Joppa House Ministries July 2022 –
Joppa House is a transitional home for women (and their children, if applicable) who are in need of a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment while continuing their personal recovery from substance use disorders.
“Our mission at Joppa House Ministries is to provide a safe, sober, rehabilitative environment for women and women with children. Our program empowers women to remain substance-free, while mentoring and training them in the life skills they need, providing them a healthy, stable environment as they begin to transition and sustain independent living.”
Pastor GinGER STEVENS
Pastor Ginger Stevens became a Christian as an adult, having received her first bible from her mother-in-law, first learning and teaching herself and her daughter, then subsequently leading bible studies and youth groups to help others grow in their faith.
801 State St, Charlevoix, MI 49720 PHONE (231) 330-2643
In 2003, Pastor Ginger was invited by to attend the Toronto Blessing, which led to a transformational experience, and a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit. Subsequently, Pastor Ginger began working for the Assembly of God Church. After a number of years of study she was ordained and became Associate Pastor.
Convinced that the world needs the values and influence that churches provide, Pastor Ginger assisted several local churches by helping them improve how they were operating.
Because of the homeless problem in Northern Michigan, Pastor Ginger began Third Day Fellowship & Outreach, a Street Level Ministry, providing food, chapel services, and other help to those increasingly in need. Homelessness and addiction had become an epidemic, much more so than most of us realize.
Pastor Ginger prayed endlessly to our Lord, “Tell me how can I help? Please give me a vision”. The vision was Joppa House, providing housing and the needed life skills and other training to the women who are suffering from addictions. including their children.
Pastor Ginger spoke to everyone who would listen, sharing her vision, asking for their support. Our community responded. Someone donated the 801 State Street property in Charlevoix, St. Mary Church donated a convent which was no longer needed and was moved to 801, and our entire community pitched in and helped. Joppa House opened in 2014 and continues to thrive due to the ongoing support of our community.
Coupled with continued prayer, ideas and advice from others, Pastor Ginger developed a life skills curriculum for the women which includes hygiene for themselves and for their living space, employment success, budgeting, healthy relationships and boundaries, community volunteering, and parenting.
Each Joppa House resident must be actively participating in:
·Bible study
·A church of their choice
·An addiction recovery program
·Full time employment or part-time if they are taking classes
·A weekly community dinner
The program is strenuous, includes exams, and zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol or weapons.
This said, first and foremost, Pastor Ginger’s message to these women and children is that God loves them, regardless of their past, and to always treasure that…and to let God’s love for them guide their lives.
Pastor Ginger believes no one has worked harder on their lives than some of these women in recovery. To date, 176 women and children have resided at Joppa House. Most of these women lacked growing up in a loving household, and nearly all have wrestled with addiction, which is a huge problem here in Northern Michigan, sadly as it is across our country.
Asked how people might help Joppa House, Pastor Ginger shared that a financial donation of any amount will help. Joppa House Ministries is a 501©3 nonprofit.
“Our mission at Joppa House Ministries is to provide a safe, sober, rehabilitative environment for women and women with children. Our program empowers women to remain substance-free, while mentoring and training them in the life skills they need, providing them a healthy, stable environment as they begin to transition and sustain independent living.”