IN TEXAS, FEW THINGS SHINE BRIGHTER than the lights on a football field. From a young age, children fight for the chance to put on pads and represent their school in the battle to be the best. This year at Goliad Middle School, however, one light shone brighter than all the others. It was the light of Christ shining through an eighth-grade student named Damien. 

In 2022, Damien’s mother, Kisha, moved with her four children to STCH Ministries Bluebonnet Campus in Yoakum. Even though change was a common occurrence for Damien, who was in fifth grade at the time, he felt hesitant and nervous about making such a big move. Inside, though, he knew this was different. He knew this was the start of something wonderful. 

From the beginning of their time on the Bluebonnet Campus, Damien experienced a hunger for a relationship with the Lord. He witnessed his mom’s transformation and wanted the same in his life. He started asking questions and learning from those around him. “Seeing his hunger and wanting to know more and read more in the Bible was really awesome, especially when we were first starting in Yoakum,” Kisha shared. In January 2023, he surrendered his life to Christ and was baptized, with his three younger siblings following his example. After his baptism, he felt God calling him to minister to the children at school, and with his mom’s encouragement, he did. 

In June 2023, another change came for Damien and his family as they moved to the Marshall Campus in Goliad. This move proved to be a catalyst in his story, opening a door for Damien that his mom could never have imagined. Shortly after moving, Damien started sixth grade at Goliad Middle School. He began playing sports, including football and track. The family started attending First Baptist Church in Goliad, and Damien’s love for the Lord deepened. He sought mentorship from staff on the Marshall Campus and from leaders at church. He wanted to learn more about how to lead as a Christian and be a positive example in his school. 

Damien loved playing football and putting his whole heart into the game. His team lost the first game of his eighth-grade year, and instead of being disheartened, he decided to act. “When we had returned home, I fed myself and went straight into our bedroom to lie on my bed and asked God what I could do on my end to help the team play better and how we could also grow closer to him,” Damien shared. 

He did not have to wait long for an answer, because the next week his coach approached him to ask if he would be interested in becoming the team chaplain. Unsure of what being a chaplain entailed, he asked his coach for clarification. His coach explained he would pray with the team and give them words of encouragement before the games. Damien initially struggled to say yes, as nerves and shyness often set in before big events. He sought guidance from his mother and staff members at Marshall Campus and ultimately told his coach he would love to be the team chaplain. 

Before the third game of the season, Damien started his chaplaincy. The team gathered around him in their football uniforms, ready for the game, and took a knee. After his prayer, his teammate pulled everyone into the center for one last breakout before game time. The team would go out to win this game and all but one of the games after, finishing the season winning six of their eight games. Damien loved being in this position for his team and reflected on what it meant for his coach to see Christ in him, “The fact that my coach, who doesn’t really see what goes on outside of the classroom, or at home or at church, the fact that he saw God in me, is really amazing.” 

Damien plans on taking every opportunity to chaplain for the sports teams at his school and wishes he could have started his seventh-grade year. “I want to bring everyone on our sports teams closer to God and to bring Him glory when we play, whether it be on a football field, a track or a tennis court,” Damien shared. Being asked to fulfill this role was one of the most influential moments in Damien’s life, and he did not take it lightly. In the future, he plans to be a pastor, a chaplain and a pastry chef, using what he has learned through this experience to help guide him. 

Kisha and Damien described how God has brought healing and growth into their lives since they first moved to the Bluebonnet Campus in 2022. There has been restoration throughout their whole family. Damien and his siblings do not fight like they used to. Now, they listen and respect each other. Kisha learned healthier ways to communicate with her children, where anger had previously been her natural response. Kisha is amazed to see how far Damien has come since the move, “I’m very proud to see him go from not knowing a whole lot about God other than ‘oh yeah, my mom prays, ok’ and not being able to really share anything about God, to now wanting to be a chaplain. It’s just such a big difference.” 

As an eighth grader, Damien exhibited a level of wisdom far beyond his years. He recognized his need for God every day. “Of course, like all others, I am not perfect, so I do ask God every day for guidance on how I can set a future example for the school and how I can be better at the thing I’m doing,” Damien explained. Kisha shared a heartfelt message about her son, “I would tell him that I am proud of him and to never, ever take his eyes off God, because as long as he keeps his eyes on God, then he is going to do amazing things.” 

