I first heard of Starfish Ministries a few years ago. I wanted a car so I contacted them to see how I could be eligible for the free car program. I am a big believer in God’s perfect timing. I just had to learn that my perfect timing is not the same as His perfect timing.
I connected with Bonnie Smith and she explained the Starfish Adopt-A-Family program...which I needed to participate in order to be referred for a car. It wasn’t what I thought I needed or even wanted to do but I agreed.
The most significant learning I gained was through my financial coach. We met at my house once a week for the next several months. I learned a lot about budgeting and credit. But more importantly, I learned about money the way God sees it.
After that initial training with my financial coach, it took me about 18 months to get out of more than $6,000 worth of debt. The amazing part about it was that I did it while being unemployed! I was receiving a $387 cash grant from the county and served two years in AmeriCorps receiving a monthly stipend. Through obedience and faith, God truly blessed me and directed my footsteps.
I have been debt free since February 2005!
God has since used me to teach others about budgeting and the importance of tithing even while in debt (I learned that debt stands for Doing Everything But Tithing). Go figure!
I was not recommended for a car at that time. God had a plan and His timing is always perfect. I look back now and I thought I was ready to own a car and handle the responsibilities that come along with it. I had to learn how to appreciate what I had in my life at the time and even learn how to become a better driver because I rarely drove.
It is now 2007 and I have been recommended for a car and I give God all the glory! If you are in a place in your life now and you are believing God for something, I want to encourage you to keep on believing! He is faithful, but He does require faith and obedience to get your blessings to you. Don’t give up; remember it is in His perfect timing, not yours that your blessings will come to pass.
Editor’s Note: Stacy’s financial coach used the resource, Faith to Finance, published by Faith Alive Resources, 800-333-8300 or FaithAliveResources.org.
Through PRISM’s Ways to Work, Stacy has now been approved for a $4,000 no interest loan to purchase a vehicle.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Newsletter Spring 2008 -- How God is Expanding Starfish Ministries
Have you heard of the Karen people? They are from Burma, called Myanmar by their military government. The recent cyclone has brought much attention to this region and the media has indicated thousands of people have lost their lives.
It is estimated 2,000-3,000 Karen refugees presently live in Minnesota with the majority residing in St. Paul. It is estimated 500 to 1000 will arrive in St. Paul in the next year. They will be needing help to meet basic needs—housing, health screening, job placement, education, and English language training.
The Karen are primarily a Christian people group that are not welcomed in their native land. The military government is trying to eradicate the people and their culture. Many have been living in Thailand refugee camps for decades. The camps often run out of food in the middle of the month, water is in short supply and unsanitary, and diseases often afflict those living there. Since they cannot return to their native land, resettling in another country is their only option. Yet resettling is complicated by the language barrier, the lack of education, and lack of employment skills from the years in refugee camps. Pastor Phonh Sinbondit is ministering to several of these families at New Life Church in New Brighton. It is a place to worship and a place to gather.
The initial focus must be language. English skills are a vital component to successful assimilation. Without those skills, it is almost impossible to be employed. Volunteers from Faith CRC are providing tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the Karen members of New Life Church. They are also exploring other ways to assist these families—from offering family to family hospitality to long-term advocacy relationships.
Starfish Ministries, Pastor Phonh and others are joining together to begin a community development effort among the Karen people in St. Paul—both those who are part of New Life and the others who live in the same area. Identifying and equipping leaders from within the Karen community is our goal as well as building a cadre of volunteers to help.
On Sunday, May 4, Starfish Ministries and Pastor Phonh did an awareness presentation at Faith CRC about the condition of the Karen people and their experiences. The Karen, dressed in colorful clothing, beautifully sang a hymn reminding us that we are all one Body of Christ coming from many tongues, many tribes, many nations.
If you would like to know more, or are interested in volunteering, contact Starfish Ministries.
It is estimated 2,000-3,000 Karen refugees presently live in Minnesota with the majority residing in St. Paul. It is estimated 500 to 1000 will arrive in St. Paul in the next year. They will be needing help to meet basic needs—housing, health screening, job placement, education, and English language training.
