Newsletter Archive

MVO 10/30/22 MVO 10/30/22

Taking the Next Steps

We recently celebrated Phase I graduation for 5 ladies in the Charis House. Last week and this week, we will read a little about their testimonies. *Names have been changed to protect their identities and allow our clients the fresh start they are seeking.

Women who enter the Charis House commit to a minimum of one year for Phase I of the program. They live under strict guidelines and are held to high standards of conduct and behavior as they work through their substance abuse addictions as well as the traumas and emotional issues of the lifestyles that led them to the Charis House. After a minimum of one year of Christ-centered counseling and Bible-based classes on life skill development -- all while being monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a House Manager -- the women are reevaluated. If they have met the standards of the Charis House and shown growth and stability, they graduate from Phase I and are invited to go into Phase II of the program.

Crystal*

“I grew up in a church family, and we went to church every Sunday. When I was about 10 years old, my mom met my stepdad. He was a recovering addict, and he slipped and fell back into his addiction. When I turned 14, he gave me one of his pills. He was taken oxy pressed with fentynal. Things just went downhill from there. I got kicked out of high school when I was 16, and ended up getting my GED instead of going to school. I was really messed up one day, and I was driving down a road with a bunch of friends. I couldn’t drive – I was tripping on acid – and I called my youth pastor’s wife, and she came and picked me up. The next time I saw her she told me I needed to go to school…I needed to get out of town, and relocate, and so I wound up going to Pensacola Christian College for about 2 years.”

“I didn’t do so well there, but I went. I overdosed, and I tried to end my life. I just didn’t feel like I had anything to live for anymore. I didn’t really understand God or know God, and I just felt like there was no point in continuing. I wound up in a mental hospital for about a day or so. They pumped my stomach. I remembered being here for college and hearing about the Charis House. So I called Ms. Vanessa and 3 days after Christmas, I got on an airplane and came here.”

“Now I work at the food pantry, and I feed the homeless every day. I just get a chance to love people like God loves me.”

Morgan*

“I did not grow up in church at all. I knew John 3:16 because of my grandma. It was one of the scriptures you had to memorize when you went to VBS, and that was one of the only times I got any kind of Word at all. I went to college and did all the things that you had to do to be successful. The only thing I didn’t have was God. I started using drugs when I was 31 years old. Just one bad choice. All it takes is a choice. For so long, I could handle anything that was thrown at me. I assumed that I could do it one time and it just be an experience that I had. But it was not like that. It eventually became a weekend thing, to an every day thing, to something I couldn’t stop on my own.”

“Lost my career – just became alienated from my family. I have 2 beautiful girls. I knew they would be taken care of by my mom, so I just quit showing up, and even when I was there, I wasn’t there. I just wasn’t present in their lives. You’re just numb to everything. You’re numb to the feelings that you’re suppose to have as a mother – you just don’t long for your children – but you don’t see it at all.”

“I ended up in jail and on probation. I couldn’t follow the rules of probation, so you just end up going back to jail and the judge gives an ultimatum. It was either prison or the Charis House. I got here and started reading the Word and I just fell in love with how God loves people and how redeeming His love is. I started reading the Gospel and just overnight it changed my life. It changed a lot of things as far as my perspective on life – what I want and how I want to raise my children. It has been a true blessing.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without God. He gets all the glory. He is the bomb dot com.”

Graduating from Phase I and moving into Phase II presents these ladies with opportunities to continue working on developing confidence and faith. During Phase II, the women enjoy a bit more freedom from the strict regimen they followed during Phase I, but many things stay consistent. They must still attend church classes and Most Excellent Way meetings each week, but they can enroll in school, and pursue jobs. Clients in Phase II are still part of the Charis House family, eating meals together with the Phase I ladies, continuing counseling with the Charis House therapist, and living without transportation. Since Phase II women are not permitted to have a cell phone or their own vehicle, a House Manager or Charis House volunteer must drive each woman to school or work. Phase II typically lasts around one year.

Join us in praying for these 5 recent graduates as they take the steps to move forward in their recovery and continue to find God’s grace and mercy in their lives.

· The Charis House is a non-profit Christian-based residential substance abuse recovery program for females. The program is designed in 3 phases, each offering stages of recovery that provide the necessary tools for a practical transition into a new lifestyle free of addiction. The faith-based recovery program addresses the client’s personal relationship with God as the foundation for healing and wholeness. It requires a willingness to change and adhere to a controlled, strict and disciplined environment, allowing life-changing experiences to occur. There is no fee to apply.