Our Bluebonnet and Marshall campuses are designed to be a resource for mothers and their children. The beauty of these campuses is seen through stories like Damien and Kisha’s. Impacting multiple generations at once and igniting a beautiful light in a life that otherwise may not have had such an opportunity. Damien wanted to end his story in his own words: 

“During my time being the sports chaplain for my school, I’ve had support from my mother, one of my closest friends, my teachers, my coaches and most importantly, all the families and staff members on Marshall Campus. Thank you all for being a supportive part of my journey, and thank YOU for reading my story! Stay firm in the faith and stay determined!” 

For more information about the Marshall and Bluebonnet campuses, visit www.STCHM.org/campus-ministries. 

A SMALL AMOUNT OF YEAST stirred into flour transforms the entire loaf. Jesus used this image to describe the powerful way His kingdom works in the world (Matthew 13:33). When Jesus restores lives with His love, the story never ends with one transformation. God’s healing work in one life multiplies outward, touching families, communities and generations. 

Stephanie’s story is like this yeast. God began healing her heart through STCH Ministries Counseling Ministries, but His work in her life did not end with her personal restoration. Instead, her own healing became a catalyst for transformation in the lives of her children and her extended family. Today, she is bringing the light of Christ’s renewal to those she loves. 

When Stephanie first sought help through counseling, she never imagined she would one day become a source of hope for others. At the time, she was simply surviving. Her church referred her to STCH Ministries during a season of deep heartache. After separating from her son Alexander’s father, Stephanie felt devastated and disoriented, unsure how her life had arrived at this point. She remembered telling leaders at her church, “I can’t do this anymore. I’m trying to stay strong and see the positive, but I can’t keep it up. I honestly don’t know how I got here.” 

Stephanie began meeting weekly with her counselor, Caleb. At first, Stephanie worried about what friends and family might think. She kept her sessions private, afraid of being judged. As time passed, her sessions became a place to tell the truth about her life. Week after week, she shared her story, her grief and her fears. Over time, trust grew, and healing took root. Looking back now, she sees counseling differently. What once felt embarrassing became a gift God used to lead her toward the fullness of life He desires for His children. 

Stephanie experienced what it felt like to be helped through her feelings with compassion and learned to apply God’s truth in her life. This experience did not remain in the counseling room. It changed how she related to everyone around her. 

The most immediate impact of counseling has manifested in Stephanie’s relationship with her children. Before counseling, she felt overwhelmed and struggled to provide her kids with the emotional support and guidance she wanted to give them. 

“Without counseling, I wouldn’t have compassion and love for others,” she shared. “I would be empty inside and not able to be present for my kids.” 

As healing took place, Stephanie noticed a profound shift. “Now, I have the words to connect with my kids,” she said. “I have the words and understanding to approach them when they are in difficult situations or have hard feelings.” Instead of reacting out of frustration or anger, she learned to respond with patience and empathy, skills modeled for her through her counselor’s care. 

Since starting counseling, her kids have seen her grow emotionally as a parent. The understanding she received allowed her to extend that same understanding to them. “I’m not only a better mom, but also a better person for everyone in my life because I took the time to address my own emotional health,” she explained. 

As Stephanie grew stronger, she began to see how unresolved pain had shaped not only her own life but also her family’s. With guidance from her counselor, she developed a plan to address unhealthy patterns of communication and behavior within her extended family. Her desire was not to assign blame, but to end cycles of generational pain. 

Approaching her family was frightening. She worried they might not take her seriously or might make fun of her. Still, she felt compelled to try. “How can I take God’s lost sheep to Him?” she asked herself. She realized she needed to start by sharing the good things she had learned. The conversation that followed exceeded her expectations. “It was a beautiful meeting,” Stephanie said. “I felt so accomplished. We were getting somewhere. We were able to understand each other. We weren’t pointing fingers. We weren’t there to blame anybody.” 

For the first time, siblings listened to one another’s honest feelings without defensiveness. Together, they acknowledged that while the past could not be changed, the future could be different. “We don’t live in the past anymore,” Stephanie recalled. They began asking one another how they could break unhealthy patterns and create something new. “Let’s fix us first,” Stephanie said. “We have to fix ourselves before we fix our spouses or our kids or our parents. Our kids are hurting too because we are doing the same things our parents did.” 

