"The People to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen - for they are rebellious people - they will know what prophet has been among them. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.” Ezekiel 2:4-5, 7 NIV
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:28–29
Grateful to have a God who will supply us with His energy when I have none of my own. “The power is not from you therefore the pressure is not on you.” - Stephanie Young, co-founder of BLOC Ministries
This has been a hard few weeks and season in our ministry. The verses above were shared at a recent staff meeting and have helped in the weariness, in the discouragement—to keep moving, as hard as it is some days. Death, overdose, relapse are all part of what we walk through, sadly on the daily...BUT we get our hope from Jesus not from ANY circumstance we have at any given moment. We ask for your continued prayers for energy to persevere, knowing we are doing the work the Lord has given us. My (Karen’s) mom ingrained in me as a child, “nothing worthwhile is easy!”….boy did she nail that on the head!
Pray for the men and women we serve—that they surrender fully to the Lord.
Men’s & Jail Ministry with Jim…
It’s been an emotionally draining month, but at the same time we’ve seen God move mountains out of our way! We’ve been praying for a SUPERNATURAL resolution to our previous landscaping business and He delivered in a way that has been blowing us away in the last couple weeks! As I get requests from different people to visit people in the Justice Center, this last one came from my colleague Tyler’s lawyer that this gentleman wanted to change his life around. He’s tired of making decisions that end him in and out of jail and that lifestyle. So I visited this gentleman never meeting him before and just doing what I usually do, I introduce myself and talk about what BLOC Ministries and The LIT Movement do and how we strive to help men change their lives around for The Kingdom of God! Well, without going into much detail, as it turns out the gentleman that I visited is the brother of the man that is involved with reconciling our business matters!! So, here I am sharing Jesus and how we can help him change his life around, I was speechless for about a minute, probably having a panic attack but at the same time praying for the words to say! He asked me how I knew his brother and Dad but I just wanted to focus on him, the other stuff wasn’t important! God gave me the strength to finish the conversation and we prayed together and I promised to visit again and appear in court for him if that’s what he wanted. YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP!!! I’m still blown away how God is moving!!
God literally opened the Level 3 Lebanon State Prison gates for me to share my story and the love of Jesus to about 30 inmates a couple weeks ago! I spoke for over an hour sharing with these men the hope of Jesus! He is AMAZING!
Our LIT houses still have a few rooms available in each of the 3 houses, so continue to pray for the men that He will be bringing to us in the near future!
VACATION COMING!
Please continue to pray for Karen and I as we are looking forward to getting away at the end of August for a vacation/time of respite, and alone time with each other on a lighthouse tour in Wisconsin!
Redeemed Home update from Karen…
We are seeking staff at Redeemed Home. We are looking for Full and Part-time staff. A house manager for our Phase 3 home and staff for the Phase 1 & 2 homes to work day and/or evening shifts. Also Saturday evening shift. We also need volunteers to help with doctor appointments and often being a presence at the home. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at karen.green@onebloc.org.
We are starting a new Bible study. Ruth, Love, Loss & Legacy. Ruth’s journey of unbearable loss, redeeming love, and divine legacy comes alive in this six-week study. We will explore the Book of Ruth in this relational Bible study that merges Scripture and everyday life. DO YOU TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO FOLLOW HIM?
We meet together each Tuesday evening for dinner and study. We average about 15 ladies which consists of current residents, graduates, staff and volunteers. It is our favorite night of the week as we come together as sisters to fellowship around the table and in the Word.
A couple of ways you may help in this area? Sponsor the ladies and purchase their study books. This particular study book cost $19.00. BLOC receives grant money, but sadly not for religious books. Another way you can help might be to provide a meal for a week. Our ladies typically do the cooking, but it might be nice to have a break and have a meal catered or delivered. Feel free to join us for the evening too! :)
We are looking forward to TWO of our residents graduating in August. Stay tuned for more information on this, but please pray for Mollie & Olivia as they approach their graduation date. Such an exciting time for them as they spread their wings. We believe in them! Be in prayer for Mollie & Olivia.
We currently have 8 residents in our program. 4 are in Phase 3, 3 are in Phase 1 and 1 has returned for a season of rest and re-direction. God has planted each of these amazing women right here.
Pray for our current residents:
Ashley, Michelle, Tiffany, Mollie, Amy, Christine, Olivia and Katie.
Along with our graduates: Chrystal, Tonya, Jackie, Lauren & Katie
Continued needs for Redeemed: Ongoing needs @ Redeemed, are simple every day things like toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, laundry soap, dryer sheets, hand soap, zip lock baggies (gallon and sandwich), Lysol spray and cleaning products, tampons (variety sizes), socks and ladies underwear (sizes 6 - 10).
**Another way would be to sponsor a resident for an activity or outing. If you’d like to help, please reach out! We love to show our residents how to have fun and try new things, different experiences. We are planning to take them to see a live show at the Covedale Theater to see Joseph and the Technicolored Dreamcoat. (we studied Joseph last year).
If you would love to sponsor a resident or a few, just reach out, I would LOVE to chat!
We can not thank you enough for INVESTING in us and in the Price Hills community. These men and women need you just as much as they need us! We are here because of your generosity and prayers!
If you'd like a tour of our ministries, we would love to show you. Call or text either of us!
Jim: (513) 470-7081, Karen (513) 316-4437
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