· To learn more about the Charis House, or how you can support our programs, click here or contact Vanessa Bettis at 850-475-1116 or VBettis@MinistryVillage.org.

· The mission of Ministry Village at Olive is to put the words of Jesus into action throughout our community – “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40, NIV) If you are looking for a place to demonstrate kindness to others for the glory of God, give us a call. We have opportunities through the Bargain Center; at our Tender Hearts Caring Hands benevolence program and food pantry; through the Most Excellent Way addiction support groups; at the Charis House; and at the Ministry Village Early Learning Center.

· If you would like to volunteer to support the Charis House, contact our office at (850) 473-4466 or visit Ministryvillage.org/volunteer-registration. All volunteers through Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. must be properly interviewed and screened. Depending on the program and position, volunteers must also undergo background screening and be properly trained by MVO staff. While we are deeply appreciative for any and all support, it is our primary responsibility to those we serve to protect them and their privacy, and we do not take that responsibility lightly. Those interested in serving through MVO should contact the appropriate program manager to discuss opportunities and the necessary requirements. We appreciate your understanding.

· To donate to the Charis House or any Ministry Village program, click here.

MVO 10/23/22 MVO 10/23/22

A Season of Hope

We recently celebrated Phase I graduation for 5 ladies in the Charis House. This week and next week, we will read a little about their testimonies. *Names have been changed to protect their identities and allow our clients the fresh start they are seeking.

Naomi*

“I was in active addiction for over 18 years. I was addicted to opiates, they were my drug of choice. It started out as being cool, trying to fit in with my older brother, but then that choice became a lifestyle. I couldn’t go 4 hours without getting sick – like violently ill – if I didn’t have the drug. Everything I did revolved around getting the drug – getting the money to get the drug – I would steal, I would manipulate people, I would do any and everything in order to get the money to go get the drug. And I never quit thinking about it. It didn’t matter how much I had or how little I had. It was all about ways – what’s my next play – what am I going to do next – where am I going to get this and how am I going to get it.

“I just vanished from being a mom. I was a stay at home mom who loved her children and did everything for them. And I just vanished off the face of the earth. They didn’t know if I was alive or if I was dead. I had no hope. I knew I was going to die a drug addict and I had zero hope of ever being a normal, functioning human being.

“I got arrested just like most drug addicts do, and I ended up leaving to go to rehab in Alabama. There were drugs there, and I wasn’t strong enough – I didn’t have the tools to know what to do, how to survive, in an environment where I didn’t want to do drugs, but wasn’t strong enough to say no. So I ended up running from there for about 2 weeks and my mom came and got me. One of the girls from there knew about the Charis House because she had gone through it, so my mom just brought me here.

“We didn’t have an appointment, I didn’t have an interview. I just showed up on the front porch of the Charis House and it has literally given me hope. The amount of love that people around us in this church give us is insane to me. I’ve never experienced such a genuine love from people I don’t even know. The Charis House brought me hope. That’s where I met God. I had no clue the amount of love – He changed me completely. I am nowhere near the same person I used to be.

“He changed my heart and I’m grateful for that.”

Leah*

“I have been in my addiction for over 40 years. There have been periods of sobriety – they never lasted. The last time was in 2017. I was sober for 5 years, and then my husband – who was my support system – passed away. When you lose that support system, and you’re kind of floundering around, not knowing what to do – you go back to what you know. And that’s self-destruction. And unfortunately I’ve been doing that for a long time, and I’ve gotten very good at it.

“My whole life, I’ve done nothing but exist. It was just existing – I wasn’t living life. I had no purpose. I had no direction. I had nothing. So, I just got up and did what I had to do, and I went back and drank until I went to sleep. And now I can say that when I get up in the morning, I have purpose. I have a reason to get up. And I’m happy. And I have hope. And I know God has great plans for me. I might’ve been going through some bad years, but in all honesty, God was with me. God brought me through those years. He never left me. Although sometimes, I felt like He did. But He never did, and now I can see this is where He wanted me to be. This is where my life is just beginning. A whole new life that I can say I’m looking forward to.

“He is what I’m living for. He is…everything I do, I do for the Lord.”

Lacy*

“At age 13, I started using drugs to fit in and be cool. Then it became a way for me to escape reality. And I ended up falling in love with it – for real, for real.

“I’ve been in and out of jail since I was 19 years old. This last time, I had 7 or 8 felony cases stacked up against me. I was in jail, got into a fight, and was thrown into a lockdown cell with nothing but a Bible, my mat and my blanket. I started in Genesis, and in 10 days I was halfway through the Old Testament. It was Joseph’s story that really broke me down. Where the Holy Spirit came on me. Where everything that the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for good for Joseph. I kept reading the Bible. It put a hunger in my spirit.

