Every year, thousands of children and teens are sent to the residential facilities we serve to receive help with the overwhelming problems they are facing. Days of Hope provides chaplains to these facilities free of charge to support both residents and staff and encourage spiritual formation throughout treatment.
We are a not for profit, inter-denominational Christian ministry that seeks to address the spiritual needs of children and teens who are in residential psychiatric care at facilities throughout central Missouri. We are supported by the prayer and gifts of individuals and churches in our community. We work alongside many dedicated professionals including educators, therapists, doctors and nurses, child care workers and so many more who strive to help these children who have been scarred by every form of abuse, abandonment, neglect, and harm.
Through the ministries that are offered at Days of Hope, Bibles are distributed, pastoral counsel, services, and groups are provided, and these children are given an opportunity to respond to the gospel message.
We are a not for profit, inter-denominational Christian ministry that seeks to address the spiritual needs of children and teens who are in residential psychiatric care at facilities throughout central Missouri. We are supported by the prayer and gifts of individuals and churches in our community. We work alongside many dedicated professionals including educators, therapists, doctors and nurses, child care workers and so many more who strive to help these children who have been scarred by every form of abuse, abandonment, neglect, and harm.
Through the ministries that are offered at Days of Hope, Bibles are distributed, pastoral counsel, services, and groups are provided, and these children are given an opportunity to respond to the gospel message.
The Services that our Chaplains provide are . . .
Discussion during cottage service
Voluntary
The individuals we work with choose to participate in our services. Discussion groups, worship experiences, Bible studies, and one-on-one pastoral counsel are provided at the client's request. While we openly encourage everyone to engage in spiritual formation work, we respect the choice of those who decline to participate.
The individuals we work with choose to participate in our services. Discussion groups, worship experiences, Bible studies, and one-on-one pastoral counsel are provided at the client's request. While we openly encourage everyone to engage in spiritual formation work, we respect the choice of those who decline to participate.
School in the Wilderness service
On Site
Days of Hope Chaplains work with individuals who are living in residential and group home settings, and are often not able to participate in traditional church services. Rather than bringing our clients into a unique church setting, we bring faith and spiritual formation opportunities to our clients. For many of them, this is their one opportunity to worship and learn each week.
Days of Hope Chaplains work with individuals who are living in residential and group home settings, and are often not able to participate in traditional church services. Rather than bringing our clients into a unique church setting, we bring faith and spiritual formation opportunities to our clients. For many of them, this is their one opportunity to worship and learn each week.
Girls' Night Out 2011
Needs-Based
Our approach is focused to respond to the struggles of the people we serve. While our Chaplains prepare lesson materials for each service, we always defer to the needs of the children and teens whom we serve. When a child asks a question or expresses a frustration, we move towards their need and address their pain rather than redirecting them back to our lesson plan. The needs of the hurting always come before the agenda of the Chaplain.
Our approach is focused to respond to the struggles of the people we serve. While our Chaplains prepare lesson materials for each service, we always defer to the needs of the children and teens whom we serve. When a child asks a question or expresses a frustration, we move towards their need and address their pain rather than redirecting them back to our lesson plan. The needs of the hurting always come before the agenda of the Chaplain.
Two Boys 'experimenting' with oil and water
Experiential
We strive to include experiential learning opportunities in our groups. Our goal is to allow kids to participate in activities that help them grasp deeper spiritual truths. This type of learning has proven to be more effective than traditional lectures, and is especially beneficial when dealing with abstract spiritual concepts. Plus, our clients love the 'games' we play!
We strive to include experiential learning opportunities in our groups. Our goal is to allow kids to participate in activities that help them grasp deeper spiritual truths. This type of learning has proven to be more effective than traditional lectures, and is especially beneficial when dealing with abstract spiritual concepts. Plus, our clients love the 'games' we play!
Worshiping in a girls' cottage
In Tune
We have found music to be a powerful tool in working with hurting kids. They often hear and understand a message much more clearly through a song than other methods. Our chaplains bring guitars on site, and offer regular opportunities for kids to sing and worship with us. We find that kids really tune in when music is presented, even if their own singing isn't in tune!
We have found music to be a powerful tool in working with hurting kids. They often hear and understand a message much more clearly through a song than other methods. Our chaplains bring guitars on site, and offer regular opportunities for kids to sing and worship with us. We find that kids really tune in when music is presented, even if their own singing isn't in tune!
The mummy game
Age Appropriate
Our Chaplains have experience working with children as young as age six, as well as teens and adults. We also serve developmentally delayed and mentally challenged individuals in multiple settings. We strive to tailor our presentations in ways that are age and developmentally appropriate to the kids we are working with.
Our Chaplains have experience working with children as young as age six, as well as teens and adults. We also serve developmentally delayed and mentally challenged individuals in multiple settings. We strive to tailor our presentations in ways that are age and developmentally appropriate to the kids we are working with.
Baptism in the Meramec River
Bible-Centered
Days of Hope is a para-church ministry that is supported by individuals and congregations from many different denominations. We minister to kids from a variety of faith backgrounds. We do not focus on specific doctrinal differences between churches. We do, however, present the Gospel to those we serve. We understand that our clients are dealing with complicated challenges; they face emotional, mental, behavioral, medical, and relational problems. Our chaplains address the real spiritual needs that exist alongside these other issues.
Days of Hope is a para-church ministry that is supported by individuals and congregations from many different denominations. We minister to kids from a variety of faith backgrounds. We do not focus on specific doctrinal differences between churches. We do, however, present the Gospel to those we serve. We understand that our clients are dealing with complicated challenges; they face emotional, mental, behavioral, medical, and relational problems. Our chaplains address the real spiritual needs that exist alongside these other issues.
Propositional
Our chaplains encourage those we serve to take a leap of faith, and experience God for themselves. We hold tightly to the conviction that a coerced conversion is invalid. Although we do often encounter hurting, angry people, we refuse to become combative or argumentative with those who challenge us. We do not claim authority over individuals we minister to, but rather invite them to move towards God and take ownership of their own spiritual life. Taste and see that God is good!
Our chaplains encourage those we serve to take a leap of faith, and experience God for themselves. We hold tightly to the conviction that a coerced conversion is invalid. Although we do often encounter hurting, angry people, we refuse to become combative or argumentative with those who challenge us. We do not claim authority over individuals we minister to, but rather invite them to move towards God and take ownership of their own spiritual life. Taste and see that God is good!