She is realistic about the journey. “There is no perfect family, perfect relationship or perfect person,” she said. “But we can try to fix our mistakes. We can try to fix what is hurting us inside so we can stop hurting others.” 

Today, Stephanie says her family still encounters bumps in the road. Healing did not erase conflict or disagreement. What changed was how they navigate those moments. “Instead of screaming at each other now, we are able to apologize and acknowledge when we do something unkind,” she shared. Healthy communication strategies first learned in counseling now shape their relationships. 

Throughout this journey, Stephanie remained clear about the true source of transformation. Counseling was a vital tool, but God is the one who brings lasting change. “I am going to church not because I am perfect but because I am not perfect,” she said. “If I don’t seek God’s help, if He doesn’t come into my heart and cleanse me and change me, I will always be that person who I don’t want to be. I can’t change myself.” She acknowledged that old habits are hard to unlearn, and healing requires humility and ongoing dependence on God. Through that process, she has seen God work slowly and steadily, bringing hope into her family one step at a time. 

Her deepest hope now centers on her children. 

“I want my kids to see me and say, ‘My mom went through all that, but look where she’s at now,’” she shared. “I want them to see the strong person they can become after a hardship. I want them to know that it’s never over. You’re gonna be okay even after a bad day.” 

More than that, she wants them to become a family that brings hope to others. “I want them to be able to help others and share the love of God,” she said. “I want them to know that it is okay to struggle and talk honestly with others about your struggles.” 

Like yeast working quietly through dough, the healing God began in Stephanie continues to spread. Through the support of STCH Ministries and the transforming love of Christ, one life restored is becoming many lives touched, proving that when God heals, the story never stops with just one person. 

For more information on STCH Ministries Counseling Ministries, visit www.STCHM.org/counseling-ministries. 

OFTEN, WHAT SUSTAINS A FAMILY through a season of need is not just the practical resources they receive but a connection with someone who can walk alongside them in their journey. When care is coupled with compassion, vulnerability and presence, it allows genuine relationships to take root. This kind of support does more than address immediate hardship. It restores dignity, invites courage and reminds people they are not alone. This is the kind of care Lily encountered through relationships formed at STCH Ministries. 

In the fall of 2025, Lily was full of anxiety for the months ahead. Her husband had been laid off months earlier, and despite many applications, he had not found another job. By November, their family was feeling the strain of unemployment. The family’s finances were stretched thin, and the pressure felt insurmountable. Lily and her husband had six children, ages two to eleven, and she began to wonder how she would meet her family’s needs. “I had to adjust,” Lily reflected. “I had to get out of my comfort zone to help my kids and family.” 

For Lily, that adjustment began in a counseling session. Lily had been meeting with her counselor, Katie Jo, through STCH Ministries for nearly two years. Through counseling, Lily had already experienced the steady, compassionate presence of someone who had walked with her through life’s challenges. Now, in the midst of this new crisis, Katie Jo listened as Lily shared her fears and uncertainties. 

Through Katie Jo, Lily was connected to another part of STCH Ministries that could walk with her in this difficult season: Community Ministries. 

Lily had never sought help from community resources before. She was used to being the helper. She was the one her friends and family leaned on in times of need. Finding herself on the other side of that equation stirred up feelings of discomfort. “Nobody wants to ask for help,” Lily shared honestly. “Nobody wants to be in a position to have to ask for help. We felt so much shame.” 

Still, the needs of her family outweighed her hesitation. Through Katie Jo’s referral, Lily and her husband were connected to Jólee, a social worker with Community Ministries. What Lily expected was information. Instead, she encountered a relationship. “She came to me with open arms,” Lily said. “She talked to me like she knew me. She was vulnerable with me, and that made me drop my walls.” 

Jólee began by helping Lily understand the resources available to her family, including local programs, facilities and services that could provide practical support during their season of crisis. The breadth of help surprised Lily. But even more impactful than the resources themselves was the way Jólee offered them: with patience, warmth and genuine care. 

As the holidays approached, Community Ministries provided crucial support that helped ensure Lily’s children had what they needed. With the immediate stress of provision eased, Lily and her husband were able to focus on something that mattered deeply to them: being present with their children. “We wanted to be fun for our kids and do memorable activities with them,” Lily said. “And now we get to do that.” 