“I got through reading the Bible and a week later, a visitation popped up on my screen from a girl I hadn’t spoken to in 2 ½ years. She had been through the Charis House program and she told me she wanted to offer me the same opportunity that she had. I just thought, let’s go with it. That’s how the door opened for me to come to the Charis House. Since I’ve been here, I’ve restored relationships with my family. My family didn’t go to church growing up. The Lord was not in our family at all. Now my mom and my kids attend church regularly every week.

“I just love Jesus.”

Next week, we’ll hear from 2 other recent Phase I graduates about how the Charis House helped them find hope and a future.

· To learn more about the Charis House, or how you can support our programs, click here or contact Vanessa Bettis at 850-475-1116 or VBettis@MinistryVillage.org.

· To donate to the Charis House or any Ministry Village program, click here.

MVO 10/16/22 MVO 10/16/22

2022 Ministry Village Clay Shoot Sets Records

Our 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot was a record-setting year! We shattered our previous records for attendance, sponsorships & fundraising, and enjoyed beautiful weather and fantastic fellowship. THANK YOU to everyone who participated and to our special guests - World Champion Pro Shooters Gebben Miles & Karen Shedd – who shared their testimonies, their love for Jesus, and their amazing shooting skills! Stephen Newsome, Ministry Village Board Chairman, as well as Ministry Village Executive Director Drayton Smith, would like to thank all of our participants, sponsors and donors. Because of your support, this year’s event raised enough to fund all expenses for an entire year in the program for 5 women!

With record attendance, we had to run 2 shooting courses, hosting nearly 130 shooters and more than 30 teams. Congratulations to all of our winners -

High Score Individual Red Course - TIE - Jason Clanton from the Bob Price Jr. Builder team & Bryan Schulz from The Alumbaugh Group team

High Score Individual Green Course - Michael Lyons from the Perdido Trucking team

High Score Junior Shooter (18 & under)

Red Course - Fisher Neese

Green Course - Landen Robertson

First Place Team - Red Course - Team Bob Price Jr. Builder, Inc.

First Place Team - Green Course - Team Perdido Trucking Service, LLC

Second Place Team - Red Course - Team Heath Kelly Construction

Second Place Team - Green Course - Team Technologies For Tomorrow, Inc.

A special thank you to MVO supporter Mr. Bobby Lindsey who provided lunch from Hot Spot BBQ for all of our participants and volunteers. And thanks to Butler Foods and Coca Cola United, our participants had plenty of tea, water and Coke products to stay hydrated!

The competitive spirit didn’t stay just on the shooting range. We had our biggest silent auction to date, with a number of raffle and auction prizes totaling nearly $10,000, so our participants worked to outbid each other on those fantastic items too.

Mark your calendars for next year's clay shoot - scheduled for October 7, 2023! Let’s break records again and keep Shooting for Grace to support the programs of Ministry Village!

For more pictures of all the fun at the 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot, visit our Facebook event photo album.

We sincerely thank each of our sponsors & donors who helped make this event possible. We truly couldn't do it without you!

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MVO 10/9/22 MVO 10/9/22

Charis House Celebrates 15 Years of Life-Changing Ministry

In 2022, Charis House at Ministry Village at Olive celebrates 15 years of life-changing transformations for women recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. In Greek, the word charis means “grace, kindness, and life.” The goal of the Charis House is to see lives changes, hope restored, and families reconciled through the power of Jesus Christ.

The Charis House is a three-phase faith-based recovery program in an intimate, home environment that is clean and safe. Residents attend daily classes with a Christ-centered curriculum, as well as weekly meetings at The Most Excellent Way substance abuse support group. The ladies take classes in anger management, relapse prevention, and power over addiction, in addition to parenting classes provided by CDAC Behavioral Healthcare. The Gospel of Jesus is poured into the ladies on a daily basis, in the belief that as they deepen their relationships with God, they will move further away from their lives of addiction.

Since opening in April 2007, more than 230 women have come through the program, some completing all 3 phases, but all being blessed by the program and encouraged by the teachers and staff who lead it.

During Phase II, the women enjoy a bit more freedom from the strict regimen they followed during Phase I, but many things stay consistent. They must still attend church classes and Most Excellent Way meetings each week, but they can enroll in school, and pursue jobs. Many women earn their GEDs or begin college classes when they enter Phase II. They are still part of the Charis House family, eating meals together with the Phase I ladies, continuing counseling with the Charis House therapist, and living without transportation. Since Phase II women are not permitted to have a cell phone or their own vehicle, a House Manager or Charis House volunteer must drive each woman to school or work. Phase II typically lasts around one year.

