Be the Reason Stories Like Stacy’s Are Possible!

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I want to tell you about Stacey—a man who came to Christ’s Body Ministries in one of the hardest seasons of his life. When we first met, Stacey and his wife Desiree were living out of their car. It was cold, Colorado winter cold below-zero cold. Condensation on the inside of the windows. They kept them cracked just enough to run the heat to keep from freezing. But even heat can’t melt the weight of helplessness.

“It wasn’t hopeless,” Stacey told me, “But I was helpless.” They were stuck in that painful middle space, believing there was more, but unable to get there. No ID meant no job. No job meant no way forward. Every day was about survival. Not vision. Not progress. Just surviving.

Then someone told them about Christ’s Body. Pancakes and coffee. Friday church. A hot meal every day. A safe place. Stacey said, “From that first visit, we’ve tried not to miss pancakes and Chapel since.”

Day after day, Stacey and Desiree came back. They didn’t just show up—they leaned in. “For two hours a day, Monday through Friday,” Stacey said, “this was our safe place.” When you’re trying to stay sober and you’re out on the streets, those two hours make all the difference.”

Then one day, Stacey noticed no one was running the showers. “I needed one,” he said, “so I told Paul—I’m opening the showers.” That moment said a lot. He didn’t ask for permission. He saw a need and stepped up.

Not long after that, our team sat down and asked the big question: “How can we help you two move forward?”

Together, we tackled paperwork, housing options, documents, everything that seemed impossible when you’re just trying to survive. “When you’re homeless,” Stacey said, “your mind is just stuck on where to eat, where to sleep, how to stay warm.” You can’t think about the future when you’re stuck in the now.”

But when people feel safe, when they’re seen and loved, that’s when things change.

Today, Stacey is in our RISE Residential program and has his driver’s license. He’s now working 40–60 hours a week and saving money. He’s halfway to his goal of a deposit on an apartment. He’s applied to culinary school at Cross Purpose. And Desiree may soon be working with us here at Christ’s Body, after her time in rehab, she wants to help others walk the same path they’ve walked.

Stacey told me, “Christ’s Body helped me become a better husband, a better father, a better man. You gave me a place to stand, and people who believed in me.”

That’s what your support makes possible. And I need to ask you:

Would you consider giving today to help more people like Stacey and Desiree? Just $10 a month helps us provide food, clothing, showers, and a sense of hope. We need your help!

Because for every story like Stacey’s, there are dozens more just beginning. Each one is sacred. Each one deserves a chance to start again.

When Stacey first walked in, he believed in Jesus, but had no faith in the church. But now? He told me, “I felt the presence of the Lord here. I believe God brought us to Christ’s Body. This community changed everything.”

You are part of that. Your prayers, your support, your generosity—it all matters. It’s not just food or clothes. It’s a transformation. It’s hope. It’s Jesus in action. His hands, His feet. Loving the least of these.

With deep gratitude,

Dr. Jim Copeland
Executive Director
Christ’s Body Ministries

P.S. Every month, we struggle to meet the financial demands to maintain our services and keep the doors open. We are looking for 100 new partners to support Christ’s Body monthly. These “Heroes of Hope” help us provide basic needs for the least of these and share the life-giving hope that is only found in Christ. Would you join our Heroes of Hope team today? $10 a month is all it takes.

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Jim Copeland

Dr. Jim Copeland serves as a business coach to executives and organizations such as Promise Keepers, CORE Leadership, Life of Valor Men's Ministry, Christ's Body Ministries among others. Dr. Copeland served as the International Director of Journey Corps and Director of Recruitment for WorldVenture, Vice President of Operations for Dare 2 Share Ministries, Vice President of U.S. for Emerging Young Leaders, and seven years with Promise Keepers, where he served as Vice President of US and International Ministries.

Dr. Copeland has served on the Board of Directors for international ministries in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Jim has launched ministries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, ministering in more than 30 countries worldwide. Jim is a popular speaker worldwide on a wide variety of topics including Men’s Ministry, Fathering, Discovering Your Destiny and Leadership.

Dr. Copeland has also held executive positions in advertising, marketing, and church growth organizations. His research, in the area of evangelism and leadership, includes several national surveys, international research on the condition of men and the church, and articles. He is the co-author of Men’s Ministry, Every Man Ministering, 1994, and Women’s Ministry, A Model for Mobilizing and Equipping Women for Ministry, 1994.

Dr. Copeland planted two churches and also served in five churches for over 30 years and currently serves as an Elder in his church in Colorado. His education includes a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate in ministry.

Jim resides in Westminster, Colorado, with his wife Denise and has two sons: James (married to Kelly and serves the citizens of Albuquerque as a Fire Fighter) and Sterling (married and pastors at Christ Body Ministries, serving the homeless community of Denver).

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