I recently attended a graduation celebration for Open Door Mission guests that completed the New Life Recovery Program or the Journey to Work Program. We praised God together in worship and then heard the testimonies of the graduates before a time of food and fellowship.
As I heard the graduates tell where they have been (unemployed, incarcerated, suffering an addiction, and/or victims of domestic abuse) and where they are now (sober, disciples of Christ, employed and filled with hope) I viewed their months in their Open Door Mission program as a marathon for each of them.
I am a marathon runner and I know that in the midst of the run there are points of joy as one passes mile markers and hears the crowds cheering you on. In addition, there are many instances of pain, suffering, and wondering if you can finish. Our graduates have passed through many joyful thresholds of accomplishment in their programs and they have been cheered on by staff, fellow students, and family members. Yet, each graduate has also experienced much pain and suffering along the way as they have withdrawn from addictions and changed thought patterns and actions that have been destructive in the past. They have crossed the finish line because in Christ all things are possible and they are now ready for a new life that breaks the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Praise God that each graduate is now ready to run the race ahead of them in life and become a blessing to others as they draw on blessings from God each day!
Scott Shreve
Senior Development Director
402-829-1538
07 November 2009
It's A Marathon!
06 November 2009
Con Agra Team Building = Fleece Blankets!
Con Agra Enterprise Procurement decided to initiate team building with a mission. The mission was to not only to build a stronger team, but also provide blankets for Open Door Mission. So the 30 people on their team went to work making fleece blankets. There was laughter, hard work, fun and two hours later there were 21 handmade blankets for the Mission. Their efforts are much appreciated because these blankets will provide a special warmth this winter with hope for the holidays and a better life. - Set up your Hope for the Hungry food drive.
- Schedule your Project Santa drive.
- Request your set of Christmas Bells to provide gifts for hurting adults.
- Sign up to Adopt-A-Family.
- Deliver TURKEY 'N' FIXIN'S boxes.
- Sort and bag new, unwrapped toys.
Communications Coordinator
04 November 2009
As I sit here on a Friday, I am contemplating the end of one week and yet the beginning of a new one and how that is true over the whole spectrum of life. Every ending is a new beginning for something. For instance, in recovery, one has to end their old life style in order to begin a new one. Someone once told me that every change in life is both a loss and a gain depending on how one chooses to focus on it. That is definitely something that we teach our men here at Open Door Mission and it is greatly empowering as well. Rarely do we find anyone who has been through more losses than our men here on the recovery program. If they can begin to view those past losses as changes instead of meaningless experiences they suffered and trust God who was and is still in control, they can begin for the first time in their lives to realize some of the true power of Christ in setting them free. Not so much freedom from the pain as freedom from slavery to it. We call it “reframing”. Taking an experience, looking at it realistically, and figuring out what God has to offer and teach us from it.
As I write this, I must admit that I am so proud of our men. Lately, they have been put through a barrage of changes and have chosen to focus on them in a positive life-changing way. The Word of God teaches us that we are all made in His image and therefore people carry so much more potential than we realize. It is definitely a privilege to see our men prove that daily.
That’s why our Lord died on a cross 2,000 years ago, isn’t it? This certainly was a horrendously evil event, definitely an incredible loss. Yet, God brought out of that very act the most blessed event in mankind’s history - He redeemed us and made us righteous. The most evil act was made the most righteous act; the biggest loss in history was made into the greatest gain of all time. I can’t think of a more important message for our men to understand.
It was my privilege just 2 days ago to be setting with one of our men explaining this to him when he told me that he was already saved but needed to act upon it and start building his life on this foundation. So he decided to rededicate his life to Christ on the spot. I don’t have to tell you what an honor that was for me. Further, that is something we get to experience all the time here. Our men have the same potential that we do, just different experiences. When those experiences lead to life-altering beliefs, the only cure is Biblical beliefs. Recovery is essentially replacing faulty belief systems (in several areas) with appropriate belief systems. Isn’t it great to have that from an objective source? Thank God for his revealed Word or all I would be able to offer is my own faulty beliefs. Beliefs have tremendous transforming power. No wonder the Word of God has so much to say about belief from cover to cover.
