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It’s Fall, y’all! And what a nice Fall it is so far. Seeing the fields being gathered up reminds me of Psalm 65:11, “You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance.” This speaks to me of what great abundance we have, and to whom we should be thankful to. We serve an awesome God and one of the names of God is Jehovah-Jireh which means “The Lord My Provider.”
His provision is not just physical things but spiritual things through the Holy Spirit.
Here, at ATLAS of Rock County, we are very fortunate to have a thrift store to generate funds used for our ministry work. Only a few of the ATLAS non-profits have thrift stores to help them fund ministry work. Each ATLAS is unique to the communities they serve, but all ATLAS ministries have mentoring services and stand on the three principles of ATLAS:
- Help the hurting
- Equip the saints
- Unite community
Many people have asked me what we do with the money generated by your donations at our Redeemed Remnants thrift store. The long part of that question is this:
We pay our mortgage just like you.
We pay our utilities just like you.
We pay our taxes just like you and your business.
We pay our staff (8) just like you and your business.
We pay for maintenance and improvements just like u.
We pay for supplies just like you and your business.
We pay for insurance just like you.
We pay for, and I hate to say it, snow removal. We have to keep our parking lot cleared off just like you do.
We have to pay for all of those things just to be here in Rock County. More importantly to us is not just that we are here but why we are here. The purpose for us being here is you. I refer back to the three principles of ATLAS. We are here to help the hurting, equip the saints, and unite community. Our office sees hundreds of people every year and each one of them is unique, fun, challenging, heartbreaking, awesome and sometimes difficult. Each person is created in God’s image and deserves honor, respect, and help from us if we are able.
Some of the things that many people in the community don’t see are the way in which we help people. Sometimes we advocate on their behalf. We may use our financial resources to help them deal with a crisis in their lives. Many times we will guide them to other resources within the county to help them better with their specific needs. Many people come to us needing clothing, household items, furniture, food, and gas money to get to appointments and work. We help them as we are able at no charge to them. Our mentoring services are free and available to anyone who needs them. Sometimes just listening to someone who is going through difficult times is enough of an antidote for what ails them.
Our Second Mile Bicycle Ministry helps approximately 180 people every year with their bicycle needs. Our ATLAS Community Room has two different church’s services each Sunday and that same room is available for public or private events. Also, our public space is used for GriefShare classes each Monday night for people who are dealing with loss in their life. Do you want to join a bible study? That happens here too. We are here to help others, and we will use many different means to accomplish that goal. We are here also to point people to Christ because that is absolutely the biggest help that we can give them. His way is always the best way. His way is life.
The staff and the Board at ATLAS are keenly aware that God is our great provider and works in and through people via the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will. We are grateful to Him for all of you who donate to ATLAS and hope that you experience His blessings when you give of your time, your talents, and your finances. In the gospel of Luke it says, “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” God notices everything!
ATLAS gives opportunities for everyone to help others through us. We are grateful for our volunteers and all of you who make this ministry work!
Michael Blank, Director
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