SAN ANTONIO CHRISTIAN HOMELESS MINISTRY
NEEDS JUST 8 FINAL HEROES!
scroll down to sub heading:
How You Can Help Financially for details
If I were a betting man, I bet you've never heard of Strong Foundation.
Located east of the Alamodome on North Hackberry Street, they are a Christ-centered, no-nonsense homeless ministry providing shelter for 20 families with children. And it's one of the Alamo City's best kept secrets.
In 2011, they've ministered to over 200 children -- more that any other previous year.
And right now, they're looking for 8 heroes. Not fictional superheroes like Batman and Superman.
No, they're looking for some real live Christians right here in San Antonio or across the country who can empower them to keep ministering to the homeless through food, shelter, job training, and evangelistic witness.
Take a look at what God is doing through Strong Foundation Ministries in the YouTube clip below.
 |
Strong Foundation Ministries is a no-nonsense San Antonio Christian homeless shelter for families located off Hackberry east of the Alamodome.
|
Refusal to accept tax money = freedom to share ChristJim Gipson, the 6'6"-tall, 51-year-old founder of this unique outreach, couldn't be more clear.
Jim Gipson, founder of Strong Foundation, a Christ-centered San Antonio homeless ministry
"The tool that God has given us is shelter. They don't come to us looking for God. They come to us looking for shelter. But now they find themselves in God's house. We have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them through voluntary morning devotions, weekly Bible studies and a Sunday morning worship service."
As a result, people are trusting Christ for the first time -- many of them getting baptized. And those who already professed Christ are growing deeper in their walk with Him.
It's not the children's fault
For whatever reason - unemployment, crushing medical bills, or addiction - these families have become homeless. Jim declares "No matter what, it's not the children' fault."
That's why he and his wife Carolee have such a passion to provide a safe, family-friendly environment that will help Mom and Dad get back on their feet financially, emotionally and spiritually. The kids deserve nothing less.
Half of the the residents of Strong Foundation in San Antonio east of the AlamoDome are children
In fact, one young man who had lived at the ministry with his mother a few years ago, wrote, "Strong Foundation was more like home to me that any place I've ever lived in my life."
When Amy and I toured Strong Foundation several years ago, we were impressed with how warm and welcoming the facility was.
Cheryl, the mother of a family they once served, said, "Strong Foundation didn't feel like a shelter when we lived there. It was like a real home."
Tough love approach demands accountability
If they don't have a job when they come to Strong Foundation, they have to look for a job. No excuses. Jim has learned that many of the homeless have been unemployed for months if not years leading to a spiraling sense of helplessness and depression.
The unemployed residents are required to be showered, shaved and present at an 8:15 a.m. accountability meeting called "Discover Jobs." Their marching orders are simple: Submit 5-6 applications for a job per day totaling 25-30 applications for work per week. Jim says, "The key is to get the no's out of the way."
Now that's a serious job search. In other words, they treat looking for a job as a job, dedicating 8 hours a day to pounding the pavement. No wonder, the average resident is employed within a short two-week time span!
New Life Skills empower the residents
In addition to a major emphasis on getting and keeping employment, the families at Strong Foundation are equipped with life skills to empower them to make better choices in their future.Not only can they attend the morning devotional at 6:45 a.m., Bible studies on Monday or Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. or a Sunday morning 10 a.m. church service, but they are given biblically-based guidance to get them back on their feet.
Strong Foundation offers:
- A recovery class for those dealing with alcohol or drugs, a 12-step program with an emphasis on Jesus is our "Strong Foundation."
- Dave Ramsey Financial Planning and Budgeting
- Parenting and relationship classes on Friday nights
- Job search and interview skills
As you can see, this ministry is not interested in simply warehousing the homeless. They want to equip and empower the residents to become productive, tax-paying, law-abiding, God-honoring citizens.
The Christmas Miracle
When Jim and Carolee tried to buy their existing building -- a former nursing home -- the asking price was out of their reach. But on Christmas Eve, 2003, the former owner called and said, "Merry Christmas! I'm going to give you the building." It's like something right out of a movie!
The owner flew into San Antonio on December 29th and signed the building over to the ministry. It appraised for $516,000. God did what they never could have done. And on February 13, 2004, Strong Foundation opened its doors. Since then, they have ministered to more than 1,500 people in families.
Testimonials of families
- A former resident of Strong Foundation recently posted this comment on their Facebook page: "Merry Christmas, Strong Foundation! You guys took me and my daughter in back in 2006. We stayed there until 2009. I thank u for helping me get back on track with God and my life. I have an awesome job working with kids and still have had my own apt. since leaving there. (Got the job when I was there at the ministry). Prayers for you guys and many many thanks."
- Remarkably, one South Texas family ended up living in their friend's backyard with their 6-year-old girl in a tent. But they had finally worn out their welcome - even in the backyard. So they were asked to move. Roger was at his wit's end and felt like a failure. But thanks to the rigorous job search requirement of Strong Foundation, he found a job doing pest control. With a sense of God-inspired self assurance, he said, "I'm really glad that I did what I needed to do."
These are the 20 families at San Antonio's Strong Foundation, a Christ-centered, homeless ministry who need your help. Would you sponsor one family for a day for $42.96 or for a week for $300.92?
One resident named Laura said, "I've been at the Strong Foundation for about a month now. Before I was addicted to drugs and I wasn't doing very well. I'd lost my job. Since I've been here, I've been attending a budgeting class, a 12-step program and Sunday morning services. I just want to say thank you Strong Foundation for helping me to find the right path that I need to be on and helping me get on my feet."
