Author: Mark Hollander
“I remember the very first time that I heard about The Sparrow’s Nest. I was asked to join a few people for breakfast at Denny’s in O’Fallon (it isn’t there anymore!) and I heard this “dream” about creating a place for young women who had no place to go during a pregnancy. The place was described as a place of refuge, a place of healing, a place of learning and where dreams could come true. It sounded amazing and I remember tears filling my eyes as I thought that such a place could be real. The small group of people captivated me and soon I was meeting up with them on a regular basis to learn more. Little did I know that the little breakfast meeting would turn into something that would change my life.”
Those words are from a blog post that I wrote in December 2019. Little did we know that so many “crazy” things would happen in 2020/21 and the mission of The Sparrow’s Nest would continue to evolve AND the delivery of the mission would change right in front of our eyes!
The excitement of that breakfast meeting is still very fresh in my mind and I feel the exact same way today as we prepare for Christmas 2022! We are literally on the threshold of re-opening our doors as a place of refuge, healing, learning, and helping the dreams of young families come true.
The rest of what I wrote still holds very, very true today.
“One thing that has never wavered within us and that is to constantly share the love of God. Constant love and support in a non-judgemental loving environment where His message can be shared has always and will always be part of The Sparrow’s Nest.
My responsibilities on our board are based around finances and I serve as Vice President and Treasurer. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the “numbers”, bank statements and spreadsheets but I am constantly drawn back into realizing the lives that are changed because this ministry exists. I am honored to be a tiny part of it and hope that you realize just how important your contributions, service hours and volunteer times mean to us and to His kingdom.”
We are in some exciting times, my friends and I look forward to the next chapters of The Sparrow’s Nest. Let’s do this – together!