The Esther House serves as Phase III of the Charis House ministry. Women who have completed Phase II and meet the criteria for Phase III live in a home located on the Ministry Village campus. They pay rent on a sliding scale based on their income. They are permitted to have transportation, which they must provide, and can have cell phones, computers, and televisions – all things they have lived without during Phase I and II of the program. “This is an opportunity for the women to live on their own and become financially stable, while still having the accountability and support of the Charis House,” explains Vanessa Bettis, Director of Women’s Recovery Ministries. They must attend weekly church service, be an active participant in a connection group, attend weekly Most Excellent Way meetings, and stay involved with their Charis House mentors. They have strict guidelines in place for visitors and guests, and are required to comply with random drug testing and house checks. They also have more privileges and the opportunity to gain more independence – grocery shopping, keeping the house clean, paying utilities – all things that will be required of them when they are out in “the real world” on their own. But most importantly, The Esther House provides the ladies with a safety net – a place for them to practice living on their own but still have the accountability and resources of the Charis House nearby if they begin to falter.

"The 15-year anniversary of Ministry Village is a wonderful milestone, but we meet people every day who still desperately need help," says Drayton Smith, Executive Director of Ministry Village at Olive. "We are tremendously grateful for the support we have received from all of our donors and volunteers throughout these 15 years, and the opportunities we have had to grow our recovery program from one phase to three, supporting women as they gain freedom from addiction and learn to live independently again. Watching God transform the lives of these women who have suffered through addiction and all the hardships an addictive lifestyle brings, is a blessing every day. We are thankful that we can continue to share God’s love with each of them, and those who come after them.”

The cost to house and care for one woman for one year at the Charis House is more than $15,500; however, no one is turned away for inability to pay. Every dollar makes a difference in changing a life. To make a donation to Charis House, or any Ministry Village program, visit https://ministryvillage.org/donate/

To learn more about the Charis House at Ministry Village, click here or contact Vanessa Bettis at 850-475-1116 or VBettis@ministryvillage.org

The Charis House has created an Amazon Wish List, where you can choose needed items, purchase through Amazon and everything will be shipped directly to Ministry Village. To shop through the wish list, click here.

If you prefer to donate in a more traditional way, Walmart gift cards are always a blessing to the Charis House and the Esther House. Gift cards are used to purchase necessities like towels, toiletries and other household items. Please send gift cards to Ministry Village at Olive, Attention: Ms. Vanessa Bettis, 1716 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.

MVO 10/2/22 MVO 10/2/22

We’re Shooting for Grace at the Ministry Village Clay Shoot!

This weekend marks the 6th annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot – our fundraiser for the Charis House and the programs of Ministry Village at Olive – and it’s not too late for you to participate!

This year’s fundraiser features special guest multi-time professional tour, world and national champion shooter Gebben Miles! Registration opens at 7:30 AM and the event kicks off as Gebben shares his testimony and discusses how he uses the professional shooting world as his mission field for bringing people to the Lord. Shooting begins at 9 AM, with Gebben on hand to provide coaching tips to shooters, as well as to shoot mulligans for donations to Ministry Village for those times when your score needs a little extra grace. Lunch will follow the shoot, and awards, door prizes, auction items and raffle prizes will be announced. Cash prizes will be awarded to the First Place Team ($500) and Second Place Team ($200), and special prizes and recognition will be awarded to the Highest Individual Score and Best Junior Shooter.

Dr. Stephen Newsome, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ministry Village at Olive, is looking forward to this year’s event because of its purpose. "The annual Clay Shoot provides a fun way for us to share the work of Ministry Village with our community, and provide an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The Tender Hearts Caring Hands food pantry has been helping a record number of people in our community each week and the need for food is unprecedented. The work Ministry Village does through the Charis House is life-changing and life-saving. But it takes resources to support all of these programs. It costs about $1,600 each month to provide housing, shelter, and program support for just one woman at the Charis House. Food costs to keep our Tender Hearts Caring Hands food pantry have skyrocketed. This fundraiser is a fantastic way to support Ministry Village and help people in need right here on the Gulf Coast.”

Join us – we are “Shooting for Grace” to raise funds for Ministry Village!

