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leader brief
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| At The Well |
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| Arloa Sutter |
How would you feel if someone you'd just met knew everything you had ever done? For the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well in John 4, this must have been especially daunting. She had quite a past. Many Bible scholars think she came to the well in the hottest part of the day to avoid the scorn of other women who were familiar with her life.
It is unclear as to exactly why, but this woman had been married five times. I imagine as each relationship began, she hoped she'd found fulfillment and comfort. As each marriage ended, she probably felt disillusioned and even abandoned or rejected. Did she finally give up on finding something long-lasting when she decided to live with a man who was not her husband?
Isolated in her shame, she met Jesus at the well and was radically transformed. Jesus did not judge or condemn her, even though he knew about her life. He also ignored the barriers of race and gender to tell her about the living water that would really satisfy her soul. This Samaritan woman with a bad reputation was so empowered by meeting Jesus, she left her water jar to go back to her town and tell them about Jesus. She was no longer ashamed. Instead, she had a bold testimony and the freedom of a forgiven life.
No matter what you've done, where you've been, or how you've failed, JESUS KNOWS, AND HE STILL LOVES YOU! He longs to give you the living water that will satisfy your real thirst. He can remove your shame, fill you with hope, and give you boldness to share your story with others. Take some time today to talk with Jesus. He is waiting at the well for you. |
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partner with us
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Receive a FREE study guide with your gift of $50 or more!
Partner with Breakthrough to provide hope, opportunity, and support to those who are in need! Send your gift to: Breakthrough Urban Ministries, 5251 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60640. Please mention that you'd like a free copy of Amy L. Sherman's Sharing God's Heart for the Poor.
You can also donate online at www.breakthroughministries.com. |
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ministry update
the latest news from Breakthrough
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| Breakthrough's Joshua Center: |
| A Growing Beacon of Light on Chicago's West Side |
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| Female guests at Breakthrough's Joshua Center assemble collages which reflect their ideas and emotions. (Case Worker, Denishia Williams, second from right |
Although gentrification is steadily creeping west from neighborhoods such as Bucktown and Logan Square, drugs, prostitution, and violence are daily realities in places like East Garfield Park.
There is renewed hope, however, for better lives and a new West Side.
Seeds of opportunity have been planted there, and Breakthrough Urban Ministries is part of that effort. Read more >>
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volunteer spotlight
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| "I look forward to the conversations I have with the men during meal time. There is great joy in meeting men who, although homeless, find a rich life through knowing and relying on our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." - Amy Childs, volunteer |
Art and Debbie Childs volunteer once a month, preparing and serving meals for homeless guests at Breakthrough's North Side facility.
Occupations: Art is an IT Manager. Debbie is an Account Executive.
Church affiliation: Park Community Church
City neighborhood or suburb in which you live: The Andersonville neighborhood in Chicago
How did you hear about Breakthrough?
Art: Debbie heard Arloa Sutter and Amy Cosby speak at a Park women's breakfast.
What led you to become involved with the ministry?
Art: Before we met in 2000, Debbie served at a shelter in Lincoln Park where she lived. Once we moved to Andersonville, we started to look for a place where we could serve together.
Debbie: When I heard Arloa speak at the women's breakfast, I discovered that Breakthrough has a location just a few blocks from our new neighborhood. That was the opportunity we'd been praying for!
What is your volunteer role?
Debbie: I plan and organize the meals along with the help of a dear friend, Tori Wagon. My husband and I use this time as an opportunity to bring friends and try to create an environment for fellowship. We cook a warm, nutritious meal and serve the dinner restaurant-style to the homeless men. Even clean up afterwards can be fun!
Tell us about your experience:
Art: I've been surprised by listening to these men talk about how they became homeless. Before serving at Breakthrough, I assumed that most of them had similar stories, but after getting to know them a little better, I've found out how different they can be from each other. Their backgrounds vary greatly.
Debbie: God keeps revealing himself to me every time we serve at Breakthrough. Before we get here, fears run through my mind. I worry that the recipe we plan to use might not work out, or that we won't have the right devotional. When I focus on Christ, things always work out! He provides the resources to get things done. God is so faithful!
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Breakthrough?
Art: It's great to see the men smiling as dinner is ready to be served. We enjoy sharing devotions with them, too.
Debbie: We have the privilege of being part of something that God is passionate about—helping others in need.
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thank you
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| Breakthrough Meets 2002 Budget |
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Despite the ongoing economic downturn, Breakthrough was blessed to receive the funding needed to successfully operate all ministry programs. At a time when many non-profits were forced to cut back services or even close, your support enabled us to continue providing hope, opportunity, and support to over 1,000 men, women, and children in Chicago! With your help, Breakthrough raised over $1.8 million in 2002. We are thankful to all of our supporters who gave so generously.
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mark your calendar
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| Breakthrough is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Event on Saturday, April 5. Workshops will be led by our Executive Director, Arloa Sutter, Joshua Center Director, Oreon Trickey, and Youth Outreach Director, Bill Curry. Stay tuned for more details. |
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staff spotlight
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Name: Tonya Young
What is your role at Breakthrough?
I recently became the new Bridge of Hope Coordinator. Before that, I served as the Overnight Coordinator for Homeless Services at Breakthrough's Joshua Center. Bridge of Hope is our outreach program to women in prostitution on the West Side.
What made you decide to make the transition?
Even before I started working at Breakthrough, my heart has been tender for women caught in the lifestyle of prostitution. These women seem the most broken. They are weak and in bondage to addictions and the other things that drive them to the streets in the first place. While working at the Joshua Center overnight, I sometimes volunteered to go on Street Outreach with Bridge of Hope, and I was encouraged that God could use us to make a difference in the lives of these ladies. When the opportunity came up, I was happy to accept.
How has working for Breakthrough touched your life?
God has continued to grow within me and given me an even deeper burden for broken people. I've also learned to be more aware of my witness. In working with the homeless ladies at Joshua, I realized that they watch us (as staff persons) all the time. They want to see how we handle situations and what we say in controversy. That really keeps me humble before God.
What inspires you?
I enjoy challenge. Now that I'm more involved with Bridge of Hope, I'd like to increase awareness in churches about the struggles women face in leaving prostitution. Others cast these women aside, and those of us involved with this ministry think the Church can help bridge that gap between a woman's hopelessness and her freedom. We'd also like to open a residential recovery home in a safe place where women are not surrounded by a destructive environment.
Tell us about your family.
I have two children. Camille is 12, and Corey is six.
To find out more about Bridge of Hope, visit our website at www.breakthroughministries.com.
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