in 2005

The Haven of Rest developed a real challenge in how to best minister to and teach the burgeoning population of men who were coming to the Haven to live. While it was great to have such a supportive sponsoring church (NFBC), the shear logistics of transporting and handling the sometimes complicated needs of the Haven residents was becoming a dilemma.

Another very real challenge was that many of the newer men (especially those who did not yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior) were uncomfortable attending a church as large and as far away as NFBC.

The solution to this challenge was contained in a wonderful study known as “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. One of the premises in Dr. Blackaby’s material is that instead of trying to fit God into our pre-determined plans, we should watch to see where He is working and then join Him. It was clear that the Lord was bringing more and more people (not just men, but now women and children) to the Haven who were not only hungry for food and other material needs, but also for spiritual guidance. We already had a large building we had been using for a thrift store. A possible solution was to close the store and utilize the building as a combination chapel, activity center and office building. We had no idea just how far the Lord would take that idea!