Jess Costa: From Hopeline Client to Staff

When Jericho Partnership moved into its current building at 13 Rose St, it seemed obvious to invite Hopeline Pregnancy Resource Center to move in and minister to some of the neediest of our city without the worry of rent and facility management.  Jericho’s vision of transformation of a city most often happens one life at a time… as Jessica Costa’s story will attest.

It was but a moment in time, but it changed everything for Jessica Costa.

She was 23, a substance abuser, unmarried and pregnant, and the abortion was scheduled for the very next day. But the Holy Spirit was about to puncture her bubble of desperation and inject it with a new hope for the future.  In almost an instant, while sitting in a Hopeline counseling room at the behest of her mother (a Hopeline volunteer), Jessica knew she would have her baby and live an entirely different sort of life from that moment on.

“I really felt like the Holy Spirit was there, and He said ‘you’re going to keep the baby, or you’re going to be dead,” she said.   So, she walked out of the office – the ultrasound of her unborn baby still fresh in her mind – and before even driving out of the parking lot, canceled the abortion.

Jessica was right; her life would indeed change. Today, more than five years later, things have come full circle, because – after volunteering at Hopeline for years – she’s just joined the staff of the Pregnancy Resource Center, one of Jericho’s Partner Ministries. And even more wonderful, Jessica’s son Mark is now five years old, heading to kindergarten this coming fall, and is the big brother of Gabriel, who was born five months ago to Jessica and her husband, Christiano.

“Hopeline literally saved my life, and there is nothing exaggerated about that,” said Jessica, now the agency’s part-time Stewardship Assistant. “If it weren’t here, my life wouldn’t be anything near where it is today. I would do anything for Hopeline and I want other women to have the same experience as I did.”

After her decision to keep her baby, Jessica went to Hopeline weekly for counseling and for help getting connected to resources she’d need, since the baby’s father was “not on board” with her new path. Through it all, her faith grew.

“There’s been a huge transformation in my relationship with God,” Jessica said. “Since that day, even though there were still many struggles and I had a lot of healing to do, my life is all about God. Even though it’s been only five or so years, it seems like it’s been 20 for all He’s done.”

Jessica is currently being trained to facilitate the “Path to Sexual Healing” course that Hopeline uses in its counseling, and is eager to begin working with clients who are on their own journey.

“Hopeline is family to me now,” she said. “I want to give back because it’s THAT important.”

What's in Your Box? Money, or Jesus?

Twenty years ago, I wrestled with the penetrating questions in Bob Buford’s book, Half Time, that ask: “What is in your box? Money or Jesus Christ? What will be the mainspring for the rest of your life?”

I wrestled in the solitude of Nantucket Island, my favorite place on earth, and a place we have called our summer home since renting a very modest two-bedroom cottage for a week in 1972. This summer, we will sell our home on Nantucket that I purchased for my wife Kathie in 1999, in part to thank her for traveling around the world with me for 56 years now. Close friends have suggested I share our decision to sell our family treasure, and explain how it supports the decision I made 20 years ago to put Jesus Christ in my box. I hope shining a light on our decision-making process will help those wrestling with what to put in their box, or sensing that their box might be under attack.

First, know that by putting Jesus in your box, you don’t stop living or enjoying the blessings the Lord has planned for you. The last 20 years have been great for us, as I have transitioned from owning a business to chairing the Jericho Partnership. God is good! Nevertheless, aging/maturing or family growth or career do bring challenges. I believe we must prayerfully protect our box-decision to keep Jesus first by always considering the following:

1. “We Are in It Together” is a must-consideration when making key decisions – as a couple or family – that affect more than the box-holder. Yes, I can envision myself fishing in Nantucket for the next 20 years, but I must recognize that having two homes is a major burden for Kathie and, ultimately, a potential risk to Jesus being first in my life and hers. Decision: “We must sell one of our homes.”
2. “We Must Be Able to Worship, Serve and Fellowship” if we are to keep Jesus first in our lives. Although we attend a wonderful church in Nantucket, our church is the Church of Danbury; the many congregations we have come to know and love for their Christ-centeredness, friendship, love and diverse styles of worship. Serving with them throughout Danbury is a distinct privilege that would take another lifetime to duplicate. Decision: “We must sell our home in Nantucket.”
3. “We Must Store Our Treasure in Heaven (Matt 19:21)” and so we must put Jesus first in our financial decisions by supporting our local Church, God’s work in Danbury through the Jericho Partnership, and His work around the world through world mission agencies. While we’ll ensure that our grandchildren are well-educated, we’re not planning to put their box-decisions for Christ at risk through excessive parental generosity. Decision: “We must provide generous gifts for the Lord’s work now and upon our passing.”