Event Details
What: 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot
When: October 8, 2022 - Saturday, 7:30 AM
Where: Santa Rosa Shooting Center - 6950 Quintette Road, Pace, FL 32571
Register Now!: http://www.ministryvillage.org/ClayShoot
Registration is open for individuals and teams of 4. Register online, or support the programs of Ministry Village by making a donation or purchasing an event t-shirt.
For more information on Ministry Village at Olive, including the Charis House and our other ministries, visit our website at MinistryVillage.org.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news and information. Facebook.com/MinistryVillage and Twitter @MinistryVillage.

MVO 9/25/22 MVO 9/25/22

Professional Shooter Gebben Miles Shares the Lord at Ministry Village Clay Shoot

PART 2

In last week’s blog, we met Arizona native Gebben Miles, who began making a name for himself in the early 2000’s in the sport of professional shooting thanks to his skills and natural instincts. After winning several competitions, Gebben chose to follow his mentor’s suggestion to focus on shooting and find a way to make that community his mission field. Gebben is our special guest at the 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot on October 8. In this week’s blog, we’ll see how he’s been forging his own path ever since.

Between 2006 and 2008, Gebben grew in his relationship with God and felt a burning passion to make sure people knew Jesus. He felt a mounting need to put faith first. “Accolades are great, but if I don’t do it with God for His glory, it doesn’t matter,” explained Gebben. During that time, he attended the Ultimate Training Camp by Athletes in Action (AIA), an organization dedicated to training athletes in all sports to become influencers in the world - “building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.” Training with AIA inspired Gebben to use his community of amateur and professional shooters as his spiritual mission field. He had never heard anyone talk about God at any of his competitive events, so he decided to change that. In 2008, Gebben began holding Bible studies at his shooting events and tournaments, and those studies quickly grew into something more akin to impromptu church services reaching large numbers of attendees.

After a few years on the circuit, Gebben was led to begin a shooting academy in Texas, a business he believed God wanted him to pursue. But soon after opening the academy, he felt burned out from the business and the toll of continuing on the professional circuit. “I felt like I was getting complacent with my faith. I wasn’t growing with God, and I needed to step away from being focused on shooting and focus on Him.” One of his younger sisters had attended Hillsong College, a Bible college in Australia, and Gebben had been impressed at the passion she developed, the experiences she and her husband had there, and how much their faith had developed. He decided he wanted that experience too, so in 2019, Gebben moved to Sydney, Australia to attend Hillsong College and learn more about the Bible.

After a year at Hillsong, Gebben returned to Arizona, and connected with a friend who was working to plant a church in Tucson. Then the Covid pandemic happened to the world. The friends began an online church community in March 2020 to reach people during the shutdown, and on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, they finally opened Deus Church. “Deus,” which means “God” in Latin, is a nondenominational church in Tucson, AZ, whose mission is “Relentlessly creating spaces of opportunity for people to walk into a relationship with God and live out powerful lives!” Gebben’s friend, Dr. Herman Solorzano, is the lead pastor, and Gebben, along with 2 other men, took on voluntary roles as teaching pastors for the church. Gebben also rejoined the professional shooting circuit, and began coaching and teaching shooting lessons again – bringing his professional platform and his ministry platform together in a very unique way.

Gebben joined us at the 2021 Ministry Village Clay Shoot after local shooting enthusiast and Ministry Village supporter David Miller reached out to him. Gebben was happy to speak and participate at the MVO Clay Shoot, not only because of his passion for shooting and his love for the Lord, but also because of his family’s personal experience with addiction and redemption. One of Gebben’s sisters found the Lord through an AA program in South Florida after her own struggle with addiction. Seeing her change, inspire, and encourage others has also inspired Gebben. He knows the work done through ministries like the Charis House is difficult but vital, and he wants to help encourage those struggling with addiction as well as their families. Supporting the MVO fundraiser was a perfect way to connect his professional expertise with his own personal experiences and passion for sharing Jesus.

We are thankful to welcome Gebben back at this year’s Clay Shoot for him to share his expertise with us. We are even more thankful that he is willing to share his story and his love for Jesus with the world.

Event Details

What: 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot

When: October 8, 2022 - Saturday, 7:30 AM: Saturday’s tournament event kicks off at 7:30 AM with registration, followed by Gebben’s testimony and the story of how he shares the Lord with those he meets through his professional career. The mandatory safety meeting will follow, and station shooting will begin at 9 AM. Gebben will be on hand to provide coaching tips to shooters, as well as to shoot mulligans for donations to Ministry Village. Lunch will follow the Saturday shoot, and awards, door prizes, auction items and raffle prizes will be announced. Cash prizes will be awarded to the First Place Team ($500) and Second Place Team ($200), and special prizes and recognition will be awarded to the Highest Individual Score, and Best Junior Shooter.

