Dear Friend,
You are receiving this letter because you know me or have been part of the Maryvale community revitalization effort and are serving in the community. I want you to know of our plans to increase our effort to rescue people in critical need.
TM just left my office, crying, desperate to escape a spiral of drug use…
Since Easter of 2004 we have been pastoring the Phoenix Maryvale Church and community. During this past year God has helped us to persevere and remain open. With increased alienation due to COVI19 restrictions, people struggle with suicidal thoughts, drug use or coming fresh out of prison, no safe shelter. Through the years I have often seen people fall back to the old patterns. They need more than worship services to adequately help them fight the daily battle.
So, to address the desperate needs of the community more effectively, we have developed a not-for-profit (501c3) ministry called The Caleb Center. Two houses were donated to The Caleb Center which has enabled us to serve the community by providing one house for veterans who need safe housing and the other house for an urban missionary running a basketball program for youth. These are proving helpful to many, but there is a huge need is for more safe housing.
TM is ready right now for a drug program, but all are on limited services or closed…
I am impressed of the need to increase our ability to provide more safe shelter. Some of the people I am concerned about, are those re-entering society. Over 100 felons are released each month and return to Maryvale. There are also many Maryvale kids in Arizona’s juvenile justice program as well as kids in the foster care program are “graduated” to the streets at age 18.
Heading back to the streets, TM’s willpower will evaporate with no safe place.
God cares about these people and I know you also care about people. In any expansion of the outreach of Caleb Center, we desire that it be bathed in prayer and that God is the one that leads. Scripture compels us to seek the peace and prosperity of the city …. Pray to the Lord for it. (Jeremiah 29:7). So, our first step is to build our prayer team. Will you be part of our team of intercessors?
- Pray for the Caleb Center and its outreach into the community, for God’s will and wisdom.
- Pray for us to acquire five more houses to provide safe shelter.
- Pray for God to raise up urban missionaries who will live, work, and worship in this community.
Send me names of any you may know who are called to minister to hurting people.
- Pray for our board of directors and for God to lead us to new board members.
- Pray for volunteers to do neighborhood clean ups, Bible Study, website and Facebook development, community networking, grant writing, envelope stuffing, etc.
- Pray for God to bring to your mind any of your contacts who might be interested becoming a prayer partner with Caleb Center.
I will be sharing updates about the progress your support enables us to do. As a result of our combined efforts, lost people will be saved and will discover new hope. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. As you increase your personal influence for the Lord through partnering with The Caleb Center, we can make a difference in many lives now and for eternity. I appreciate you and your partnership.
Expanding the influence,
Pastor Dan Flemming, Caleb Center Director