Merry Christmas!

Delbert and Doris* were sent to us by Community Helpers to help them with setting up a budget and spending plan. The second session was just before Thanksgiving and I asked them if they could use some food. Bethel Church collected money for 60 turkeys so we were able to include a turkey in the food bags.

They returned for the next budgeting session after Thanksgiving. Here is the story she shared with me. Doris* called her mom, who was on disability, and two uncles and their families and told them she had a turkey, why didn’t they fix something that would go with it for Thanksgiving. They met at her mom’s house and put all of their food together. She said they had a great time and that it was the first time that had been together for a holiday or a meal in years. With tears in her eyes she said, “If you had not helped us with the turkey none of this would have happened. Thank you so much for making our Thanksgiving special this year Can I give you a hug?”

Thank you for making life special for so many people in our community by your support of Greenhouse Ministries. You allow us to give HOPE in the name of Jesus to many like “Delbert and Doris.”*

NOVEMBER is Turkey Month!

In the spirit of thankfulness, drop off turkeys to help families in need throughout the month of November. Use those "turkey bucks" to bless someone else this holiday season.

Heroes of Murfreesboro: Cliff & Jane Sharp

[PROFILE: Cliff & Jane Sharp 1961, 1964]

Ministry in Murfreesboro

When Cliff Sharp retired from his position as teacher and coach at the University 20 years ago, he and his wife, Jane, moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn. There, the Sharps became engaged in a new ministry as Cliff directed a crisis pregnancy center. Through this work, the couple began to see an even greater need in the community.
"We noticed that single moms and the working poor were being missed," says Cliff. "Jane and I wanted to lift their hopes and serve their physical needs, but also their spiritual and emotional needs."
Thus began Greenhouse Ministries, a faith-based, volunteer organization dedicated to providing encouragement and motivation to members of the community who need to make changes in their lives; promoting wholeness; and giving back to others in the community. The Sharps serve as executive directors.
Many families come to Greenhouse for necessities such as food, gas vouchers, and furniture. There is no qualifying, and all services are free. However, clients don't just get a hand-out. To receive furniture or a computer, an individual must first engage in some form of community service- from mowing lawns, to picking up trash, or even volunteering at the ministry. It is not uncommon to meet a volunteer who was once a client.
But Greenhouse, now in its 10th year, provides more than material items; more than 60 volunteers offer resources to help citizens improve their lives. Services available include computer classes, GED tutoring, counseling, budgeting classes, literacy tutoring, relationship classes, job and housing referrals, home repairs, and many forms of advocacy. Last year alone, more than 11,000 individuals received help.
Above all, every person who comes through the door is given the opportunity to pray with the staff and volunteers. "The people who we see...most of them do not have a church home. I do weddings and funerals all because people have nobody else," says Cliff. "While we do whatever we can do to help [materially], we want to make sure there is a spiritual component.
"We have had more fun in this ministry," he adds. "When you feel like you are where God wants you to be, you have a lot of joy. We want to give everyone a touch of Jesus who comes here."
-Jennifer L. Marcussen

Cliff Notes...

"I have no place to sleep tonight." "My husband/boyfriend left me and the children and I have to move." "I lost my job and can not pay my rent." "We finally saved enough money to get into an apartment but we have no furniture." "I lost my food stamps." "I am sleeping on the floor. Do you have a bed?" "I just got out of jail, and no one wants to hire me." "I have a new baby and need a refrigerator." "I am looking for a job." "My car was repossessed and I can't get to work." "What time do you give out food." "My wife was very ill. I had to quit work to take care of her because we have no family." "I am glad my husband finally went to rehab, but now we can not pay our bills."

These were among the calls we received this week. I never cease to be amazed at the problems that people face. I have compassion, but cannot fully empathize since I have never been in these situations. After I step back and look at the situations, it reminds me to be extremely thankful to God for the blessings Jane and I received, from being raised in families that instilled responsibility and choices based on the principles of our heavenly Father.
Most of these situations we encounter at Greenhouse Ministries spring out of poor choices and a lack of responsibility. But this does not change the fact that they all need help. We want to give physical help so they can see beyond their problem, and then spiritual help to direct them in making better choices and then take responsibility for their actions.
It is interesting that in Jesus' parable of the sower, much of the seed seemed to be wasted. Some fell on hard ground, some on the rocks, some in the thorns, and some on good soil; however, three out of the four did not produce.

