Tag: Grace Covenant Ministries

Grace Covenant Ministries/Annville Institute

PO Box 340

Annville, KY  40402

 

September 14, 2020

Dear Prayer Warrior,

I have been listening to a sermon series based on Habakkuk questioning  God about the many calamities surrounding the prophet.  At the end of his book we read: “yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!  The Sovereign LORD is my strength!  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights”.  (3:18-19 nlt)  As we struggle to figure out what the “new normal” will be and how we can proceed safely with our programs, we also are mindful that we can rejoice!

A few of the schools in our area are having in-classroom sessions.  Most students are attending classes over the internet.  And a few schools are offering a hybrid approach to learning.  Plans for winter activities are in a “holding pattern”.  As we plan for next spring and summer, we are thankful that some new options for outreach are being presented to us.  We ask for your prayers for wisdom as we contemplate what programs can be feasible in the new normal.

We rejoice with the donation of kitchen utensils for the planned kitchen in Lincoln Hall.  The utensils are located in Wyoming, MI.  We are asking for help in bringing them to Annville.  There are enough boxes to fill a van.  If you know of someone traveling to our area and can bring part (or all) of the boxes to us, please contact Tommy.  They are presently being stored in a garage and need to be moved before winter arrives

During fall, many churches have a mission festival.  We are willing to help through video conferencing  (zoom, face book live, etc. )  Your support is helping us to make a difference in our community. Thanks again for your prayers.  With the apostle Paul may we “ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 nlt).

Your Partner in Missions,

Jake Moss, Director of Development

 

 

Grace Covenent Ministries/Annville Institute

PO Box 340

Annville, KY  40402

Phone:  606-364-5151

Dear Prayer Warrior,

Things seem to be changing all the time, yet things seem to stay the same.  The everchanging news/guidelines seem to have the same theme of uncertainty.  We read in Psalm 43 of living in discouraging times and having hope at the same time.  It is reassuring to have our foundation built upon the Rock during these times of storm (Luke 6:48)

At the present time Annville Christian Academy is scheduled to open on our campus in a classroom setting on August 18 while the public school will probably start with online classes a week later.   This could change by the time you read this email and that makes for frustrations in planning youth programs.  We are also excited to explore the possibility of offering a camp highlighting God’s blessing to us through nature.

The trade stores continue to be open two days a week.  Residents are thankful for the opportunity to “shop in a smaller venue” and “appreciate that everyone is wearing a mask”.    The schedule does allow for a deeper cleaning between open days and customers have thanked the staff for their diligence.  We are grateful for the gifts of used clothing and miscellaneous items that continue to arrive at the stores.  Your gifts also have allowed us to help area families as they face unique challenges.

Our Board of Directors met last week.  While present conditions contain many operational trials, they are also thankful to see your ongoing support for our efforts.  They also are thrilled about the gifts towards the Lincoln Hall Restoration Project that are allowing us to proceed with the project. Architect drawings have been approved and the next phase of the project will be put out for bids.  This phase includes handicap accessibility to all floors, along with restrooms for the building.  This phase should also make the first floor useable again.

Your support is helping us to make a difference in our community.  “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.”  (1 Thessalonians 1: 2)  If you have any questions or have concerns you want to express, please contact us.  We are also available via video conferencing if you so desire.

Your Partner in Missions,

Jake Moss, Director of Development

July 2020 edition of Prayer Warrior

Grace Covenant Ministries/Annville Institute

PO Box 340
Annville, KY 40402
Phone 606-364-5151

June 12, 2020

Dear Prayer Warrior,

“Be strong and courageous, for I am with you always.” The words that God spoke to Joshua and
Israel as they were preparing to enter a new land are resonating with me as we seek to enter a
new normal. The political and social turmoil surrounding us sometimes seems like we are
journeying into a new territory. We hear a lot of stories of hopelessness and we have our
moments of frustrations. But we also know there is hope because our Savior is accompanying
us through this journey. It is this Good News that we want to share within our community and
beyond.

Our plans for this summer are constantly being revised. We were planning to offer a virtual VBS
Camp in July complete with crafts. With the new guidelines just released there is a possibility
of having an on-campus VBS. (The terrain of our journey is changing all the time.) The
Veterans Outreach Committee is still planning for their health fair in September.
Last week our Trade Stores were able to reopen with some new restrictions. Also, a small work
group from Zeeland, Michigan is here this week helping to complete the community fitness
center and repair the campus tractor. We are thankful that the nursing home in Annville (that
endured the deaths of 13 residents due to the virus) has now been declared Covid-19 free.

Donations are lower this year which makes us very thankful for each gift as it arrives. It was
very heartwarming to receive a gift from a high school group. They were raising funds for their
trip to Annville this summer. With all the uncertainty and changing guidelines their trip was
canceled. When they were offered refunds for their trip deposit, each student responded to
have their deposit sent to us as a donation. The generous spirit of these students does offer
me hope for our future leadership.

We are available for virtual meetings with you to share our story. Thank you for your prayer
support and partnering with us as we journey together into the new normal. You are helping us
to make a difference in our community. Be strong and courageous for our Lord is with us!!

Your partner in missions,
Jake Moss, Director of Development
Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries

Grace Covenant Ministries/Annville Institute

PO Box 340

Annville, KY  40402

May 14, 2020

Dear Prayer Warrior,

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8) is reassuring to us as we navigate through these uncertain times.  The news this past month about Covid – 19 has been discouraging.   For a short time, Jackson County was considered the hot spot for the virus in the state.  The nursing home in Annville had 52 cases of the virus confirmed among staff and residents and 12 of the residents have died from the virus.  According to the Lexington Herald Leader, the unemployment percentage in Kentucky is the highest in the nation.  As the rate of confirmed cases are now starting to drop, we are trying to prepare for the “new normal”.

