Scripture Reading:

Mark 5:36– “Jesus told [Jairus], “Don’t be afraid; just believe”

Reflection:

I have decided to retire as CEO at the end of June 2025 and have offered to stay on in a senior advisor position for VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas for another 24 months.  I have been in the workforce for 44 years and it is a wonderful time in life to change speeds and spend time with my loving wife, children, grandchildren, and my Mom who is in her 85th year on this earth and continues to be blessing in our family’s life.  I must admit, it is a little bit daunting for me to end my career with Volunteers of America at this time, but I am excited for the future in a more limited role to support the next servant leader.  I am also anxious about the next 9 months during the transition but know that God is there with me and with VOACC but as I read the above scripture this morning, a sense of calm and peace came over me.  

When Jarius, a synagogue leader came to Jesus and begged him to come and place his hands on his daughter, who was dying, Jesus agreed to come to his house to be with his daughter.  However, on the way to Jarius’s house, messengers arrived saying that his daughter was dead already, but Jesus said to Jarious, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”  Fear or anxiousness can overwhelm us when we are faced with dire news or uncertainty.   I am determined to walk with beside God and the Holy Spirit over the next 9 months and trust the God who loves us.  I will follow Jesus’ command to Jarius:  “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

My prayer for you this week is for you to fix your eyes on Jesus rather than your difficult or challenging circumstances.

Prayer Requests:  (Please send any new prayer requests to my e-mail address rsnyder@voaches.org.)

·        Pray for the Residential Reentry Center team and their change in leadership.  Pray for the interim director and for the Holy Spirit to calm the team and stabilize the work we do with returning citizens.

·        Pray for the Search Committee for VOACC as they look for our next CEO and Lead Minister of our affiliate.  Pray for their discernment and for those candidates that will be applying for the role in the next couple of months.

·        Continue to pray Dr. Sharon Jones-Eversley and her family.  Her Aunt Bernice is in the ICU and her friend Reverend Jackie had a bad fall yesterday and broke her neck.  Pray for Sharon’s Aunt and friend for a full recovery and that God’s greatest good be felt in their lives.

·        Continue to pray for Lionel Gloster and his family as they celebrate the life of his Aunt Mildred. Lionel’s aunt transitioned several weeks ago and the funeral will be held this Saturday.

·        Continue to pray for Patricia Bunting and her family.  Patricia’s nephew, Andrew, transitioned suddenly this week.  Pray for Andrew’s family who are struggling with their loss and may God’s tender mercy and grace be ever present in the days and weeks ahead.

·        Continue to pray for William Ruiz whose nephew Ferdinando transitioned suddenly this week.  Pray for Ferdinando’s family who are struggling with their loss and may God’s tender mercy and grace be ever present in the days and weeks ahead.

·        Continue to pray for Dr. Tanya Royster and her family.  Dr. Royster’s father and brother tragically transitioned in a boating accident in August.  May God’s loving arms wrap around her family and may His presence be felt during their time of mourning.

·        Continue to pray for John Robert Schuler, our cousin, who is undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his brain.  Pray for him, the medical team and for Linda and their daughters Madison and Morgan.  Pray for God’s healing touch in his life and for mercy.

·        Continue to pray for our new VP of Administration and Human Resources who will be starting his tenure here at VOACC in a couple of weeks.  Pray for a successful onboarding and relocation to the DC area.

·        Continue to pray the Healthy Opportunities Team and their leader Hannah.  She is out on medical leave and will be out for an extended time period.

·        Continue to pray for Cyndi Thompsons’ Aunt Patti who recently had a cancer diagnosis.  Pray for God’s healing touch in her body and that the cancer has not spread to her pancreas.  

·        Continue to pray for a friend of mine, Bob Gardiner, who just found out that he has prostrate and bone cancer.  Pray for his healing and God’s intervention into his life.  Pray for Alice, his wife, as she helps Bob with his treatments and recovery ahead.

·        Continue to pray for Lionel Gloster, as he and his family mourns the loss of his Aunt Mildred this week.  Pray for his traveling mercies as well as a blessed celebration of life.  Pray for healing and God’s presence in their lives.

·        Continue to pray for Angela Holmes and her family as they mourn the loss of their father last week.  Pray for God’s greatest good be in their lives as they mourn.

·        Continue to pray for Mona Magruder’s sister who had a stroke last month and is recovering at home.  Pray for patience in her recovery for the family.

·        Continue to pray for Dr. Sheryl Neverson’s father who is recovering from knee surgery.  Pray for Dr. Neverson and her mom as they are the caregivers for him.