At Greenhouse Ministries our mandate is to sow seed that will grow into the abundant life that Jesus desires all of us to experience. Our job is to sow. Sometime it is difficult to tell which soil will be productive in the people who call on us for help. But that is not our part, only to give each day to being available for what He sends our way.

Please pray that God will give us the wisdom, mercy and grace to not prejudge people who need help. They need to see the love of Jesus in a practical way so that the hardened soil of their heart will be receptive to seed that is sown.

FEED Food Drive for Greenhouse Ministries is here!!!

Have you received a bag on your front door? Have you seen this logo around town? Are you interested in helping to FEED those in need that are living in your own town or even those living across the ocean in Africa? Did you know that almost half of the world's population of children are living in poverty today? Did you know that 33,000 people in Rutherford County, Tennessee alone are living under the poverty line? There is a great need today, and FEED is a student-lead movement to ignite action against poverty.
YOU can be a part of FEED by donating non-perishable food items to Greenhouse Ministries. If you have not received a FEED bag to fill and leave on your doorstep, please bring by any food donations to New Vision Baptist Church (1750 N Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129) on October 18th, or directly to Greenhouse Ministries (410 W Lytle Street, Murfreesboro, TN) anytime. If you want to find out more information about FEED and the other events happening THIS WEEKEND (October 18th-19th), please visit www.feedtheboro.com, call Kelly Stewart at (615)260-0982, or email at kes3j@mtsu.edu.

Check out these important events you can be a part of through Greenhouse Ministries!

_____________________

“GENEROSITY IN MOTION”

FEED Food Drive

Youth Inspiring action against hunger

~October 11th-18th, 2008~

*For more information, contact 615-494-0499 & request to speak with Kelly Stewart.

____________________________________

C.A.N 52 Project

(Collect. And. Nourish)

~We need 52 church partners to collect food for our pantry one week out of each year. This will allow us to be ready to share with the needy in of community. If your church would like to partner with us in this, please call 615-494-0499.

______________________________________
Laws' Liver Transplant Donation Fund

~David Laws is in need of a life-saving liver transplant. Please send tax-deductible donations to:

Greenhouse Ministries
P.O. Box 11171
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

_______________________________________

Getting ready for Songwriters' Night

As Songwriters' Night is fast approaching we are getting everything ready for a wonderful evening of music. Currently I am focusing on getting desserts to serve at the show. Currently we have desserts from O'Charleys, Through the Grapevine, Sweet Spot Bakery, Mimi's Cafe and Roma's Macaroni Grill, Toot's and Red Lobster. YUM!!! Also, I want to say thanks to Foodlion for donating plates, napkins, forks and cups and to Target for donating a gift card to assist in purchase other things needed for the event.

If you haven't purchased your ticket yet call the Greenhouse or stop by!!!

Also, be listening to WSM Radio for their on air promotions of our event!

Do You Have Yours???

Don't Miss Out!!!!

Greenhouse Ministries is having a Songwriters' Night featuring Billy Montana. Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Billy Montana’s talent for tapping into powerful emotions in the songs that he writes has led to a string of hits and awards for some of country music’s biggest stars. Montana’s "Number 1" credits include Garth Brooks’ record-breaking single, “More Than A Memory”, Sara Evans’ smash “Suds in the Bucket”, and the Grammy-nominated “Bring On the Rain”, recorded by Jo Dee Messina.

Tickets can be purchased at Greenhouse Ministries for $15.00 each. There will be desserts and drinks served. Doors open and 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:00pm. For more information contact Event Coordinator, Chasity Ridgeway, at 494-0499 or chasity.ridgeway@greenhousemin.org.

