This month we’re featuring three community partners where some of our members are joyfully serving. All three ministries need additional volunteers and prayer support.
Men of Valor
Community Champion: Donnie Baldwin
What Men of Valor does
Men of Valor (MOV) is a Christian based ministry that prepares men to enter society again after incarceration. MOV encourages these men with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, welcomes them into the family of God, trains them in the Biblical principles of manhood, and with a very structured plan, MOV helps them to become the men, husbands, fathers, and members of society that God created them to be.
Why the Need Exists
Nationally, 70% of men released from prison will return. However, through Bible based programming, after care/re-entry services, and the involvement of a committed staff and volunteers, Men of Valor’s success rate beats both national and statewide statistics. In fact, for men who complete Men of Valor’s 6-month program inside prison and 12-month program outside the prison, the recidivism rate is below 15%.
How Donnie Got Involved
“I was invited by a friend involved in the ministry to a graduation service where two men were being celebrated for completing the program. I was overwhelmed by their testimonies that night and how God had used Men of Valor to change their lives. The Holy Spirit moved in my heart that night and I knew that this was a ministry that I needed to be a part of. I spoke with some leaders after the meeting and became involved as a discipleship group leader and mentor for several men.”
Available Volunteer Positions
Mentor positions – mentor one man for 8-12 months at varies times/locations.
Discipleship group leader – lead a weekly discipleship group of 4-6 men on Thursdays from 5:00-6:00PM.
For Additional Information
Website – men-of-valor.org
Contact: Donnie Baldwin at 615-513-1482
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for the leadership at Men of Valor. God is blessing them in a big way but there are times of disappointment and discouragement, and they need our prayers to stay strong and be encouraged.
- Please pray for the new men in the program (especially in their first 60 days) that they would stay committed to the program and trust the process.
Why Donnie Volunteers at Men of Valor
“I have been serving in this ministry for over four years and I can’t emphasize enough what a blessing it has been to me. I have never committed a crime or been incarcerated. Instead, I was blessed to be born into a Christian home with two loving parents who provided a stable living environment for me. Most of these guys did not have that. Many of them have never met their father or were raised in drug-infested homes where abuse was rampant. I’m not excusing their crimes or behavior, but I could have been one of them except God had a different plan for me. I am overwhelmed by their honesty and humility and their willingness to be accountable to God and each other. I tell people all the time that I get as much or more from this program than the guys I’m ministering to. They come prepared to our discipleship group to soak in as much as possible and learn more of God’s plan for them moving forward.”
Testimony from a Man in the Program from Donnie
“Josh is one of my men who has just graduated from the program. Josh grew up in a dysfunctional home with an alcoholic father and a mother hooked on meth. He and his brother were beaten regularly by his father. He was able to graduate from High School but got into trouble soon after that selling and using drugs. He spent the next 10-12 years in and out of prison. Josh tells me he was a very angry and bitter individual while in prison. He met with a Men of Valor representative while in prison and was invited to join MOV after receiving parole. Josh accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at MOV, and his life has never been the same. He is now a leader and manager at his job. His demeanor and attitude have totally changed, and Josh is loved and respected by everyone. God has redeemed Josh, and he is forever grateful for what God and MOV has done for him.”
There are hundreds of stories just like this and many can be found on a podcast called “PUT A WORD ON IT” that is produced for MOV and can be found wherever podcasts are heard.
PATH United
What PATH United Does
PATH is a faith-based ministry in Franklin, exclusively serving Latino students (K-12th grade) and families living in the Franklin Estates community. PATH’s goals are to share God’s love with each student so he or she can know God loves and that God created them on purpose and for a purpose.
Why the Need Exists
Through access to positive adult and family relationships, PATH provides Biblical truths, and academic, social, and emotional skills to inspire participants to become flourishing adults.
How Janice Got Involved
“Truly, God placed me in the right place at the right time – in a parking lot conversation at Kroger with a friend I had not seen in a while. We were discussing how we both enjoyed working with children and families. The Holy Spirit tugged on my heart and my friend directed me to PATH.”
