Live Determined

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Thank you for taking the time to read our first Messenger of 2026! I hope you are encouraged by the stories you read. Maybe God is asking you to share your time, talents and or treasures to become more involved in what the Lord is doing through STCH Ministries. If you feel so led, please reach out. We would love to talk more. 

I was inspired to write on the topic of living a determined life by a young man named Damien on our Marshall Campus. You will get to read his story in this Messenger! Damien challenges us all to “stay firm in the faith and to stay determined”. 

So, what does it mean to live a determined life? Living a determined life means choosing to stand firm with purpose, in faith, and obedience even when circumstances try to weaken our resolve. Determination is not merely stubbornness; it is a decision rooted in God. It is the quiet but unwavering commitment to keep moving forward, even when the road is difficult, and progress feels slow. 

The Bible is filled with men and women who lived with determination. Daniel, who resolved in his heart not to defile himself, even when his obedience put his life at risk. His determination was not based on convenience but conviction. He understood that honoring God was worth more than temporary comfort or safety. Determination begins when we decide that our lives belong to God and that obedience is not optional. 

A determined life is anchored in purpose – Romans 8:28. When you know why you are living, setbacks lose their power to stop you. The apostle Paul declared, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul faced imprisonment, rejection and hardship, yet his determination remained unshaken because his eyes were fixed on God. Our determination grows when our focus shifts from present struggles to God’s greater plan. 

Living with determination does not mean we will never feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Even Jesus experienced moments of deep anguish, yet He remained determined to fulfill the Father’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” This is the highest expression of determination, choosing obedience even when the cost is great. True determination submits personal desires to God’s purpose. 

A determined life requires daily choices that show the strength of our convictions. It is built one decision at a time: choosing prayer over worry, faith over fear, obedience over selfish desires. Many people give up not because they lack ability, but because they lose resolve. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9, “to not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” Determination teaches us to trust God’s timing, even when results are not immediate. 

When we know God is faithful, we find strength to keep going. Determination rooted in faith says, “I may not see the outcome yet, but I trust the One who does.” This kind of resolve does not depend on feelings or circumstances; it depends on our unshakable Heavenly Father. 

Ultimately, a determined life brings glory to God. It testifies that our hope is not in ourselves, but in Him. When we persevere through trials with faith and obedience, others see the power of God at work in us. Determination transforms ordinary lives into powerful testimonies of God’s grace. 

I have a challenge for us all: choose determination. We should fix our hearts on God, trust His promises and commit to obey Him no matter the cost. A determined life, surrendered to God, will always lead to fulfilled purpose, personal growth and eternal reward. Keep up the great work, Damien. Thank you for the inspiration! 

Thursday Night Light

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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. 

Thank You for Making a Difference in 2025!

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We were blessed to witness God’s plan unfold in the lives of those served through our ministries in 2025, made possible by our faithful supporters! Your support helps children, families and individuals find healing, restoration and transformation and we are forever grateful for you. 

Our Campus Ministries served 234 children through our Boothe Campus and 133 mothers and children through our Marshall and Bluebonnet campuses. Our campuses provide safe, Christ-centered homes where children and families can live as they find healing and transformation. 

Through International Ministries, teams traveled to the Rio Grande Valley, serving hundreds of individuals and families living in the Colonias. A group of 26 individuals opened their hearts to Christ, leaving their names for follow-up and discipleship. Additionally, 28 teams served in Belize, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

Through Community Ministries, 1,879 individuals found the help they needed. We recognize that life’s challenges are often intertwined, so Community Ministries is here to connect individuals with community resources and educational services. 

Counseling Ministries helped 2,637 people find healing. Through Counseling Ministries, we provide hope and direction for individuals, couples and children who need help. 

In 2025, STCH Ministries served 37,517 individuals across our four ministry areas. 

Most importantly, 240 individuals accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior! 

Alive in Christ

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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. 

