stories
Hope in Action: A Partnership That Transformed a Room and Hearts
What began as an ordinary Tuesday at Living Hope quickly turned into a powerful display of teamwork, restoration, and shared purpose. Members of Living Hope joined forces with men from Hope Center (a residential treatment program that supports men battling addiction) to tackle a project that had been long overdue: cleaning out and reorganizing a heavily cluttered storage room so it could be repurposed as a classroom for LH Kids.
For years, the room had served as a catch-all space, quietly accumulating odds, ends, and items that no longer had a place elsewhere. Boxes were stacked high, forgotten supplies lined the shelves, and navigating the room required the kind of agility usually reserved for obstacle courses. With LH Kids expanding and new ministry opportunities on the horizon, church leaders knew the space held incredible potential...if only it could be restored to order.
Enter the partnership with Hope Center.
On the morning of the project, a group of Hope Center residents arrived ready to work, bringing not only their hands and strength but also an uplifting spirit of community. Side-by-side with Living Hope volunteers, they sorted through piles, removed outdated items, hauled away trash, and reorganized everything that remained. What seemed like an overwhelming task at first quickly became an encouraging reminder of what can happen when people unite around a shared mission.
As the room slowly transformed, something deeper unfolded as well. Conversations sparked between church members and the Hope Center men - stories were shared, jokes were exchanged, and each group learned more about the other’s journey. For the men at Hope Center, the day was an opportunity to serve, reconnect with community, and contribute meaningfully while navigating their own paths of healing. For Living Hope volunteers, it was a chance to support and uplift individuals who are courageously rebuilding their lives.
By the end of the day, the once-chaotic room looked entirely new. The clutter had been cleared, the space was thoughtfully arranged, and a fresh vision for its future began to take shape. LH Kids will soon be able to utilize the room for teaching, activities, discipleship, and creative ministry efforts - something that would not have been possible without the generous partnership of the Hope Center team.
Living Hope is deeply grateful for the support of our congregation and the willingness of the Hope Center men to step in and help. Their commitment turned a practical need into a meaningful moment of connection. This collaboration not only prepared a room for ministry—it reminded us of the beauty of serving one another, and of how God works through relationships to bring restoration in ways big and small.
As LH Kids prepares to step into this renewed space, we look forward with gratitude for what has been accomplished and with excitement for the ministry that will unfold there. And we remain thankful for the heart, humility, and generosity of the men from the Hope Center who helped make it possible.
Natalie Martin
Living Hope Children’s Director
Barry Blancq & Henry Mahan
Henry Mahan successfully completed his recovery program and graduated from Hope Center Ministries treatment center in March of 2025. I had the privilege to counsel Henry for the last 6 months of his one year stay. Henry will tell you I and many others were a blessing to him but what Henry doesn’t realize is what a blessing he was to us. To describe what his transformation was like? Well I’ll let Henry tell it in his own words…
- Barry Blancq
I, Henry L. Mahan, am writing this letter to give thanks to the wonderful blessing I have received from the Lord through Living Hope Ministries. The life I had before the blessing was one without a smile. It was hard for me to be in pictures because of smiling without front teeth. Then one day at Hope Center Ministries I met someone who was in my life all along. Pulling at me I kneeled down at the hearth at the gathering room at Hope Center and gave my life over to the Lord. From that moment on life began to get brighter by reading the word of the good book, the Bible. Months went by as I “phased up” in the program and listened to Barry, Chester, Brad, and Tom who came to the center and spoke to me about my faith and a relationship with Jesus. They encouraged me so much that I decided to start reading my devotional out loud to others hoping to encourage those who struggled like I did. This gave me strength & courage to read out loud more and more. Many of the men in the room started raising their hands and asking questions. I realized that I was letting all of the negative go and replaced it with the knowledge and hope the Bible gave me. At our next church service two of the men kneeled at the hearth just as I did and gave their lives to Christ, our Savior. Once again I felt that pulling in my heart so much so that I ran over to them and prayed over them.
