Loving on strangers...

February is the month when many of us are turning our thoughts to Valentine's Day and thinking of ways to express love to our friends, spouses, children, etc. We buy chocolate and flowers, special cards, or dress up and enjoy an evening out or a nice dinner with someone special. 

For the women served by Rahab Ministries in Akron, Ohio, a true love may be only a romantic notion  and not something they have ever really and truly experienced in their lives.  These women have instead known the reality of sexual exploitation and slavery, having been used and abused, often from an early age.

Rahab Ministries seeks to reach out to these women and point them to the love of One who will never leave or forsake them. Rahab seeks to help them find their only real and lasting hope, which is in the Savior who not only knows their names and everything about them, but who loves them with an everlasting love that will not fail.  

The women served by Rahab Ministries begin to feel the real and lasting love and the kindness of a Savior when they begin to feel the warmth and caring of others. Twice a week at the Rahab House our church feeds a table full of these ladies who are in varying stages of their rehabilitation. Almost all have been incarcerated and most don't have their complete freedom yet. To sit at a beautifully set table with matching dishes and tableware (as opposed to styrofoam plates and plasticware used at institutions) and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal and dessert prepared lovingly by a stranger is quite a moving experience for them. 

Christ Community Chapel is always looking for donations of casseroles, soups, and cookies that are delivered to the Rahab House once a month. To make it a simple way to serve, donations can be brought to the church anytime the doors are open. Please contact Jacque Stager via email (Jacque481@aol.com) for specific instructions. 

In addition to the food items, the Rahab house mom loves to occasionally have table favors or cards for the women to make them feel extra loved. This month we delivered simple favors that included a home made cookie, a tea bag, and a  friendship card with an encouraging scripture verse. If donating a small craft, bookmarker, or table favor is something that would interest you, please contact Jacque Stager for more information. It doesn't need to be anything expensive or elaborate. Something small is just another way to show we care.

If you would like more information on this Simple Opportunity to Serve, please contact:

Barbara Ammirati at Barbara.Ammirati@ccchapel.com  or

Local Outreach Ministry Coordinator for Rahab, Jacque Stager at Jacque481@aol.com

Rahab's Block Party was a Blockbuster Success!

”The heart of RAHAB ministries is compassion. “We come alongside women who are trapped in the life-and-death struggle of prostitution and drugs. Then we stay. We refuse to see them as different from ourselves, and then Christ’s love for them can flow through us.” --Becky Moreland, Rahab Ministries Founder

Christ Community Chapel loves to support Rahab Ministries! And the love just keeps on pouring out!

This month Rahab hosted a block party on Matthews Street in Akron, where the Rahab house is located, as an outreach to their neighbors.  There was plenty of food, dancing in the street, and more than enough fun and games to go around!  

Many thanks to everyone who volunteered their time, money, and talents to make this event another huge success. Reaching out to neighbors, making new friends, and serving others, and sharing the love of Jesus...that's what Rahab Ministries is all about. 

Want more information about Local Outreach?

ccchapel.com

Lovinactionblog.blogspot.com

Facebook page: Love Like Crazy – Serve

or email barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com

RAHAB ~ A ministry of hope

 

Our Simple Opportunities to Serve (SOS) focus this month shines the light on RAHAB Ministries. RAHAB's mission is to break the chains of sexual slavery that is happening right here on our own streets, not just overseas.  Founded in 2002, RAHAB is a non-profit Christian ministry of volunteers devoted to rescuing and restoring women who are trafficked into prostitution in Akron, Ohio.

The outreach ministry of RAHAB is actually three dimensional.  It seeks to RESCUE, RESTORE, and EDUCATE, all the while conveying the message of hope ~ that God has a victorious plan for their lives, and to offer spiritual and practical opportunities for change.

Do You have compassion for others?  Ready to be changed by the experience of ministering to the suffering?  Many people with various talents and passions are needed for RAHAB Ministries to continue reaching hurting women.  Individuals and groups are encouraged to donate their time, talents, and finances.  some volunteers work directly with the women, while others serve behind the scenes, such as praying, organizing fund raisers, preparing food, or making table favors for the women.  

To learn more about RAHAB Ministries, go to their website (www.rahab-ministries.org) and also follow these blog posts during the month of July.  Here are a few ways to begin getting involved with this amazing outreach ministry:

PRAY:  When you sign up to be a prayer warrior for RAHAB Ministries, you will receive a monthly email with three prayer requests or praises.  You can sign up by contacting Barbara Ammirati at barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com.

