Thanksgiving Appeal
It is hard to believe that we are again approaching the final quarter of another year! It is also hard to believe that my own first year with this ministry has passed. It’s quite a strange feeling, actually. On the one hand, it feels like “only” a year has passed and there is so much that remains “new” about this work, but on the other hand I feel such a sense of belonging given how I have been embraced by the Childhaven family. I have had the privilege of visiting with a few of you in person, talking with others over the phone, being encouraged by your notes, and responding to your questions. Of course, due to this pandemic, we have not had as much opportunity as we would like for in-person interaction. I hope and pray that the year to come may be different in that regard. There are many of you and one of me, so if you have not heard from me and you wish for a visit or have specific questions, please reach out!
I mention the “Childhaven family” and I include in that the congregations and individual Christians who partner with us in our service to youth who need a place of refuge from the horrendous abuse and neglect they have experienced. Their stories are heartbreaking, but the story of our partnership in response to their needs is a great cause of rejoicing! The apostle Paul noted the great joy of partnership when he wrote to the Philippians. He speaks of how they “entered into partnership” with him “in giving and receiving” (Philippians 4:15). He also says that, “it was kind of you to share my trouble” (Philippians 4:14). Not only have you partnered with us in this ministry but you have “partnered” with the youth we serve, “to share” their “trouble”! Their “trouble” is a burden that no child deserves or should be asked to bear! While we cannot remove that burden we can continue to “partner” with them so they do not have to shoulder it alone!
This time last year we made a Thanksgiving Appeal and you responded by raising $466,906 which was an approx. 4% increase over 2019’s Thanksgiving Appeal and covered nearly 27% of the expenses of the fiscal year. We greatly appreciate all that you have done and continue to do, and we appeal to you again to make this year’s Thanksgiving Appeal at least as successful as the last! Many of you provide monthly support and have done so for years. Many of you will be setting aside a Sunday around Thanksgiving to accept a special contribution for this ministry. Others will make an end of year contribution from the treasury. There will be some individuals in your congregation who wish to make special end of the year contributions as well. However you choose to participate is up to you. We echo the words of Paul when he says, “I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:17).
I would love an opportunity to visit with you about this ministry. I will be glad to speak to your congregation or meet with the eldership. You can reach me by email at gary.childhaven@gmail.com or the office number below. In the next few months, prior to the end of the year, we will be sending out a Childhaven Newsletter with further updates on the status of our: finances, campus, staff, and residents!
“…Learn to do good; Seek Justice, rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
— Gary Hicks, Executive Director