The Karen are primarily a Christian people group that are not welcomed in their native land. The military government is trying to eradicate the people and their culture. Many have been living in Thailand refugee camps for decades. The camps often run out of food in the middle of the month, water is in short supply and unsanitary, and diseases often afflict those living there. Since they cannot return to their native land, resettling in another country is their only option. Yet resettling is complicated by the language barrier, the lack of education, and lack of employment skills from the years in refugee camps. Pastor Phonh Sinbondit is ministering to several of these families at New Life Church in New Brighton. It is a place to worship and a place to gather.
The initial focus must be language. English skills are a vital component to successful assimilation. Without those skills, it is almost impossible to be employed. Volunteers from Faith CRC are providing tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the Karen members of New Life Church. They are also exploring other ways to assist these families—from offering family to family hospitality to long-term advocacy relationships.
Starfish Ministries, Pastor Phonh and others are joining together to begin a community development effort among the Karen people in St. Paul—both those who are part of New Life and the others who live in the same area. Identifying and equipping leaders from within the Karen community is our goal as well as building a cadre of volunteers to help.
On Sunday, May 4, Starfish Ministries and Pastor Phonh did an awareness presentation at Faith CRC about the condition of the Karen people and their experiences. The Karen, dressed in colorful clothing, beautifully sang a hymn reminding us that we are all one Body of Christ coming from many tongues, many tribes, many nations.
If you would like to know more, or are interested in volunteering, contact Starfish Ministries.
Newsletter Summer 2008 -- An Interview with a Partnering Church by Laurie Sexton
On a Sunday I sat down with Pastor Dan Schauer from New Heights Community Church in Inver Grove Heights along with two members of the congregation who have been participating in Starfish Adopt-A-Family for about three months. Kelly has been meeting with Therese as her life coach since the end of June while Kathrine has been Therese's financial coach. Following are excerpts from this interview and from Therese:
Pastor Dan indicated their congregation had been seeking ways to serve the community to help them meet their vision: "To transform our community and world for Jesus Christ by fulfilling our God-given purpose." He felt SAF was one of those opportunities. It was about a year ago he first heard about SAF and had been praying since then that he would have two volunteers come forward. Kathrine and Kelly did just that.
Kathrine made the decision to become a coach out of a need to show God's love to others. This was an opportunity to love another where that person is at. Kelly felt the same way and was at a point where she had some time to invest into a relationship.
Oftentimes when we set out to help someone, we also benefit from the relationship. Kelly has found that to be true. When asked what she has enjoyed most Kelly said, "Therese is a really good person. She is caring and loving and wants to do best for her family. She feels like a friend."
During the conversation we all recognize that any one of us could be in the position of needing help tomorrow. We do not know what the future holds. Being a coach brings that home for both Kathrine and Kelly as well as being a learning experience. Kathrine indicated she went into this open and there have been no surprises, but she has been humbled by it.
Both Kathrine and Kelly are busy active women. They have families and jobs, but schedule the time to insure they are being effective as coaches. Pastor Dan indicated they hope to add another family some time in the future and plan to have these two coaches speak to the congregation on the progress.
What are the skills required? Both Kathrine and Kelly said listening first and foremost, giving of your time, and allowing God to do the rest. In addressing the requirements I asked if they felt they had been adequately trained and equipped by the training Starfish Ministries provides. Both women strongly stated they felt the training was very equipping; preparing them for their roles. The added benefit is that Starfish Ministries' staff are only a phone call away. They are not left on their own. If you have been considering being a coach, but have felt you may not know enough to proceed, I would encourage you to contact Bonnie Smith and discuss any fears or apprehension you may be feeling.
Therese said SAF has already benefittred her by setting goals and receiving encouragement from her coaches. She is grateful to have both Kelly and Kathrine as coaches.
Pastor Dan indicated their congregation had been seeking ways to serve the community to help them meet their vision: "To transform our community and world for Jesus Christ by fulfilling our God-given purpose." He felt SAF was one of those opportunities. It was about a year ago he first heard about SAF and had been praying since then that he would have two volunteers come forward. Kathrine and Kelly did just that.
Kathrine made the decision to become a coach out of a need to show God's love to others. This was an opportunity to love another where that person is at. Kelly felt the same way and was at a point where she had some time to invest into a relationship.
Oftentimes when we set out to help someone, we also benefit from the relationship. Kelly has found that to be true. When asked what she has enjoyed most Kelly said, "Therese is a really good person. She is caring and loving and wants to do best for her family. She feels like a friend."