Register Now!: http://www.ministryvillage.org/ClayShoot

Registration is now open and sponsorships are also available. Register online, or simply make a donation to the Charis House and Ministry Village at Olive.

For more information on Ministry Village at Olive, including the Charis House and our other ministries, visit our website at MinistryVillage.org.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news and information. Facebook.com/MinistryVillage and Twitter @MinistryVillage.

MVO 9/18/22 MVO 9/18/22

Clay Shoot Event Brings World Champion Professional Shooter Gebben Miles

PART 1

This year marks the 6th Ministry Village at Olive Clay Shoot, and we are Shooting for Grace! The Clay Shoot is MVO’s primary annual fundraiser, bringing attention to and raising funding for the programs of Ministry Village at Olive – the Charis House, Tender Hearts Caring Hands, Most Excellent Way, the Ministry Village Early Learning Center, and the Ministry Village Bargain Center. This year’s Clay Shoot event will feature special guest, Gebben Miles. Gebben is a multi-time Professional Tour, World and National Champion in the target shooting arena. At the MVO Clay Shoot, Gebben will not only share his professional expertise, but also his passion for Jesus, and how he has learned to wield his faith along with his firearm.

Gebben Miles, who is originally from Tucson, Arizona, did not grow up dreaming of becoming a professional shooter. Professional golf was more his his idea for a future career. Or, maybe he would take over his dad’s construction business one day after college. Even going into full-time ministry might be an option. But, as many of us have learned in our own lives, the Lord had His own plans for Gebben.

After breaking his elbow while playing basketball at age 15, Gebben’s pro-golf dreams were dashed. He worked diligently at rehab for more than a year, and was able to recover full range of motion as well as full strength in his injured arm. He had participated in shooting competitions from time to time, learning to shoot with his dad in 1996, so he continued to shoot at events occasionally and began pursuing his college degree at the University of Arizona. While in college, he began to see tournament success and was approached by other shooters for lessons. Gebben realized he could actually earn a decent income by sharing his shooting skills, so he began coaching – still not interested in making this a full-time, lifelong endeavor.

In 2007, he won the World All-Around FITASC Championship, one of the premier international sporting events and a highly-coveted prize in the shooting community. Having some success in the sport of shooting was exciting, but it was still not Gebben’s plan for a profession. Realizing that his dad’s construction business was also not his passion, he began feeling a pull toward full-time ministry. His mentor suggested that maybe he should focus on shooting. After all, he had such natural skill and was achieving great success; maybe the shooting community could become the platform for his ministry. Gebben followed his mentor’s advice and began coaching more. He soon became a professional shooter, with sponsors who provided for him to travel 8 months out of the year on the professional shooting circuit and compete in events internationally.

In next week’s blog, we’ll learn how Gebben transformed his professional shooting career into a dynamic opportunity to share his faith and do God’s work.

Event Details

What: 6th Annual Ministry Village Clay Shoot

When: October 8, 2022

Saturday, 7:30 AM: Saturday’s tournament event kicks off at 7:30 AM with registration, followed by Gebben’s testimony and how he shares the Lord with those he meets through his professional career. The mandatory safety meeting will follow, and station shooting will begin at 9 AM. Gebben will be on hand to provide coaching tips to shooters, as well as to shoot mulligans for donations to Ministry Village. Lunch will follow the Saturday shoot, and awards, door prizes, auction items and raffle prizes will be announced. Cash prizes will be awarded to the First Place Team ($500) and Second Place Team ($200), and special prizes and recognition will be awarded for the Highest Individual Score and Best Junior Shooter.

Register Now!: http://www.ministryvillage.org/ClayShoot

Registration is now open and sponsorships are also available. Register online, or simply make a donation to the Charis House and Ministry Village at Olive.

Private Lessons Available with Gebben Miles & Karen Shedd: Would you like to learn some tips and tricks to improve your skills and take your shooting to the next level? Here's your chance!

Professional and world champion shooters Gebben Niles and Karen Shedd will be offering private lessons in our area, and they have times available! Lessons are available on Thursday & Friday, October 6 & 7.

Gebben Miles is a Sporting Clays Academy Instructor, and is a professional tour, world and national champion.

Karen Shedd is the Lady Team USA FITASC Captain, Lady Grand Slam Tour Champion, and the RU Lady World Champion.

Call David Miller at 850-494-2777 to schedule your timeslot with these expert shooters. Lessons will take place at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center - 6950 Quintette Road, Pace, FL 32571

Limited spaces are available, so call soon! 850-494-2777

For more information on Ministry Village at Olive, including the Charis House and our other ministries, visit our website at MinistryVillageELC.org.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news and information. Facebook.com/MinistryVillage and Twitter @MinistryVillage.

