[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
"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
1 comment:
I am so excited to launch the Greenhouse Ministries/Artsy Mamas partnership next week. What a blessing!
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