During the conversation we all recognize that any one of us could be in the position of needing help tomorrow. We do not know what the future holds. Being a coach brings that home for both Kathrine and Kelly as well as being a learning experience. Kathrine indicated she went into this open and there have been no surprises, but she has been humbled by it.
Both Kathrine and Kelly are busy active women. They have families and jobs, but schedule the time to insure they are being effective as coaches. Pastor Dan indicated they hope to add another family some time in the future and plan to have these two coaches speak to the congregation on the progress.
What are the skills required? Both Kathrine and Kelly said listening first and foremost, giving of your time, and allowing God to do the rest. In addressing the requirements I asked if they felt they had been adequately trained and equipped by the training Starfish Ministries provides. Both women strongly stated they felt the training was very equipping; preparing them for their roles. The added benefit is that Starfish Ministries' staff are only a phone call away. They are not left on their own. If you have been considering being a coach, but have felt you may not know enough to proceed, I would encourage you to contact Bonnie Smith and discuss any fears or apprehension you may be feeling.
Therese said SAF has already benefittred her by setting goals and receiving encouragement from her coaches. She is grateful to have both Kelly and Kathrine as coaches.
Newsletter Fall 2008 - Exploring Social Capital
Social capital is a concept of natural resources. these resources refer to connections within and between social networks. They also refer to connections among indivdiuals. You have obtained these resources through the life experiences and opportunities you have had.
Social capital is not the money you have to invest in something or someone. At the core odf this concept exists the understanding there is value in social networks. These social networks can directly benefit both individuals and groups loeading to greater productivity.
Sometimes it is easier to support something with our financial capital than to give of our time, introduce people to who we know, open doors for others to walk through. We are not suggesting people stop their financial support, but to explore ways of sharing their social capital with others.
There was a day when barn raising was popular. The neighbors would gather together sharing material, food, skills and time to erect a barn for a neighbor, freind, family member. Today there is a great need for a similar investment in individuals and families in our neighborhoods and beyond. We need to invest in others so they can succeed and be productive.
We encourage you to thoughtfully consider the social capital you may have and how you can share that with others lacking your capital.
Social capital is not the money you have to invest in something or someone. At the core odf this concept exists the understanding there is value in social networks. These social networks can directly benefit both individuals and groups loeading to greater productivity.
Sometimes it is easier to support something with our financial capital than to give of our time, introduce people to who we know, open doors for others to walk through. We are not suggesting people stop their financial support, but to explore ways of sharing their social capital with others.
There was a day when barn raising was popular. The neighbors would gather together sharing material, food, skills and time to erect a barn for a neighbor, freind, family member. Today there is a great need for a similar investment in individuals and families in our neighborhoods and beyond. We need to invest in others so they can succeed and be productive.
We encourage you to thoughtfully consider the social capital you may have and how you can share that with others lacking your capital.
Newsletter Fall 2008 - Circles of Support by Laurie Sexton
What is Circles of Support? It's a "community involvement" strategy to build relationships across class and race lines to increase the social capital and income of people in poverty. It involves participants and allies.
Participant: someone who is often isolated from the larger community and in need of support in order to achieve his/her potential. They have committed to working toward self-made goals.
Ally: is a person with any level of resources who has a genuine desire to help. He/she unites in a formal relationship with a participant in order to share his/her social capital.
Big Circle Meeting: a regular meeting of allies and participants whether the ally or the participant have been matched for a Small Circle or not.
Community Meeting: is once a month Big Circles meeting which is open to anyone in need of support including those who might be interested in getting involved in Small Circles.
Ally and Participant Support Meetings: they occur once a month but independent of one another to allow for participants to meet with participants and allies to meet with allies to discuss issues around their roles.
Small Circles Meetings: these are meetings of matched participants and allies. The circle sets their own meeting dates and commit to meet once a month.
Guiding Coalition: is the leadership group for Circles of Support typically comprised of half allies and half participants.
New & Good: is the opening exercise of every meeting where the participant and ally share one thing that is new and good in their life. It is a cognitive restructuring tool helping to focus on what is going well. It promotes individual empowerment and community development.
Appreciations: is the closing exercise. Everyone is asked to verbalize appreciation for one other person. It helps everyone to think beyond their own situation and to leave feeling valued and needed.
This provides you with a brief framework of the Circles of Support. We are planning to add this to the HopeBuilders group in our northern region.