·        Continue to pray for Dawn Smith, who has a cancer diagnosis.  Ms. Smith is a friend of Pastor Madeline Long, a member of the VOACC Board of Directors.  Pray for Ms. Smith as she figures out her treatment plan.  Give her hope, health, an healing from any surgery or treatment.

·        Continue to pray for the VOACC HR Team as they continue to be challenged without a permanent leader.  We pray for the search to reveal the candidate that will be successful in the near future.

·        Continue to pray for an end to the violence in our country and to protect our elected leaders and the Nation.

·        Continue to pray for the families of the victims of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last Saturday.

·        Continue to pray for those that are experiencing travel delays and damage from the storms and heat across the United States.

·        Continue to pray for those struggling with affording housing in our great country.

·        Continue to pray for Volunteers of America National and the affiliates during this next fiscal year.  Pray for success and that God enables our affiliates to expand and improve our services simultaneously.

·        Continue to pray for our affiliates successful bids to provide Family Focused recovery in both Virginia and North Carolina.

·        Continue to pray for Pam Dukes, DC Hope Center, as her aunt passed away in June and her mom also passed away last month. May God’s greatest good be manifested in her life and be with her family during this time of suffering and mourning.  Pray for an added healing touch during this double time of mourning.

·        Continue to pray for Kim Baskerville and her family as they mourn the loss of her cousin.  Pray for strength for Kim and her family.  We pray that God intervenes and that you are present in their lives as they remember their cousin.

·        Continue to praise God for His mercy with Briony Aiken and her family as they were in a terrible vehicle accident last month and because of the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt or affected by the accident.

·        Continue to pray for the client who went through cancer surgery last month.  He is recovering but still in a lot of pain.  Pray for his recovery and that the BBH team supports his needs.

·        Continue to pray for our organizational leaders to follow our calling and mission over the next several months and that our work is impactful in our region.

·        Continue to pray for our leadership to stay the course for the rest of the fiscal year.  We are thankful for all that they are doing and their courage.

·        Continue to pray for James Marshall, Chief Ministry Officer, at the VOA National Office who is presenting to the VOA Ministers in all affiliates’ changes to the Cardinal Doctrines.  Pray for discernment and his leadership along with intercession by the Church Governing Board on issues that will arise during this change in our churches’ doctrinal foundation.

·        Continue to pray for my friend Joe Campbell, a college teammate, who had a massive heart attack a couple of weeks ago who is struggling.  Pray for his healing and recovery.

·        Praise God for the successful closing of The Residences at Irvington Woods last week.

·        Continue to pray for Lisa Snider’s, VP of Virginia/DC IDD success in leading her teams and making an impact in our region.

·        Continue prayers for an end to the violence in the Middle East and that God’s mercy is plentiful in Israel, Palestine, Iran, and the Gaza Strip.

·        Continue to pray for the victims of the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD.  Pray for the City of Baltimore as they overcome this tragic event and the rebuilding of lives and infrastructure to support the community and Port of Baltimore.

·        Continue to Pray for the financial turnaround of our affiliate over the next 45 days.  We have had a challenging year and pray for God to bless our affiliate with the necessary funds to support his children.

·        Continue to pray for Ann Todd, a friend of Russ and Karen Snyder, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a cancer diagnosis.  Pray for God’s healing touch and our compassion and love to support her journey to a healthy recovery.

·        Continue to pray for our affiliate to have favor and expand services and housing in Winston-Salem North Carolina after our productive meetings this week with the Community Development Office and Office of Planning.

·        Praise God for His words of affirmation and love.

·        Praise God for His love and mercy in our lives.

·        Pray for all of us to be thankful during this time of the year for our health, family, employer, friends, and our freedom.

·        Pray for an end to gun violence in our Nation and communities.

·        Pray for those that are experiencing health concerns whether COVID or the flu.  May God’s intervention help those that are sick to recover and feel better.

·        Pray for the election process and that the leaders of our country, cities, counties, and towns discern God’s presence in their paths as they lead.

·        Pray for all those experiencing changes in their life whether it is their place of employment or family challenges.   Pray for faith and understanding and forgiveness.

·        Continue to pray for peace and an end to war in Israel and Gaza.  Pray for God’s intervention into that part of the world and may love and forgiveness overcome the hatred, anger and violence.

·        Pray for continued mercies on our clients, consumers, residents, and program participants.   Pray for God’s love to be manifested in their lives while in our care.  We pray for independence and self-reliance once again.