Putting Jesus Christ in your box is the most important decision you’ll ever make. It is an opportunity to DO something about the faith that you may already have.

In His service,

Bill Beattie, Chairman

Project CleanStart to Launch

Jericho’s second new CityServe initiative – Project CleanStart, which empowers our homeless neighbors in need through a work readiness/training program – is set to roll out this month.

The city-led program, which will be piloted with a small group of specially vetted homeless neighbors, is designed to help participants gain the skills they’ll need to obtain and succeed at jobs in the private sector, with the ultimate goal obtaining housing.

Each participant will work two days per week, a five-hour shift each day, cleaning city streets and doing other outdoor tasks. To be selected for this program, participants must also be engaging in regular work with a case manager and be making strides toward their overall goal of employment and housing. At the completion of each week, participants will receive a gift card.

“We’re thrilled that the City of Danbury has asked Jericho to partner with them in this initiative. We see this as an opportunity to come together for the common good of our homeless neighbors in need,” said Carrie L. Amos, Jericho President. “We have the infrastructure in place to provide the participants – both men and women – with opportunities to develop skills that can be transferred to the employment arena down the road.  Program coaches will be on site with the participants teaching and re-enforcing these work readiness skills each day.”

As the pilot program launches on May 23, Jericho Facilities Director Harry Pugner will take on the role of Project Manager, leading the interview process, and working out other details. Other Jericho & ministry partner staffers and key volunteers will serve as the firsts Job Coaches. Danbury city officials will choose the work sites and assist in the participant selection process. Participants will be selected from among the chronic homeless – those who regularly use the city’s shelters and Jericho’s Good Samaritan Center on Maple Avenue.

As the program grows – with the goal of having approximately 50 homeless people involved – Jericho will need many more volunteer to serve as Job Coaches. Those interested in being a part of the transformation process and serving with our homeless neighbors, please contact us at (203) 791-1180 or at www.jerichopartnership.org/volunteer.

Jericho’s other CityServe projects include the ongoing work at the Jericho Spring Street Neighborhood Center and the partnership with South Street Elementary School.

Why I Jericho: Don Lewis

Don Lewis: Board Chairman, Treasurer, Mentor – Pathways Danbury Youth Ministries

Length of Time associated with Pathways Danbury: 19 years; he was one of Pathways Danbury’s very first mentors and has personally mentored five boys

On How he Became a Mentor: My kids were in high school in Danbury. I got involved in the school and it became evident that many of these kids needed guidance, but I couldn’t get involved to that level at my daughters’ school.  One day, Jane (Don’s wife) came home from church and said “they’re starting a mentoring program for boys in the city.”  Because Bill Beattie was involved, I knew that meant there would be a spiritual component, so I said, “Hmmm, what am I going to do with THAT?”  When I talked to Joel (Eidsness, then pastor of Walnut Hill Community Church), he said to me, ‘There’s a mentor training tomorrow; be there.’ I thought maybe I’d be a helper in some way … the next thing I know, I was told, ‘congratulations, you’re a mentor.’ Here I am, 19 years and five students later.”

On mentoring:  A great thing about mentoring is that everyone benefits from it. Everybody thinks that when you mentor a young guy, he’s the person that changes. If you’re mentoring correctly, you both change. You’re mentoring them, saying that it’s important to stay close to the Lord, and follow the Lord. It’s kinda hard to NOT change yourself when you’re doing the same thing. And you HAVE TO do the same thing. But the single greatest thing is that God would choose me to mentor someone.

