January 2023

Dear God’s Resort Friends,

Hoping your new year has started with blessings! We always thank God for you and your partnership in helping people through this Christ-centered community choose freedom from the past and reach their potential as children of God!

Choosing freedom from the past is certainly what Jarad has chosen! I knew Jarad as he grew up. He was a blessed young man with good parents who taught him about the Lord. He was also a gifted athlete, which allowed him an opportunity to play college football. He began running with the wrong crowd. What started as partying, turned into a full-on addiction that led to a darker and darker life. When his dad died, his addiction spiraled completely out of control. In his grief, Jarad turned to harder drugs, drug dealing, and violence. Finding himself near death because of his addiction, and facing homelessness, he lost everything – including his little boy! God brought him to God’s Resort and I was able to connect him with the Forge.

Jarad says, “God pulled me out the dirt. My addiction led me to full dependence on Him!” He came to live at God’s Resort and is grateful for a “community that allows me to replace my old life with a new life and with a foundation of good habits and good people, all because of God.” Jarad is a great dad! He is looking forward to the day when his little guy, Finnegan, will be home with him here!

Jarad is a hard worker and great leader! He’s faithful to attend Men’s Bible study where he boldly encourages other guys in the Lord! He is a valued employee for Power Shades. He is a salesman and keeps getting promoted, most recently to regional salesman. He loves his job and his new life!

Thank you for standing with us as we stand beside Jarad and other people God has brought here! Your financial gifts, love, and prayers mean so much to so many!

Love and prayers,
Jay St. Clair
Executive Director

How a Princess Blessed God’s Resort: A Fairy True Tale

Once upon a time, on a warm summer evening, the Miss Southern States Ambassador, Brenna Morey, came to God’s Resort. As a young teenager, Miss Brenna read books to our children and gave them a “Book-in-a-Blanket” to take home! She had initiated a campaign to raise over 500 books for children! Wow! Her heart was to educate on the importance of literacy and the love of reading; however, she did much more than that. She captured our hearts! We were delighted to see her and her family a few months later when they showed up with desserts and served at our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

Then, she swept in again with her family this past Christmas Eve morning, delivering brand new door mats for our residents! This time, however, she came as a princess! Brenna is now the National Princess of America Ambassador! Congrats, Brenna! We are thankful for Princess Brenna and her family. Brenna set an example of how we can use our passion and position to bless others. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a princess to serve at God’s Resort. We are thankful for all the creative ways people serve and give! If you’re interested in serving with the gifts God has given you, please email Jon-Michael at Jon-Michael@godsresortjoplin.org

Congrats to Ally! Financial Peace Course Graduate

We want to give a shout out to Ally for her recent accomplishment of completing all four sessions of our Financial Peace Course. With this achievement comes a certificate and … get ready for this … $100 off her next month’s rent! Thanks to generous donors, we can provide this incentive to our residents. THANK YOU! Not only does graduating serve to relieve some immediate financial burden, but residents who take this course are equipped with skills and tools that enhance their ability to take control of their current financial situation, as well as their long-term goals. A special thank you to Erin Taylor (pictured here with Ally and her youngest son, Nolan) and Doyle and Glenda Still for leading this ministry!

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Would you like to work at a place where you can invest your heart and talent in a meaningful way? We are all about helping people find stability through a Christ centered community. We have three positions open at God’s Resort that just might fit you: Life Transition Coordinator (FT), Administrative Assistant (PT), and Community Relations Coordinator (PT).

For more information, email john@godsresortjoplin.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Staging Supplies Needed

We’re in need of various supplies to help us stage apartments for new residents. Items can be dropped off at God’s Resort (1501 S. Pearl, Joplin) during office hours (M-Th, 9-4, Fri, 9-noon – closed M-Th 12-1 for lunch). Thank you for any help you can provide in this area!