Our plans for this summer are under revision.  Following state guidelines, we will not be offering our normal camp programs and the swimming pool will remain closed.  We are trying to work out details on how to offer a virtual VBS camp in July.  It does appear that we will be able to reopen our trade stores in June.   We are also looking for other opportunities to be of service as we enter the new normal.  We do have a couple of opportunities for small volunteer groups (6 – 8 members) to help with some on campus improvement projects.  With these projects we will strive to abide by health guidelines and limit the interaction outside of your group.  If you are interested in more information about these projects, please contact Tommy at the office number listed above.

We are also grateful for the financial gifts and the donations of used clothing and household items that are coming in during these uncertain times.  It is our desire to bring back our furloughed staff as soon as possible.  We thank you for your prayer support and partnering with us.  You are helping us to make a difference in our community.

Your partner in missions,

Jake Moss

Director of Development

Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries

Grace Covenant Ministries April 23 2020

Grace Covenant Ministries/Annville Institute

April 8, 2020

Dear Prayer Warrior,

The world seems to have stopped, but still moving on.  The pace sure has changed.  Covid – 19 has curtailed our activities.  Most of the events on campus have been cancelled and our trade stores have been closed to abide by suggestions from our elected officials.  Staffing has been reduced and utilities shut off in buildings that are temporarily closed.  We ask for your prayers for the boys in the Barnabas Home and the women in Lincoln Oaks (the addiction recovery center on campus) which are still operating on our campus.  Needs continue and we do look for opportunities to offer a helping hand within our limited resources.  The opportunities included distributing some surplus food to local churches to give to needy families.  We also were able to help an elderly woman as she had to relocate to a different residence.  Our staff is also aiding local congregations with setting up some virtual worship services.

We are still preparing for what we hope will be a busy summer season.  There are a lot of unknowns as we do our planning, but we do have the confidence in knowing who controls our tomorrows.   Our office is open, and we are available to answer any questions or address any concerns.  We are praying that you and your families will stay healthy.  It is our desire that all of us will be able to rejoice in knowing that we serve a risen Savior and that He controls our destiny.

We are also very grateful for the financial gifts and the donations of used clothing and household items that are coming in during these uncertain times. We also want to thank you for your prayer support.  You are helping us to make a difference in our community.  Thank you for partnering with us!  We hope you will have a joyous Easter celebration.  The church buildings may be empty in America, but we can also rejoice in the fact that the tomb is empty!

Your partner in missions,

Jake Moss

Director of Development

Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries

Grace Covenant Ministries/Annville Institute

PO Box 340

Annville, KY  40402

Phone 606-364-5151

 

March 17,2020

Dear Prayer Warrior,

“Be strong and courageous for I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.” God’s message to Joshua (and us) has been a comforting reflection to me during this past week.  With the rest of the world, most of our conversations have been centered on COVID- 19.  The news seems to change by the hour.  Like most of you, our schools are closed, events canceled, and we also see empty shelves in some of our stores.  As we navigate through this changing environment, I am reminded of the many assurances that we have.  In Kentucky, we are seeing rebirth in the scenery as daffodils have been blooming and the Bradford Pear trees are now in full bloom.  Soon we expect the redbuds to display their beauty all around us.  It is great to see some normalcy among all the fluctuating news.

We ask for your prayers that we would have the wisdom as we prepare for the upcoming season.  Much of our efforts on campus are now centered on the arrival of volunteer work groups.  They will be helping us to finish campus projects like the community fitness center and helping to improve homes of area residents.  We also are preparing for the busy summer season as we plan to welcome many new faces to our camps.  The camps range from sports to dance and to Vacation Bible School.  We thank you for helping us to have these opportunities as we share the good news of Christ’s love for us.   We are also very grateful for the financial gifts and the donations of used clothing and household items that are coming in during these uncertain times.

Thank you for partnering with us!  Be strong and courageous!

Your partner in missions,

Jake Moss

Director of Development

Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries

Dear Prayer Warrior,

With the new year upon us we look ahead and anticipate challenges that are appearing on the horizon.  Society seems to be constantly changing.  The task of how to present the unchanging story of God’s love to His creation continues to be our mission.

Here are some of the challenges.  We ask for your prayers as we seek to remain in the center of the work that God is blessing.

1. Because of a variety of competing programs in youth basketball, we are looking for different options on how to engage with young students.
2. In February, Lincoln Oaks, the faith-based addiction recovery program operating on our campus will be changing from a men’s treatment program to a women’s program.
3. Hacker Gym, which was built in 1930, is a place of constant activities.  Over the past 15 years, the gym has undergone a series of improvements.  This year we hope to finish the community fitness center phase of the project.  We are now seeking the finances to install gutters to the facility and to replace one of the old heating systems.
4. The summer camp season has been one of the highlights of our endeavors each year.  The plans for this year are now being finalized.
5. Funding is always a challenge.  Getting funds for special projects and our operational needs continues to be an ongoing task.  We face the future with confidence because we have seen how God has blessed us through your prayers and financial gifts. It is our desire to be faithful stewards of His blessings.
6. Our Board of Directors will be meeting on February 15.  They will be prioritizing projects and approving plans for this year.  We are reminded of the fact that we can make plans but if God is not in them all our planning is useless.

Thank you for partnering with us!

Your partner in missions,

Jake Moss

Director of Development

Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries