We are grateful for partners like you who share in the hope of helping people, through this Christ-centered community, choose freedom from the past and reach their potential as a child of God! He is redeeming people from the pit and from a life of hell and crowning them with love and compassion. For Cory, “hell” started early. His parents started doing drugs when he was little. He describes his dad as a “hillbilly Charles Manson” who felt free to physically abuse him, his brother, and his mom. Because drugs cause people to stop caring about anything, even their children, Cory was never parented. His dad became a full-time drug manufacturer and dealer. When the police raided their home, they went to live with his grandparents. Three months later his mom died of a drug overdose. His dad got out of prison and Cory went to live with him because he refused to obey his grandparents. Cory’s brother died from a tragic car accident, and from there he descended deeper and deeper into the black darkness of addiction. Cory shared that for a long time he would say, “At least I’m not like the junkie shooting up by the dumpster, but that is what I became.” He finally hit bottom when the devil literally stole everything from him, including his shoes, as he lived on the street.
After his grandfather died and after many trips to psych wards, Cory began the long road to recovery. Through the loving relationships that God put in his life, he finally gave his life back to God. He began to acknowledge what he had denied his whole life – that Jesus loved him even though he didn’t deserve it – and so did God’s people. He went to a year-long recovery program, and he finally took his grandmother’s advice and came to God’s Resort!
Cory is a miracle that cannot be denied!! He now works for the Joplin Police Department in a new program that places him next to policemen who struggle to know how to help chronic drug addicts and the homeless!!! He is a vital part of our community, and he says he wishes the whole community was like God’s Resort! Cory recently said, “God’s Resort helps me to be in a place that knows my story, doesn’t hold it against me, but helps me get where I couldn’t by myself by giving me a fresh start, dignity, and helping me learn self-respect, gratitude, and healing. I won’t stay here forever, but I know I couldn’t do it without God’s Resort. I’m learning to live out my new life in Christ as a man of God!”
Thank you for helping Cory and people like Him find that new life!
Love and prayer,
Jay St. Clair
Executive Director
Celebration and Tours Recap
We hosted our annual Celebration and Tours on October 4th, 5th, and 6th this year. It was heartwarming to see many new faces come and learn what God is doing at His resort and we are also grateful for our longtime friends who came out to hear about the progress that has been taking place. We presented updated data on our residents which reflect positive changes over the past year. In the event that you were unable to attend, here is a brief recap: 15 residents achieved stability and transitioned from God’s Resort; timely rent was paid 93% of the time; 23 residents successfully completed our Financial Peace University course; and for residents living at God’s Resort longer than a year, their credit scores increased an average of 104 points! Our residents truly are SPIRALING UP! If you’d like to see more details regarding the growth of our residents, check it out here.
During the tours, we paid tribute to Jim and Joyce Bottles by dedicating one of the 5-plex apartment buildings in their honor. We proudly present the new name of 1410 South Pearl as The Bottles’ House. Jim and Joyce have served as Onsite Volunteers at God’s Resort for six years. Those familiar with the Bottles understand that they are a source of hope and encouragement on Pearl Street. We deeply appreciate their dedication to God’s Resort!
Finally, we showed a video that honored and celebrated Jamie and Katrina Vera and their children regarding their recent transition from God’s Resort. What an amazing testimony! The video documented their time at God’s Resort, dating back to 2019. If you’d like to watch their testimony video, check it out here.
Every volunteer is so special to us! This month, we want to spotlight a group of volunteers who came together and painted our newest addition to the Blessing House. A big thank you to Jeff and Deb Zehrer, Chad Ellis, Mark Gowing, Bill Sorrick, and Lizzie Lambere for priming and painting our new children’s center and garage so that the cabinets could be installed. It looks great! Our volunteers are truly the backbone of our mission. Thank you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering in any way, please contact Machaela Cantu at machaela@godsresortjoplin.org. We are currently looking to expand our cleaning team, move-in team, and volunteers who work with our youth. We are also seeking to form a group of volunteers to assist us in picking up furniture donations. We are blessed with so many donations, and we would like to recruit a team of volunteers that can help us pick up these items and deliver them to our homes for new residents before they move in. Thank you for considering helping out!
