And the LORD answered me, and said, “Write the vision, and make it plain…” –Habakkuk 2:2a

In this passage, Habakkuk receives an answer to his prayer for guidance and vision on how to move forward with his prophetic calling.
In this new season, we have asked for prayer on how, through the Spirit’s leading, to discern God’s vision for the future of this 111-year-old House of Mercy. Thank you all so much for your prayers!

Executive Director George Chochos often prays, “Lord, how can I center the human dignity of the precious souls you place in Bethesda’s care? How can we be a blessing to the next generation? How can I show our devoted staff that they are valued, cared for, and that Bethesda desires to invest in them by pouring into them as they pour out into others for your glory?”

Our vision statement reads as follows: We aspire to be God’s House of Mercy, through which He brings about life recovery and restoration for hurting, hopeless, and homeless men, women, and children in our shelters, in our community, and throughout the region. We desire to holistically serve those in need, equip them to engage purposefully and meaningfully with society, and lead them to experience the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Our desire is to increase Bethesda Mission’s effectiveness and efficiency as its staff seeks, by God’s grace, to live out our vision of serving those in need and equipping them for the future.

To accomplish this goal, we will rely on God, our staff, our board, and you, our faithful donors, who enable everything we do.

Here are strategies we are pursuing to push us closer to this objective.

Men’s Mission

We are seeking to provide additional professional development opportunities for staff members to improve their ability to counsel, disciple, offer trauma-informed care, and deescalate situations.

We also plan to grow our partnership with the Sarah Jane Bentley Foundation to hold additional addiction and mental health clinics.

Finally, we want to renovate the chapel, the showers, the kitchen area, and the second floor, and expand the building to include an administration wing to reduce Bethesda Mission’s rental costs.

Women’s Mission

We are working to streamline the intake process at the Women’s Mission and enable House Supervisors to build deeper relationships with our women and children guests.

We are also seeking to provide additional training for staff members and develop more effective partnerships with current and future volunteers.

Community Center

Our primary objective is to complete the second story of the new Community Center classroom building. With the second story finished, we can expand our programs and offer support to additional children, teens, and families in need.

We also want to continue to build partnerships with local colleges, including Messiah University, HACC, Harrisburg University, and Penn State Harrisburg. Student mentorships provide critical support to those struggling academically and socially.

Vision Begets Vision

In 2004, Herman Bentley arrived at 611 Reily Street and climbed the steps of the Men’s Mission. He was struggling with a cocaine addiction, a drug he had first used in high school, and one he turned to again after his divorce.

“[Coming to the Mission] was the best move I made in my life,” Herman reflected. “I met so many important people who are still in my life today.”

Herman went through our New Beginnings program, which provided him with tools to overcome his addiction. His time at the Mission also helped him build a relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

After graduation, Herman lived in our then transitional living facility, Trinity House. He stayed there a few months, continuing to build lifelong, supportive friendships.

Herman felt called to return to school to help others facing similar struggles. In 2010, he earned a BA in Human Services and Psychology from Lincoln University. He received a Master’s Degree in Human Services in 2018. He is currently finishing his autobiography, Rebound, which is the last step in his PhD program.

Now, Herman strives to use his education and past life experiences to help those with mental health and addiction issues.

“I want[ed] to give back,” Herman shared. “I’m a product of the Mission. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t [even] have a story.”

Herman founded the Sarah Jane Bentley Foundation in 2021. It offers licensed addiction counseling and works with the corrections department to offer services to the currently and previously incarcerated.

As mentioned previously, we are looking to grow our relationship with the Sarah Jane Bentley Foundation for the benefit of those inside and outside the Mission.

Currently, the organization hires men from the Mission, providing them with work experience that can be used as they pursue future careers. It also provides monthly clinics at the Mission for those struggling with addiction issues.

We are grateful that God is using the Mission to plant seeds in the lives of our guests and that those seeds in Herman grew into a heart for those struggling with addiction and mental illness.

The Sarah Jane Bentley Foundation opened a new building on North 2nd Street last month, and Herman is working to expand its services to include teenagers struggling with addiction.

Requesting Prayer

Bethesda Mission is always in need of prayer. This time, we ask that you pray that our ministries continue to grow, that seeds planted there bear fruit, and that God would continue to lead us and establish the work of our hands.

Please join us in praying for the Sarah Jane Bentley Foundation, that their expansion to the new building goes smoothly, and for the work the staff is doing in the lives of those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.