November 2016
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR—RAY ANDERSON
To all the Friends and Supporters of Open Gate Min- istries, Inc.
Greetings from your Hometown Mission
Headquarters in Dinuba.
Here we are again fac- ing the Holidays. There is excitement in the air as we look forward to the family time together at Thanksgiving and Christmas. At Open Gate we are also look- ing forward to our 5th Annual Christmas Tree Auction. It will be held at the Dinuba First Baptist Church, 600 E. Nebraska Ave.
The time is from 2-5p.m. We will be having a Silent Auction, Boutique and Refreshments.
This is one of our major fund raisers we have through -out the year and just like you are looking forward to your “family” time this season we are looking for- ward to our “family” time with the community.
But the reason for our existence is to reach out to those who have little or no hope for a “family” time around the table at Thanksgiving or the giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas time. For the past 43 years you, our supporters, have made it possible for us to reach out to those less fortunate by our Shelter
Assistance, our Food and Clothing giveaways, our helping with rent and utilities, and, most of all, reach- ing out with the Gospel for salvation.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Christ- mas Tree Auction as well as your continued partici- pation throughout the year of your giving to this, your mission ministry in your local area. We are not only seeking your participation in the monetary and material goods but also of your time and efforts in volunteering. By your volunteering your time it re- leases the much needed funds that would otherwise pay for hired help, and that it can go to invest into more ministering to the needs of others.
I realize that at this time of the year many ministries are asking the same; “for people to reach out to give this Holiday Season.” But for Open Gate being in existence for 43 years to the community, you, our supporters, have seen by firsthand experience where the support goes. And that we are proud of because we are “WORKING TOGETHER.”
I would like to take this time to wish you all the best holiday season ever. May your Thanksgiving be filled with appreciation for God’s blessings and your Christmas be filled with thankfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Again thank you for all your support
Ray Anderson Executive Director
Open Gate Ministries’ Christmas Tree Auction
Open Gate Ministries would like to to invite you to attend its 5th annual Christmas Tree Auction on Sunday November 27th at 2-5pm at the Dinuba First Baptist Church. Christmas trees will be beautifully decorated by local churches, business, service clubs, schools and individuals and will be sold during the live auction. Please consider purchasing one of our beautiful trees for your home or office.
Along with our live auction there will also be a silent auction and boutique. Enjoy homemade goodies while you listen to live Christmas music performed by "The DDC Four" from the Dinuba Christian Church, accom- panied by Judy Melban on the piano. Our MC and auctioneer for the event is Mr. Steve Worthley.
You can also help Open Gate by donating an item for our silent auction. If you would like to donate please contact Debbie Rojas at 559 250-7933 for pick up or you may drop off your donation at the shelter at 511 N K ST. by November 25th.
Thank you and we hope to see you at the Auction!
From the Desk and Heart Of Our Operations Manager Gloria Gaona
“Thus far, the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12
By means of this newslet- ter article, it truly is a joy to come to you once again to greet you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have seen the hand of the Lord work mightily in all that has gone on at Open Gate Ministries. The work of the Lord continues in all areas of this ministry.
The Shelter: For a period there, the shelter was pretty much full with lots of children running around. I will say that it is a joy to be able to see children with their parents with a safe and secure place to stay. For many, Open Gate is a safe haven from the everyday struggles of life, for a short while they are able to lay their heads down without the fear of not knowing where their fam- ily will sleep, eat, or have clothing to dress with. The Ministry, with the help of YOU, continues to keep its doors open to this SAFE haven.
Currently we have a family who came to us with a need for shelter. The man of the house quickly found work and, when laid off from that work, found another job. Their gratitude for staying at Open Gate was so evident that, when the invitation to attend church and Bible studies was presented, they were only too glad to attend. They are now faithfully attending church and have a good savings. We pray that they find housing and con-
tinue in the ways of the Lord. Our thanks to YOU ALL, for believing in what Open Gate does for those who come seeking refuge and in turn find the Lord. Praise the Lord.
Volunteers: Although we can never have enough volun- teers, God is good! In the food distribution program, we have seen an increase in our volunteer base. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. We are very short of help at our Thrift Shop, so if any of you feel a call to help this ministry, our store would be so thankful to have the help, most especially during the holiday season.
Holidays: As the holidays
quickly approach us, we
are mindful of the many
needs that come our way.
There are always more
needs than what we can
provide, but with the help
of the Lord, He always
makes the way to help so
that we don’t turn away those in need. If you’d like to provide an unwrapped gift for a child, please do so by dropping it off at the shelter, anytime from now through Christmas. We will make sure that a needy child re- ceives it. Of course, we will be needing volunteer help- ers during our Christmas Food Giveaways (dates to be announced.)
