Life-Sharing Community

Five years ago, God gave us the dream to start a housing community of men in transition out of addiction and incarceration mentoring other men in early recovery on a spiritual journey toward new life. Today, we are excited and humbled to say that God has made that dream come true. Our veteran Siafu resident, John, has spent the last year with us living out his call to ministry by taking classes at The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), actively participating in his local church community, and volunteering as a mentor at a local residential program for men in recovery from substance abuse. John has been instrumental in attracting other formerly-incarcerated men in recovery into our community during their time of transition so they can receive affordable housing, leadership development, and be part of a life-sharing community that invests in their growth and maturity.

We are excited to announce that we are welcoming another resident into our community. I will call him Jake. Jake has been in and out of jail for significant portions of his life. His destructive lifestyle sent him back again and again to the streets where he turned to drugs and a life of chaos. Jake used drugs as a way to deal with the profound experiences of loss and grief in his life. About a year ago, he checked himself into a local rescue mission. While at the rescue mission, our resident John began to mentor him and spiritually guide him through his recovery. With John’s mentoring and the power of Christ, Jake matured in his faith and started to feel the Spirit moving on his heart to become a leader, just like John. John then encouraged Jake to consider the Siafu Leadership Home as a next step. As Jake progressed through the program, he felt a clear call from God that he was to be a part of our community.

During one of our weekly community meals, Jake said, “It’s just so nice to feel normal again and to feel like I’m part of a family.” Jake’s experience with us is only possible because of your generous donations. Our life-sharing community depends on your financial blessings. So many men like Jake face serious barriers and challenges in changing their lives. Government housing often takes months and even years to become available, and government programs typically do not have the capacity to give men like Jake personal pastoral care in a loving and supportive environment. Your financial partnership helps us invite men into a space that is dignified, well-kept, welcoming, hospitable, and beautiful.

Please consider giving a generous gift during this Christmas season to support the ongoing costs for the upkeep of our affordable housing including repairs, maintenance, and renovations so that many more men can find a home in our community.

Read more from Raj Lewis.