With 20 children in care at the three houses on their Melber campus, the staff at New Pathways for Children might feel like they have plenty of blessings. With near-constant chattering, sticky hands to wipe, homework, ministering, and playing, there is more than enough to do to stop and count those blessings. If they did, though, New Pathways would see that the Lord continues to rain His blessings on their work in significant ways.
Like, how in 2014 when New Pathways for Children’s leadership made the decision to no longer accept government funding for their facility because that funding came with restrictions on their ability to worship and teach their children about God, pray together, and study the Bible.
“We made the prayerful decision to no longer accept it in order to continue helping children learn about Jesus,” recalls Dr. Ricky Burse, Executive Director. “It was a call for the Christian community to rally around us and support.”
And answer the call they did! Since that decision was made, New Pathways has been blessed exponentially. More parents and guardians are turning to the organization as a safe haven for their children when they can no longer be cared for at home. Those 20 children rescued from neglect, abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, or other harmful environments now call New Pathways home. They live in three safe and loving homes where caregivers instill in them a sense of hope and belonging, care for their needs, and provide individual and family therapy as well as life skills development. They receive education at nearby Community Christian Academy and worship together. They also go on field trips, see movies together, visit parks and play on the campus playgrounds—the stuff kids do.
And again, in 2020, as the world battled a global pandemic, it might have been easy to ignore a sign, but the leadership of New Pathways saw one clearly. A home on the adjacent property to their campus became available. Realizing that it would allow them to house even more children and recognizing that the need for that was growing, they again made what they call a “bold move of faith” to purchase and renovate the home. It would be a perfect safe haven and home for younger children.
“A little over a year ago, the Board determined to advance boldly, and God has faithfully blessed us as we take each step,” says Steve Meiners, Board Chairman. “A property near our facilities became available to purchase, and we took action.”
The new home was designed to meet babies’ and toddlers’ needs more effectively in what Dr. Burse calls a “more Biblically-aligned model with two parents.”
One of New Pathways’ supporting families saw this bold move and felt compelled to make
one of their own. The dedication of the John and Vivian Williams House is, according to Dr. Burse, yet another blessing bestowed upon the organization when the couple decided to make a generous gift to offset the purchase price.
“John and Vivian are Christians committed to the faith. They’ve been blessed and passed along blessings to many,” he says. “We believe that God worked through the Williams Family as part of His plans to serve more children through New Pathways.”
The leadership of New Pathways for Children may see the hand of God in what they do for children in need, but they continue to see the need increase. Dr. Burse says that factors like alcohol and drug use, abuse, poverty, and homelessness often lead children to the New Pathways for Children facility. Anecdotally, they are already seeing the pandemic’s adverse effects on families and children who are now facing issues that may be too much.
Experiencing an increase in need and anticipating even more in the near future, New Pathways is continuing to boldly move toward the fulfillment of its greater mission.
Recently, David Simmons has joined New Pathways in a new Director of Development & Marketing position to lead and grow partnerships, develop new avenues for revenue, and increase awareness. David brings to the organization more than 25 years of experience in marketing and knowledge of non-profit Christian organizations.
His hiring is another bold move that Dr. Burse says will help meet the growing need he sees. “With David’s hiring, we are better positioned to grow and serve more children,” he says. “Financial resources relate directly to how many children we can serve. Expansion in one means expansion in the other.”
With expansions in facilities, personnel, and the number of children who count on New Pathways to continue that growth, it’s good that the organization seems to be guided by faith and God’s providence. As Board Chair Steve Meiners repeatedly says, “God has blessed our desire to do more.”
Would you like to be a blessing to children?
New Pathways for Children operates entirely on private gifts of funds and private referrals of children to serve.
If you know of a child in need, please reach out to New Pathways’ Program Director, Jan Jones, at 270-674-6061
The organization is in immediate need of funding for six additional children to attend Community Christian Academy. If you can join in donating for those children’s education, please reach out to David Simmons at dsimmons@npfc.net or donate online at www.npfc.net . 270-540-1942 Community Outreach office 2000 Broadway in Paducah
If you would like New Pathways to share their story of faith for your church or civic organization, please contact David Simmons at dsimmons@npfc.net . 270-540-1942 Community Outreach office 2000 Broadway in Paducah
