December Newsletter 2022
Year in Review
Dan and Craven who graduated early this year from our residential recovery program
For many of us, Christmas is a time of joyful celebration and remembering all the Lord has done. Over this past year, we’ve welcomed many new faces to The Hill, as well as said goodbye to dear friends continuing on to their next season. It is both humbling and a blessing to take part in the life-changing work that the Lord is accomplishing.
Early this year, we celebrated Servant Leaders as they finished their service. Robert finished his Servant Leader commitment in January and went on to pursue a degree in counseling. Erin, Ellie, and Jared all finished their commitments and spent some time with family before returning to serve on our short-term staff, the “Flex Team.” In the fall, Lily and Sneha finished their Servant Leader commitments and entered into the next seasons that God called them.
It’s always a joy to hear each Resident’s testimony at graduation. The story of who they were before coming here, compared to who they are now is nothing short of a transformation. They have found their identity in Christ and live freely in that reality. We celebrated five graduates this year as they completed their time in the Resident Program. Dan, Craven, and Kristen returned home to their families, while Nick and Amanda returned to serve as Servant Leaders.
Ellie, a Servant Leader, celebrating her “Cake Day",” a time to celebrate Servant Leaders finishing their service
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
A workgroup representing Sunset Avenue Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC
One of the highlights of 2022 was celebrating a baptism. This year, we held a baptism class to teach about its importance as a follower of Jesus. Ten men and women made a public profession of faith in Christ and followed in believer’s baptism at the Deering Reservoir. Praise God for all He has reclaimed and will continue to restore in their lives.
We’ve also welcomed quite a few workgroups here this year. These churches came to share the love of Christ with us through their faithful service. We welcomed people locally and as far as North Carolina and California. It was encouraging to see the body of Christ from all over the country come and serve here with us.
When we look back on the year, we are filled with gratitude to be a part of the life-changing work that the Lord is doing here. Please be in prayer for us as we enter 2023. The Lord is changing lives and we want to continue keeping Him at the forefront of our ministry.
Thank you for being a part of this ministry. We pray you have a blessed holiday season with family and friends, remembering all the Lord has done for you this past year, and looking forward look forward with joyful expectation for how He will utilize you to bring forth His kingdom.
Sincerely,
Frank Vitale, Executive Director
Courtney Jones, Chief Operating Officer
Prayer Requests for the New Year
As we enter the new year, here are some specific ways you can be praying for us:
Pray that we would continually strive to create a Christ-centered community for those that need the Gospel.
Join us in prayer for the Lord to continue to give us wisdom and direction on how to steward all He has blessed us with well.
Pray that the Lord would continue to call men and women to our Residential program that need to hear the Gospel of Christ.
Last, pray that the Lord would call young men and women to the Servant Leader program to serve Residents.
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer as we look toward the new year. Your prayers are valuable to us.
Praises
We want to take the time to thank the Lord for all that he has provided for us and accomplished in the lives of people here:
Staff welcoming new babies to their families
For those that have graduated this year, and those that will be graduating in January
For the evidence of restored lives through graduations, baptism, and the overall change in countenance
Faithful men and women coming to share the love of Christ with us through workgroups
We’re thankful for all God has done and continues to do in and through those of us on the Hill. Thank you for partnering with us and keeping us in your prayers.
Gifts from God’s People
As we prepare for the Holiday season, we want to create joyful memories for our Residents and Servant Leaders. For some, the holidays do not hold fond memories and for others it can be difficult to be away from family. We like to make this special by providing personalized gifts for each of them. Would you join in this holiday tradition? The easiest way that you can help make the holidays special is by enclosing an extra gift for blessing people here on Christmas Day.
Please send in additional gifts with the enclosed response card, or give online by clicking the button below by December 16th. Please designate your extra gifts to “Christmas” or “Gifts from God’s People.”