Not too long after that incident, me and some of the men attended a church service at Living Hope. Not knowing where to sit I chose to sit way down up front on the left. I sat there in awe of the beauty of the service and felt overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. The message and the music left me in tears. After it was over I turned to leave and find my brothers from the Hope Center and behold, sitting right behind me was Barry, my brother in Christ and his wife, Della, and her sister. Still feeling overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit I shook their hands and smiling, forgetting I didn’t have front teeth. Suddenly, I remembered and covered my mouth and left in embarrassment. I looked around to see if anyone had noticed. I made my way to the door not trying to smile. A few days later I was back at the Hope Center and Chester approached me and asked if I had talked to Barry. I told him no, that he was coming at 2 o’clock. Later when Barry came a question was asked. Barry said “ I’m glad you came to Living Hope, you were happy, I could tell. But then you covered your mouth and left in a hurry”. Then he asked the question, “Don’t be offended, but would you like to smile again?” Stunned, I said I haven’t smiled in 25 years, that’s why I don’t do pictures”. Then he told me the church has a program that might be able to help me with that. He was going to check and see. After that I was asked to talk to Mrs. Tee and tell her my story. She was very nice and seemed concerned. She said she would talk to decision makers at the church to see what could be done. A little while after that when I met with Barry he told me that the church had approved moving forward with getting teeth! Barry and I took months getting this blessing put together because they found other problems with my teeth.
But after about 6 months I finally had a smile thanks to the blessings Living Hope Ministries had given me! I look back now and know that God put me on that front row on the left where no one else was sitting. Amazing the blessings we receive when we answer His call! So if ever there is a calling He puts on your heart don’t hesitate to answer it. For you will smile when you receive the blessing He gives you!
With Love & Grace from my Savior, Amen.
Sincerely,
Henry L. Mahan
Ukrainian Church Plant Update
A few months ago, a farmer from Mississippi who has helped over a hundred Ukrainian families relocate to the U.S. invited me to preach at his annual camp for Ukrainian refugees. This year, we brought our Ukrainian church group from Memphis to join them. The camp was filled with opportunities to share the Gospel—most attendees were not yet believers—and I preached messages from Genesis and Isaiah about God’s faithfulness in hardship. It was a beautiful time of unity, encouragement, and new connections between Ukrainian families from Mississippi and Memphis.
More recently, our Memphis group traveled with several Ukrainian families, including two from St. Jude Hospital whose children are battling cancer, to visit the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky. We prayed together, studied Scripture, and organized Bible activities for the children. It was a deeply moving time of fellowship, especially for the families facing such difficult circumstances, and we were reminded again of God’s grace and comfort.
Now we are preparing for another outreach—a picnic for all Ukrainian and Russian-speaking families in Memphis on November 1st at Shelby Farms Park. Please pray that many will come and hear the Gospel. I’m also beginning English studies at the University of Memphis to better serve our community, which adds financial and time challenges, but I trust God’s provision. Thank you for your continued prayers, love, and support—it truly strengthens our small church and helps us keep sharing the hope of Christ with those He brings our way.
- Maksym Kyryllov
Ukraine 2025
Timisoara
A small team from Living Hope traveled to Timisoara, Romania to visit Missio International’s ministries. The majority of our time was spent at Deborah House a ministry to girls who have come out of difficult backgrounds typically unhealthy environments and abuse.
Deborah House is a Christian ministry where the girls receive counseling, and care in a safe and structured environment.
We spent time with them doing crafts, devotions, skits, practicing English, dancing and playing games. Two of the girls celebrated birthdays while we were there and we celebrated with cake and songs! We came alongside the staff to encourage them and help them as needed while we were there.
One day we traveled to a youth prison in Buzias a small village about an hour away. Despite their poor life choices, we were encouraged to see how much they love the couple who faithfully visit them each week!
We plan to continue building relationships with our ministry partners in Romania. There is much to experience there, ministry, culture, and great food! Please join us nest summer!
Pucioasa, Varfuri, Bucharest
This was Living Hope’s second mission team to visit Romania this summer. We returned to the small village of Varfuri where we built a kitchen at a camp last summer! This team was focused on vacation bible school activities as the camp was packed with children. Jodi Stauffer used her gift of story telling to keep the kids engaged and her stories were complimented by other team members who shared bible lessons. We all spent time teaching English to beginner and advanced learners. Tristan and Aubrey, two of our young teammates made wonderful connections with other kids, especially Tristan on the sports field!
The afternoons were spent traveling to Roma or “Gypsy” villages where we did similar activities there. What an eye-opening experience we had seeing the challenges and opportunities that are there!
One afternoon, we passed out flyers at an apartment complex for a street evangelism event, which drew about 50 attendees. Games, music, and popcorn helped create a welcoming space and Romica made a gospel presentation. It is important to note that the adults listened as intently as the children to everything that was said and done!
