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Serenity is a common word throughout South Street Ministries — from recovery groups, times of prayer, and reflections with our youth.
What brings you serenity?
I realize the answer is different for everyone … but every year during our Trails N Rails fundraiser ride, I experience a serene moment.
After the rush of participant registrations, after months of engaging generous sponsors, after coordinating children and bicycles, I ride alone along the Towpath in the green and serene stillness of God’s Creation.
I breathe deeply, I take it in, and I thank God for His provision and goodness.
This is the 10th year of South Street’s Trails N Rails fundraising ride. Ten years of train rides, 6-mile cycles, and celebrations in support of the work of South Street Ministries. Ten years of churches, corporations, and individuals partnering with South Street in the work of Christian Community Development in South Akron and Summit Lake.
This ride is a tradition for the youth of our community — as summer ends and school begins, they will begin to ask about Trails N Rails, wanting to ensure a place for themselves (and a functional bike) on the trail and the train!
We have a big goal this year of raising $50,000 through Trails N Rails to continue our existing programs and support our faithful staff who are essential to our outreaches and impact on our neighborhood.
Currently we are accepting sponsorships from churches, businesses, individuals, and organizations to empower the work of South Street Ministries. If you (or someone you know) want to pursue being a sponsor, you can learn more about sponsorship opportunities here: southstreetministries.org/trailsnrailssponsorship.
And for our 10th Trails N Rails event, we invite you to come out Saturday, September 23. You can join us in the ride, the walk, and the celebration … just check out:
We’re praying for good weather, but rain or shine, I hope you can ride with us and experience your own moments of serenity along the Towpath trail … all while enjoying a fun train ride back and a simple celebration with your South Street family!
Thanks for being involved in the heartbeat of our efforts to do small things with great love, creating a ripple effect of transformation in our communities.
It has been a joyful season this summer with our RICH Kids youth. Activities have been rooted in Summit Lake and in other spots, traveling across the region for many different field trips.
It’s been a joy taking the children to different locations, places they may have never been, to explore, learn, and have fun. This summer, we had the opportunity to take our youth to the COSI science center in Columbus. The day was packed with adventure … just like our summer has been.
We are also exploring how the Lord provides as we learn about the Israelites in the wilderness as they journey to the Promised Land. Just as God taught the Israelites during their time in the wilderness, we have had the blessed opportunity to journey alongside these youth, teaching them many things on this beautiful summer adventure … moments of learning about God as provider, as well as moments of learning through play.
On the playground, there seems to be an endless opportunity to learn. As our youth play and interact together, there are cheerfulness and smiles and also conflict and frustration. These moments are a great way to disciple and teach them how to work through things together as a team, while showing kindness and love to one another even in the midst of tension.
As I journey alongside the children in RICH Kids, I can’t help but learn from them. They teach me to remember to be free, to trust, to feel emotions, to never forget to play, to be curious, and to enjoy the adventure in front of us. May we take a moment to sit and remember some of the beautiful moments of what looking at life through the lens of a child is like. The simplicity, the freedom, the deep ability to trust … and may we remember to open our eyes anew to fresh ways we can trust the Lord, to rely on Him just as our youth rely on Him — and to enjoy what He has set before us.
Mark 10:13-16: “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
As Jesus did not reject the little children, may we not reject the child-like faith and wonder that He desires for all His children … for you!
Thank you for letting the little children of RICH Kids and other outreaches come to Jesus — through your beautiful partnership with South Street!
As I watch the tree of restoration grow, I reflect on the beginning of my journey.
I am entering my sixth year of freedom — an incredible concept, as 10 years ago I was entering my sixth year of going back to prison. Today I’m South Street’s Reentry Director.
Not long ago I looked around one Reentry meeting and felt like the future and the direction of this program are in good hands, although there are still many obstacles our community faces. I’m seeing more people and organizations willing to become allies and collaborate with us — and this can be attributed to the good people involved in Reentry.
So as I reflect on the times, both past and present and future, I feel blessed to have been able to contribute and continue to learn from this journey, one that has changed me and so many others who have traveled through the doors of South Street’s Reentry program.
As we move forward, I stand confident in God’s provision — both through His goodness, grace, and generosity — and yours — and His guidance to carry us, grow us, and restore us.
Bike Shop couldn’t be all it is without the time and investment of our caring, committed volunteers … people like Marty Ethington.
This is Marty’s first year of Bike Shop service, and he recently reflected on what Bike Shop may “appear” to be on the outside — and what it really means to him on a deeper level …
The title “Bike Shop” is as simple as the space it operates in: two rooms built underneath a loft — one room contains a toolbox and shelves for organized bike components, the other a dimly lit collection of last decade’s bikes hanging from the ceiling and resting against the walls.