·        Praise God for never giving up on each of us in life and forgiving us for all our sins and giving us the choice to make him our lamp and our light.

·        Pray for our minister candidates (eleven of them) who begin their study this month and spiritual development projects.

·        Pray for a successful no cost extension of our contract with the federal government for providing behavioral health services.

·        Praise God for his grace in having the federal government award us with a new contract in the State of Maryland for our behavioral health services.

·        Pray for all those struggling with health challenges.  Pray for God’s greatest good be manifested in their lives and peace for their family members and friends.

·        Pray for contentment and our faith journey be stronger than ever before.

·        Praise God for our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers in our lives.  We love them and honor them.

·        Continue to praise God and be thankful for all our circumstances in today’s world.  Pray for peace, an end to violence and most of all the fruit of the spirit be revealed in each of us.

·        Pray for a hedge of protection for our school children, the teachers and safety teams who are in our Nation’s school system.  Our prayer is for God’s anointment of the schools and our children each and everyday that will protect them from harm.

·        Continue to pray for our Carolinas Region who are experiencing some challenges.  Pray for the leadership and their discernment to know your will in the decisions ahead.  Our prayers are for you to reveal the next steps for the Carolinas Region.

·        Continue to pray for our law enforcement professionals who continue to be scrutinized for their actions.  Pray that peace is among the law enforcement agencies and allow them to follow the Holy Spirit as they rebuild the confidence in their services in our cities, states, towns and country.

·        Pray for our country and the current economic pressure it is under.  I pray for the President of the United States who continues to try and lead our country through such partisan politics..

·        Praise God for never leaving us alone.

·        Pray for Volunteers of America as a whole.  Pray for the ability to serve more people with more resources to serve.

·        Pray for our Nation’s leaders; our State Leaders; our local leaders; our first responders and our teachers as they start 2023.

·        Pray for the individuals and families in our care who are struggling with their challenges and praise God for organizations like Volunteers of America who help find solutions and supports to bring hope and a future to others.

·        Continue to pray for the VOACC Virginia and Carolinas teams who are experiencing transition.  Please provide them with strength and understanding and perseverance through the challenges ahead.

·        Praise God for His love and mercy in our lives.  Be thankful for your spouse, partner, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, friends and all the important relationships you have.

·        Pray for an end to the violence in our world and that we replace the anger and hatred in the world with the light and love of Jesus.

·        Continue to pray for the City of Baltimore as it continues to struggle to keep people safe, out of poverty and crime free.  Pray for the leaders of the City to make a difference and to allow God to guide their ways.

·        Continue to pray for all the children experiencing bullying or challenges in this troubled world. Pray for their strength and to overcome the darkness in their hearts and minds.  Pray for perseverance rather than giving up.

·        Pray for the end to war, violence, poverty, homelessness, and acts of evil.  Praise God for His unconditional love.

·        Continue to pray for God’s might presence to be in our Residential Reentry Center and allow our leaders to trust in the Lord with all their hearts and minds.  Pray for change and favor on the many issues that need to be resolved.

·        Continue to pray for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas; pray for our work and impact; pray for our new Board of Directors members.

·        Continue to pray for the parents and children who have returned to school.  Pray for safety, peace and a joyful experience.  Pray for the teachers and administrators as they transition into a new school year.

·        Pray for those that are struggling in their homes, places of work, with their health or with their spiritual connection to our maker.

·        Praise God for each morning we wake to his works and word of unfailing love.

·        Pray for favor for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas.  Pray for the reorganization and for God’s mercy and grace as we move toward changes to prepare our affiliate for growth to serve more men, women and children. 

·        Praise God for our freedom and choices in our Nation.

·        Thank God for our nation’s heroes who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and safety.  Pray for their memories and for the families who have lost loved ones protecting our country.

·        Pray for those in our hearts and minds this week.  Uplift all people needing our prayers.

·        Pray for God’s will to be done in the life of Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas.

·        Continue to pray for an abrupt end to the war against the Ukraine.  Pray for God’s intervention into this tragic world event and to bring peace to our world.

·        Continue to pray for the act of peace by Russian leaders and God’s intervention in Ukraine to eliminate war and heal the Ukrainian people.  Pray for action, not just words, for the people of God to defend peace.

·        Continue to pray for peace between the Ukraine and Russia.  Pray for love and a shift from anger to forgiveness and compromise.

·        Continue to pray for all those struggling with COVID this week.  Pray for their quick recovery and for the medical teams supporting those that have been stricken by the disease.

