Columns
Within the walls of this church are individuals and families who are recovering from addictive lifestyles. Servants of the Streets Ministry (SOS), focuses on restoration and recovery to men who suffer from abusive lifestyles, those abuses may include, but are not limited to,
drug and alcohol abuse. Apostle
Mario Villela founded the ministry eighteen years ago in San Antonio Texas. Through God closing doors and opening others, SOS relocated to Mishawaka about ten years ago. They relocated again to their current location in spring of 2005. They have just recently opened their second facility in Elkhart.
Between 25-30 men live in the 30,000 square foot facility that includes 4 apartments, dorms, a day care, classrooms, a kitchen and worship center. Those in recovery have the option to stay the six-month minimum recovery time or choose longer depending on their individual need. Those who desire to become ordained and pastor in the ministry, stay within the program for 3 - 4 years.
According to Apostle Villela, 800 men and boys come through the SOS program a year. Of those, about 70% stay in recovery through an entire year. “People want to get free from addictions. They don’t know how to say no, so we become the family and support group they need to help them say no.,” says Villela.
Individuals for the recovery ministry are referred to SOS through courts, family and other means. But when they come they have to go through a thorough evaluation. “We need to see that they are ready, broken and prepared to be led”, says Villela.
Most recently, eleven of the recovering men traveled to Moss Point Mississippi to assist with the Katrina Clean-up efforts. Led by volunteer and retired physician, Doc Byler, the group traveled by van and stayed for 10 days. The John Perkins Ministry organized church groups to assist in the Katrina clean up. SOS was just one of many church ministries helping in the effort, The John Perkins Ministry, housed the men at Green Pastures church, arranged for worship with the local church and scheduled their daily activities and work to be accomplished.
While there, the men helped rebuild homes, strip out floors, pull down molded drywall, and serve those in their need. The biggest reward the men received from this trip was the blessing of serving others. “The guys all here will agree, from the life we come from this trip was a blessing. In my past life I was a taker, but now walking with Christ, I was able to give back.” Said George Vendola a resident of the SOS ministry.
The personal impact on the men included seeing the resolve and strength of the victims of Katrina. “Most of the homes we worked at belonged to Christian people. Their level of kindness and hope was amazing.” Said Anthony Green. “We felt guilty leaving, there was so much more work to do” According to Robert Taliaferro.
Serving in this way was just one part of the healing process for the individuals involved in the SOS program. Over time, the men involved in this trip have gone through a transforming process that led them out of their need for addictive habits to a place where they could claim the blessings by helping others.
A second phase of the SOS ministry happens at their Elkhart location. SOS just purchased a building to remodel and use as a “Word Work-house” for “those who are ready to go back to work, but not back to their neighborhood” says Villela. The facility will provide work and loving care for those who need to make restitution to the courts, or child support but still need a stable environment with strong leadership to keep them accountable to their goals.
The needs of the SOS ministry are great. Food, clothing, teaching materials, all daily living needs are apart of the ministry expenses, not to mention the purchasing the $700,000 building. “The number one need is prayer.” Says Villela, However, finances are critical. “Whenever you are dealing with people you will have needs for money. Any shelter will tell you that”, says Villela. There is no cost to the men in the ministry. The ministry is partnered with The ‘John 17’ group, as well as other outside ministries and private donors in the area, but the needs continue to grow. Villela says he would be delighted to find a donor to purchase the building they are using.
More information about the SOS ministry is available at their website at www.servantsofthestreets.org. The SOS also hosts Sunday services that are open to the community at 10:00 a.m. and the Tuesday Recovery (drugs and relationships) meets at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the ministry or to make donations contact Marti Cerda at 574-234-0145