Graduation

This Saturday is the Urban Ministry Institute graduation! Eight students have diligently studied for 4 years to be equipped theologically, spiritually and practically for ministry. We are so proud of them! Here is a picture of the current class. They are awesome! I will post graduation pictures after Saturday.

Join us if you can!

Saturday, December 3rd

10am

Cross Bend Christian Church Plano, TX

December Prayer Letter

December 1, 2011

Greetings in Christ!

Think about the last time you were in the job market. This may have been ten years ago, two years ago or yesterday. The application process is in depth, time-consuming and sometimes confusing. And I have not even talked about the factor of the economic climate! On top of all of these factors, what happens if you have a criminal record? What if you are homeless?

These are real questions that the men and women that we minister to in south Dallas have to think about. Luckily, we have recently partnered with J.O.Y Foods, a supplier of quality food items. Their president, Joy Wallace, has built this company on strong Christian business principles. This partnership will allow J.O.Y Foods to recruit from World Impact Dallas, assist in job training, and participate in our community projects.

In a recent J.O.Y FOODS newsletter, Joy Wallace wrote: “J.O.Y FOODS, Inc. and the Human Resource Department are proud to announce that we are partnering with World Impact Dallas . . . We will lend a hand to help our Dallas community by recruiting from World Impact, assist in job training and volunteer for community projects. We had the pleasure of touring their facility and saw firsthand the growth and progress of their work. Thanks to Ted Smith (Director) and Jim Elam (missionary) for taking the time to explain their programs, their ministry, and their compassion for the Dallas community.” We are very thankful for this company and are excited to see how God is going to work in the lives of people to whom we minister.

My hope is that you can partner with me in prayer for the men and women who will be potential job candidates. We have already had two men start working part time at J.O.Y Foods. Please pray for both of these men and their families. Pray for transformation in the men and their relationships with their families, co-workers and friends.

Christmas is near, and I cannot focus on gifts, travel plans, and cooking. All of that is in hindsight compared to the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that you and your family are blessed through this holiday season. I am thankful for your prayerful support and friendship.

In Christ,

Lacey Arteaga

November Prayer Letter

November 1, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

There are many things that make me thankful for the fall: cooler weather, students back in school, football season, and, most importantly, pumpkin spice lattes! This season helps me, in the midst of our busy culture, to stop, breathe in, and thank God for being a powerful, mighty God that provides for all of our needs.

As the season progresses, I am feverishly working on our Christmas Store! This is a wonderful opportunity for churches, small groups, or youth groups to get involved in serving the urban poor. Each year the staff of World Impact ask the children and youth with whom we work to make a Christmas wish list. We then register all the gifts at Walmart and Target. Starting November 1, the shopping can begin, and gifts purchased from the registries are brought to the WID Center.

Here is the beautiful part: we do not just give the items to the parents to give to their children. We invite them to shop and purchase their children’s Christmas gifts.

Saturday, December 10, the World Impact Center will become a winter wonderland! Parents will be able to purchase items from their wish lists for 25 percent of the retail cost. This allows them to shop with dignity and give their children gifts they want or need. Funds raised through the Christmas Store will go back into the ministry of World Impact Dallas.

What a blessing to be able to help parents provide gifts for their children, raise funds for the ministry and

share the greatest gift of all, our Lord Jesus Christ, through this creative outreach.

We are already fielding requests from those who would like to volunteer with us this Christmas. It will take many to provide a great Christmas Store experience, since we will decorate the entire center, create a shopping area, offer babysitting, and even offer gift wrapping for each gift purchased. What a joy it is to help the parents of our youth shop with self-respect and even financially support the work of World Impact.

I am continually mindful of you and your prayerful support. I cannot do what I do without your

encouragement, prayer, and financial support. As I close, I encourage you to pray for all the efforts with the Christmas Store, the children and parents that will come to our Center to shop, and our amazing volunteers.

Lastly, if you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I would love to stand with you in prayer.

In Him,

Lacey Arteaga