Participant: someone who is often isolated from the larger community and in need of support in order to achieve his/her potential. They have committed to working toward self-made goals.
Ally: is a person with any level of resources who has a genuine desire to help. He/she unites in a formal relationship with a participant in order to share his/her social capital.
Big Circle Meeting: a regular meeting of allies and participants whether the ally or the participant have been matched for a Small Circle or not.
Community Meeting: is once a month Big Circles meeting which is open to anyone in need of support including those who might be interested in getting involved in Small Circles.
Ally and Participant Support Meetings: they occur once a month but independent of one another to allow for participants to meet with participants and allies to meet with allies to discuss issues around their roles.
Small Circles Meetings: these are meetings of matched participants and allies. The circle sets their own meeting dates and commit to meet once a month.
Guiding Coalition: is the leadership group for Circles of Support typically comprised of half allies and half participants.
New & Good: is the opening exercise of every meeting where the participant and ally share one thing that is new and good in their life. It is a cognitive restructuring tool helping to focus on what is going well. It promotes individual empowerment and community development.
Appreciations: is the closing exercise. Everyone is asked to verbalize appreciation for one other person. It helps everyone to think beyond their own situation and to leave feeling valued and needed.
This provides you with a brief framework of the Circles of Support. We are planning to add this to the HopeBuilders group in our northern region.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Why "Starfish"?
Our ministry is named "Starfish" based on the following story:
While walking along a beach a man saw someone in the distance throwing something into the ocean. As he came closer, he saw thousands of starfish stranded on the beach. Unable to return to the ocean, the starfish were dying. He observed a young man picking up starfish one by one and throwing them back into the water.
After watching the seemingly futile effort, the observer said, “There must be thousands of starfish on this beach. It would be impossible for you to get to all of them. You can’t possible save enough to make a difference.”
The young man smiled as he picked up a starfish, tossed it into the ocean, and said,
“I made a difference to that one.”
While walking along a beach a man saw someone in the distance throwing something into the ocean. As he came closer, he saw thousands of starfish stranded on the beach. Unable to return to the ocean, the starfish were dying. He observed a young man picking up starfish one by one and throwing them back into the water.
After watching the seemingly futile effort, the observer said, “There must be thousands of starfish on this beach. It would be impossible for you to get to all of them. You can’t possible save enough to make a difference.”
The young man smiled as he picked up a starfish, tossed it into the ocean, and said,
“I made a difference to that one.”
Make a difference to those in poverty!
Starfish Ministries has programs designed to help you and your church get involved in the lives of those in your community who are struggling. We come alongside you to provide training and oversight as members of your congregation coach a struggling family in the areas of budgeting, employment, housing, education, parenting, spirituality or any other area of their lives they desire to see changed.
Starfish Ministries now has two programs to help churches or small groups engage with and positively impact struggling families in their communities.
Starfish Adopt-A-Family involves 3-4 main volunteers and is designed to minister to one family at a time.
Starfish Circles of Support involves a much larger and more varied group of volunteers and is designed to minister to multiple families.
Struggling families need relationships with churches and church members.
“After years of allowing the government to be the conduit of care for the poor, the church as seen the hopelessness of assistance without relationship… People in struggle need relationships with people…
“…[R]elationship means working with a person or family. It means working in such a way that helps them overcome their problems. This involves:
· long-term, tough-love care
· a plan leading to as much self-sufficiency as possible.
· networking with other services and support functions,
· strong accountability, and
· most importantly, sharing the hope we have in Christ.”
[From Needed: Welfare with Relationships, by Andy Ryskamp, Just Welfare, published by CRWRC, 1995.]
Churches may be aware of these needs and want to help but don’t know how without creating dependency. Starfish Ministries offers your church and your members two proven ways to help those families who truly desire to make positive changes in their lives —
Starfish Adopt-A-Family (SAF) matches one family with a church who recruits 2-3 main volunteers to act as coaches to the family. The family sets goals and the coaches are given training on how to encourage the families as they work toward their goals. “Coaches are not experts or know-it-alls – they are ordinary Christians who have the opportunity and privilege of coming alongside others and helping them succeed in fulfilling their God given potential.”
[From Coaching 101, Discover the Power of Coaching, by Robert E. Logan and Sherilyn Carlton with Tara Miller, published by ChurchSmart Resources, 2003.]