There were some very special moments as well with Tom spending time sharing his faith with a businessman and Greg connecting a widow to Nicu’s wife Daniella and their church in Pucioasa.
We plan to continue building relationships with our ministry partners in Romania. There is much to experience there, ministry, culture, and great food! Please join us nest summer!
Jordan & Austin Hiatt
How a Meal Became a Ministry of Love
When our second son, Cody, was born, life was beautifully full—and honestly, a little chaotic. Between recovering from childbirth, adjusting to a newborn’s needs, and caring for our toddler, Davy, the simplest daily tasks like getting dinner on the table suddenly felt overwhelming.
That’s when Living Hope’s Meal Train Ministry showed up.
I’ll never forget opening the door to several warm meal deliveries with a kind smile, or finding dinner waiting on our porch with a note of encouragement. These moments weren’t just practical help—they were reminders that we weren’t alone. Each meal felt like a little piece of grace, reminding us that our church family was surrounding us with love during one of the most tender seasons of our lives.
It wasn’t just the food (though that was such a gift). It was the ministry of presence, even from afar. Knowing people had taken time from their own lives to care for ours made us feel deeply seen and cared for.
The Mercy Team, through the Meal Train Ministry, met a need we didn’t even know how to ask for. They created space for rest, recovery, and togetherness in our home. And in doing so, they reflected the heart of Christ tender, compassionate, and near.
We are so grateful for the quiet but powerful way this ministry served us. It left a lasting impact on our family, and it continues to inspire us to look for ways we can serve others with that same intentional love.
Mike & Denise Reeves
We’ve been members of Living Hope since 2023. In January 2024, I had knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery, Steve Wisner came and prayed with us and encouraged us. He then followed up via phone and text after the surgery to insure all was going well. At first it seemed as though the recovery would be a breeze, but during the recovery I developed a pulmonary edema and thus began a journey that, over the next few months, would result in 18 days in the hospital and quadruple bypass.
During that time, Steve regularly visited and prayed with me and my wife. He visited us before and after
surgery and several times during stays in the hospital. We also received encouragement from brothers
and sisters as well as the pastoral staff. In Matthew 25:36 it says, “...I was sick and you visited me...”. The
New Living Translation says it like this, “...I was sick, and you cared for me...”. Because of the care and
support of Steve and others, my time in the hospital passed quickly and I never felt alone. Denise was
also comforted and encouraged as she had to make daily round trips to the hospital. God’s presence
gave us security and peace. The prayers and encouragement of Steve and the church family greatly
strengthened that feeling.
Following the bypass surgery, everything in my system was out of whack. My thyroid, kidneys, pancreas,
and liver weren’t functioning correctly, and I was having regular instances of Afib. But when Steve would
come to visit and pray with us, I felt encouraged, strengthened, and at peace. In James 5:16 the Word
tells us, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” By the time I was discharged, all my
organs were functioning normally and I’d had no instances of Afib for nearly two days. The prayer of
righteous men like Steve, as well as the Mercy team and our brothers and sisters at Living Hope, “has
great power as it is working.” I’m a living testament to that fact.
Last fall, they found my sternum had not healed correctly and in January 2025, I had another surgery to
fix that issue. Once again, Steve Wisner along with Freddie Albaugh rallied around us in prayer and
support. It’s such a blessing and comfort to know our brothers and sisters are there to not only pray for
us, but to care for us when we experience hardship. Somehow, we knew, even before the surgery,
everything would be alright.
May God richly bless Steve Wisner, Freddie Albaugh, the Pastors, the Mercy team, and all of our brothers
and sisters at Living Hope who lifted us up during those difficult times.
YMCA Food Drive
It has been my joy to serve as a volunteer these past two weeks at the YMCA Food Distribution at Living Hope. As always, I go with the intention of serving, but leave having received unexpected spiritual blessings from our precious Lord—meeting new sisters from LH and enjoying sweet fellowship with dear friends. It was also a blessing to work alongside volunteers from the Hope Center, who served with kindness and eagerness.
Those who came received not only physical food for their children but also spiritual nourishment, as the Lord is always ready to give both. Everyone was greeted with a smile and welcomed with the unconditional love of Christ. After receiving their food, they were offered prayer for any needs they might have. Many received prayer with joy and tears. Some shared that they had no church home and were warmly invited to attend Living Hope.
- Carla Thompson