Available Volunteer Positions
There are a variety of service opportunities available through the year from Monday-Thursday after school volunteers, as well as, assistance with various ongoing special events such as pack-a-snack, reading challenges and community wide Easter Egg Hunts, administrative support, and general facility tasks.
Prayer Requests
- For the kids and families to grow in their relationships with the Lord.
- For the kids and parents who do not have a relationship with God, that God would draw them to Himself, and they would respond.
- That lives would be changed for the glory of God!
- That the kids and volunteers would have a safe and fun summer at camps, travel, and home.
- That God would provide the funding needed to purchase a new trailer in Franklin Estates Section 3, as well as the startup operational costs, and that PATH can serve more children and families.
Why Janice Volunteers at PATH
“I was so fortunate to attend an after-school Bible class when I was in 2nd grade. It was there that Bible stories were shared by caring adults who committed to giving their time and resources every week. It was during this after school program that I decided to have Jesus be my personal Savior and Lord. I have always enjoyed working with children, and it is my joy and privilege to be able to share my faith, time, and resources to encourage, support, pray, and love these children and families.”
For Additional Information
Website – https://www.pathunited.org
Star Ministries Food Pantry
Community Champion: Amy Johnston
What Star Ministries Does
Star Ministries is a 501(c)3 and is overseen by Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church as well as a Board. It is in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Nashville. The mission is: To provide food and assistance to individuals in the community in need and to promote the message of Christ by showing His compassion for those in need.
Why the Need Exists
Deuteronomy 15:11 says, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” The neighborhood where Star Ministries is located has historically had a significant population of disadvantaged families, and Star Ministries has been there for many years working to meet their need. In the past, the people receiving food were primarily African Americans from the local area. When Covid came along, the need skyrocketed, and the diversity of people being served widened to include about 50% Hispanic recipients. Today, approximately 135 families are served each month, with half coming from the Chestnut Hill neighborhood and others coming from as far away as Goodlettsville and Murfreesboro.
How Amy Got Involved
Amy says, “When Covid hit, my heart went out to those who’d lost their income due to the lockdown. In April 2020, I contacted the Outreach leader at Fellowship to see if anything was in the works. I specifically wondered how the members of our local partner, El Shaddai Christian Church were faring and whether we could support them in some way. Suzan Hicks connected me with Pastor German from El Shaddai and with Eddie Sanders, the Director of Star Ministries. Eddie was transitioning the food pantry to a drive-thru model and the need for volunteers had increased dramatically. Together we reignited a relationship and expanded the reach of the food pantry. I first served at the distribution event in May 2020. I’ve been volunteering ever since and am now on the Board as the Volunteer Coordinator.”
Available Volunteer Positions
Drive-thru food distribution volunteers are needed from 10am-2pm on the third Monday of every month. Help set-up; sort pallets of food and fil boxes/bags; load boxes and bags into cars; clean-up.
There is always a need for Spanish speaking volunteers to help with registration as many recipients speak little to no English.
Prayer Requests
- For a sponsor for our reusable grocery bags.
- For God to guide and grow our impact and presence in Nashville.
- For relationships with fellow believers outside the Williamson County bubble to grow and flourish for the purpose of expanding God’s Kingdom.
Why Amy Volunteers at Star Ministries
“I volunteer at Star Ministries for several reasons. For one, it’s fun! Yes, it’s hard work, too, but it’s great to meet others who I’d never otherwise meet. More importantly, I believe it’s what God wants. I’ve been in need. I’ve lived on a shoestring. I know the concern of a mother unsure if there’s enough milk to last till the next paycheck. I thank God every day for the abundance He showers on us today. 1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” As a follower of Jesus, I’m compelled to make my life about serving His kingdom. Volunteering with Star Ministries is one small way that I can show God’s love to others who are not as well off as I am. It’s an act of obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. And it’s a privilege to serve for the Glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom.
For Additional Information
