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The
History of Caleb Ministries
Go to:"A Word for the Men by Craig"
Contact
us:
Caleb
Ministries
P.
O. Box 470093
Charlotte
NC 28247-0093
Email: info@calebministries.org
Phone:704.841.1320
The
History of Caleb Ministries
Over
the years, our volunteers have been encouraged
and blessed to watch as God comforts and restores broken and
hurting women through Caleb Ministries and its Outreach Ministries.
It
has been a journey orchestrated by God….
On
Sunday August 5, 1990, Sandy Day was sitting in her church
choir loft when God placed a burden in her heart. Her heart
ached to share God’s comfort with women like herself
who had suffered deep, painful losses. In 1988 Craig and Sandy
had experienced God’s comfort during the loss of their
precious son, Caleb. In the days that followed, both she and
her husband gave prayerful consideration to the organization
of a ministry to others who were experiencing sorrow. That
ministry would be named in memory of their much loved and
missed son.
In
the early days of Caleb Ministries, Sandy had many opportunities
to travel and share her testimony of God’s comfort through
His Word. Sandy’s transparent truthfulness about her
struggles impacted the lives of countless women who have attended
these conferences and retreats.
After
only one year of ministry, Caleb Ministries expanded to include
a personal one-on-one ministry to women who had experienced
miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death or infertility.
The story of Caleb in Numbers 13 and 14 from which the name
Caleb Cares emerged, provided insight for this ministry to
the sorrowing. It was at this time that Caleb Ministries became
a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian organization.
Even
as Sandy was ministering to other women, God continued His
convicting work in her life. Through His Word, God showed
her that in order to minister to others, she would have to
allow every area of her life to be exposed to the light of
His truth. God continually exposed hidden areas that required
her repentant confession in her growing walk with God. As
she responded to God’s refining fire, the ministry grew
with her.
One
of the outgrowths of this responsiveness to God was a prayer
journal called In Everything By Prayer that Sandy developed
with her friend Donna Peters. Through the years, God has used
this unique tool to encourage women to have a more consistent
prayer life. With over 15,000 copies of the journal in print,
many families have been blessed. The most popular section
of the journal entitled “How to pray for your Husband/Children,”
has helped many women support their families with effective
prayer.
In
1993, two years into the ministry of Caleb Cares, Sandy compiled
nine stories of individuals who had experienced the loss of
a child and received God’s restoring grace into the
book entitled Morning Will Come. Volunteers scanned the obituaries
of local papers and sent copies of the book to women who had
lost children. The response was overwhelming. With 10,000
copies in print, letters came from women around the world
with testimony to the encouragement it had brought to them.
Caleb
Cares chapters began forming across the U.S. by 1995. Each
chapter began by providing copies of Morning Will Come to
hurting women in their areas. It was also during this time
that a Caleb Ministries Women’s Discipleship Retreat
was organized. Each year since then women attend from all
over the country to hear outstanding Bible teaching and find
encouragement. It never fails to be a time of spiritual renewal
for all who attend.
In
was the summer of 1995, God brought still another dimension
to Caleb Ministries. God led nine women to call the ministry
who had lost babies, each indicating that they had experienced
a prior abortion. As Sandy ministered to these women she realized
God wanted to use her own abortion, at age 19, to help other
women. In response to God’s conviction, Sandy confessed
her abortion to her father, opening the door for complete
family restoration. Through this difficult time, God prepared
Sandy to talk publicly about the short and long-term affects
of abortion. Her story exposes long held secrets and touches
those who hear of the forgiving power of God.
A second
manuscript used by Caleb Ministries was completed in 1998.
The devotional journal, The Memories I Cherish, was developed
by Sandy Day together with Donna Elyea. This beautifully presented
keepsake provides a place to record the journey of one’s
walk with God through the time of one’s loss in order
to remember and encourage their trust and gratitude in the
years to come.
The
P.A.T. (Providing A Treasure) Ministry began with a passion
to assist a grieving woman or couple in a loving, yet practical
way. The P.A.T. box includes a burial gown, bonnet, blanket,
as well as a Caleb Cares brochure, an envelope to hold a lock
of the baby’s hair, and a copy of Morning Will Come.
These items are wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and tucked
in a precious box that parents will treasure through the years.
P.A.T. boxes are provided to hospitals and funeral homes across
the US, and make their way into the arms of those who, tragically,
have no child to bring home. The boxes are also available
by individual request.
Abbey's
Place, our post-abortion ministry, got underway in 1999. Its
goal is to provide support and guidance to women who are struggling
with the guilt, pain, and grief of a past abortion decision.
Our hope is that each person God sends to us will achieve
spiritual and emotional restoration through Christ. Toward
that end, a third book is being prepared to minister particularly
to this growing segment of the population. The book, Living
in His Forgiveness, will present stories of men and women
who have successfully moved past their pain to find freedom.
An accompanying Bible study will guide the seeking heart to
discover God’s redeeming truth. Publication is expected
in 2002.
In
1998 Craig was called to be a pastor and was accepted at The
Master's Seminary located in Sun Valley, California to
earn his Masters of Divinity degree. The Master's Seminary
was founded by Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. whose radio ministry
is "Grace to You." They moved to California in the fall
of 1999 and Craig graduated in May of 2002. In 2004
he was certified as a Biblical counselor with the National
Association of Nouthetic Counselors (N.A.N.C.).
While
the Days were in California the ministry continually grew
by leaps and bounds as a West Coast Chapter began and a Caleb
Ministries web site was constructed in order to make materials
and contact information available to women everywhere. It
is a blessing to see God use technology to distribute much-needed
assistance on-line!
Caleb
Chapters continue to form in other states, as God raises up
godly leaders in local churches with a vision to minister
to those weighted down by grief or guilt. We stand amazed
at the way God burdens women to minister to women, and at
the way He intervenes to make all things possible.
Since
its beginnings in 1990, Caleb Ministries has flourished as
God has led us as individuals, as Chapters, and as an international
ministry. Faithful men and women, hand-picked by the Father,
serve as Board of Directors, ministry coordinators, and volunteers.
We count it a privilege to continually help women who are
struggling with difficult seasons and situations and to nurture
them in the ways of the Lord – the only One who can
truly help and heal.
Our
commitment:
“Ministering
to hearts…Seeing God change lives.”
Check out a "A Word for
the Men"
by Craig Day
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