Hey, I'm Chad Smith and I'm the Youth Minister at Star of Hope Mission. Many who know me, know my love to speak and talk, especially when I find something I love to talk about! Well, about 20 years ago I found something that captured my heart and along with that my words - and that was Christ. He has captured me to where I cannot say enough. He has done great and marvelous works to me and through me.
Myron and I were frantically looking for the teens to take them on an outing. Because of the time strain, we tried to leave earlier than the time on the permission slips. To our surprise, we could only get a handful of teens, because about 9 teens were pre-occupied – with serving in the kitchen! The serving line and dishwashers…full of teens serving the guests with smiles on their faces!Then today when I came into work, I was greeted by one of our kitchen staff with a couple of bags of candy that she wanted me to give to the teens. I gladly accepted the gift and she proceeded to tell me how much she missed the teens being there this weekend. (we took the teens to a spiritual weekend retreat in Huntsville, TX) She said that it makes such a difference having them in the kitchen and that they have been such willing servants to help out.
Recently, we finished a two week discussion with the teens about reaching their communities. We know that God is doing great things in the hearts of the youth here, and it is a blessing to see the evidence of the work that He is doing! I’ll be sure to give this gift of candy to the teens as an unexpected reward for their acts of service.
Learn more about Star of Hope Mission's Teen Ministry - Star of 2morrow and more at Supporting Houston Ministries
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” -- John 13:14-15
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” -- John 13:14-15
Last week I came into work like I always do on a typical Thursday. As the time rolled around for the teens to return from school, Dominck Mancuso came through my door. This surprised me a little bit because this is my faithful volunteer that helps out with the teens whenever he can. This man works for a large corporation that’s known all over the world and every week it takes him all over the world. He actually lives in New Jersey, but does work in Houston throughout the week. I remember one evening he came in looking a little ragged and I asked him how his day was and he said, “Oh, all-right. My day started in Bogota, Columbia.” But yet there he was faithfully showing up in my teen room hands out, ready to serve. On this particular day when he showed up, my surprise came because he normally shows up at 7:00 in the evening, not 4:30 in the afternoon. Then I remembered that he was here to tutor one of my teens who desperately needed his help to get caught up in school. Well, he did help her that day and other times since then! Week after week for the last three years, Dominick shows up- hands out, ready to serve.
So, why highlight this “star” volunteer of mine? I think Dominick’s faithfulness displays the example that Jesus calls his followers to demonstrate as servants. You see, the hands that formed this world, also reach down and washed dirty feet of the disciples displaying true humility as a servant. A servant’s heart is always willing to give whether of finances and possessions or time and energy. So, how dirty is your towel? How has God gifted you to give to your community? I thank God for sending Dominick Mancuso our way and greatly appreciate those who give as servants to those in need.
Visit Supporting Houston Ministries and learn more about Star of Hope Mission's Teen Ministry, Stars of 2morrow.
Here’s the story about a girl who got accepted in UT Austin. At the first thought, this statement isn’t that spectacular. But if this was the average girl, then this would be the average statement. Nearly two years ago, I had a girl come through the doors of the Women & Family Emergency Shelter that will never leave my memory. Reva came in with her five sisters, brother, and mom. This was not her first or second time to rest her head in our shelter. She had seen and experienced much that the “average” 15 year old hadn’t. This left her disappointed, two years behind in high school, and without a lot of hope.
The hardships that the homeless population have to face are undeniable and even more so with developing youth. Each one is taking their first steps into who God created them to be and many have more complicating setbacks than even adults would dare to tackle. No wonder the cycles of homelessness continues in the generations to follow. But God always gives hope and that hope was extended to Reva as it has been for so many youth that come through our doors.
