Genesis House to Close

Dear Friends,

The Board of Directors voted unanimously on June 21, 2010 to close the Genesis House. Over the past year, eleven different men have lived at the Genesis House and the daily average has been two to three residents. There was considerable interest in Genesis House from incarcerated men, but not from struggling men who are free from the requirements of the corrections system. However, it’s difficult for men on probation or parole to participate in the program and also meet their obligations mandated by the corrections system. Consequently, much fewer men participated in Genesis than we expected. The Board believed that men’s Christian recovery needs could be met most efficiently by pooling resources with a similar local program at the City of Refuge, the enrollment at which has also been consistently low. Genesis residents are being referred to that program. The Genesis House will be vacated in July 2010. Decisions about the future of the Genesis Ministries Corporation are yet to be made.

We envisioned the need for a men’s recovery program well before work began in 2007 to form this ministry. No program existed at that time. Though we are closing, that vision is still being realized through the City of Refuge program.

There are residents and employees who are living healthier, godlier, and more courageous lives because of their experiences at the Genesis House. We consider that we met our mission of helping struggling men to overcome addictions through a God-honoring and competent discipleship program in a safe and grace-based environment. We pray that mission will be continued through the City of Refuge and we encourage you to assist them toward that end.

We’ve are humbled by the outpouring of prayer and support by friends over the past 18 months. Thank you for your prayers and your steps of faith as we walked together.

In His grace,

Ron Youderian,
Executive Director