Race Results

Overall	Race
Place	Number	Name	Time	Gender	Age
1	12	Jesse Rodriguez	18:29	M	18
2	117	Carson Prevatte	19:34	M	19
3	113	Daylon Jacks	19:45	M	14
4	104	Steve Wich	19:52	M	45
5	163	Carter Peltier	20:27	M	16
6	109	Robert Huff	20:30	M	42
7	166	Gary Wich	20:42	M	38
8	105	Jason Aver	20:55	M	25
9	11	Martin Capistran	21:23	M	20
10	102	Alex Mulane	21:27	M	15
11	110	Chris Wrather	21:29	M	40
12	9	Paul Baxter	21:41	M	41
13	107	Javier MosQueda	22:14	M	39
14	178	Michael McGoldrick	23:05	M	21
15	115	Eric Edmonds	23:08	M	47
16	106	David Young	23:23	M	47
17	8	Cara Harlig	23:31	F	20
18	177	Trey Helton	23:46	M	38
19	124	Noah Scollon	23:52	M	15
20	194	Luke Stensgard	24:06	M	17
21	175	Lindsay Buena	24:18	F	25
22	169	Zane Cantrell	24:23	M	67
23	111	Austin Patterson	24:29	M	14
24	131	Dan Bobo	24:44	M	29
25	2	Adalicia DeGoff	24:50	F	27
26	132	Angela Bobo	24:57	F	28
27	112	Eric Jacks	25:06	M	46
28	159	Josh Greer	25:14	M	12
29	149	Candice Loyd	25:28	F	36
30	134	Jonathan Smith	25:29	M	31
31	3	Eric Scheberl	25:29	M	26
32	7	Paige Pepper	25:46	F	45
33	139	Ronnie McCoy	26:11	M	34
34	182	Chris Todd	26:18	M	44
35	116	Mark Winfrey	26:20	M	37
36	4	Chuck Norris	26:25	M	28
37	187	Joe Johnson	26:28	M	42
38	152	Tony Lyerly	26:39	M	52
39	192	Damian Fahy	26:47	F	39
40	6	Michael Thompson	26:55	M	36
41	103	Jason Lane	27:10	M	31
42	140	Allen Jackson	27:10	M	49
43	158	Phillip Bobo	27:20	M	52
44	15	Joshua Harper	27:27	M	32
45	119	Diane Gower	27:30	F	63
46	101	Hope Robinson	27:32	F	35
47	127	Grace Pepper	27:43	F	14
48	181	Reagan Dempsey	27:52	F	12
49	114	Celeste Middleton	28:05	F	44
50	201	Hannah Peck	28:13	F	21
51	135	Becky Hornsby	28:24	F	43
52	151	Ashton Earle	28:27	F	10
53	145	Leah Elliot	28:32	F	29
54	160	Kara Greer	28:42	F	45
55	150	Tiernan Earle	28:51	F	37
56	197	Heidi Snider	28:51	F	33
57	176	Gail Walsh	28:57	F	53
58	188	Gerry Macbeth	29:41	F	51
59	173	Ron Gossett	29:42	M	55
60	179	Chelsea Taylor	30:06	F	24
61	189	Glen Macbeth	30:19	M	52
62	183	Lisa Wells	30:40	F	35
63	185	Natalie Franklin	30:41	F	20
64	157	Kathy Bobo	30:49	F	54
65	184	Bill Galbreth	30:50	M	55
66	128	Erin Griffin	30:52	F	15
67	196	Brad Herrin	31:09	M	31
68	122	Mary Paige Pepper	31:15	F	11
69	180	Ann Mullen	31:22	F	51
70	174	Joe Carr, Jr	31:23	M	8
71	167	Daniel Wich	31:43	M	8
72	126	Maggie Pepper	31:46	F	8
73	180	Ann Mullen	31:57	F	51
74	162	James Sandman	32:07	M	51
75	143	Jill Moss	32:09	F	26
76	118	Mike Gower	33:10	M	59
77	108	Carl Good	33:10	M	53
78	147	Ellen Ryan	33:32	F	41
79	148	Kerri Kairdolf	33:33	F	38
80	123	Emma Griffin	33:56	F	10
81	170	Katy Kupfer	33:58	F	25
82	171	Fred Lovelace	34:16	M	78
83	133	Brian Cash	34:29	M	58
84	142	Karen Claud	34:56	F	43
85	144	Sarah Gilliam	34:56	F	27
86	165	Garret Greer	35:20	M	9
87	164	Parker Greer	35:27	M	12
88	137	Matthew Piatko	36:33	M	28
89	13	Angela Kidd	36:34	F	24
90	195	Abigail Hale	36:51	F	23
91	168	Mary Beth Wich	37:23	F	7
92	5	Michael Leahy	37:45	M	53
93	17	Derek Wessels	38:11	M	23
94	199	Robin Lynch	40:16	F	16
95	200	Lyle Lynch	40:17	M	46
96	146	Tijuana Knox	42:46	F	29
97	191	Janice Adams	42:59	F	48
98	120	Charles Sharp	44:14	M	72
99	14	Jeff Mullen	44:34	M	46
100	161	Kimberly Sandman	47:29	F	48
101	198	Sarah Goddard	47:30	F	25
102	156	Greg Alverides	51:35	M	45
103	153	Carol Lyerly	51:36	F	49