But God: A Story of Redemption and Kingdom Impact

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A DUBIOUS CHOICE FOR KINGDOM IMPACT… BUT GOD! How many times in the stories of leadership have we heard the echo of those words? Moses. Jacob. Joseph. The Apostle Paul. Perhaps your name and mine could join this list of not-so-illustrious cast of characters. In Belize, Pedro Chan is the pastor of Ebenezer Church in the village of Chan Pine Ridge. Slightly built and just 40 years old, his appearance and his past would not recommend him as an obvious candidate for Kingdom leadership and vision… BUT GOD! 

Frequent beatings, capricious and unconstrained, driven by his father’s alcoholic rages, formed the environment of Pedro’s early life as the third of eight children. Pedro left immediately after high school, put himself through college, and never looked back. Seven years later, he received a mysterious call urging him to visit. Curiosity overcame his reluctance. He arrived on a Sunday as his family was preparing to eat their customary midday meal. He began to eat, but as his family bowed their heads, Pedro awkwardly paused. His eyes scanned the room as his family prayed, and he noticed Scriptures hanging on the wall. After the meal, his father asked to speak to him. “Jesus has changed me and forgiven me. I’m so sorry for my actions. Will you forgive me?” Pedro was angry and disgusted. No way would he forgive! “I hope you suffer the misery you made all of us endure.” He resisted any mention of Jesus’ name. However, the change in his family was undeniable, and he continued to make occasional visits. 

One evening, Pedro agreed to accompany his father to meet his friends. As custom required, he greeted each one individually, impatient to leave. One particularly large man stood at the door and, as he shook Pedro’s hand, he would not let go. “Do you have five minutes for me to tell you about Jesus? NO! Do you have three minutes? NO!” Looking into Pedro’s eyes, still holding his hand, he said to Pedro, “I just want you to know that God knows you and loves you.” The shell of pain protecting Pedro’s heart cracked. He met his Savior, and a radical transformation happened that evening. 

In 2006, STCH Ministries began our faith journey into international opportunities. For fifty years in the South Texas region, we had honed our mission to “honor God, reach children and families with His love and truth, and enable others to join us in this ministry” to a high level of effectiveness. Could these principles and methods form a “lifeline” to the needs of children and families beyond our borders? 

Although there was much we did not know, we knew that everything rises or falls on leadership. Our goal was to find like-minded leaders with vision, working by faith to reach children and families with the love and truth of the Gospel. We would not seek to own or manage ministries in another country. We would seek to empower local leaders to fulfill the calling that God had given them. We sought a long-term relationship in which the efforts of mission teams would be followed up long after the mission week was over. Additionally, we would invest in children and strengthen families through a sponsorship program that would create Christian leaders for the future within their own culture. 

One of our first visits took us to Pastor Rudy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Motivated by the verse, “For nothing is impossible for God,” he moved for ward by faith, with seemingly inexhaustible amounts of energy and creativity. Despite inadequate resources and a lack of basic supplies, like-minded believers worshiped enthusiastically in an open-air, tin-roofed church. They focused on children and families, offering music classes for children, VBS in multiple locations (they wrote their own material), camps and family celebrations like a “pool party” (a few plastic, toddler-sized pools). Evangelism and Bible teaching were a priority. STCH Ministries’ mission to reach children and families with God’s love and truth met an answering passion in the heart of Pastor Rudy. 

As our partnership solidified and grew, we spread into Christian schools and orphanages. We built new facilities, shared innumerable opportunities for teacher training, marriage counseling, pastor and leadership trainings and grew the sponsorship of children to include even college scholarships. 

In 2022, God led STCH Ministries to El Salvador and the Peniel network of churches. We met Dr. Edgar Borja, whose ministry heart aligned with our calling and mission. Mission trips and the Samuel’s Fund child sponsorships began and grew. 

