Hope Ministries

We recently had the joy of celebrating another “Hope-iversary” here at Hope Ministries! We gathered to celebrate Kathy Coady on her 10-year milestone as our chief development officer! In her decade of service at Hope Ministries, Kathy has become a beloved member of our leadership team. She has a big job, leading our development team and overseeing all our fundraising, communications, community relations and volunteering efforts. CEO Leon Negen called her our “fundraising extraordinaire.” During our celebration, our staff members spoke to how Kathy nurtures and empowers her team, her high level of professionalism and her ability to make any situation fun. We’re so grateful for her presence at Hope Ministries, and we hope you’ll join us in offering her a big “congrats!” for her ten years of leadership! 

Earlier this month, our staff gathered to celebrate Dwight Long and his retirement from Hope Ministries. It was an emotional occasion—we’re incredibly happy for him, but sad for ourselves! Dwight has been an integral part of our ministry since 2010, serving as our director of men’s ministry. In his role, he oversaw both our Bethel Mission and Door of Faith ministry centers and led all our men’s programming. His faithful service and leadership have been a blessing to all of us who have worked alongside him and to the many men who’ve come through our doors in the past 14 years. Dwight will be dearly missed, but we are so excited to support him in his new chapter. Please join us in congratulating him!

Anytime we gather as a staff to celebrate an employee anniversary, it’s a special time—but it was extra meaningful for all involved last week when we gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our CEO Leon Negen! Leon came to work for Bethel Mission in 1994 when there was only a team of four employees! He led Bethel Mission through the merger with the Door of Faith in 2000 that formed Hope Ministries and became our President/CEO at that time. He’s been with Hope Ministries through so many major milestones—like the opening of our new Door of Faith location in 2003, the opening of our Hope Center for Women and Children in 2004, the addition of our Hope Ministries Thrift operations, and our campaign to build a new 100-bed center for women and children (opening this fall!). Staff members had so many uplifting things to say about Leon during last week’s celebration. They mentioned his strong faith; his love for his wife, kids and grandkids; his steady leadership and integrity; his humility; and his friendship. Our Board of Directors presented Leon with a plaque filled with photos from his three decades of service. We’re so grateful for Leon’s many years of faithful service. Please join us in congratulating him for this wonderful milestone!

Join the Team & Make a Difference! At Hope Ministries, our mission is clear: To rescue those who are homeless, hungry, abused, or addicted, providing opportunities for hope, recovery, and restoration through the love of Jesus Christ. Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a positive impact on the lives of those in need? We have several exciting job opportunities available including: FT Director of Men's Ministries FT Substance Abuse & Addictions Counselor (CADC or IADC) PT Stewardship & Events Specialist PT Weekend Program Services Coordinator ( BFOQ Female) FT Cook For more details you can view our job postings here: https://lnkd.in/gGdKXT5w To apply send your resume and cover letter to Alexis at [email protected]

Three times a week the Mobile Integrated Healthcare Unit from the Des Moines Fire Department sets up a station inside our Hope Café to connect with residents and community meal guests. Through this partnership we are able to provide proactive and preventative healthcare to the residents at Bethel Mission and the community meal guests at Hope Café.

We are so grateful for dedicated partners like Community State Bank who give help and hope to our neighbors in need. Thank you!

Last week was Spiritual Renewal Week for the men in our long-term life recovery program at the Door of Faith. Each summer our case managers host a week of activities to renew the mind, body and spirit of our residents. Throughout the week the men participated in an intensive Bible study to dig deeper and evaluate their faith. During their recreational time men went on outings to the Blank Park Zoo, attended an Iowa Cubs game and spent a day at Easter Lake.

Our Bethel Mission men's staff share more about their hearts for serving men in our community by extending care and compassion to each one.

Last week we celebrated the retirement of longtime Hope Ministries employee Lynne McKee! Lynne and her husband Mark, pictured here, started volunteering at our old thrift store in Pleasant Hill 17 years ago. Her dedication and hard work as a volunteer led to her joining our thrift ministry staff. She’s been an integral part of our team, going on to work in our Merle Hay store and more recently, our Army Post location. We’re so grateful for Lynne’s wealth of experience and faithful service throughout her years with Hope Ministries Thrift—and she’s certainly going to be missed. Please join us in congratulating her as she enters this next season in her life. Thank you, Lynne!

Our Hope Ministries Outreach Center has been a busy place lately, with streams of community guests taking advantage of our free shower facilities, public computers, phone charging station and more. But it doesn’t feel busy. It feels peaceful. From the Christian music playing to friendly conversations around the table to the coffee our outreach case manager, John Meister, makes a point of pouring for our guests. “I call this a sacred space. My biggest job is to unconditionally love people,” John says of the role he’s filled since earlier this year. Our outreach center, located in the lower level of our Bethel Mission shelter, is open on weekday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Anyone from the community can drop in for a variety of free services, including help with job and housing applications, referrals to other community resources or simply a listening ear. “I never know who is going to come down the stairs, but I always know I’ll have the opportunity to reflect Jesus,” John says. He has a long history of serving others, from working with struggling youth to pastoring a local church to substance abuse counseling. In addition to overseeing the outreach center, John also visits the Des Moines Public Library regularly alongside other service providers, and he’s intentional about lining up outside our Hope Café with our community guests before mealtimes. He also hosts monthly S.H.I.N.E. events that include free haircuts, meals and more. The goal in all of it is to build trust and relationships, so that individuals know there’s help available . . . and that they’re not alone. “That’s how Jesus did it,” John says. “He built relationships with people that others had written off. I’m so happy to be here doing this!”