- Another man lost his landscaping job. Because he could no longer handle the mounting bills, he, his pregnant wife and their 5 children were evicted from their apartment in Canyon Lake. The result? They were literally living in their suburban. It was an untenable position. Now, having stayed at Strong Foundation for 4 months, he has found work as a mover. And he couldn't be more thrilled or thankful to God!
- One young mother shared from her heart. "If it wasn't for Strong Foundation, I don't know where we would be now. We probably would have lost our daughter. We came back to the Lord while we lived there and Strong Foundation helped us get our lives back together."
- Another family was living in a shed which would normally store tools They came to Strong Foundation which helped them get back on their feet The father recently told Jim, "Thank you. We're doing well now. If you hadn't given us a chance, we don't know where we'd be now. We're plugged into a local church, we're working, and we're on the right track."
Interestingly, Strong Foundation suggests that once a father has secured employment and money begins to come in, that each family invest $63 per week to help offset the expense of living there.
"Free doesn't work," explained Jim Gipson. "Asking them to contribute to the cost of their room and board becomes a test of character and integrity." That way the families who are staying there have a sense of ownership, a sense of giving back that builds their self-worth and morale.
Cost of ministry
Their largest expense is their utility bill. Providing electricity, water, gas and trash for 80 people is pricey. Their average monthly utility bill runs $3,016.
Combined with the cost of food, supplies and insurance, Strong Foundation's cost of feeding and housing each person equals $10.74 per day. You have to admit. That's pretty amazing!
But it adds up quickly.
$10.74 per person per day x 31 days x 71 people is a monthly budget of $23,638. And remember this: They don't take a dime of federal, state or local tax money so they have the freedom to share Christ. So they depend on the local body of Christ to empower them to pay their bills.
How you can help financially
The average family at Strong Foundation has two children.
Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring:
- One family's expenses for a day with a year-end, tax-deductible gift of $42.96?
- One family's expenses for a week with a year-end, tax-deductible gift of $300.72?
- One family's expenses for a month with a year-end, tax-deductible gift of $1,202.88?
So far, since December 22nd, Adam's Army has contributed a total of $1,400.72 to help fund the expenses of sheltering homeless families as Strong Foundation helps them get back on their feet and shares Christ with them.
2 McManus Subscribers have sponsored a week's worth of one family's expenses -- each making a donation of $300.72.
Would you prayerfully consider becoming one of the final 8 members of Adam's Army to make a tax-deductible donation of $300.72 before 12 midnight on Saturday, December 31st?
If you are one of 8 people who makes that sacrificial pledge, Strong Foundation will have an additional $2,405.76 on hand to pay their electric and food bill -- their two primary expenses.
(You do not need a PayPal account yourself. Just have your debit or credit card number handy and select the amount above that you would like to donate.)
(If you would prefer to write a check, please make sure it is postmarked by Saturday, December 31st. Send it to: Strong Foundation, 414 North Hackberry Street, San Antonio, TX 78202. Please write: "McManus Subscriber" in the memo)
Remember, they don't need fictional superheroes like Aquaman.
They need 8 real live Christian heroes to take a stand and demonstrate God's compassion and care for these families right now before Saturday, December 31st.
If you have any questions for Jim Gipson about Strong Foundation, you don't need to call the
BatPhone.
Just call Jim's cell directly at 210.789.0800.
Please e-mail me at
TalkRadioAdam@gmail.com and let me rejoice in knowing that you were one of the 8 members of Adam's Army - the 1% remnant -- who took a stand for the Strong Foundation ministry to sponsor the expenses of a family for a day, a week or a month.
(I will report back in the first week of January with the total that Adam's Army has given to Strong Foundation through this special e-mail appeal.)You might be one of many people who has not yet given all the funds you plan to for 2011. If you've been looking for an
excellent ministry outside of your church to invest in, Strong Foundation is
it!
Amy and I know Jim Gipson personally, have seen his operation in action, and trust them
explicitly.
Strong Foundation needs volunteers
In addition to giving financially, would you consider joining me and volunteer your time at Strong Foundation?
Jim Gipson said, "For almost everything we do around here, we try to use volunteer labor and friends of the ministry so that we can get the most bang for our buck."
Perhaps you would like to offer the gift of yourself this Christmas season. They need:
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Landscapers
- lumber
- Mechanics for vehicle maintenance
- Life skill coaches
- Mentors
- Day assistants
- Tech support
- Tutors for the children
- Barbers and beauticians
- Prayer warriors
- People to help with meal preparation, donation pick up and answering phones.
Or perhaps you might consider bringing your family down to Strong Foundation and spending time with the children while Mom and Dad are attending Bible studies, budgeting classes or recovery sessions. Consider bringing your weekly small group on a monthly or quarterly basis. That way it's not something extra, it's just something different. And, in the process, your act of service to the homeless of San Antonio in the name of Christ, will breathe new life into your group.
To volunteer individually or as a group, call 210-641-HELP (4357)
What the Bible says
God's Word could not be more clear.
Listen to the admonition of 1 John 3:17: "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
Please, this Christmas season as we celebrate the gift of Christ our Savior, let's become the gift of the hands and feet of Christ to the dear local South Texas souls who have become homeless.
With your financial and volunteer help for Strong Foundation, not only can we put a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs as they become equipped with new life skills, but we can also introduce them to their Creator who became a baby in Bethlehem to die on the cross for them at Calvary.
Amen!
