NOVEMBER 26, 2003

• Rachel’s House Secures Financing on Two Properties for Discipleship Housing
  On Wednesday, November 26 Rachel’s House officially closed on the two current properties used for the discipleship/housing program for female ex-offenders. Commerce National Bank, through the assistance of Mr. Bill Dudley allowed Lower Lights to acquire the properties that have been secured by Mr. Greg Laws. This is an incredible blessing for our ministry and gives our ministry greater credibility. We are thankful to Mr. Laws for his faithful, continued support of our ministry.

NOVEMBER 25, 2003

• Partnering Church Provides Thanksgiving Meals for 15 Needy Families
  Under the leadership of Dave Brownfield and Pastor Derek Catron, the Chillicothe Westside Church of the Nazarene provided baskets complete with turkey and all the trimmings for 15 families in Franklinton. The meals were distributed on Tuesday, November 25th following a special thanksgiving service in which we shared testimonies of God’s many blessings this past year.
  
  Lower Lights gratefully acknowledges the initiative taken by the Chillicothe Westside Church of the Nazarene to help families during the holiday season.

NOVEMBER 19, 2003

• Rachel’s House Featured at Recent Department of Corrections Symposium in Columbus, Ohio
  The State of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections held its annual symposium on Restorative Justice November 19, 2003. The purpose of the symposium is to seek ways in which the State of Ohio can provide justice for its citizens that is restorative, both for the victims and the perpetrators of crimes.
  
  Warden Patricia Andrews of the Ohio Reformatory for Women lead one of the workshops provided at this year’s symposium. The workshop introduced a panel of people working effectively to provide restorative justice, including Pastor Jan Ruark and Ms. Rita Miller, both from the Rachel’s House program. Pastor Jan and Rita were asked many in-depth questions about how the program operates to provide true restoration in the lives of those convicted of crimes and were able to share how God has used Rachel’s House to help many offenders find their way to becoming law-abiding, productive citizens.

NOVEMBER 12, 2003

• Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada Awards Rachel’s House and the Christian Health Center with Grants
  Under the leadership of Dr. Oliver Phillips, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Lower Lights Christian Health Center for development, and awarded a $5,000 grant for operating costs for Rachel’s House.
  
  It is a tremendous blessing and encouragement to know that the Church of the Nazarene is financially supporting these important ministries that are bringing the Gospel to life in practical ways for those Christ calls us to serve. Lower Lights greatly appreciates these gifts from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada

OCTOBER 31, 2003

• Rachel’s House Receives $20,000 Grant from Columbus Foundation
  Recently, Lower Lights Ministries, Inc. was awarded a grant for $20,000 from the Leona & Rowena Kesler Memorial, and the Fred B. & Mabel Dean Hill funds of the Columbus Foundation to be used to supplement the salary for the Rachel’s House Program Director from November 2003 – October 2004. This is a tremendous blessing for our ministry, not only for the financial benefit, but also to know that the Central Ohio community supports our work in improving the lives of adult female offenders.

  
  
  Lower Lights gratefully acknowledges this gift from the Governing Committee of the Columbus Foundation, and extends special thanks to Maggie Cretella of the Columbus Foundation for her extensive research in evaluating our grant proposal. We also extend our appreciation to Brenda Custodio for her assistance in completing the grant proposal.

OCTOBER 26, 2003

• Lower Lights Extends a Hand of Safety to Area Residents
  On Sunday, October 26, Lower Lights held its annual Fire Safety Sunday for Franklinton residents. Because of the frequency of house fires in our community throughout the winter months, many which have fatal results, Lower Lights holds this event and distributes free smoke alarms for qualifying residents.
  

  The event began with a special gospel concert featuring the Rogers’ Trio, a local Southern Gospel trio. Bellows Avenue Church of the Nazarene was filled with praise as the congregation joined in the singing of some gospel classics. Following the concert, all gather for a light lunch sponsored by Columbus Northwest Church of the Nazarene. Children and a few adults enjoyed a visit from Lt. Wolfe and the Columbus Fire Department House 10… local firefighters known as the “River Rats.”