In Belize, following Pedro’s dramatic conversion, he developed a thirst for knowledge about God’s Word. Pedro went to Argentina for three years to study the Bible. He returned, got a job teaching school and actively worked in the church. Sadly, after his return, the pastor of Ebenezer Church fell off the roof he was repairing. A severe concussion destroyed his short-term memory. Reluctantly, Pedro accepted the position of pastor. 

These were extremely difficult days. With less than 30 members, no salary and without the guidance of the pastor, Pedro reached the end of his endurance. Falling on his face on the church floor for 12 consecutive days, he prayed in desperation for guidance. On the 12th day, he received a phone call. “There are a couple of American missionaries who want to meet you,” the caller said. God heard Pedro’s prayers and sent the help he needed from CityRise in Houston, with mentors, training, resources and eventually a new church building. 

Meanwhile, in the background, where God’s sovereignty is always at work, a non-event occurred that would significantly impact STCH Ministries. In January 2020, the mission’s pastor of CityRise in Houston invited Russell Jerez from the Dominican Republic to attend a retreat in Belize with other leaders. Russell shared STCH Ministries’ mission and work, especially the priority of children and families. Unbeknownst to us, for the following five years, the Belizean church members prayed every Tuesday night, specifically asking God to send STCH Ministries to Belize. However, COVID hit the next month. Interest in Belize faded… BUT GOD! 

In 2024, CityRise renewed its invitation for STCH Ministries to visit the growing work. Accompanied by the mission’s pastor, Rynie Badenhorst, we made the journey in May. In 2025, we returned for a total of four mission/vision trips with staff and Christian leaders as we evaluated the opportunity for family mission trips. 

Only a short hop from Houston, we traveled about an hour to the northern area of Belize. The influence of early British colonization has established English as the official language in schools and government structure and services. Small villages populate the countryside with strong connections between generations of families. They remain close to their Hispanic and Mayan heritage, and commonly speak a blend of Spanish and English with a few Mayan phrases on occasion. With little industry and few tourist attractions in this area of Belize, the socioeconomic status is low. The lack of jobs, a deficient to nonexistent transportation system and limited educational opportunities beyond the eighth grade have resulted in significant poverty and lack of opportunity. 

“Belize-In-Us” is the recent corporate name of the ministries that reflect Pedro’s vision for the needs of children and families in northern Belize. Pedro has developed a strong group of young leaders in the Ebenezer Church, who regularly go out to the surrounding village churches, supporting new church plants, participating in outreach events, children’s Bible classes and opportunities to share the Gospel. On our vision trips, Pedro introduced us to Orange Walk, Yo Creek, August Pine Ridge and other village churches and their pastors. We were impressed by their leadership, their humility and total dependence on God for the needs of their ministries and their people. The needs include roofs, buildings, salaries, teaching materials and training. As we consider how to help meet those needs, we also pray, “Lord, show us how to meet their needs in a way that points them back to Thee, as their ultimate Guide and Provider.” 

STCH Ministries’ early vision and mission trips included marriage training, VBS activities, parenting classes and financial training. We built desks and benches for children’s Bible classes and shared the Gospel along with food offerings for the neediest of families. The Belizean people are warm and accepting and each ministry outreach has been enthusiastically received, with a unanimous request for more. 

We are excited to recommend the ministries in Belize as a great opportunity for family mission trips, and our new International Director, Danny Quintanilla, is here to help lead this development. Transportation, housing and a new kitchen provide family-friendly logistics, as well as a great opportunity to pour into the lives of children and families and to support and train pastors. The Belizean people are bilingual which allows teams to minister in English. Many of our Vision Trip participants shared, “I saw the great need and opportunity to impact Belizean children and families.” Pastor John Hall from Fieldstreet Baptist Church stated, “I think Belize is a unique opportunity for STCH Ministries. I believe both entities would benefit from each other in advancing Kingdom priorities.” If you are interested in a trip to Belize, please visit www.STCHM.org/international-ministries for more information. 

Where Help Meets Hope

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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.