The weather is changing, the economy is changing, and the world is changing around us, but I just praise Him for the anchor He has provided and hope to teach others to do so too.
Stan Latta
Men’s Recovery Services Director
02 November 2009
Thank you Kwik Shop and Kwik Shop Customers
31 October 2009
Handmade Quilts Bring Warmth and Hope
Communications Coordinator
30 October 2009
Grand Canyon
I was recently in the Grand Canyon with my wife and son. The views from the rim and along the trails down the Canyon were beautiful and awe inspiring. As our guide told us how the many layers that are exposed in the Canyon developed over millions of years I thought of our programs at Open Door Mission. In fact, I did!
The New Life Recovery Program and Journey to Work Program are measured in months, not millions of years, but each day, week, and month in a program provides a new layer of life skills, educational ability, and spiritual development for each individual enrolled. The solid foundation upon which all layers form is faith in Jesus Christ, our solid rock. Then layers of emotional coping skills, Biblical knowledge, maintenance of sobriety, educational and computer skills, job readiness insights equip each graduate for new life!
The Grand Canyon is a wonder of the world and each graduate from an Open Door Mission program is a grand wonder as well. If you would like to explore a Planned Gift to support the work of Open Door Mission please contact me.
Scott Shreve
Senior Development Director
(402) 422-1111, ext. 1538
29 October 2009
Night Watch in the Lydia House
I work primarily in the Lydia House Children & Youth Department. It has been a blessing to share the love of Jesus with our kids.
Last month, Charity asked if I would fill in for our Overnight Supervisor during her surgery and recovery. I had never worked the midnight to 8 a.m. shift before and wondered how the change would affect me physically. The Lord has blessed me to be able to handle the change of sleeping during the day.
As Overnight Supervisor, I do periodic room checks throughout the Emergency A & B wings, file, sort mail, clean, assist in handing out medications and much more. During this time, I am reminded of Psalm 63:6, “When I remember you on my bed; I meditate on you in the night watches.” and Psalm 119:148, “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word.” (KJV)
Ladies will come to me and ask me to pray with them, or talk, because they couldn’t sleep. Moms will even bring their sick children to my office for medication and to keep them from disturbing other family members. I love being able to minister to families and ladies in this way and thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve during the ‘Night Watch’ at Open Door Mission.
Janice M. Loud
Lydia House Children & Youth Department
Night Watch – House Supervisor
28 October 2009
Planting Tree at the New Lydia House
Today some homeless men from Open Door Mission the joined Candace Gregory, Open Door Mission's President/CEO, Richard DenHerder, Open Door Mission's Director of Finance, Jack Phillips Local Arborist and Mike King, Open Door Mission's Garland Thompson Men's Center Case Manager in planting 19 trees and shrubs around the New Lydia House that is set to open in January 2010
27 October 2009
Southwest Kiwanis Club
22 October 2009
Southwest Church of Christ

Pastor Jim, from Southwest Church of Christ, and his friend Dave stopped by Open Door Mission this week to bring a “small” gift to help out during the holidays. It was no “small” gift--it was over 1,000 pounds of donations ranging from canned goods to clothing. His congregation out of compassion for others, chose to make a difference by donating to the homeless and near homeless in the Heartland.
The holidays are fast approaching and for many in our area it will not be a joyous time of celebration--they are hungry, hurting and in many cases feeling hopeless. Would you please help Open Door Mission reach out with hope and help for those seeking just the basic necessities of life?
- Open Door Mission and Lydia House will provide more than 91,000 hot, nutritious meals this holiday season to the hungry and homeless in the Heartland. Set up your Hope for the Hungry food drive.
- Reach out to more than 6,000 boys and girls and bring the joy of Christmas to their hurting hearts with your donation of new toys to Open Door Mission. Schedule your Project Santa toy drive.
- Provide gifts for hurting adults who are lonely and need to know someone cares. Request your set of Christmas Bells.
- Please, volunteer today, to give your time to make ‘Drumsticks on Wheels’ and ‘Project Santa (A Drive-Thru Christmas)’ the best events ever.
Maggie Cope
Communications Coordinator



