Join us in celebrating how Jesus Christ has changed lives through the various ministries of Sheridan House. Whether it’s a child who’s life has been restored through our residential program, a single mom and her children who have been offered hope through our single parent ministry, or an individual or family who have broken through and free from an emotional/behavioral struggle through our counseling center; we give all the glory, honor, and praise to Jesus Christ for changed lives. He is the Way, Truth, and Light.
At the conclusion of the summer program, we celebrated the greatest milestone of all for the children in our residential program when four boys graduated. Each of them successfully completed the program and positively influenced the other children in the homes. Here are their highlights: (more…)
…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)
Right after the Back-to-School event, one of our single moms sent us that verse along with a note of thanks. Her gratitude for something as small as a couple of backpacks filled with supplies for her boys touched our hearts deeply. The fact that she knew it was a gift from the Lord and that He was allowing us to share in this blessing was just awesome. (more…)
When 7 year old, Jordan Brewster heard an announcement at Crossway Church that there were children in South Florida who needed help getting school supplies; she was determined to do something. After the service, she told her parents that she really wanted to “Fill a Pack.” So, they took one of our flyers home and started brainstorming. (more…)
“The Greg I am picking up today is not the same Greg I first brought to you.” This was the statement made as Greg’s mom stopped by to say thank you. Greg had graduated earlier that day, and all you had to do was look at this mother to see how proud she was of him. She was beaming.
Last year at this time, her face told a different story. “If he doesn’t make it here, I don’t know what I’ll do with him.” Like the other boys, Greg was in the pattern of getting into trouble at home and at school; and, like the other boys’ parents, Greg’s mother was completely frustrated and discouraged. (more…)
When we built the new sixty acre campus at Sheridan House, we were required to incorporate a large 10-acre lake. Initially, we thought the lake was an incredible waste valuable space. We had no idea how valuable this lake would be to the development of the boys we serve through our residential program; but, as always, God knew.
A typical boy who comes to live at Sheridan House has had very little – if any – interaction with his dad or any other man. On average, he spends far too much time sitting in front of video games; and has a tremendous need to learn the discipline of patience. Add all those elements together and you see the opportunity fishing offers.
This summer a friend of Sheridan House saw the lake and said, “The boys in the residential program need to learn to fish.” He supplied every one of our boys with a rod, reel, and the necessary fishing equipment. (Since I am not a fisherman myself, I don’t even know what that equipment is called, but they have it.)
Watching the boys each catch their first fish has been incredible. As one boy gets a fish, all of the others drop their rods and run around the lake to see the fresh catch. Their excitement has been contagious. To my surprise, most of them have never been fishing before even though they have grown up in South Florida; so, each catch has been such an accomplishment.
Even more impacting has been the man/boy hours around the lake. As they have stood around the lake patiently waiting for the fish to bite, the men on the leadership team have shared their faith with the boys. The time they have spent talking while fishing has been awesome. The boys are learning the discipline of patience and are bonding with men that love the Lord and love them. I know that they are creating memories that the boys will never forget.
We finally get the purpose of the lake. God is using it to fish for young men and develop His children.
By Dr. Bob Barnes
As house parents in the residential program, we have the honor and privilege of helping middle-school aged girls as they are questioning who they are, who God is, and what they believe.
The 2009-10 school year proved to be challenging for the girls in our home. Each of them desperately needed to change their behavior and heart towards their parents, teachers, and other significant adults in their lives. Many of them were also struggling with whether or not the wanted to choose to have a relationship with Christ as well. (more…)
Sheridan House is in the middle of the fight between good and evil, life and death. A fight between the One who wants to give life abundant and the one who seeks to kill and destroy. Nowhere can it be seen more clearly on a daily basis than in the Sheridan House Counseling Center.
“We are leaving and we will not be back!” This was the angry comment from Sophia and her mom during the first counseling session. They had just been reminded that abuse of a minor child has to be reported, by law. Both Sophia and her mom became vehemently protective of the abuser. However Sophia, whose trauma started at the age of 8, was not the only one who had suffered. (more…)
Adopted at age 5, the behavioral issues began early for young Karina. For years, she adamantly fought against her parents and new sisters. She stole from them. She cursed at them. She would take her parents and sisters most sincere belongings and destroy them out of spite. She literally hated her “new family.” As she grew up, Karina’s behavior continued to worsen. She had failing grades. She began to cut herself. She would fight at school. Karina even swallowed an entire bottle of pills in an attempted suicide. (more…)
Ever received one of those phone calls that remind you that you’re making a difference? We received one of those calls this week from a former resident in the boys program. What’s most amazing about this is that Braxton was one of the kids that didn’t make it through to graduation for our residential program. He was dismissed! (more…)
For Mike and Dana Hawkins, house parents of Boys’ Home 2, morning devotion time is one of their favorite times of the day. With a great passion to share Christ’s love with the boys in their home, the Hawkins feel honored to experience Christ with the boys each and every morning.
Recently, during one of the morning devotions, Pop Hawkins gave his testimony. He described his life prior to accepting Christ and how His love has changed him since that defining moment. After the devotion was over, the boys put their Bibles away, picked up their book-bags, and walked out to the van to go to school. Billy, a boy who entered the program at the end of September, walked quietly out the door.
