By Donovan Harris
When I first met Duane Crabbs in 2013, I had just gotten involved with the Reentry services being offered at South Street. We immediately clicked. And even though our stories and backgrounds are very different, we had a great time dreaming up ideas for ministry, ways to change the world — it was like a missing piece in my life clicked in when we were together.
Our relationship over these last several years grew as we got to know each other, and I have admired him for being my brother, my mentor, my friend. Duane has always taken the high road in my eyes. Always challenged the status quo, always helping our neighbors out. It’s his heart, simple as that. And it’s so rare today to find someone like this — someone who feels comfortable enough to share their heart with you. No restrictions, just vulnerability. We have a connection that’s real. I really appreciate that.
You can FEEL the difference here at South Street. It’s the feeling that this is a place where Jesus would be — among the people. The feeling that anybody can walk in here and be accepted, can be prayed for, can be shown compassion and love … and it’s a space where we get to BE JESUS to people.
The spirit behind Duane and Lisa’s heart for ministry — the feeling of just being in their living room as you interact with them and everyone here — is the same spirit that continues in each of us today.
It’s an honor to be part of South Street Ministries, to be serving you and your community, to be living life together … the way it was meant to be.
When COVID closed The Front Porch Café after a decade of service to the community, we prayed for discernment about how to move forward and keep the space dedicated to hospitality and upholding a spirit of faith and community among those who gathered there. We also prayed for a model that was sustainable financially!
God answers prayers! In late 2021, South Street was approached by entrepreneurs Daniel and Bridget Weihe who shared the values of the Front Porch … and from there a partnership was born!
Porchlight Coffee will not serve as an outreach of our ministry but rather an extension — a cooperation between two entities. Porchlight Coffee Co. will rent and operate in the Front Porch space to provide an amazing coffee experience, welcome and engage people from all walks of life, serve the community, and foster relationships.
The partnership between South Street Ministries and Porchlight Coffee Co. allows South Street staff to operate out of their giftings rather than being stretched too thin. Running a café requires significant energy, time, and money — Porchlight alleviates all this but still preserves the same values and mission the café always had. The Weihes bring a professional-yet-personal balance in intersecting communities and ideas by offering a quality coffee experience in a great space.
We are confident God is in this, and that good things are in store for the newly renovated Front Porch. Please stop in to visit when you can … and thank you for praying along with us in this new endeavor!
By David Shahata
We are super excited here at South Street to officially announce Discipleship House!
This new program, Discipleship House Fellowship (DHF), will be an intentional year-long discipleship journey. DHF will be modeled around life-on-life discipleship, so the participants will be living in a house in Summit Lake — serving alongside us at South Street Ministries, and doing a great deal of growing, through structured learning experiences and the substantive learning that will be gained from the people of the community.
We hope this will be a transformative experience for those who participate — four people in all this year! We will kick-off on June 1, 2022, and run through May 1, 2023.
Would you join us in prayer for the Discipleship House? Please be praying that:
- The Lord would orchestrate and unite our team.
- Intimacy and relationship with God will grow deep throughout the participant’s time here.
- Out of a place of humble thanksgiving for God’s goodness, we would then go out seeking justice and loving our neighbors in real and tangible ways.
- This Fellowship will be a training ground for the work of the Kingdom way beyond us here at South Street.
Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
A Personal Word
Hello Family,
My name is Aaliyah Henderson, and I will be completing my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Akron next December.
I have worked in a variety of positions that have allowed me to put what I’ve learned in the classroom in a practical sense. This year I had the opportunity to work at South Street Ministries — one of the places I have been a volunteer for about two years prior to employment. My role here has been to work alongside the Youth Team for planning, preparation, and programming for RICH Kids Enrichment Program, as well as a few other ministries.
When I first applied to South Street Ministries, I was not aware of the variety of outreaches available for those in need — and that they all have the same fundamental mission, which is to equip and inspire the restoration of community, economy, and faith. South Street helps keep the community alive just by being intentional, resourceful, and present in the lives of those around us. I believe my purpose in this world is to make a Kingdom impact in the lives of others, and I am blessed to be a part of an organization that believes the same.
South Street has inspired me to step out in faith, to be more intentional with those around me, and to not be afraid to rely on others. I have not been employed for long, but I am excited to continue to grow in the organization and make a lasting impact!
What legacy do you want to leave for your family and friends?
No doubt one that outlives you, glorifies God, and reaches others with His love and compassion.
You can accomplish all this and more in the South Akron and Summit Lake communities through a well-planned estate!
Updating your will or trust (or creating one for the first time) to include South Street Ministries enables you to make a long-lasting impact among your neighbors … and it also provides the peace of mind that your wishes for the resources God has entrusted to you will be carried out — no matter what.
Because you are an important part of South Street’s efforts, we would love to help you plan for the future … simply contact Elizabeth Kargbo at ekargbo@southstreetministries.org today to start the conversation!
Your prayerful support of South Street Ministries makes caring, compassionate Kingdom work possible.
It is your generous giving that keeps us walking alongside children, families, and neighbors who need hope. Together, we’re celebrating 25 years of making an impact alongside you and the ministry of renewing our community for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, and God bless you!