Bike Shop is a simple concept — come down and volunteer your time around and with the bikes, and in a couple days’ time you’ll be riding off on your own! The program, the space, and the experience, however, are much more than what you might see at first glance.
Yes, there is garage space and blacktop, located on a street broken by a highway, along with some simple machines someone didn’t want anymore … but they are given new life by a love for God and the community that embraces them and that love.
The space becomes a lively arena for a group of diverse individuals of all ages and backgrounds to come and play, learn, teach, or simply have a safe space to talk to somebody.
The old bikes become vehicles of joy and pride, used to explore new places, and are transformed into instruments for learning and comradery.
I think Bike Shop means something different to every person who shows up there, but this is what it means to me.
Through your partnership with South Street, you’re deepening relationships with neighbors through the simple act of bike repair. God bless you for your involvement!
We are thrilled to announce the Restoration House Ribbon-Cutting will be held Tuesday, September 26 …
And you are invited to attend the full day of celebration and activities!
- Restoration House Open House — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Reentry Peer-to-Peer Support Meeting — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Open to the Public
- Weather permitting: Outside at 801 Grant (or inside at 798 Grant in coffeehouse space)
- Restoration House Ribbon Cutting — 5 p.m.
- Restoration House Celebration BBQ — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In Luke 15, we are told the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We read of a son who went off into the world and made bad decisions that hurt himself and his family. He returns home in shame, fearing rejection, but he ultimately seeks reconciliation and redemption. This Prodigal Son is met by a father who responds in compassion, love, forgiveness, joy, and restoration. The father throws a huge feast to celebrate his son’s return.
When the Prodigal Son’s brother does not understand the father’s response, the father explains in verse 32, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
The greater meaning behind this parable, is, likewise, that our Father God in heaven celebrates when one of His children, who has gone astray in the world, returns to Him in faith. South Street Ministries asks you to come and help us celebrate in advance with our Father in heaven all those who will, in a similar manner, come home to Restoration House. Thank you for making our efforts on their behalf possible!
“We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
—Romans 5:3-5
I greatly respect Luch for 1) how he faces adversity, and 2) his work at South Street Ministries.
Luch exemplifies the perseverance, character, and hope spoken of in Romans 5:3-5. He is a fine, caring, big-hearted young man who is dedicated to his family, youth, and community. Since being hired in August 2022, Luch has poured his heart out every day as he mentors the youth and young men in his “Before I Self-Destruct” program. Over this last year, I have seen Luch face many trials that would have broken other men — including the loss of his close friend to suicide and being held up at gun point and robbed for his possessions.
But with Luch, these trials have only strengthened his resolve to continue to persevere in his work with youth and young adults to reduce community violence. Luch is a role model of how to choose personal integrity, peace, forgiveness, and a positive attitude rather than a path to bitterness, revenge, and violence. Luch shares the following about the work he has been doing and the mentoring he’s been part of:
The month of May was a very crucial but exciting month for me. Two individuals I have been working with for the past six months were contemplating dropping out of school because things were going badly for them financially and mentally. I was able to come in and work with them, help them out financially, and walk with them through the process. They were able to get their degrees and walk the stage on May 6. I was very proud of them, and myself. I also took a few of the young ones with me on some bookings for prom pics to let them see how I work and for them to get a feel of the photography life.
June was more of a mentoring month for me. I have three individuals from the north side of Akron who are trying to escape gang life and asked for my help. Almost every day I had them in my presence trying to figure things out so they don’t end up getting killed or going to jail. One of the individuals wanted to move away to live with a family member but didn’t have the funds for a ticket, so I gave him the money he’d need to drive his vehicle from here to there. The remaining two are still here and have an interest in making music, so I’m in the process of figuring something out for them so they can stay safe and do what they love to do.
Through a generous anonymous gift to South Street Ministries, Luch has been able to help equip kids for school. As he made home visits to meet some of the children’s families, Luch found that many of the kids don’t have beds. He also learned that many of the youth were going to school tired and having difficulty with learning retention.
So far, 84 children now have brand-new beds thanks to his commendable efforts. These beds are giving them a good night’s sleep so they can excel in school.
In addition, Luch discovered some kids had inadequate footwear to go back and forth from school (a problem especially in Northeast Ohio weather). Luch has helped another 178 students with shoes for school.
Luch is living out his purpose, and he is equipping the youth he serves so they can too. He is persevering, and he is mentoring and equipping the next generation to persevere. And he’s able to do so through your support and prayers! Thank you for YOUR perseverance on the things that really matter.
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 making an impact alongside you to renew our community for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, and God bless you!