On being with the kids he’s mentored: I just love having fun with them and doing new things with them. You can be goofy, serious, prayerful and REAL with them! It’s about showing up, being present, and being willing to have a real relationship. God can really use you to transform their lives through the mentor/mentee relationship. It’s not about you steering their lives in any direction.

On the difference between steering someone’s life and transforming it: When you “steer” something, you’re simply forcing it to go one way. But, through a relationship, – one where you allow God to work and speak through you to touch this kid’s heart – you can guide these kids in such a way that it transforms their lives, because you introduce them to God through the relationship.

On What He’s Learned about Himself: “I never look inward; I might scare myself!  But, seriously, as you walk your walk, and as you look around, you realize that you DO have a strong faith in God. You realize that none of this (walking through life’s challenges) happens without a faith in God. None of this happens without putting Him first. I’ve learned – especially in the last few years serving as treasurer at my church – that, when you put Him first, and when you really LISTEN to what He’s saying, things will work out. He’ll work it out. As humans, we try to fix everything in every situation. I’ve learned to tailor my expectations to what God provides. And then trust Him.

On volunteering, especially if you’re not sure where or how: Well, first, you have to pray about it, obviously, and really listen to see why God is tugging on your heart. If you’re on the fence, He’s moved you there for a reason! So now you have to listen about which way to go. There is a place for everyone to be a part of God’s transformative work.  You can always find a way to make a difference in someone’s life.

On the value of Jericho Partnership:  Jericho is in a position to show the love of Christ to so many people on many levels – from health services to youth to the homeless to adolescents to pregnancy care to adoption service. They basically have the ability to touch and help people in need through their lifespan.

From the Mouth of Babes: Mentor Seen as "Daddy"

Here’s an encouraging story that reinforces the notion that our children absorb what they see us DOING as well as what they hear us SAYING.

Recently, Jericho President Carrie L. Amos received this email from a Friend of Jericho Partnership, a mother of a toddler:

“Yesterday, in the mail, we received the Jericho newsletter. This morning, Luke grabbed it off of the TV stand and brought it to me to read to him (guess he thought it was a book). I flipped through it and was telling him what Jericho is and turned once again to the front page. He pointed at the picture of the mentor/mentee on the front, and I said, “What is that, Luke?” I SWEAR he pointed at the picture of the mentor and said “daddy!” Now, he could have very well been trying to say something else, but it sounded exactly like “daddy,” even when I asked him to repeat it. It was such a sweet “out of the mouth of babes” moment. I got to explain to him that YES!, Jericho provides father figures to kids like him that might not have a dad in their lives.”

Clearly, Luke’s daddy spends significant time with his young son, and has already had a strong influence on him. And, now, because of his mother’s explanation of how Jericho can help fill the gap for other children who aren’t as fortunate, he’ll grow up with a sense of compassion that may not be instilled in every family.

“That’s quite a heartwarming reaction,” said Don Lewis, one of the very first mentors with Pathways Danbury Youth Ministry, when he read the email. “While the young men and women in the PDYM mentoring ministries may not actually voice the words “daddy” or “mommy,” I would have to say the bond between the mentor and mentee is that close, and possibly closer. Mentors are viewed as that individual who has come alongside a young person to encourage them in both in life and spiritual growth. As the mentors help these young people mature in Christ, they also helps them bring order to the rest of their lives.  This is the model Jesus followed with his disciples.”

Pathways / Jericho Founder Bill Beattie echoed Don’s sentiments: “The fact that one third of our kids in this country are not living with their biological fathers highlights the importance of and need for mentoring in our community. The symbolism of Pathways Danbury mentoring captures the type of relationship we seek – a mentor and a mentee walking together down the pathway of life to a bright future, in this life and for eternity.”

Why I Jericho: Victor O'Creene

Victor O’Creene, 73: Volunteer, Good Samaritan Center Homeless Shelter Length of Time associated with Jericho: 8 years; serves an overnight shift (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) at least once a week, leading devotions each time.

About serving at Good Samaritan Center: “Before Jericho started, I served at another city shelter through my church (Assembly of God in Brookfield, a Jericho Partnership Congregation), but I shifted over to the Good Samaritan when we were told we could preach the gospel. That was the motivation, to give hope and encouragement and God’s Holy Word to those in need.” 

