A couple in their late sixties, struggled with drug addictions that had led to drug arrests and prison time in the past. While in prison they got clean and sober, but once released they struggled to find affordable housing that allows felons with non-violent crimes to rent. Back in April they were housed by Life Changing Housing Associates (LCHA) at Meadowbrook Heights Apts and since then have become a part of The Table. Come to find out, the husband was a former journeyman electrician by trade and was able to use his skills and gifts to install emergency lighting for the shelter’s initial city inspection.

While ministering on the street, three women walked up who looked in rough condition. A woman from our congregation was a former addict herself and began sharing the gospel, “Jesus is my best friend… I used to be just like you… Jesus changed my life… He can help you, we want to help you.” She is an Indigenous elder, so the women were listening intently. It wasn’t long before a fourth woman came along and really began to really lean in with all four being visibly impacted and moved by her testimony and what she said. The first step so often begins with the testimony of how Christ has changed us.

In May of this year, Lauren was celebrating six years of sobriety and being housed. After experiencing a life of addiction, homelessness, wandering without purpose and losing her children she has since worked to change her life in ways that would glorify God. She has worked two to three jobs at times as she slowly worked her way through the legal system to gain custody of her children and rebuild her family. As a part of The Table, we walked and explored ways she could begin to pour into other women and single moms who are going or who have gone through similar stresses, struggles, and life experiences that Lauren has faced. Lauren’s passion and commitment to Christ has developed into H.O.P.E. or Her Own Personal Experience, a support group for single women and moms who are dealing with addiction or mental health issues. Lauren works with Rosemary Parker, LPC, of Wide Awake Therapy a local therapist with whom The Table also partners. Together, they’re serving to help women climb out of the darkness into a new way of life.

Red Shirt Community Church is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In September, this church was given three buildings by the school district on the reservation. These buildings are gifts and a testimony to God’s provision and blessing freely given as a place to gather on Wednesday nights for service. Anywhere from 20-40 Native and European heritage people gather weekly. Through both of these works Blake and Katie are trusting God to create safe places where people can come to connect with Him by learning to be in His presence and hear His voice.

A teenage son started coming to youth on Wednesday nights after an invitation from several of his friends. His family was not attending church any where, but after he started coming regularly, mom and dad wanted to know what he was being exposed to and what this church was all about so they began to attend on Sunday. Mom has recently expressed her desire to be baptized and dad is now serving in our worship team on Sundays.

Steve and Laura Allen are actively ministering in the area of the Meadowbook Heights Apts with regular Neighborhood Night Out & Financial Literacy offerings. They and the work of their volunteers is how many marginalized men, single-moms and families meet Christ where they are and are equipped with real tools for money management, mental health and trauma-processing.

Irving’s Southeast Community Center was officially opened with a ribbon cutting on Sept 17th, 2024. A special thanks to advocates Mary Ann Kellam and the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event. The center will foster connection, empowerment, and growth in the Irving community.

Blake and Katie lead groups in South Dakota for marginalized Native Americans. One such ministry has grown from less than a dozen that meet on Sundays to over 40 people in just the last year.  Members of the Amish community are also being drawn into this group.

In Regina with Kevin and Lisa, their ministry to those most vulnerable and living on the street now includes up to 240 meals. They and their team regularly meet those desperately in need of help and the love of Christ just to survive. Meals often include loving, serving hands and prayer with those most desperate. Kevin also shared that this is one of his highlights each month, and that last night was no exception.

Through prayer and the miracle of Christ to redeem, they have seen 25 baptisms this year.

Through prayer and the miracle of Christ to redeem, Wetumpka has experienced 15 baptisms thus far in 2024. Wetumpka and Redland Hills also minister to about 60 kids (6th grade and down) every week with a peak closer to 80.

One of our volunteers took the initiative with a couple that was homeless since August and exchanged phone numbers. Word on the street is that many government organizations that are supposed to help the homeless are overburdened, lack resources and struggle providing any impactful assistance. Often those on the street who have someone along to advocate for them are the ones who are successful in moving forward. By our sister taking this initiative, she was showing great love and kindness, giving her time and energy and experience to help a family get housed. Advocacy – it’s a huge gift.

Shayla is a woman in her early 40’s who after a horrible childhood, ended up in prison for an extended time. While there she got clean and sober along with an associate’s degree and turned her life around. Shayla is an example of someone who lived an incredibly dysfunctional and broken childhood and never developed many of the life skills we might take for granted. As she continues to be a part of The Table she has slowly realized that beyond her substance abuse history, many of the old ways haven’t worked and it’s time to move in a different direction.

She wants to start her own kingdom-centered business as a hair stylist where she can cut people’s hair as she builds relationships with her clients.

At a young age of 5, I’ve experienced sexual abuse by 3 different family members who I’ve look up to. When I’ve spoken up about and still to this day I’m question or made to believe it was my fault. So I didn’t bother speaking up, and suffered in silence alone. By the age of 18 and until recently I was in abusive relationships suffering mental, emotional and physical abuse. I have also had miscarriages as well, so instead of seeking help and healing from the trauma, I turned to drugs, I choose to escape and bottle everything up.

I went down a dark self-destructive path, I had no love for myself, I blame everyone who hurt me. I told my self that I deserve everything that has happen to me. I told myself I wasn’t meant to happiness. But as the Bible says in Matthew 6:24, ” no one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other …”. I didn’t know what that meant until now. I didn’t commit to God or put down the drugs, but yet I wanted that worry-free life. I did exactly what the scripture said and tried to serve two masters instead of one. It wasn’t until I decided I had enough. Had enough of being homeless, no money, constantly feeling ashamed, guilt, regret, etc. and living in women’s shelter with my son.

On June 8,2024, was the day I decided to put both feet in and serve one master. I chose to follow God, and put God first, and I haven’t looked back. I’ve accomplished so much since I got off that self-destruct path.