The New Year

In 2009 we are expectant of great things from the Lord as we step out in faith to follow Him. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 43:19 – "Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." This year we are trusting Christ for many new things.

On January 20 we will begin offering our first Machinist Apprentice Training Class. This class will train students in basic manufacturing skills. We praise God that He has already established relationships with employers in this field. One corporate partner, Automated Products Division, is helping us to best develop this training and is committed to hiring graduates.

Each of the Machinist Apprentice students, along with those in our other education & employment training courses, will be given the opportunity to enter our first Mentor Program. This program will partner key BridgeBuilder volunteers with students in our classes. The mentor will walk with the student through the training process, job search and initial employment period. It is our hope that each person involved in our ministry will have a mentor to walk beside them. We know that in order to transform a city it will take more than giving people jobs; it will require teaching people how to live as Christ.

We believe that this is the year V's Café will become a reality. V's Café is the dream of one lady, Velma Mitchell. The café will not only serve delicious homemade style food at a great price, but will serve as a training kitchen for residents of the community to gain the skills necessary to enter the restaurant industry. Through several key partnerships already established we believe that hundreds of people will become employable through this training. We will also use V's Café to serve the homeless of the city.

In this New Year please pray about how you can be a part of the miracle of a changed life. God is giving us so many wonderful opportunities to serve Him and make a difference for His Kingdom. Don't miss out on what may become the greatest blessing you ever receive.