribution Center Opens!
In early December the new Manna House Food Distribution Center opened, which is the first phase of a cooperative city-wide effort that will also include a store and networking with additional urban outreach ministries.
Thank you to the Rock Family Worship Center for stepping-up to purchase initial facilities and provide the needed catalyst to begin efforts, and to Fran Fluhler (MannaHouseHsv@yahoo.org) who has been feeding and ministering with compassion in Huntsville and the Valley from her childhood, and out of whatever facility has been available - from her own home to warehouses.
Manna House is a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for the needs of the poor and hungry of the Tennessee Valley and beyond. Manna House is a cooperative effort networking churches, businesses, and concerned individuals.
If you know of someone in need of assistance, or if you or your congregation are interetsed in networking with others in the community in this effort of compassion, please contact Fran at (256) 503-4848. |
2004 Christmas Prayers
The ministry of WAY-FM teamed up with the area business Dynetics and The Greater Huntsville Community Foundation in an incredible effort of compassion and generosity to minister to area needs in what was knows as 2004 Christmas Prayers. This was a powerful expression of what is possible when we come together (in this case a ministry, a local business, and a foundation) for the good of the community - doing together what we could not a part from one another.
Thank you to WAY-FM for spear-heading this effort and to all who were involved, including other community sponsors:
Asbury United Methodist Church, Ashley Home Furnishings, Beauty Market, Belltone, Bob Wallace Appliance, Colonial Mall, Dr. Lew Sample, Dr. Michael Pugh, Dynetics, The Fraternal Order of Police, General Electric, The Greater Huntsville Community Foundation, Haley’s Flooring & Interiors, Kevin’s Auto Repair, Life Compass, Macaroni Grill, Main Street Café, Massage Therapy, Outback Steakhouse, Peacock Hill, Pearle Vision, Railroad Bazaar, Red Jasper Spa, Regal Auto Plaza, Shumake Furniture, Dr. Stephanie Teichmiller, Walmart
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Mission Huntsville - Special Note: In the last decade the Huntsville Downtown Rescue Mission has grown into one of the largest missions in the state of Alabama. The sheer numbers of beds provided, meals served, and other needs met is staggering.
There is often a large volunteer turnout from the area in November and December with Thanksgiving and Christmas reminding people of the needy in our community, but the need for help at the mission is just as desperate at other times of the year, though often less thought about.
When you consider the impact on personal lives (whether youth or adult) in ministering during a short term mission trip to a foreign field, it is well worth considering that such impact may also occur in help and ministry in this (or similar) local mission efforts in our own community. Could you or a ministry form your congregation provide some volunteer help to this or other local mission effort?
Also, please consider encouraging your congregation to prayerfully consider complementing foreign missions financial support with some local missions financial support as well. Whether DRM or other local efforts, the needs are great, and we ought not neglect our "Jerusalem" and "Judea" as we strive to touch our "Samaria" or "uttermost parts of the earth."
Some other specific mission needs may be seen here: Mission needs |
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The Downtown Rescue Mission is a place of refuge for those who find themselves homeless and on the streets of our community. Whether it is a man, a woman or a child, they can find a warm meal and a safe place to stay. Since 1975, the homeless have been coming through our doors and finding help and hope for their problems.
Rescue missions for many years worked with mostly the old chronic alcoholic. But in the 70's, a new homeless population began to appear. Some of these new people on the streets had been in mental institutions. Others were coming because of the many new drugs that were invading our communities. Many were younger but still had potential to lead successful lives. Missions had to grow to meet those needs. Many new programs such as discipleship, GED, computer training and life skills were added to the Mission's outreach to the community.
In the early 80's another new group began to appear. Women and children began to show up at our doors looking for a place to stay. This group has been the fastest growing area of homelessness in America since that time. Missions again stepped forward and started working with this group of homeless people.
These changes have forced us to continue expanding our outreach and our budgets to meet the ever-increasing needs of our community. Huntsville and the surrounding areas have funded our programs and our expansion. DRM depends totally on our Lord's provisions through our faithful donors because we do not receive any federal, state, county or city funds.
I want to personally thank all of you who have prayed and given of your time, talents and donations to this worthy outreach. Help us to continue to be the place that has "A Heart For The Homeless", a place that touches hundreds of lives everyday.
In His service,
Dr. Darwin D. Overholt
Executive Director/Pastor |
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