H15 Ministries enjoys seeing teens giving back to teens
The creativity wall at H15 Ministries has been a popular way for teens to artfully add color and purpose to the huge wall, where the ministry has given voice to teens.
When Andy Schafer came up with the idea of creating a teen ministry hangout in downtown Millersburg for Holmes County teens, it was so there would be a healthy, safe environment for teens to connect, grow and spend time with people who could direct their lives in a positive way.
While it was meant for teens to utilize, Schafer has found that the ongoing project also has provided an avenue for youth to volunteer and to pour themselves into a ministry that will serve them well in the coming years.
“It has been wonderful to have several teens starting to come on their own for our work days,” Schafer said. “It is such a blessing to see them investing in this ministry and getting excited to see it getting closer and closer to completion. I love being able to share all the blessings God pours out on us with them, and they are not only moving the work forward, but they are encouraging me as well.”
Area teens played a key role in several different projects being completed in June.
Monday, June 18 is not a day Schafer will soon forget. On that day he finally completed the unenviable task of scraping the ceiling, a job he had worked at for some time.
“I looked back and discovered that I had started scraping on Feb. 13, and while there were other things I had to bounce back and forth on, the ceiling was my main focus,” Schafer said. “I feel like I have probably exercised my neck and shoulder muscles more than any other muscle in my body, except perhaps maybe my jaw.”
June began with a youth group from Grace Mennonite visiting as volunteers. More creativity appeared on the creative and colorful design wall, and more demolition took place upstairs in the future emergency shelter.
“They accepted the challenge to get the old claw foot tub out of there, and by the end of the evening, they were victorious,” Schafer said. “We had a great time even if we did get pretty dirty.”
On June 20 the youth group from Light in the Valley Chapel volunteered for an evening. The design wall again received some new additions, and this youth group attacked the building by providing their painting skills, and they tackled the rest of the primer on the ceiling. Schafer said that in short order there was nothing left of the old, dreary ceiling to be seen.
“It may only be the primer coat, but it sure is beautiful to me,” Schafer said.
With the ceiling scraping out of the way, Schafer has been able to work on some other projects. The second bathroom now has a new floor in it, and soon both will have sinks and toilets. He added that they also got a start on the trim in the main area, and the barn siding up over the front windows is now done. Little by little the center is taking shape as project after project brings opening day closer.
As a way of raising funds for the new organization, Schafer said they are soon going to be hard at work at another venue, the Holmes County Fair. Just as they did last year, the H15 board and other volunteers are going to be parking cars on Saturday, Aug. 11 as a fundraiser.
“We had a great turnout last year and raised $750 for the center,” Schafer said. “If anyone is interested in helping this year, let me know. We’ll be splitting the day into three shifts with the evening shift being the biggest. I believe last year we had 10-12 people each for the first two shifts and then around 16 for the evening.”
While volunteers are needed for the fair parking fundraiser, the ongoing chore of renovating the downtown Millersburg building housing the ministry continues to plug along.
Schafer said that recently he laid out the financial needs H15 needs to meet since the grant they had hoped to secure didn’t come to fruition. “These seem like scary numbers, but we know God is in control,” he said.
The costs include a building purchase of $180,000 plus closing costs, brick repair on the entire building of $65,000, the two remaining roofs at $55,000, new store front windows and doors at a cost of $25,000, the courtyard with new exterior landings as well as steps and doors from the back of the building of $40,000, the replacement of all the rest of the exterior doors and windows at $18,000, a new 600-amp electric service and sub-panels throughout all three buildings for $18,000, upgrading the heating and cooling in phase one and subleased area of $25,000, and creation of blueprints and permits for everything that will cost $10,000.
These were all expenses that Schafer and the board had hoped would be covered by the grant. With that possibility now gone, they will have to rely on the donations of the community until other sources can be secured.
“The foundation that we had applied to for the grant decided to focus their money on urban areas,” Schafer said. “I pray that the dollars we were hoping to receive will be given to another organization who will use them to further God’s kingdom in a big city. God has a plan for everything.”
With so many projects in the fire at the same time, it has been a challenging time for the Schafer family and the board as they seek which way to go, how to pursue funds and how to proceed in the daily process of bringing this youth center to Millersburg.
Schafer said that while they have many ideas, the goal is to allow God’s hand to guide the project.
“Each day I try to remember to put myself in God’s hands,” Schafer said. “I want the work I do, the conversations I have and the attitude of my heart to be in God’s control and to always glorify him. I always have ideas of what I’d like to accomplish each day, but I don’t want to tell God what I’m going to do. I want to humbly bow before him and allow him to use me and this ministry however he sees fit. I love being a workman on his crew.”
While Schafer said they trust God will help them meet their needs financially in some way, the work on the facility itself doesn’t stop.
Schafer said the trim carpentry is the biggest project left to finish. They are seeking volunteers to take care of that portion of the renovation process.
“If anyone has those skills and would be willing to help out, let me know,” Schafer said. “But there are also plenty of other areas that need work as well, so don’t ever hesitate to come on out.”
The other big push for H15 Ministries is getting their volunteer crew in place for when the teen ministry does open its doors.
“We are really excited to start interviewing people and getting the crew ready,” Schafer said.
Here is the link to the application form for anyone interested in volunteering their talents and skills: www.h15ministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/H15VolunteerApplication.pdf. And Schafer said they are open to all kinds of options when it comes to teaching skills and talents or simply being a leader and mentor to the teens.
Two volunteer work days for the month of July will include Thursdays, July 12 and 26 from 5-8 p.m. Anyone wishing to volunteer may do so by stopping in on either of those nights or by calling Schafer at 330-231-7147.