Rescued!

“Truth is I’m weak, no strength to fight, no tears to cry even if I tried. But still my soul refuses to die, one touch will change my life…”

I hope y’all had a chance to read May’s prayer letter as we introduced our collaboration with Christian Unity Ministries and the work with their first initiative for One Another Project. We are so excited to be part of this groundbreaking mission!

As we shared last month, Five Conversations for Healthy Relationships is curriculum built on Christian principles, seeking to equip individuals wanting to repair or build enduring relationships. In small group settings we reach into the lives of hurting people to focus on five conversations aimed at changing our perspective and healing hearts. There are currently 8 groups with nearly 60 participants meeting weekly to courageously open their hearts to each other, themselves and God. It has been nothing short of extraordinary to witness the transformation in lives. The group members cross all lines of race, age, marital status, education, religious denomination, and socio-economic status. Some live in mansions, another is homeless. Regardless of each participants’ status, we all have one thing in common; we yearn to heal our brokenness.

Allow us to introduce you to Hank, one member of our small group for paroled felons:

“Truth is I’m tired, options are few, I’m trying to pray, but where are you? I’m all churched out, hurt and abused, I can’t fake it, what’s left to do?
Truth is I’m weak, no strength to fight, no tears to cry even if I tried. But still my soul refuses to die, one touch will change my life…
Take me to the King. I don’t have much to bring. My heart’s torn to pieces, it’s my offering. Lay me at the throne, leave me there alone to gaze upon your glory and sing to you this song… Take me to the King.”
    ~ Written by Kirk Franklin and sung by Tamela Mann

Hank brought these heart-wrenching and vulnerable lyrics to us this month with the following testimony.

“In those lyrics, it says, “one touch will change my life.” And that’s exactly what happened. I was feeling so empty. I’d worked for a good company owned by honest people, but when business slowed they started cutting hours of employees. Each paycheck got smaller and smaller until I could no longer afford rent. I stayed in a shelter and then on park benches. I helped at the Catholic Charity House and was given breakfast and lunch. I searched daily for a job willing to hire a hard worker with a felony conviction. It’s not easy, yet I was certain I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my freedom. I tried to keep talking to God, but without encouragement it gets very lonely and the devil loves to talk to you when you’re alone. In the dark of the night, feeling lost and defeated, I asked God for help. And then the touch I needed happened. Tonya reached out to me THAT VERY NIGHT and invited me to a meeting the next evening. Now our Five Convo group weekly meetings have become my family; encouraging me, speaking truth to me, and helping me push Satan out. My relationship with God is back on track! My eyes are re-opened remembering that if you believe in God you better be aware of Satan and how cunning he is when you feel weak. The group helped me to muster the fuel to be rejuvenated. Tonya and the others reminded me of the words to the heart-song God sings just for me when I had forgotten the words. It is no exaggeration to say this has saved my life.”

GLORY TO GOD!!! Thank YOU for giving Hank the opportunity to hear God sing his heart-song again through your prayers and financial support to Innovative Truth!

For more information about how to join an established group, or to use the curriculum for Five Conversations for Healthy Relationships in your own group, visit oneanotherproject.com, or call Tonya at 210.865.8800.
                                                                      With love,

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