SERVE: An annual block party/picnic will be held on July 19 for residents who live near the Rahab House on Matthews Street. If you are interested in helping with set up and/or serving at this event, contact Jacque Stager at Jacque481@aol.com.

GIVE: There is an ongoing need for freezer ready meals, cookies, bookmarks, cards of encouragement, and table favors to bless the women who come to weekly Bible studies at the Rahab house.  Full size toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, feminine products, lotions, etc. as well as seasonally appropriate clothing and accessories are always needed.  If you desire to contribute any of these or have questions, contact Jacque Stager at Jacque481@aol.com.

CCC's "Just in time" delivery to Rahab Ministries

In the 9th chapter of the book of Daniel there is a passage that says "...as soon as you began to pray, an answer was given..." God hears the prayers of His people and many times He chooses to answer them swiftly according to our needs.

This week when the monthly delivery of donated meals was made to Rahab Ministries, there was an unusually large amount of toiletries that had been donated by members and friends of Christ Community Chapel.  When the items were received by house mom, LeAnn, she was thrilled, and said their personal hygiene cupboard was practically empty.  We weren't even aware there was a special need, but God was!

Shelves nearly depleted

Shelves restocked!

Thanks to all who keep this ministry in your minds and on your hearts all month long. Thanks to all who so generously give from their substance and not just from their excess! 

Grateful also for the delicious meals, once again the recipients left CCC a sheet of paper with notes of thanks:

"I want to thank you for the blessings I receive for everything you have done for me" ~ Monica"

You ladies make me feel so special. Learning more about the Bible was so intriguing" ~ Barbara

"Your food is always amazing! It is truly amazing that you ladies take time out of your busy lives so that we may have a great day!" ~ Catlin

and about a dozen more similar comments!

Enjoying our casseroles this week!

"knock and the door will be opened to you..."

We recently asked our local outreach partner, Rahab Ministries, if they had any special needs.  We were presented with their desire to have a matching set of dishes to use for the meals they serve while doing ministry, thinking how wonderful it would be to bless the women with a beautiful table, as well as the delicious food our volunteers provide each month. They needed service for 16, and they asked for Corelle dishes because they are light weight and wouldn't over burden their old and weak cupboard shelves.

We no sooner presented the need, and a donor came forward with the desire to bless the ministry in this way.  Not only did she provide the matching dishes, she blessed them with matching glasses and matching stainless steel tableware!

But wait! There's more!  Our donor has never been to the Rahab House and had no way of knowing the colors of the interior are blue and green. But God is in the details and have a closer look:

LeAnn, the new Rahab house mom, was overjoyed to receive this gift of love when it was delivered today.  The women will have a huge surprise tomorrow when they sit down to a hot meal served on these beautiful dishes, with matching glasses, and tableware!  

We can't thank our fabulous cooks and bakers enough who donate soups, casseroles, cookies and breads each month to the Rahab House. LeAnn told us that just YESTERDAY they used their very last casserole from the freezer, and now they are loaded up again for another month.

And then she had a surprise for us! A beautiful thank you card from the women! 

Here are some of the things they wrote:

"God bless all who make time to prepare the amazing food you send over for us ladies. I really appreciate your time and love you put into it."

"Thank you for your kindness, time, and abundant love. You've made my day a lot brighter~we appreciate you!"

"I want to say thank you and God bless all of you amazing women for letting us ladies have a wonderful meal and let us remember how the Lord Jesus Christ works through our hearts to care and love all of us no matter what any of us has done wrong in our life. God bless and thank you."

"Thank you for all you've done and continue to do for us ladies. God bless you all."

CCC Youth Gift a Van to Rahab Ministries

Becky Moreland, founder of Christ Community Chapel ministry partner Rahab Ministries, had been praying for a need to be met.  Becky sums up the aim of the ministry like this: "The Heart of RAHAB Ministries is Compassion. We come alongside women who are trapped in the life-and-death struggle of prostitution and drugs. Then we stay. We refuse to see them as different from ourselves, then Christ's love for them can flow through us." For Rahab to come alongside these women, transportation to and from different events is a key need.

Late last year, a representative from Rahab spoke to the youth at Christ Community Chapel about the lives that have been transformed by Christ through Rahab.  During the presentation, the need for a van was mentioned. CCC youth ministries leader Todd Iannetta challenged the young people at all the church’s campuses to respond to the need.  The goal was to raise $10,000 for the van.

