Pastor Keith Michael and Tsukiko Michael, a husband-and-wife mentor team from Christ's Way International Church.

Pastor Keith Michaels of Christ's Way International Church has mentored two families through the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative.   His mentoring experiences have solidified his belief in mentorship's power to change lives for the better.   "Mentorship is knowing that we are helping people get on their feet, lending a hand, and walking them through the process.   We can help with physical needs as well as spiritual needs," he says.   Extending help to the homeless and needy has far-reaching positive effects in families and in communities, and Pastor Keith has seen this positive impact with his own eyes.

The family Pastor Keith's team is currently mentoring has found permanent housing through the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative.   Not only this, the family has developed a budget and future goals despite difficult times.   "I believe everything's going to be good.   I believe they can make it!" he says.

Pastor Keith is sure that once this family gains stability, they will reach out to others themselves!   The way he sees it, mentorship keeps snowballing. He says, "They'll remember how they were helped and say, 'I need to do this for somebody else.' I believe that.   My family and I have been through things on this road of ministry and the Lord has sent people to help us at different times.   This is what I believe will be imparted to [people being mentored]- the ability to think about other people and help somebody."  

Since adults are the ones directly receiving help through the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative, it might seem at first that they reap the largest benefit from the program.   Yet the benefits trickle down to the next generation.   Pastor Keith Michael of Christ's Way International Church has seen that mentorship has the power to change the lives of children as well as adults.   In mentoring, he has seen that children in families going through hardship, "may not say much about what they are going through, but they know what is going on.   When they see someone coming in and helping and having compassion and thinking about them, that does something for them as well."

Of course, challenges inevitably arise.   Families can be resistant to opening up.   Job loss, debt, and discouragement are other potential obstacles.   When asked how he approaches difficulties in mentoring, Pastor Keith says, "I just ask the Lord to give me compassion and understanding with everything people face.   These are things we all can go through.   It's good to be able to be patient with people.   When people are going though things, they have a lot on their minds.   We just need to get them to a place where they are just settled and can stand strong on their two feet."

Family and Senior Homeless Initiative thanks Pastor Keith and the Christ's Way International Church mentor team for reaching out, never giving up, and believing in the power of compassion to change lives for the better!   Times are hard, and more and more families and seniors find themselves in difficult financial situations.   Now more than ever, your dedication and steadfastness are needed!   Thank you, mentors, for giving of yourselves to those who need you.