Best wishes for a safe and glorious holiday season, Gloria
HOLIDAY SHELTER NEEDS
Canned Ham Turkeys
Mashed Potatoes Pies/Whipped Cream Rolls
Vegetables
Gifts For Our Residents
(Adults, Children)
EVERYDAY SHELTER NEEDS
Canned Meats, Chicken / Tuna Spaghetti Sauce
Mayonnaise
Sugar
Juices
Jelly / Jam Children’s Snacks Cooking Oil
Coffee Creamer Toilet Paper Napkins
Paper Towels Shampoo Toothpaste
Hair Brushes Lotion
Feminine Napkins Blankets
Bath Towels
UNITY CREW MOTORCYCLE CLUB’S TURKEY RUN
“They have the appearance of horses;
They gallop along like cavalry.
With a noise like that of chariots...
— Joel 2:4-5
And so it was on October 29 when thirty motorcyclists of the Unity Crew Motorcycle Ministry rolled out of the west and surrounded the Shelter of Open Gate Ministries. They were at the end of their annual Turkey Run, which had started at Minkler, toured through the nearby mountains, back through Reedley, and concluded at our shelter. En- trance fee for the ride was either a frozen turkey or a dona- tion of money with which turkeys could be purchased. A pickup load of turkeys and over $500 in donations were turned over to Ray Anderson. Ray, along with Veronica Lopez, then explained Open Gate’s services and operations
to the cyclists.
The Unity Crew Motorcycle Ministry is coordi-
nated by Joe Deluna and is associated with the Christian
Worship Center in Dinuba. Pastor Angel Menchaca of the Christian Worship Center was also on hand for the event. These motorcycle rides are open to members not only of the local club, but to riders from all over, so there were rid- ers not only from the Dinuba/Reedley area, but from Fresno, Sanger, Selma, and Madera. As the motorcycles thundered onto K Street, many nearby residents came from their homes to see what all the noise was about!
Our greatest thanks to these Christians for their love, their donations, and their “making a noise to the Lord!”
Open Gate celebrates 42nd Anniversary
One hundred-forty people were on hand when Open Gate Ministries celebrated its 42nd anniversary with its annual dinner and boutique last month.
The theme of the evening was “A Mighty Fortress is our God” and the crowd enjoyed a dinner of German specialties.
The servers that night were the Dinuba High School Madrigals, who also sang at the gathering, the Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth and Orosi-Cutler Ex- plorer Scouts.
Future Leaders Exchange World Link was one of many sponsors of the event. Several World Link exchange students helped serve and clean up. They were Valeriia Syroizhko and Mykyta Pylypenko from Ukraine, Mariam Kimeridze and Davit Jintchanadee from the country of Georgia, Margi Shah from India, Enejan Tolegova from Turkmenistan, Ingie Gohar from Egypt, Jena Alghoul from Lebanon, and Abdyrakhmanov Edilbek from Kyrgyzstan.
Also on hand were the current Cinco de Mayo roy- alty, Queen Evelyn Arciniega and Princess Julissa Garza.
The Dinuba Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted the din- ner. Pastor David Pikop gave the benediction.
Reports were given by Les Felland, Open Gate Ministries board president, Ray Anderson, Open Gate Min- istries executive director, and Gloria Gaona, Open Gate Ministries operations manager.
An award was presented to volunteer Marian Clifton, who has served as chairman of the Open Gate fundraising committee for several years.
Kathleen Kelley read aloud a poem that she wrote for this year’s anniversary dinner.
(Article appeared in the Dinuba Sentinel, Thursday, Octo- ber 6, 2016. Reprinted with permission.)
Open Gate Ministries Newsletter
Volume 16, Issue 2 November, 2016
Editor: Calvin Grover
If you would prefer to receive future news- letters as an email attachment, please send your preferred email address to: ken@opengate- ministries.org
The mission of Open Gate Ministries is to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of persons according to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through the provi- sion of shelter, sustenance and companionship.
Open Gate is a Christian organization, but it is interde- nominational. Among our regular donors are twenty local Christian congregations of various denominations. The nine members of our Board of Directors are affili- ated with eight different congregations. We serve eve- ryone, without regard to their race, creed, age, sex, or religious affiliation.
Open Gate Ministries, Inc.
511 North ‘K’ Street
Dinuba, California 93618
Open Gate Ministries511 North K Street
Dinuba, California 93618-1933