·        Continue to pray for the health care professionals.  Pray for their strength and perseverance during these very difficult times with the pandemic.

·        Continue to pray for those that are shut in their homes due to the pandemic.  Pray for their peace and joy.

·        Thank God for the promise of helping us overcome the world.  Pray for those fallen family members and those struggling with life’s circumstances.

·        Pray for our direct support workers and persons that we serve this week.  Pray for a hedge of protection and health.

·        Thank God for His grace and mercy in our lives and for loving us unconditionally.

·        Pray for all the men, women and children in our care every day.  Pray for their health, safety, and healing.

·        Pray for all of our friends, family and loved ones who are struggling with health concerns this week.  Pray for a positive diagnosis and healing for each and every individual and family.  May God’s presences be around each and every one who is challenged by sickness, injury and difficult circumstances.

·        Praise God for allowing us to have freedoms and enjoy peace.  Thanks be to God for loving us unconditionally.

·        Pray for all those struggling with their path in life.  Pray for God’s presence in their lives.

·        Praise God for those children who have been confirmed or baptized and their parents and their commitment to enter into a relationship with our God.

·        Pray for all those that have a disability that God may offer more dreams and hope to their lives.

·        Pray for our stewardship ministry to thrive in our affiliate.

·        Praise God for His strength and enabling us to find strength in Him.

·        Continue to pray for our church without walls and those seeking to identify their spiritual gifts and contribute to our stewardship ministry.  Pray for discernment and revealing each of our spiritual gifts.

·        Continue to pray for our Country and our Nation’s leaders.  Pray for peace and forgiveness and may God’s greatest good  be all around our Nation in the days, weeks and months ahead.

·        Continue to pray for peace and a growing relationship with our Lord during the New Year.

·        Pray for peace and end to the divide in our country with this change of leadership.

·        Pray for our divided Nation.  Pray for our leaders and for God’s grace and mercy.  Pray for peace and love throughout our communities.

·        Thank God for meeting us and being with us in the “middle”.

·        Continue to pray for our children who have adjusted to remote or virtual learning and will be struggling in the fall by having to continue this distance learning for the near future.

·        Praise God for his promise of keeping us whole in Him.  

·        Continue to pray for our country.  Pray for the eradication of social injustice, systemic racism and a time of peace, love, equality and unity for all God’s beloved people.  Pray for the families who have lost loved ones to violence – everyday.  Pray for healing. 

·        Praying for our Nation, State, Counties and communities to be safe and have God’s healing touch in our lives.

·        Praying for our employees, clients, volunteers and donors and may God’s love manifest in our affiliate all week.

·        Praying for comfort, peace and joy for today.

·        Pray for love and kindness in the world this year.

·        Pray for those in our hearts and minds that are struggling with their lives.  Pray for God’s presence to manifest in their circle and daily being.  Pray for their strength to overcome their disease, injury or incredible pain.

·        Pray for the blessing of additional resources to Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas

·        Pray for the homeless who are unable to have a voice for themselves.  Pray for shelter, food and hope in the week ahead.

·        Prayers for those in our hearts and minds that are struggling with finances, lost a job, are sick or injured, or are stuck in their own exile due to addictions, anger or other difficulties on this earth.

·        Praise God for new beginnings every day and especially as we enter a new year full of hope and dependence in Him.

·        Praise God for the Incarnation.  For joining us on this earth and giving us peace.  Thanks be to God for His son Jesus Christ – the savior of the world.

·        Praise and thank God for all the you have – your health, family, friends, food, a home, and for your employment.

·        Praise God for our children and protect them from the effects of war, strife and poverty.  

·        Continue to pray for Volunteers of America.  Pray for freedom through God’s grace and mercy in the lives of the people we serve and our employees.

·        Pray for all those that have lost loved ones in the past year and for their peace and freedom from grief and loss.

·        Pray for those that are struggling with health issues, personal stresses or concerns, and those that are hurting in our world.  May the prayer of God’s love and light be present among those struggling this week.

·        Thank God for Jesus’s life and the resurrection and renewal that came with His sacrifice.

·        Thank God for our veterans who have protected our country.  Praise God for their strength, gift of protection and service to our Nation.

·        Praise God for our Volunteers of America Church without Walls and our ministers.  Pray for their boldness in sharing God’s light and love with others.

·        Praise God for shaping each of us as a unique person and part of the Body of Christ.

·        For our ministry in Volunteers of America to grow. 

Final Thought:

When trials come, we can trust God and release our fears.

Blessings,

Reverend Russell Snyder | President and CEO