Crossroads Campus - Ready to Open!

WE MADE IT!

We received the Certificate of Occupancy from Cherokee County on Friday, September 12, 2008!

Stephen and the staff at HopeQuest will begin moving the male clients to their new dormitory this coming week.

I was driving to my office at the church (I have three offices - an ADD persons nightmare!) when the Lord helped me with a visual. This year, literally all of 2008 - we have been Living On The Brink! On the brink of the best days we have ever seen at HopeQuest! At the same time, on the brink of impending disaster and ruin. I am so grateful for my staff and team who have followed my leadership during these very difficult days. In the end, the Lord Jesus always wins! His wind in our sail is stronger than anything that the enemy can muster up. And today, I am grateful, humbled, and incredibly thankful as I share with you that we are no longer on the brink. We are well into our very best days in ministry.

This time next year, you will see the 1,200 Sq. Ft. garage on the Crossroads Campus housing an additional six male clients and providing recrecreational facilities in it’s basement area.

This time next year you will willness a major expansion of the Aftercare components of the TREK Program and InStep Program.

Two to three years from now, I am confident that we will be in the process of building four major structures on the new Crossroads campus. One is a 45-unit transitional housing facility for clients who need such support after completing the residential component of their recovery work. Also, you will see a 3,500 sq. ft. facility that will house the job placement, career development, and life-skills training services for all HopeQuest Ministry Group program participants. We will be constructing a dormitory for women which will most likely look very much like the men’s dormitory facility. And finally, we will be constructing a three floor (12,000 square feet per floor) building to replace the Arnold Mill facility that we currently lease. The top floor of this building will counseling offices, administrative offices, and such. The middle floor will be four large group rooms that will be shared by our clinical programs. The bottom floor will be an open space that can be setup for chapel, the Friends and Family Successful Living Seminars, Walking Free group meetings, and more.

We have all grown tremendously from this endeaver. It has stretched our skill. It has stretched our faith. It has stretched our stamina. Yet, the Scriptures are true and Jesus is faithful. Literally, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

This next year, I (Roy) will be focusing on staff development at HopeQuest, at First Woodstock in the Pastoral Counseling Ministry Division, and the ministerial staff at First Woodstock. We are looking forward to the process of asking the Lord to truly refine our skill as we draw closer to Him and learn how to lead others to a deeper relationship with Him. Pray for me in this. It will be difficult for me because it is going to require that I do not carry a personal counseling case load during this time. Since this is one of my heart passions, only Jesus will be able to enable this in me. I covet your prayers for wisdom, the Lord’s leadership, and protection for me and my staff and our families during these days.

There are so many people I need to thank. I am going to work on some best way to do this. For now, I want to give grateful acknowledgement for these partners:

Virginia Stephens: My faithful and loyal co-worker for twelve years. Much of what we do in ministry would not exist if it were not for your endless labor of love in serving Christ first, then First Woodstock and me as your leader. I love you and your family deeply and am humbled that you believe in me so. One day, we’ll all write a book. I think I have decided just on the title, Adventures! I promise it will be a good read - and, an encouragement to many who would follow Christ.

John Humphrey: How could I ever say thank you! It seems such an inadequate thing to say. Because of your loyalty to me, your dependability, your concientousness, your determination, your love for God, your desire to help others, your belief in what we are doing at First Woodstock and at HopeQuest - and so much more - we have the beautiful Ministry Center facility at Arnold Mill Park and now, the incredible dormitory for men at the Crossroads Campus. Your tireless service and labor of love is an example to all who would follow Christ and submit to humble service for the sake of His Kingdom advancement. I love you and Anne. We will not know this side of Heaven the impact you have made in making life changing transformation possible for so many.

Chas Becker: The Lord Jesus Christ sent you to help John. Know that I do not have words to express my gratitude. You came to Woodstock, showed up at our church, and immediatly began modeling sacrificial love and service to others. You made such a contribution to the Crossroads Campus becoming a reality. And, I am thrilled that you have decided to stay on and help Stephen in the House Mentoring role. We have been blessed by you. Know that I love you and am very grateful for all of your contribution.

Then there are all of our partners who helped. In the very near future, as soon as I can get photos of each of them, you will see another ezine (electronic magazine or newsletter) showing you the myriads of those who helped make it happen.

I feel blessed today.

The reality though, we are all blessed.

We have relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus Christ!

Praise Him with me as we look forward to being Instruments in His hand to bring life transforing power to His broken ones.

Your Fellow Servant in Christ,

Roy Blankenship

 

Thank you John!!

Thank You!

Make a financial contribution - Click here.