October 2025

Dear Friends of God’s Resort,

Thank you for bringing joy and healing to people once sad and broken! You are a blessing!
After Amanda’s second child was born, she got addicted to pain pills which led to an addiction so severe and dark that she lost everything – her family, and even her mind.  She says she was in full blown psychosis to the point of painting her face like a clown every day and riding around on her bike with a cape. She totally lost herself.

When she hit the bottom of her addiction, she says that is where God met her. She quotes Psalms 34:18 – “God is close to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” She says, “That was me. He changed me!” Amanda got sober and God is restoring her relationship with her family again. She has a home here at God’s Resort and a new life! Amanda says of God’s Resort, “I have a family here, structure here, accountability here. I have all these abilities and I’m not a liability! I have kept a job for over a year because people can count on me now and I have over $1,500 in savings! I get up, I go to work, I pray, and I am happy and thankful for everything I have and I am doing! I am changed – Jesus has changed my life!”

This is how she describes herself now: “My name is Amanda Brown but here at God’s Resort they call me Amanda Blessing! Jesus has given me a new identity and is helping me love myself as He loves me! I feel like a blessing to everyone around me! I feel joy here – morning, noon and night – I am just a happy person! In my addiction, I was really confused and sad underneath that clown face. Now I am truly the happiest person – I can’t stop smiling! I probably smile in my sleep!”

I am smiling as I write this because it’s true! I am surrounded by miracles like Amanda Blessing every day! Thank you for being a blessing to make this happen in many lives who so need what we have to give! Click here to watch Amanda’s story and also hear from some other residents.

Jay St. Clair
Executive Director

Volunteer Spotlight

Our First God’s Resort Banquet


This year marked our very first God’s Resort Banquet, and what an amazing night it was! From start to finish, we could see God’s hand guiding every detail. If you weren’t able to attend this year, don’t worry, plans are already in motion for next year’s banquet, and we can’t wait to see you there! In the meantime, you can watch this year’s banquet presentation here.

One of the most inspiring parts of the evening was watching our incredible residents serve with such joy and enthusiasm. They greeted guests, served hors d’oeuvres and coffee, helped with seating, and even jumped in to help with cleanup afterward. Their energy was contagious, and their smiles lit up the room. It was such a gift to see them connecting with our supporters and giving back in such a meaningful way.

                

Silent Auction Team


We also want to shine a light on the powerhouse team behind our silent auction. This group began faithfully working in February to make the auction a success, and their hard work paid off in a big way! A huge thank-you to Robyn Kaempfe, Brooke LaPosta, Amy Anderson, Ellie Frank, Mazy Gray, and Sara Wilson! Your dedication, creativity, and attention to detail made the silent auction one of the highlights of the night. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Volunteer Spotlight: Suzanne Nelson


Our final spotlight this month goes to a local favorite: Suzanne Nelson from Suzanne’s Natural Foods. Suzanne serves not with one, but TWO Sunday Night Food Groups at God’s Resort! Every time she comes, she brings her famous salad: fresh, flavorful, and full of love. Our residents light up when they see it at our dinners! Thank you, Suzanne, for serving with such a generous heart and helping us share nourishment in more ways than one.

As we look back on this month, our hearts are full of gratitude. Each person who serves, gives, or prays for God’s Resort plays a part in what God is doing here. Whether it’s through planning an event, preparing a meal, or offering a kind word, your involvement helps create a community where hope and transformation thrive. Thank you for walking alongside us! We couldn’t do this without you!

Current Needs & Ways to Get Involved

We have several opportunities to serve and make an impact this season!

  • Christmas Shoppe Shoppers – Help us shop for gifts for our annual Christmas Shoppe by adopting a child or parent.
  • Christmas Shoppe Volunteers – Serve with us during the event on December 6, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
  • Children’s Ministry Helpers – Volunteer with our kids on Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m.
  • Children’s Meal Teams – Prepare and serve meals for our children on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m.
  • Women’s Bible Study Meals – Provide breakfast for our Women’s Bible Study on the first Saturday of each month.
  • The Well Volunteers – Join our team of volunteers serving at The Well.

