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Glennon Heights Participates in the Lakewood rotation of Interfaith Hospitality Network. Click on the following link for more information about
Interfaith Hospitality Network .
The following are pictures and article from members of our church participating in IHN:
The following article was published in the IHN June 2007 newsletter:
Introducing one of our star volunteers: Jeff Bontrager When he started volunteering with IHN six years ago. Jeff Bontrager, like so many of our volunteers didn't really know what to expect. He knew that he had a few ideas about what homeless families would be like, but was pretty sure that his picture wouldn't match up with reality. And he was right. "A lot of my stereotypes were completely obliterated by the people I met." When asked what things surprised him. Jeff rattled off a list that sounds so familiar; "how many people had jobs, the number of single dads, how difficult it is to get an ID." Jeff shared with me how IHN has really been a success story for his congregation by bringing together members from his congregation from different generations to support a single cause. From the beginning, Jeff appreciated the creativity of the IHN model and the way it brings meaning to the word "sanctuary." His church, Glennon Heights Mennonite Church, has always had a strong sense of service to the community. When they heard about the program, they knew they wanted to be involved, even through their church buildings did not necessarily suite the hosting of IHN. They are now a support congregation for Lakewood Christian Church. By day Jeff works with the Colorado Health Institute as a Senior Research Analyst. Jeff loves the performing arts, acting, writing, singing, and playing clarinet. He remains peripherally involved with the Colorado Symphony chorus and aims to learn how to play piano. Of course, he does live in Colorado, so he enjoys skiing and biking as well. Of the many families who have made an impression on Jeff, he remembers one in particular. The mom had a young daughter and a brand new baby. Glennon Heights had invited the families to join them at a retreat in the mountains, and she accepted. Jeff remembers driving up to the retreat with her in the car. "She had never been outside of the city. She was so grateful to get into the mountains. I got to see the drive again through someone else's eyes." She was able to participate in the retreat and share with the congregation her "profound, personal story." Jeff paused at the end of our interview to make sure that I knew how much he appreciated the support he got from the IHN staff. I think he even used the phrase, "really, really, really." And I just couldn't help but think: Thank you Jeff, but we really, really, really couldn't pull this off without the passion and hard work of volunteers like you. -Jennifer Wade, IHN Program Manager |
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