The youth agreed to accept the challenge, and Todd stayed in touch with Becky on the progress of the giving.  Recently, Todd and the CCC youth ministries staff had the joy of presenting the van to Becky.  Here's how they did it, according to Todd:

     "Many of them sacrificed Christmas gifts, some sold possessions, and some of them gave out of allowance or money made from a job.  We also held an open house for the Door #2 Arts Ministry, where we sold art that students made. Together, they raised $10,000 to purchase a van.  A local car dealer, who also attends our church, sold us the van for a great price, and threw in unlimited service on the vehicle."

Have a look at the very high-energy celebration of God working through His people in this video: 

http://vimeo.com/57535627

Pastor Joe has challenged all of us at Christ Community Chapel to be a bridge to our neighbors, our community and our world.  The CCC youth have clearly heard and responded to this call. As Todd said, "they get it!" As you pray and meditate on how God is calling you to be a bridge, would you also praise Him for this great example of His provision through His people?

To learn more about Rahab ministries, please click:  www.rahab-ministries.org/our-mission.aspx

For more information on the needs of Christ Community Chapel local ministry partners, please contact: 

Barbara Ammirati @ barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com

Michael Ammirati @ michael.ammirati@ccchapel.com

You've Been Gifted 2.0

 Christ Community Chapel kicked off a new tradition in 2012 with "You’ve Been Gifted 2.0".  On December 2^nd, at each campus, before and after all services, there were opportunities to purchase Christmas gifts ranging from $3 to $25.  The meaning behind "2.0" is that the purchase of these gifts will be a double blessing. The first blessing is obviously the recipient of the gift;   the second blessing is that  a CCC ministry partner will receive 100% of the proceeds of the sale.

 Local Outreach partner Rahab Ministries offered T shirts for sale. The sales of  matted Bible word art will benefit Faithful Servants and Broken Chains.  Global Outreach partners like Sam Tushabe’s Action for Empowerment (AOET) and Destiny Rescue offered jewelry items. There were Christmas cards from India Gospel League.

The response of CCC worship service attenders was overwhelming, with almost all inventory at all campuses being sold out. Overall, more than 1,600 items were purchased, generating over $17,000 in funds for CCC ministry partners.

God’s family at Christ Community Chapel has once again shown its heart for the less fortunate, be it to benefit local neighbors in need served by health care volunteers at Faithful Servants, or to benefit women in Asia being rescued by Destiny Rescue from the entrapment of human trafficking. It is truly exciting to see God’s people move with such grace, power and generosity… especially to break the mold of the usual “retail Christmas” and to benefit the needy and our ministry partners at home and overseas. The Gospel is being driven down further into the lives of God’s family, with great impact for our neighbors from Akron to Asia.

To God be the glory!

 As we celebrate the generous response to “You’ve Been Gifted 2.0”, please keep in mind the ongoing opportunity for CCC members and attenders to impact Northeastern Ohio through the original You’ve Been Gifted program, in progress now!  As we seek to reflect God’s love expressed through the gift of His only begotten Son by blanketing the area with 10,000 random acts of kindness this Christmas season, please prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to creatively be a blessing to a neighbor.  For more information, please contact:

Barbara Ammirati @ barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com

Michael Ammirati @ michael.ammirati@ccchapel.com

Rahab Ministries Scarlet Cord Event: A Fundraiser that raised our spirits!

 On November 11th, CCC Local Outreach partner Rahab Ministries launched its third annual benefit concert.  This year a large crowd of attendees was blessed by the lively, upbeat urban music of Praise-Apella, a popular Cleveland based Christian musical group.  

As before, the Scarlet Cord event featured a silent auction as well as beautiful and delicious desserts, all items being donated by local businesses and individuals.  Several Christ Community Chapel members were among the donors of desserts and auctioned items.

  

And also as before, attendees witnessed first hand women whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel and helped by Rahab Ministries. Their testimonies were given not in speeches, but by posters that each held up.  The first side of the  poster was the woman’s self-description prior to meeting Christ, and the other side described the woman’s new life in Christ. Here are some examples of these brief, but powerful visual testimonies.  These transformed women agree with the Apostle Paul, who proclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God to save….”  And God’s saving power was very evident in the joyous celebration of their new lives at the event.

Rahab Ministries is a street outreach to Akron women who are trapped in a lifestyle of prostitution, addiction and other criminal activities. Volunteers meet these captive women on the streets and in prisons, extending the love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus to them, and assuring them they do not have to continue in bondage.  There are ongoing opportunities for CCC members to help Rahab Ministries.  To learn more about what you can do to help, please contact CCC Local Outreach Coordinators Michael and Barbara Ammirati.

michael.ammirati@ccchapel.com

barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com

To learn more about Rahab Ministries, please see their website: www.rahab-ministries.org/

"And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8