MVO 9/11/22 MVO 9/11/22

Rest and Renewal at the Charis House Retreat

Each year, toward the middle of August, the women of the Charis House look forward to their annual retreat. A caring and considerate couple - supporters of the Charis House ministry who wish to remain anonymous - selflessly donate their beachside condo for the Charis House ladies to enjoy. It is a time of relaxation, reflection and renewal that is deeply appreciated and very much enjoyed. The additional costs of the retreat, including food, travel, and entertainment, are provided by donations from Bargain Center shoppers, Ministry Village supporters, and staff members.

During this year’s retreat, the ladies enjoyed swimming, spending time in the condo’s lazy river, and strolling on the beach. “We also held a special devotion time by the water with one of our volunteer teachers who made a special trip out just to spend time with us for a few hours,” said Vanessa Bettis, Director of Women’s Recovery Ministries for Ministry Village at Olive.

Vanessa finds the annual retreat to be a vital component of reaching the women on a whole different level. “My purpose of the retreat is to help remove ourselves from the familiarity of our usual patterns and surroundings…to set aside time to get away with God in His creation, and to listen to His still, small voice. We find the perfect time to do that at the retreat is during sunrise. Everyone needs time to unplug and refocus, so retreats are very important to schedule into our lives. My word to the ladies this year was for them to be renewed – to refocus – and to regain hope. This special time away gives the ladies a chance to bond together, to get to know one another on a whole new level – to share their thoughts and expressions in a group setting. It’s really special for the ladies to dedicate time to the Lord and restore themselves so that they can be better disciples in everything. Sometimes we have to disconnect in order to better connect. Forget-me-not flowers were always one of my favorite flowers as a child, perhaps because something deep within me knew the importance of remembering who we are and all that we love most in our lives.”

“What I have seen come out of this year’s retreat is a better connection between the women - such a beautiful thing of unity and love. They also were able to focus and build confidence so they could each leave the retreat with a plan and specific steps to bring more fulfillment and joy into their every day lives. My wish for each lady is for them to leave the retreat feeling seen – for them to leave feeling special, understood, and valued. The foundational work that we did will set the tone for a future filled with more peace, fulfillment, and success.”

Thank you to all of the Charis House and Ministry Village donors, volunteer teachers, and staff members who helped to make this retreat special and fulfilling for everyone! And a special thanks to our Bargain Center shoppers whose donations helped make the retreat possible!

· To learn more about the Charis House, click here or contact Vanessa Bettis at 850-475-1116 or VBettis@MinistryVillage.org.

· To donate to the Charis House or any Ministry Village program, click here.

· The Charis House has created an Amazon Wish List, where you can choose needed items, purchase through Amazon and everything will be shipped directly to Ministry Village. To shop through the wish list, visit https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3S2AXDSG4CY93…

· If you prefer to donate in a more traditional way, Walmart gift cards are always a blessing to the Charis House and the Esther House. Gift cards are used to purchase necessities like towels, toiletries and other household items. Please send gift cards to Ministry Village at Olive, Attention: Ms. Vanessa Bettis, 1716 E. Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.

MVO 9/4/22 MVO 9/4/22

Blessing the Community through the Bargain Center

The Ministry Village Bargain Center offers discount shopping and thrifty finds to bargain shoppers; however, its primary mission is to provide funding for the various programs of Ministry Village at Olive – including the Tender Hearts Caring Hands food pantry and benevolence program; Most Excellent Way’s addiction support groups; and the Charis House, a faith-based residential recovery program for women suffering from addiction. In addition to benefiting our community through these ministries, the Bargain Center team and volunteers continually seek out new ways to bless others. Recently, the Bargain Center began new partnerships with some local organizations to give extra inventory a new life.

In late 2021, Bargain Center manager Julie Paden learned about a small local ministry working with the homeless, and specifically ministering to homeless veterans. Julie reached out to Reverend Timothy Chandler, USMC Retired, and soon a new partnership had begun.

“Our homeless ministry goes out and feeds the homeless, and brings them clothes and hygiene items a couple times a week,” explains Rev. Chandler. “Every 2 months, we go to Brent Park and host a big day of blessings. We sing together, feed them, give out clothes, bicycles, hygiene items, and share the Gospel. We always have a big turnout and sometimes even run out of food and clothing. Thanks to the Bargain Center, we now have more help to bless them with clothing and items they desperately need.”