If you’re interested in getting involved or have any questions, please contact Machaela Cantu, Community Engagement Coordinator, at machaela@godsresortjoplin.org. She’ll help you get connected!

On October 14, we were thrilled to officially announce that Loving Grace is becoming part of the God’s Resort family! To celebrate this incredible milestone, we hosted a special event and open house at 1408 Euclid Ave. in Joplin. It was an inspiring event filled with connection, vision, and gratitude for what God is doing in our community. For more details, check out the press release copied below. You can also take a virtual tour of the future Well by clicking here.

God’s Resort, Inc. is honored to share that
Loving Grace is joining the God’s Resort family!

After prayerful consideration, the Board of Directors of Loving Grace has determined that coming under the umbrella of God’s Resort, Inc., a Christ-centered transitional housing ministry serving individuals and families in Joplin, is the best path forward for the future of their ministry to continue offering hope, healing, and Christ-centered community to those in need.

In addition to their transitional housing ministry to men and women, God’s Resort currently operates The Well-a communal living environment designed for women who are recovering from trauma and need a safe place to heal and prepare for independent living in their own apartment at God’s Resort. The mission and heart of The Well beautifully aligns with Loving Grace, which has served young women ages 18-24 on Euclid Avenue in Joplin, particularly those who have aged out of the foster care system.

Thanks to the incredible gift of this new property, God’s Resort plans to relocate The Well to Euclid Avenue. This move will allow God Resort – The Well to expand their capacity and reach even more women in crisis, including young women transitioning out of foster care and adult women 18 and older who are in early stages of recovery from trauma or substance abuse.

Work to unite the two ministries is already underway. God’s Resort board member, Amy Cook, is serving as the Interim Transition Lead, helping guide this important season of growth and integration. Our prayer is that The Well continues to grow and thrive as a premier ministry to women in the Joplin area.

God’s Resort Youth

October has been FILLED with all sorts of fun. We started a new series about following in the footsteps of JESUS and the kids have been loving it! It is such a joy to be surrounded by kids who are learning to love Jesus with their WHOLE hearts! The Joy of the Lord truly is the strength of these kids! We got to see that joy in action at the Resident’s Fall Fellowship while painting pumpkins and playing 4-square, and one kiddo stayed and helped her mom with the clean-up of our 2025 banquet.She picked out some beautiful flowers to take home and share with a few of her favorite people! These are some special kids!

Please consider partnering with us in prayer as we enter the last two months of this year. Homework is picking up and so is the anticipation of Christmas season!! One thing our kids know how to do well is celebrate! We are so thankful for the opportunities to partner with churches and families in celebrating the gift of JESUS through the Christmas Shoppe!! Our kids have started working on their memory work and chore charts to earn Christmas Bucks to buy their parents a gift! They are learning the blessings of giving!

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve spent any time around God’s Resort, you’ve likely heard a joyful shout ring out … “JESUS!” What began years ago with one resident’s bold declaration has become a beautiful tradition and a defining part of who we are. Today, His name shines in bright letters at our community center – a constant reminder that Jesus truly is the center of everything we do.

Worship and prayer are the heartbeat of God’s Resort, and the name of Jesus is at the center of it all. When we call on His name, we’re reminded of His faithfulness, His presence, and the hope that transforms our lives. It’s not just a word we say, it’s the name above every name and the very foundation of who we are!

This Christ-centered worship culture comes to life through our incredible area worship leaders and tech volunteers who give their time, talent, and hearts to serve our community. Every week, they help create an atmosphere where the name of Jesus is exalted and His presence is tangible. Through every song, every instrument, and every prayer, they help usher in moments where residents encounter the living God – where hearts are healed, faith is strengthened, and lives are changed in His name.

We’d love for you to be part of this powerful move of God! Whether you’re a worship leader, musician, tech volunteer, or someone who simply loves to lift up the name of Jesus, there’s a place for you here. Come join the worship life team and be part of what God is doing through His people at God’s Resort. To get connected, email jon-michael@godsresortjoplin.org or call 417-553-4080.