About sharing God’s love with homeless people: “The Good Lord put the Spirit of God in me to be there for those who were seeking but really didn’t understand. I am there to help them along on the avenue. Like it says in Matthew, did you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty? And like Luke says in the story of the Good Samaritan, we are there to give hope and encouragement and God’s Word to all those who need it. I am there to pray with them, to listen to them. And, if you listen to the people who come in here, they will trust you. You will gain their trust. Their trusting you is the only way you can be a part of their lives.”

About getting pushback from those who don’t want to hear God’s Word: “That doesn’t deter me. You have to accept the fact that all people aren’t willing to receive. But most of them will at least be a hearer. There’s a difference between being a hearer and being a doer. But, at least, if they’re willing to hear, that’s an echo in their heart.”

About serving the Lord by volunteering: “For most people, if they’re not sure about volunteering, they’ll say, ‘I’ll pray about it.” That’s good, because if a person wants to volunteer, they first have to know God’s will for them. You know when the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart… you just have to say ‘I’m not sure this is what you want for me, Lord, but I’m willing to walk through the door and try it.’ When it’s right, you have a peace.  To do something like this (serving the homeless), it’s not a comfort zone thing. The Good Lord has kept the door open for me here all these years; I’ve just been obedient to it.”

About being an evangelist: “I’m not an evangelist. I’m just a servant that is willing to be there, for the glory of God.”

About Jericho Partnership: “They are the best lighthouse in the community of Danbury; all those in need look for hope and support there when they couldn’t get it anywhere else. I believe with all my heart that, because of Jericho and the churches who are part of it, God blesses Danbury. And that’s because Jericho is doing what the Lord asks of us – to seek out those who are lost and bring them back to Him. Jericho’s mission is centered on the perfect message of the Cross: perfect love, perfect forgiveness, and perfect grace.”

Pastor's Corner: Phil Morgan

By Pastor Phil Morgan, Senior Pastor, First Assembly of God Church, Brookfield

“He fashions their hearts individually.” Psalm 33:15

It’s the same every time I go to the bank. The teller looks at my half-filled in deposit slip and gives me that look. “You still don’t know your account number?”

Why do I feel guilty? How many numbers am I supposed to memorize?  There’s my social security number, driver’s license number, passport number, my family’s phone numbers, and on and on it goes. Every government department and every utility company I deal with knows me by a number.  I’m not a person … I’m a statistic.

What a blessed relief to know that it’s not so with God.  It’s quite stunning really to think that the lady at the post office only knows me as a postbox number, but the most important Entity in the universe, the most powerful and beautiful Being in all existence, the One around Whom everything else revolves, knows my name. Even more than my name, He knows every detail about me. The number of hairs on my head (stop laughing!)  He knows my every thought even as it is being formed within me; every memory that I struggle to recall.

Psalm 33 says that God deals with each of us as individuals, not merely as unidentified parts of the big human race. This was driven home to me by a sequence of experiences that I had some years ago. My wife and I took our kids to visit the Cadbury chocolate factory. Not exactly like Willy Wonka’s – no chocolate river – but pretty cool anyway.

I will never forget witnessing their “quality control.” Workers watched thousands of chocolates pass them on a conveyor belt, looking for any flaw in the product or its wrapper.  Whenever they spotted one it was pulled out. And disposed of.

My wife and I, consummate chocaholics, were almost in tears. “It may not be perfect, but it will taste just as good. Give it to us!”

You see, Cadbury is in the business of mass production.

With that image still vivid in my mind, I was visiting my friend, George, who owned an antique store. George was not in the business of mass production. He was a craftsman. He made his living by purchasing unique pieces of old furniture and then lovingly, painstakingly restoring them to their original glory. “He fashions their hearts individually.” God is not in the business of mass production either. The Bible describes Him as the Craftsman, not the corporation.

And He calls all of us, His people, to minister to one another with His heart. The Church should long for the transformation of many, but we must never think of ourselves in the business of mass production. Every individual we are privileged to meet is a personal project of God.