Two New Staff Joined Our Facilities Team!
We are excited to share that we have filled the part-time facilities positions we had open! Tim Leer joins our team at 25 hours per week, and David Reisner is working 15 hours per week. Here’s a little more about them…
Tim Leer worked most of his career in Pennsylvania for a vinyl manufacturer and later he spent a couple years as a driver for special needs children. Over the years he has gained many skills related to construction and electrical work. In 2015, Tim and his wife of 45 years, Cate, felt the call to Webb City to be the Facilities Manager at Carterville Christian Church. He “retired” in 2022, but we are excited to share that he is now coming out of retirement to serve part-time on our facilities staff! Tim and Cate have two daughters,Angela and Arlie, who are both married to great men, and have given them four grandchildren, ages 13 to 21, whom they love spending time with.Timalso enjoys deep sea fishing and shooting handguns. Thanks for coming on board with us, Tim!
David Reisner is a student at Ozark Christian College, where he has worked in the maintenance department and is currently a part-time tutor. This last summer he married Lanae Lee, who he says is out of his league! In his spare time, David likes to spend time with his wife watching their favorite show together. After college, David and Lanae Lee hope to serve as missionaries with a team that translates the Bible for people who do not have it in their heart language. We are excited to have David on our team!
Supplies Needed for New Residents
Would you be able to provide some needed items to prepare homes at God’s Resort for new residents? Here is a list of supplies that we currently need. Supplies can be dropped off at the God’s Resort Community Center (1501 S. Pearl, Joplin) Mon-Thurs, 9-noon or 1-4, and Friday, 9-noon. Thank you for any items you can provide!
Twin mattress pads
Hot pads and oven mitts
Kitchen towels
Toasters
Coffee pots
Spray bottles of household cleaners
Sunday Night Fellowship
Sundays at 5:30 pm *No Sunday Night Fellowship Nov 24
Bible Study
Mondays at 6:30 pm
Refuel Prayer Service
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Recovery Meeting
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Coffee & Chat
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Men’s Bible Study
Saturdays at 8:30 am *No Men’s Bible Study Nov 23 & 30
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Saturdays at 8:30 am
Women’s Bible Study
Saturdays at 8:30 am
The Blessing House at God’s Resort
1505 S Pearl, Joplin, 64804 *No Women’s Bible Study Nov 23 & 30
Cory is a miracle that cannot be denied!! He now works for the Joplin Police Department in a new program that places him next to policemen who struggle to know how to help chronic drug addicts and the homeless!!! He is a vital part of our community, and he says he wishes the whole community was like God’s Resort! Cory recently said, “God’s Resort helps me to be in a place that knows my story, doesn’t hold it against me, but helps me get where I couldn’t by myself by giving me a fresh start, dignity, and helping me learn self-respect, gratitude, and healing. I won’t stay here forever, but I know I couldn’t do it without God’s Resort. I’m learning to live out my new life in Christ as a man of God!”
Every volunteer is so special to us! This month, we want to spotlight a group of volunteers who came together and painted our newest addition to the Blessing House. A big thank you to Jeff and Deb Zehrer, Chad Ellis, Mark Gowing, Bill Sorrick, and Lizzie Lambere for priming and painting our new children’s center and garage so that the cabinets could be installed. It looks great! Our volunteers are truly the backbone of our mission. Thank you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering in any way, please contact Machaela Cantu at 
Tim Leer worked most of his career in Pennsylvania for a vinyl manufacturer and later he spent a couple years as a driver for special needs children. Over the years he has gained many skills related to construction and electrical work. In 2015, Tim and his wife of 45 years, Cate, felt the call to Webb City to be the Facilities Manager at Carterville Christian Church. He “retired” in 2022, but we are excited to share that he is now coming out of retirement to serve part-time on our facilities staff! Tim and Cate have two daughters,Angela and Arlie, who are both married to great men, and have given them four grandchildren, ages 13 to 21, whom they love spending time with.Timalso enjoys deep sea fishing and shooting handguns. Thanks for coming on board with us, Tim!
