Dear True North Supporters and Friends,
We hope all of you are doing well and finding ways to thrive in these unusual times of this global pandemic. God has not changed despite everything being somewhat different and His promises are still true. We are trusting in His great faithfulness, as Jeremiah the prophet said:
“The Lord’s lovingkindness indeed never ceases, and His compassions never fail – they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” – Lam 3:22,23
First, we are happy to report that our ministry at Dan Street Detention Center (aka Dan Street) is still going very well, even better than we hoped, albeit differently than in the past. Using Skype, we are conducting church services every Sunday which are well attended and much appreciated. We also conduct a Bible study each Tuesday evening with the young men via Skype. God is good.
Second, after many years of ministry at our beloved farm off Turkey Foot Lake Road, True North Ministry will be moving from the farm by the end of this month. The reasons are varied, but the primary drivers are that the requirements and costs to maintain the farm have increased significantly.
Additionally, we have been unable to host incarcerated youth since the beginning of the COVID crises and that doesn’t look to change in the immediate future. The fact is, visits by youth to the farm have frequently been canceled by the Juvenile Correctional facilities for various reasons (i.e. lockdowns, transportation issues, etc.). With no youth visiting the farm, it makes no sense to stay there as we seek to maximize the effectiveness of our limited resources while increasing flexibility for future growth of the ministry.
We also are feeling a pull to become more involved with inner city at-risk youth, while maintaining our existing ministry within the facilities. We are praying for discernment regarding what our ministry platform and focus will be while taking advantage of strengths among our leadership team, volunteers and partners.
By focusing on one or two strengths, areas where we excel, we can strategically grow in ways to reach at-risk youth and make disciples. Once we have established a clearer strategy, our vision is to relocate the ministry headquarters closer to the community(s) where the youth are to which we will serve.
Please pray with us as we seek God’s face about the addition of this new ministry. We are already ministering to at-risk youth in the facilities and through our mentoring program. We just want to be really clear about the what, when, why and how of ministry outside the facility, within the community.
Until we relocate, we will be maintaining the administrative function virtually. We will have the same phone number, PO box for mailing, Facebook page and website. And our personnel and leadership team remain unchanged.
Thank you for all your support of True North Ministry over the years. God has used this ministry to impact so many lives and allow God’s body of believers to use their gifts to proclaim the gospel and be involved in making disciples. Although True North Ministry’s headquarters location is changing, we aren’t going anywhere. We endeavor to continue to this ministry of sharing the gospel and disciples among young people in NE Ohio until the Lord returns.
God Bless you,
Jim Love for the Leadership Team