In our Stars of 2morrow program, Reva attended Bible classes, received help with projects and homework, and began to attend the high school that she would eventually graduate from… on time! After she and her family moved out of the program, Reva faithfully continued to attend Bible classes, receive help with school work, and attend outings. I have personally seen Reva step-up and face disappointments, heartaches, and challenges. She is currently in the National Honor Society, on the Honor Roll at Wheatley High School, graduating in the top 7.5% of her class. Reva is on the Mayor’s Youth Council, and will be graduating from Wheatley High School in the spring of 2011! And last week Reva received her acceptance letter to which she will be attending fall of 2011 and majoring in Political Science and English.
We praise God together and celebrate all that He does in the lives of our youth here in the shelter bringing life to stories just like this one. And, that’s the story about a girl who got accepted into UT Austin.
For more information about Star of 2morrow and Charitable Organizations Houston serving youth, visit Star of Hope.
Get together 120 bags filled with toiletry items, six sets of clothes, two towels, a bathing suit, and load them on three buses filled with 120 excited, yet nervous kids and teenagers and what do you have?... One of the greatest experiences of a young child's life. You have camp! One of my favorite weeks of the year as a Youth Minister at Star of Hope's Women and Family Shelter is being able to get my hands dirty and make this week of camp happen for these youth. Every youth that is able to go receives brand new sets of clothes for camp. Even more than the clothes they receive, they also get the experience of a lifetime (swimming, canoeing, blobbing, hiking, fishing, etc.), that some will never get again. But even more than the experience of a lifetime and clothes, they receive the "good news" of Jesus Christ and the chance to begin that relationship with Him. This camp is so crucial for these youth!
As I said before, the week of camp is one of my favorite weeks of the year. And now that camp has passed yet another year, I can reflect on all that God has done. But none of it could've been possible without the financial and prayerful support of those who sent us. For five years it has been a blessing for me to be apart of what God does with these youth at camp. I am so grateful for those who supported it. So, the countdown has begun! 50 weeks and a camping we will go... again! If you would like to give of your resources to support this or another aspect of Star of Hope, visit Ways to Give and learn more about Supporting Houston Ministries.
When a teenager comes into Star of Hope with his or her family, they will receive many things that they need from shampoo to a uniform for school. But I feel the greatest gift that they will receive while they live here at the Women and Family Shelter is something that I give to them. Almost every teen that has come through our doors has received a Bible! Many of the teens that come through here have lost their Bible while moving around and some have never owned one at all. So, it becomes a source of great joy to give a teen a Bible.
Well, something amazing happened when I came to the shelter today. One of my co-workers came up to me and said that there were boxes of Bibles for the teens that came in. This was unusual, because normally I have means of finding free Bibles (used or new) to give the teens. Well, I went and found the Bibles that were set aside for the teens. To my surprise, I found four boxes of Bibles containing a total of 136 Bibles! And these were not the normal paperback Bibles that I usually have to give the teens. Instead, these Bibles were unopened, leather bound, and compact so they can be easily carried around. I was completely amazed and filled with joy as I imagined one of the teens carrying one to school with them or reading it in their room.
Through my surprise, I realized that someone out there really blessed many teens living at this shelter. And who knows how many will be blessed by these teens that will take God's Word into their schools and homes. I thank God for those who generously give of what God has blessed them with so that others too can receive of that blessing. If you would like to see our needs and see how you can help, click Charitable Donations Houston
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11- copied from one of those Bibles!)
About four years ago, I was led to the Star of Hope Mission to work with youth (ages 13-17) through a three month internship between my junior and senior year of college. After graduation, I began to work full-time in the position I have now- Youth Minister. And through these years I look at these youth and the same thought comes to mind, "I cannot say enough!" It would be impossible for me to say all the great and marvelous things that God is doing with these precious teenagers at the Star of Hope Mission.
Our group of teenagers has grown and changed so much through the years. For example, last year we officially named this teen ministry the Stars of 2morrow along with a cool logo. This captures the vision and heart of our staff. To learn more about the Stars of 2morrow visit Christian Ministries Houston.
Our group of teenagers has grown and changed so much through the years. For example, last year we officially named this teen ministry the Stars of 2morrow along with a cool logo. This captures the vision and heart of our staff. To learn more about the Stars of 2morrow visit Christian Ministries Houston.
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