The Greater La Porte Ministerial Association met April 24, 2014 at First United Methodist Church of La Porte.
Those in attendance were: President Mike Sutton (Liberty Bible Church); Billy Nickrand(Door Village United Methodist Church), Secretary Bob Raschka( Salem Chapel United Methodist Church);Evan Lash (First United Methodist Church); Nyke Gatlin (Granger Community Church La Porte); Jeff Kling(First Step Ministries) Vic Frohne(retired UCC pastor);Dale Wratchford(IU Health La Porte Hospital); Jan Roberts(The Salvation Army); Ray Francis(IU Health La Porte Hospital); Jon Bonomo (Faith Community Presbyterian); Phyllis Lay (Church Women United); Jack Balon(River of Life); Kit Billings (La Porte New Church); D.E. “Sonshine” Troche(Worthy Women Recovery Home); Kris Pate(United Way of La Porte County); Jeff Hines (La Porte Assembly of God); Steve Laue (retired Hospital chaplain); Gabrielle Gonzalez(La Porte Herald-Argus)
President Mike Sutton opened the meeting with prayer and devotions. Devotions were based on Christ’s words from John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Introductions of those in attendance were made.
PROGRAM
--Mike Kilbourne, an individual who was homeless for over twenty years, spoke to the group. He shared his story as well as information about “Keys to Hope” Center which is set to open in Michigan City at 1802 Franklin St. by October 15. The Keys to Hope Center will be operated by Sand Castle as a place for people who are coming out of homelessness and enable individuals to get established back into society. Many homeless people need a place with a phone number, a place to receive mail, a place to shower and to have clothing that will help to increase their chances at gaining employment. Keys to Hope plan to help in bridging this gap. Mike’s story was of interest as he shared his background.
He was born in Nevada; his mother suffered a nervous breakdown, his father then loaded him and his mom up in the car and traveled the country for the next twenty years, never staying very long in any one place. Mike never received any public schooling during this time. They were supported via stopping at local churches and fraternal organizations. Mike was often the one sent in to these places to say just the right thing in order to get assistance without anyone asking questions.
Eventually, Mike ended up in Kalamazoo, Michigan living in a couple of different homeless shelters. He was eventually hired to do some painting for $6 an hour in 2003. Over the years he would have many odd jobs before coming to Michigan City three years ago.
Mike attempted to dispel some common stereotypes of the homeless population such as people who “just don’t want to work”, or are nothing more than “drug addicts” and “alcoholics”. Much of today’s homeless population are made up of people who were not able to gain employment or did not make enough to afford to live in a home or apartment. There is also a significant number of homeless people who deal with major mental health issues for which the government and other entities do not provide the assistance that they did at one time.
BUSINESS
20 Minutes with God service was well attended throughout with approximately 80 people each week. The Good Friday Crosswalk was successful this year. We will be looking at how to team up with some of the Catholic Churches in future years however. Share Fest is scheduled for next Saturday May 3. Mike distributed a list of assignments that involved 15 churches and 21 projects. We will meet at 8am at the steps of City Hall for prayer before moving out to our projects.
COMMUNITY
The Unity Foundation and Duneland Health have been working together on a tenyear plan to deal with homelessness. There were 106 homeless counted at “The Point in Time Count for Homeless” in La Porte County in 2013. It was mentioned that in most places, the actual number of people who are homeless is ten times the amount that is able to be included in the Point in Time Count.
Kris Pate, from the United Way of La Porte County shared about a major restructuring of how The United Way operates across the nation. Whereas previously, members of a community helped to identify projects that would then apply to become a United Way sponsored agency; now the process will involve taking requests from the community and then helping each United Way funded agency to set and accomplish goals which could bring about desired changes and outcomes. Future funding of these agencies would then be dependent on whether the goals are in the process of being accomplished. The United Way of La Porte County will gain information from people who represent the demographics of the county population.
Kris highlighted that “no one person can fix everything; but people working together can do much in helping the process along. New Day Foundation Resurrection 5k Walk/Run was Saturday April 19. 75 participants were involved.
National Day of Prayer is Thursday May 1st. A program and breakfast will be held at the Salvation Army on Monroe St. from 7:15-8:45am. This event is FREE of CHARGE. There is also an event at the steps of City Hall at 12 noon. And, Agape Christian Church is hosting an event at 7:00pm.
Jeff Kling highlighted that First Steps of La Porte is hosting it’s 1st annual golf fundraiser; a four person scramble on Thursday June 5th at Beachwood Golf Course in La Porte. Registration and lunch is at 11:00am. Tee off is at 12 noon. Cost is $75. Includes 18 holes of golf, a riding cart, a chance to win prizes, and a fun way to invest in the betterment of the community. Contact Luke Bedtelyon at 363-5582 or Todd Lotridge at (574)339-4302 to register.
Church Women United continues to look to bringing women from varying different churches together to present programs in helping to fulfill Christ’s prayer, “that they all be one.” Phyllis Lay mentioned that they are trying to reach out to younger women. May Friendship Day will be May 10th.
No Secrets No Shame is a gospel-based women’s event at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Michigan City on Saturday July 12 from 8:30-4:00pm. This program will address feelings of hopelessness, and address life struggles. Topics and speakers are “Going Home Without Shame” –Trudy Menke; “Secrets from My Well”— Mandi Cornett; “Secrets to Transformation”—LaRonda Campbell; and “From victim to VICTORY”—D.E. “Sonshine” Troche Contact Sonshine at 405-7006 for more info.
Cost is $30 La Porte Salvation Army is looking for people to work at their Soup Kitchen on the 2nd Mondays or 2nd Fridays of each month from 5:30-6:00pm.
Other Information
Billy Nickrand announced that he has been assigned to serve as the associate pastor of Castleton United Methodist Church on the northeast side of Indianapolis effective July 1. As he will not be able to attend our next meeting, this was his last meeting with us. Everyone thanked Billy for his contributions to our group and the community during his years at Door Village and we wished him well in his new ministry. Mike then asked Billy to close the meeting in prayer.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday May 15 at Bethany Lutheran Church- 100 G St. The meeting begins at 1:30pm. Allen Holt from R.E.A.L. Services will present the program. This is our last meeting until September. We will be discussing how we would like to move forward in the fall.