This newest partnership is just one way that the Bargain Center joins with other organizations to make a difference in the community. Kathy Clements, a dedicated Bargain Center volunteer and Ministry Village Board Member, initiated a partnership with local hospitals during the pandemic to help patients in need of clothing. Kathy learned that local hospitals often have patients who have no clean clothing when they are discharged from care, and no local family members to help them. “When patients arrive at the hospitals by ambulance, or have been long-term care patients, they often have no clothes to wear when they are discharged,” says Kathy. Baptist Hospital has a small clothing closet consisting primarily of lost and found items and a few donated pieces. Through this partnership, the Bargain Center now curates specific types of clothing that will work well for patients and provide them to the hospital. “Items are not for resale,” explains Julie. “They are to be given freely to those in need.”

In addition to local non-profit organizations and hospitals, the Bargain Center regularly supports local foster families. “Many families receive emergency placements, and often those children come with only a few items of clothing. We work with foster families to help them find what they need.” In addition to providing items from their excess inventory, the Bargain Center is able to provide foster families with gift cards to shop for specific items. “We also sell Bargain Center gift cards, so anyone can pay it forward by purchasing a gift card and donating it back to the Bargain Center. We use those donated gift cards to bless families in need.” Gift cards can also be purchased as gifts for friends or family members.

“Finding new ways to reach our community and share God’s love and blessings with others is why we are here,” says Julie. “We are excited to be able to give items to these local groups and do what we can to make them feel cared for and more confident.”

For more information about the Ministry Village Bargain Center, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinistryVillageBargainCenter or on Instagram @MinistryVillageBargains.
For more information on Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. and its work in the community, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinistryVillage, on Twitter @MinistryVillage, visit their website, MinistryVillage.org, or call (850) 473-4466.
Shop the Bargain Center at 92 E. Nine Mile Road, just east of Palafox, near the railroad tracks. Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. With great deals on furniture, clothing and more, there’s always something exciting for everyone!
Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. If you have large furniture, call the Bargain Center during regular store hours to schedule the Bargain Center’s truck for pickup. 850-912-9222.

**Because of government regulations, the Bargain Center does not accept donations of mattresses, and does not sell used or new mattresses. Please contact your sanitation service to dispose of used mattresses. **

MVO 8/28/22 MVO 8/28/22

Bringing the Compassion of Christ to Addiction Recovery

Today, more than 4 million women in this country abuse drugs. 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 1 in 10 soldiers who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and were seen by the VA had a problem with alcohol or other drugs. The challenges feel insurmountable to many.

You don't have to struggle alone. Ministry Village at Olive is here to help bring the compassion of Christ to addiction recovery.

Addiction takes its toll on more than the addict – children are neglected, families are torn apart, loved ones are overwhelmed, neighborhoods are affected, and communities are devastated. Ministry Village at Olive provides hands-on support to those struggling with addiction through two ministries - Charis House and The Most Excellent Way.

Charis House provides a structured, residential environment for women to recover and heal from the throes of addiction. Clients first pledge to complete Phase 1 of the program -- 12 months of a disciplined curriculum along with scheduled activities focused on individual recovery. Ladies participate in daily Christ-centered curriculum, weekly individual and group counseling with a licensed mental health counselor, church worship, volunteer work with the Children’s Ministry at Olive Baptist Church and work therapy at the Ministry Village Bargain Center. Upon graduation from Phase 1, ladies enter Phase 2, focusing on recovery as well as building advanced life skills, safe support systems and employability.

The Most Excellent Way (MEW) is a loving group of men and women affected directly or indirectly by drugs, alcohol or other life-dominating sin. MEW utilizes Biblical principles to overcome the guilt, frustration, hopelessness, fear and shame associated with addictive behavior. We believe that through meetings, we will grow in our faith in Christ, becoming healthy, joy-filled and productive children of God with the support of others who understand what we have lived through. 1 Corinthians 12:31 says "Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way." Jesus can heal the hurting and addicted.

MEW meetings are held each week at the Olive Baptist main campus (Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8:30 PM). There is no cost to attend.
For more information about Charis House, click here. To request a New Client Packet, call (850) 475-1116.
To learn more about Most Excellent Way, click here or call Scott Heald at (850) 475-1112.
The cost for 1 woman's room and board for 1 year at the Charis House is more than $16,000. No one is turned away from the program because of their inability to pay. Your donation will change lives. To donate to Ministry Village at Olive and provide funding for Charis House, Most Excellent Way or our other ministries, click here or call (850) 473-4466.
Volunteers are needed daily in each of our ministry programs. To learn how you can support our ministries, click here or call (850) 473-4466.