As weeks turned into months, Lily and Jólee’s relationship grew beyond appointments and action steps. What began as a professional connection quickly became a friendship rooted in trust and shared understanding. “Initially, we were just strangers,” Lily reflected, “but we became friends.” 

That friendship became especially meaningful as Lily opened up about her struggles with anxiety. Tasks that might seem simple to others, like going to the grocery store, were often overwhelming for her. Crowded aisles, long lists and the pressure of stretching limited funds made each trip emotionally exhausting. 

When Lily shared this with Jólee, she found recognition and support. Together, they worked through a practical solution. They used a grocery store app to locate items beforehand and plan a single, efficient route through the store. The strategy minimized time, stress and emotional turmoil. “After that,” Lily laughed, “I knew I was never going to shop the same way again!” 

In moments like these, Lily began to see that the help she was receiving was not just about fixing problems. It was about restoring confidence and dignity. One of the most meaningful moments in Lily’s journey came during prayer. “I was listening to Jólee pray,” Lily shared, “and she prayed, ‘Lord, you know I have a tender heart.’ When she said that, I was like, oh my gosh! She’s just like me! I think I have a tender heart!” 

For much of her life, Lily had felt burdened by her emotions. She described herself as “overly emotional,” especially in seasons of stress or struggle. Hearing Jólee name tenderness as something honest and prayer-worthy shifted something inside her. “It is hard not to feel ‘overly emotional’ when you are struggling,” Lily said. “It was nice to bond with somebody who is also emotional and to see that it is perfectly okay to have a tender heart. I felt like I could be myself.” 

Through their conversations, Lily opened up about her experiences in counseling, her struggles in work and relationships and the ways past hurt had shaped her reactions. In return, Jólee shared pieces of her own story, including a time when she had been in a similar position of receiving help and guidance that empowered her to find her footing again. “Jólee reminded me of what I could be if I were uninhibited and fully healed from the hurt I have experienced,” Lily said. “I was inspired by Jólee because she is like me.” 

With Jólee’s support, Lily began to see tangible growth in herself. She gained a better understanding of her family’s budget, including recognizing how much they were spending on gas and how to plan for that expense. 

Today, Lily’s husband has part-time employment, and Jólee continues to walk alongside the family, helping them explore additional job opportunities and resources as they work toward greater stability. The impact of Community Ministries extends far beyond finances, though. Because of the assistance and guidance they received, Lily and her family were able to travel for Thanksgiving to visit her husband’s grandfather, who is battling cancer. The trip was deeply meaningful, offering precious time together during an uncertain season. “I’m grateful that we were able to be part of these things because of STCH Ministries,” Lily said. 

Looking back, Lily describes her relationships with both her counselor, Katie Jo, and Jólee as “unlikely friendships.” One met her in emotional healing, the other in practical crisis, but both offered the same foundation of presence, compassion and trust. Through open arms and shared humanity, Lily found not only help but hope. As she continues her journey toward healing and stability, she carries a vision for the future where she can offer the same kind of support she once needed. 

FROM A YOUNG AGE, Diane believed that Christianity had nothing to offer her in terms of hope for her life. She could not imagine experiencing a loving relationship with God or finding solace in the church because of the hurt she experienced from people around her. Through STCH Ministries Campus Ministries, God intervened and surprised her with His grace, and now, she sees that God is creating a beautiful, new story. 

As a child, Diane experienced a tumultuous home life and felt betrayed by those close to her. Seeking to escape her family, Diane fled home in her early teen years and soon found herself homeless. She recognized her life was moving in a dangerous direction and began to ask for help. Through a series of connections, Diane was able to stay temporarily with a friend’s parents. They helped her to register for a military boarding school where she could live and study in a safe environment. Diane was excited about the future and worked diligently on the enrollment process. 

During the time she spent preparing to register for the military school, Diane became pregnant with her daughter, Madelyn. Sadly, Madelyn’s father was not supportive, and Diane knew that she could not safely share the news of her pregnancy. Not wanting this to hold her back, she hid her pregnancy as long as possible and continued pursuing her plan. At seventeen years old and five months pregnant, she moved into the military school. Staff at the school soon realized that Diane was pregnant and told her she could not remain there. Authorities from the school contacted the parents of Madelyn’s father, who assisted Diane in finding a new place to go. 

