Don Reich is an active member of Brandermill Church. He wanted to participate in Unity Works in order to contribute to the community now that he is retired. Since his “church community is already an active supporter of Richmond homeless programs, he thought Unity Works could provide ideas of how their support could be expanded and improved.”

Tammy McClure wanted to participate in Unity Works because she has a strong desire to work with the underprivileged, “The least of these.” Her hope is that this program will educate her about the struggles that those in homelessness face so that through the knowledge gained God will show her how she may serve God and God’s people.

Barbara Burrell joins us from Third Bethel A.M.E. which resides in the heart of the city. She is an active volunteer with many of the ministries with in her church, from the Intercessory Prayer ministry to the Feeding Ministry. When asked why she wanted to participate in Unity Works Barbara said, “ I am part of a community with little or no hope, a country perhaps selfish to the real needs of fellow citizens. No Matter the color of our skin or status, in this life we’re all human beings who should partake of the same resources and opportunities. God created the world with enough for all. I’m alive to serve and not to be served!”

Shirley Hayes is a member of Hope Church who has an interest in inner city mission work. She wanted to participate in Unity Works because she enjoys working with the poor. Her hope in participating in these workshops is “to be part of a team at her church that would help to spread the word and get people excited within Hope Church about working with the poor as well as finding out what ministries in Richmond would be a good fit for Hope.”

Clay Hayes is a member of Hope Church and enjoys working with poor. He had a desire to learn about other ministries in Richmond that work with the poor.

John Sadovszky said that he “simply wanted to participate in Unity Works because it is what Jesus commanded.” “As a Christian my desire is to share the love of Christ by caring for others, the Lord expects us to do. Being Christian, to me, is an action verb and not a noun.” His hopes are to accomplish whatever God’s will for him is, his desires are to share God’s love and to make a difference in the lives of others by helping them meet needs and sharing HOPE. He is a member of Hope Church.

Francine Haymes comes to us with a heart for prayer. Through these workshops she “hopes to gain an understanding of homelessness, what is being done in our area, and what needs to be done and how to accomplish ministry in a biblical context.”

Sandy Haymes has had a “sensitive compassion for the poor” for most of his life but basically spent his life working and going to church. Now he is at a point in his life where he “desires to put his compassion to action.”

Stephanie Chao is a member of Hope Church and a medical student at MCV. Because of her constant contact with Richmond’s poor and needy in the hospital, as patients, she has “always wanted to learn how she could better serve and care for them, as well as understand the hardships that they face.” Through this program she is hoping to “spread the joy of her faith to the people of Richmond who need it and to re-instill hope to those who have lost it.”

Amy Allen is a High Schooler who attends Hope Church. She enjoys missions trips, and as she considers where she will go after she graduates she has “a desire to explore the opportunities to be Christ to the people of Richmond.”

Zach Kuenzli is the Young Adult Ministry coordinator at Hope Church. He believes that “as Hope Church is preparing to engage in Highland Park, that the congregation would benefit from Unity Works.” His hope is that their “team will lead the way in serving the poor of Richmond generously, as their congregation continues to become a growing movement of Christ followers.”

Nancy Friesen is the World Impact (missions) leader at Hope church. Her hope is that “Unity Works would help Hope Church come away with a clear vision of what God is doing in Richmond and how Hope can be part of that.”

Richard Kreiger is a member of Hope Church. He wants to participate in Unity Works simply because “God has blessed him so richly.”