Birthdays make me reflective. June holds three out of the soon-to-be five birthdays in my family.
With each greeting card, I get the twinge of reflection on the past year and the optimistic dreaming about the year ahead. June is also the month GraceWorks concludes our fiscal year and prepares for a new year ahead—a birthday of sorts!
So, June is punctuated by reflecting on what God has done—and invites us to lean forward in faith toward what He will do next.
As the next year begins, our mission remains the same: to share God’s grace through food, shelter, and support. Yet each year, that mission unfolds in ways we could not have fully planned. That is the nature of ministry—it is both deeply intentional and fully dependent on the Lord’s leading.
As we reflect, we can testify. And last year holds big testimonies of His hand at GraceWorks! He has moved mightily, clearing obstacles, offering unforeseen provision, and answering prayers that we have prayed for decades. But the “smaller” testimonies are the ones that keep us going. Every single day God meets our neighbors in their greatest moments of need.
Reflect with me a moment on some testimonies from neighbors themselves:
“I just want to say thank you . . . I am a single mom of four, and since my divorce four years ago, it’s been so difficult for me. I have been having a hard time, but your help has been such a blessing for me and my kids. I really appreciate it, and every time I give thanks to my Lord for your help.”
“Everyone here has been so kind to me. Y’all are like Jesus with skin on.”
“Thank you so much for your help. When you get older, you eventually have to live on a fixed income, but our expenses aren’t fixed—they just keep going up. This helps cover the gap. We are just so grateful for you.”
These moments are powerful—and we believe there is more ahead.
As we begin this new fiscal year, we do so with a deep sense of expectation. We believe God is inviting us into a season where we will not only continue to serve our neighbors, but also clearly testify to His faithfulness as the year unfolds.
That expectation shapes how we move forward. It reminds us that this ministry has never been about what we can accomplish alone—but about what God can accomplish through a community willing to say “yes.”
This year, we are stepping forward with that same trust.
We are excited for what is ahead. We are grateful for the ways you continue to walk alongside this ministry. And we are confident that, together, we will have many stories to share—stories of provision, hope, and lives changed by God’s grace.
Thank you for being part of this ministry. Thank you for believing in what God is doing through GraceWorks. And thank you for helping us begin this new year with open hands and expectant hearts.
With gratitude and hope,
Alicia Bell
Chief Executive Officer
GraceWorks Ministries