At seven months pregnant, Diane left military school for maternity housing. Due to Diane being a minor, she would only be allowed to stay there until she gave birth to her daughter. The home offered her the option of adoption, which Diane considered but decided against. “Even then,” she said, “I knew I did not want to give my daughter up for adoption.” Diane already adored Madelyn and was determined to do anything to protect and care for her. 

With only a short time before her daughter’s arrival, she began an earnest search for housing that would allow her and her daughter to stay together. This is when she heard about STCH Ministries. “I had so much faith that it would be the right place for me,” Diane shared. Since she was a minor, the staff helped place her with another ministry for a few months until she turned 18 and became eligible to move to Marshall Campus. Her anticipation was high, and her belief that this program could help her was so strong that she did not care what rules or expectations would be required. She knew she would do whatever was necessary to stay with her daughter and find a fresh start in her life. 

Since moving to the Marshall Campus, Diane has built relationships with staff members and was surprised to realize that they lived truly changed lives because of their relationship with Christ. Witnessing their consistent grace and steadfast faith transformed Diane’s understanding of Christianity and gave her fresh hope. She had realized, “In this world, there are genuinely good people. That’s what I’ve seen in STCH Ministries staff: genuinely good people who are seeking to follow Jesus and actually care.” 

Diane’s changed perspective has opened her to a relationship with Christ, and she has experienced God’s redemption in her life. “Now, I know that Christianity is not just a religion; it’s more than that. It’s a relationship,” Diane shared. This relationship has changed everything. It has given her new peace, new conviction and a new, hopeful story for her life and future. Diane found that she does not need to rely on harmful behaviors or habits to find rest and peace. With a smile, she shared, “I don’t need anything to comfort my mind except for Jesus.” 

Diane has also learned that God wants her to see her family the way He sees them. For a long time, she struggled with feelings of anger towards her family. After accepting her own brokenness and seeing the redemptive story God has provided in her own life, Diane has been able to extend grace to her family. “My heart had to break for my family,” Diane said. “I had to see them through God’s eyes, and He showed me that we are all broken people.” After this, God gave Diane the strength to apologize to her family and seek a positive relationship with them. Today, Diane ministers with hope to her family by treating them with patience and praying that they will find healing. She also strives to share the grace God has given to her by loving every new mom who comes to the Marshall Campus. “I am learning how we can bear with one another and give each other grace,” she shared. 

Diane’s experience in the program has reshaped her vision for what it means to live a good life. When asked about her hopes and dreams for the future, Diane recalled that she used to think she wanted to attain success that would be reflected in material possessions like houses or cars. Now, she reflected, “it’s not any of that that matters anymore. I just want to see myself serving the Lord.” This desire to live a life of service is exhibited in Diane’s joyful relationship with her daughter, her leadership amongst her peers on campus and even a transformed connection to her family. Josephine, resident coordinator on the Marshall Campus, praised Diane, saying: 

I have seen Diane grow in her maturity as a mom and in her dependency on the Lord. She’s been leading our Health Class for a few months now; in that role, she has grown from being timid to leading it with her whole heart with confidence. The other moms’ participation reflects her leadership. They leave grateful for the challenge and her leadership. Her connection with the Lord and putting her self-worth in Him has enabled her to set and keep boundaries in the cottage as well as in her personal life. 

The grace Diane encountered through her time on the campus has allowed her to enter the new, God is writing in her life story God is writing with her life. Now, Diane delights in knowing that she is breaking generational patterns of hurt and providing her daughter with a foundation of trust and identity in God. Her greatest joy so far has been seeing her daughter grow and learn to love and praise the Lord. “Being able to have my daughter in chapel and planting seeds so early is amazing,” she shared. 

Before coming to STCH Ministries, Diane was running from the hurt others had caused. She felt locked in a narrative of despair and did not see hope for her future. Now, Diane has found a reason to hope not only for herself, but also for those she loves—even those who are still struggling. She recognizes that every person she meets has their own story and must be met with compassion. The compassion of Christ in her own life gives her strength to extend that grace to those around her. From her own experience, she has learned that no matter what struggles a person’s past may contain, God is ready to weave all the details of their life into a new story.