October Prayer Newsletter

This month at Streams, we celebrate new opportunities to serve and see God’s hand at work through our staff, volunteers, programs, and the families we serve.

We are grateful for the ways God provides for both physical and spiritual needs, through our Food Center, tutoring and youth programs, adult education classes, and outreach efforts. Each meal shared, lesson taught, and act of care reflects His love in action.

Please join us in prayer this month as we lift up our staff, volunteers, programs, and the people in our community. Let’s ask God to guide our work, provide for every need, and bless every effort made to serve Him faithfully.

Praising God for New Staff Members!

Jon (JR) Roberts:  Director of Development
Give thanks for JR, who began this week focusing on cultivating donors and building new partnerships. Pray that God would guide his efforts, open doors for fruitful relationships, and strengthen Streams through his leadership.

Nate Heyboer:  Warehouse Manager & Spiritual Care Coordinator
Praise God for bringing Nate and his family back to West Michigan. Pray that he would balance his warehouse responsibilities with offering spiritual care to shoppers, staff, and volunteers. Ask the Lord to use his pastoral and trauma-informed care experience to bring encouragement and hope to the families at Streams.

Gabriel Shyne:   Middle School Growth Track Program Coordinator
We celebrate the launch of our new middle school program under Gabriel’s leadership. Pray for wisdom, creativity, and strong relationships with students as he shares life lessons through gardening, mentoring, and discipleship.

Paula Guikema:  Middle School Program Facilitator & GEMS Coordinator
Paula has been part of Streams since the beginning and is stepping into a new role with Middle School and GEMS programs. Pray that God will continue to use her love for Streams and students to carry out His mission.

Rachel Hansz:  Middle School Program Facilitator & GEMS Coordinator
Rachel brings a background in psychology and a passion for working with youth and sharing the love of Jesus. Pray that students will feel Christ’s love through Rachel’s care and leadership.

Program Prayer Requests: 

Food Center
As fall and winter approach, we anticipate rising needs. Pray for continued food donations to serve the 2,000 individuals who come each month.

Tutoring
We praise God for a successful start to a new tutoring session!  over 100 students are enrolled to receive weekly support from experienced and caring tutors.  Please pray for no barriers such as illness or transportation issues that would prevent students from attending regularly, so that they can fully benefit from the help available to them.

Middle School Growth Track (launching October 1)
Pray that each student feels welcomed, safe, and loved. Pray also for leaders as they prepare activities, build relationships, and create meaningful experiences.

GEMS Girls’ Club
Pray for the 3rd–5th grade girls who will gather starting October 14 and on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.  Pray that God will lead 1-2 volunteers willing to lead a small group of 3-4 girls.

Streams U
Praise God for the families who have already attended classes! Pray that more adults will be drawn to upcoming opportunities for learning and growth.

Meals on Wheels
Give thanks for this program that provides connection and companionship to so many. Pray for staff and volunteers as they faithfully show up to serve each week.

Sparta GED/HS Diploma Program
Praise God for a record-breaking number of students enrolled! Pray that each one would persevere and feel encouraged to keep moving toward their goals.

West Michigan Literacy Center
Pray for the Health Literacy class launching in October with 20 adults enrolled. Pray they gain language skills that help them navigate the health care system with confidence for themselves and their families.

Ruth’s Chris Charity Golf Outing
Give thanks for the opportunity Streams was given through this event. Pray that God would multiply the impact of the generosity shared.

Current Needs

GEMS Girls’ Club Volunteers:  We are in need of 1-2 adult females that would be willing to help out at our meetings on the 2nd/4th Tuesdays of each month from 6-7:15pm.  Please contact Sue (sue@streamsgr.org) if you are interested.

Amazon Wish List: We have put together a list of items that are consistently needed at Streams that can be purchased on Amazon and will be shipped directly to Streams. Please use this link to access our wish list and consider donating in this efficient way!

Food Drive:  As the holidays will soon be approaching, could you prayerfully consider doing a food drive for Streams?  Please contact Heidi  (heidi@streamsgr.org) for a list of needed items.

Snack Bags:  This has become a highlight for our tutoring students.  Since we have 100+ students coming each week for tutoring, we run out of snack bags quickly!  If you or your small group would be willing to provide individual snack bags, please contact Sue (sue@streamsgr.org).  A snack bag is a simple brown bag filled with 3 snacks, usually a granola bar, fruit snack and a cracker/chip bag.  This a great activity for a small group, classroom, Bible study group, etc.  The kids love it when the bags are decorated too!

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your faithfulness and provision in our community. Thank You for the hands and hearts You have called to serve, our staff, volunteers, and supporters who reflect Your love through every meal shared, every lesson taught, and every act of care.

Lord, we lift up everyone who walks through the doors of Streams this month. May they feel Your presence, peace, and love. Guide our programs, strengthen our staff and volunteers, and open hearts to receive hope, encouragement, and the message of Your grace.

Bless the work of our Food Center, youth programs, adult education classes, and all outreach efforts. Provide for every need, strengthen our community, and use us to be a light in the lives of those we serve.

We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.