Winter Update

We're experiencing a winter season with cold days and snow storms like the ones we remember from our childhood!  It's been a bit of an adjustment to feel such cold temperatures and to be shoveling snow again.  Although it has taken time to get used to, it's been great to see the boys' excitement each time it snows. 

The winter months are speeding by and filled with many new family experiences. Each member of our family is growing in new ways as life has changed so drastically in these past nine months. 

Prison Ministry Progress:

Since our last update, many men have stepped up to receive discipleship, guidance, and they are looking to go deeper in the word. I have been able to have steady 1-on-1 meetings with 14 men from the prison on a weekly basis. A large percentage of the men who attend our chapels will be released soon and live in the immediate area, so please pray that we can continue strong connections once they are released. The key aspects of incarceration are safety and rehabilitation. The gospel offers hope past general methods of rehabilitation, and we humbly pray to be a part of life change that results in flourishing for these men and their families.

A huge praise is that we are starting to see friends and family of some of the men who are incarcerated attend the services at Providence. Pray that those being released soon will become regular attenders at the church and that we can become a key support in their re-entry process. 

Additionally, we have been approved to hold programs at the Chester County Youth Center. This building is located on the same campus as the prison. Young people at this facility are waiting to be sentenced or relocated with a family member during their probation period. Pray God gives us open doors and open hearts as we begin programs soon!

Camp News:

This past week Old Mill hosted West Fallowfield Christian School for their local mission trip. West Fallowfield Christian School is a nearby K-8 school that has been involved with CCGM and the camp for many years. Before coming to CCA in 2008, I was an educator in the middle school for 6 years and it was a joy to host them again. The 8th grade team spent three jam-packed days that proved fruitful and impacted those around them. 

The WFCS students helped with Mom’s Club and Kid’s Club at the Bridge Academy, completed work projects at the Camp at Old Mill, fed the homeless in the city, and went on an Honor Mission to different locations in Coatesville! It was great to spend the time with their group and watch them serve and grow in the process. Many students exclaimed that they had more fun serving rather than going on a trip that was planned for them.

This is just the beginning as we look towards the spring and summer months at the camp. Once March begins, a very packed spring filled with weekend groups and mission teams will begin staying at Old Mill and serving in the local community. Pray they can have an impact similar to the students at West Fallowfield. 

Ministry Partnership Opportunities:

It is always a blessing to share about how God is using our ministry and ministry partners. 

I recently accompanied Josh Crans, the pastor at Providence Church Coatesville, to Cairn University for their World Reach Week. This is a designated week where global and local ministries connect with college students and invite those interested to volunteer or intern with them. Over the last few years, many students from Cairn (formerly PBU) have been a part of ministering with CCGM and working in Coatesville. Gateway Church also hosted a ministry fair where Providence Church and the Bridge Academy were represented. 

There are still additional campus visits planned for the upcoming months, including Lancaster Bible College, so please pray that God touches the hearts of those He has called to partner with us. We desire to see young people that are hungry to make a difference and eager to see God transform their lives as they serve. 

Missional Community:

One of the joys for Morgan and I has been hosting our missional community group each week on Monday night. The fellowship and community shared has helped us create new relationships as we have settled. Whether we are eating together, opening God’s word, serving as a group, or just laughing and watching the little ones who amuse us, we are reminded of the encouragement found in the body of Christ. Providence Church has been intentional about the importance of walking together and we have been blessed by hosting a group each week. 

We enjoyed the holiday season which looked and felt much different than the past few years. Rather than traveling long distances to be with extended family for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we were grateful to be close to our families. We were able to have both a Mayo and Hostetter (Morgan's family) Thanksgiving, which is something we haven't done in over 15 years! The Christmas season was spent doing many fun family activities, including cutting down our tree. We rang in the new year together in our home in Coatesville. Our night was spent looking back at how our lives have changed in the year 2023, and looking ahead to all that God is doing in our family, this ministry, and the surrounding community!

How YOU can support…

PRAY

Psalm 91 reminds us that the Lord is our refuge and fortress. It is always in Him that we must trust…

We ask that you pray for all those connected to our ministry and ministry partners. There are faithful laborers at Providence Church, The Bridge Academy, The Parkesburg Point and through CCGM at the prison. These different organizations are connected through the desire for those in our immediate area to reach a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. There is great collaboration to be celebrated and greater opportunity ahead! Pray that we would not grow weary in well doing. 

GIVE

Looking back on 2023 was similar to examining a study in the faithfulness of God. He has been faithful and provided for our family in incredible ways. We are constantly blown away by the generosity of those who truly give sacrificially. As we enter a new year, we are again asking for individuals, churches, or organizations to come alongside and support our family. We are confident He will continue to make a way for those He calls. 

Grace and Peace