James spent years praying for a place like Christ’s Body Ministries before he ever walked through our doors.

Born and raised in Denver, James faced a difficult road that eventually led to homelessness, incarceration, and years of instability. Before prison, he spent 14 years homeless. Then he spent more than five years incarcerated, wondering what life would look like if he ever got another chance.

While still in prison, James began praying specifically for a Christian program where he could rebuild his life spiritually. Again and again, he was denied by different programs because of his background and charges. He started to lose hope that anyone would take him in.

Then something unexpected happened.

One day, while going through prison reentry processes, James was suddenly connected through a video interview with Pastor Sterling from Christ’s Body Ministries. James still describes it as God opening a door for him.

When he was finally released from prison, he walked directly from parole to Christ’s Body Ministries with bags in his hands, unsure of what his future would look like.

What he found here surprised him.

He found people who welcomed him.
People who trusted him.
People who treated him with dignity.

James entered our CORE reentry program and later entered our RISE residential discipleship program. Slowly, he began rebuilding his life one step at a time.

But one of the most powerful parts of James’ story is not just what Christ’s Body Ministries did for him. It’s what he continues to do for others.

Even after moving into his own place, James still comes back to volunteer, and the job he chose is probably the hardest and least glamorous job in the entire ministry.

Every morning, more than 100 men who slept on the streets use our bathrooms and showers during Daily Bread. By the end of the morning, those bathrooms are often extremely dirty and difficult to clean.

James saw that need and quietly stepped in.

Week after week, he continues showing up to clean those bathrooms because he believes people deserve dignity. He told me himself that even if someone is struggling or living on the streets, they still deserve a clean bathroom, a clean shower, and a clean place to take care of themselves.

That says a lot about who James is becoming.

At Christ’s Body Ministries, transformation rarely happens all at once. It happens through consistency. Through people showing up. Through safe places, daily meals, spiritual care, community, and people who refuse to give up on someone.

That’s what your support makes possible.

Right now, every donation to Christ’s Body Ministries is being doubled through our $50,000 Challenge Grant. Every meal served, every shower cleaned, every bed provided, every outreach, and every life we walk alongside can go twice as far during this campaign.

James often tells us he prayed for a place like this while sitting in prison. Today, he not only has stability and housing, but he continues giving back to the very ministry that helped him rebuild his life.

That’s why monthly supporters matter so much to this ministry. We call them Heroes of Hope because they help create the consistency that changes lives. They keep the lights on. They keep the doors open. They make sure Christ’s Body Ministries is still here tomorrow morning for the next person praying for a second chance.

Would you consider becoming a Hero of Hope today? During this $50,000 Challenge Grant, your gift will go twice as far to help us continue serving people like James every single day.

Blessings,

Dr. Jim Copeland
Executive Director

P.S. James once prayed from prison for a place where he could rebuild his life spiritually. Today, he still returns to Christ’s Body Ministries to serve others by cleaning the bathrooms used daily by men coming straight from the streets. Right now, thanks to our $50,000 Challenge Grant, your gift can be doubled to help us continue being that steady place of hope, dignity, and restoration for others searching for a new beginning.