Other volunteers could also become involved by:
– providing transportation,
– providing child care,
– teaching a skill,
– doing simple repairs, or
– a variety of other ways.
The family may have physical needs, such as household goods, clothes or furniture, or financial needs. The church is encouraged to find community resources for these needs if possible. If the resources cannot be found elsewhere, the church may, if it has the means, help with these needs.
Starfish Circles of Support (SCS) -- begins by bringing struggling families together with church members in a large “circle” where they can get to know and learn from one another. The families, called “participants”, and the volunteers, called “allies” meet together regularly over a meal which is provided by the church. The church also provides childcare.
Allies are taught to recognize that they have “social capital” which can be a valuable resource to help families reach self-reliance. For instance, an ally might become aware of a job opening which seems to fit one of the participants. Through this connection, the participant may get a job he/she might not otherwise get.
Once allies and participants have been involved in the larger meeting, they are given the opportunity to be matched in a Circle of Support — one participant family and 2-3 allies. The allies provide support and encouragement to the family as they work toward their goals of self-reliance.
Why do we do what we do? When life is most difficult, we all tend to suffer in isolation. This is especially true of people living in poverty. Christ calls His followers to help the “poor” in our midst. Our vision is to connect caring churches with families living in poverty within effective accountability structures.
How do I learn more? Contact Bonnie Smith at 651-457-2477 or Bonnie@StarfishMN.org.
Starfish Ministries now has two programs to help churches or small groups engage with and positively impact struggling families in their communities.
Starfish Adopt-A-Family involves 3-4 main volunteers and is designed to minister to one family at a time.
Starfish Circles of Support involves a much larger and more varied group of volunteers and is designed to minister to multiple families.
Struggling families need relationships with churches and church members.
“After years of allowing the government to be the conduit of care for the poor, the church as seen the hopelessness of assistance without relationship… People in struggle need relationships with people…
“…[R]elationship means working with a person or family. It means working in such a way that helps them overcome their problems. This involves:
· long-term, tough-love care
· a plan leading to as much self-sufficiency as possible.
· networking with other services and support functions,
· strong accountability, and
· most importantly, sharing the hope we have in Christ.”
[From Needed: Welfare with Relationships, by Andy Ryskamp, Just Welfare, published by CRWRC, 1995.]
Churches may be aware of these needs and want to help but don’t know how without creating dependency. Starfish Ministries offers your church and your members two proven ways to help those families who truly desire to make positive changes in their lives —
Starfish Adopt-A-Family (SAF) matches one family with a church who recruits 2-3 main volunteers to act as coaches to the family. The family sets goals and the coaches are given training on how to encourage the families as they work toward their goals. “Coaches are not experts or know-it-alls – they are ordinary Christians who have the opportunity and privilege of coming alongside others and helping them succeed in fulfilling their God given potential.”
[From Coaching 101, Discover the Power of Coaching, by Robert E. Logan and Sherilyn Carlton with Tara Miller, published by ChurchSmart Resources, 2003.]
Other volunteers could also become involved by:
– providing transportation,
– providing child care,
– teaching a skill,
– doing simple repairs, or
– a variety of other ways.
The family may have physical needs, such as household goods, clothes or furniture, or financial needs. The church is encouraged to find community resources for these needs if possible. If the resources cannot be found elsewhere, the church may, if it has the means, help with these needs.
Starfish Circles of Support (SCS) -- begins by bringing struggling families together with church members in a large “circle” where they can get to know and learn from one another. The families, called “participants”, and the volunteers, called “allies” meet together regularly over a meal which is provided by the church. The church also provides childcare.
Allies are taught to recognize that they have “social capital” which can be a valuable resource to help families reach self-reliance. For instance, an ally might become aware of a job opening which seems to fit one of the participants. Through this connection, the participant may get a job he/she might not otherwise get.
Once allies and participants have been involved in the larger meeting, they are given the opportunity to be matched in a Circle of Support — one participant family and 2-3 allies. The allies provide support and encouragement to the family as they work toward their goals of self-reliance.
Why do we do what we do? When life is most difficult, we all tend to suffer in isolation. This is especially true of people living in poverty. Christ calls His followers to help the “poor” in our midst. Our vision is to connect caring churches with families living in poverty within effective accountability structures.
How do I learn more? Contact Bonnie Smith at 651-457-2477 or Bonnie@StarfishMN.org.
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