Cultivate Updates - September 2026
We hope all of you have had a great summer! August was really hot here and we are SO ready for the fall. Here are a few updates as we enter a new month and a new season.
THE GOD WHO SEES...
One of the things we hear most often from kids who are alone is that they often don’t feel seen. As Cultivate staff, we want so much to be conduits of God’s love to this struggling generation.
God is so sweet in how He orchestrates things to remind us that He is at work. Recently, we met a social worker hero for lunch to communicate our concerns about a young friend who had not responded to our calls and texts for over a month. At the end of our time, we prayed for him together, said our goodbyes, and headed to our cars. As soon as Cammy and I got into the car, the phone rang. It was our young friend! We got to tell him that we were literally just praying for him! At that moment, the God of the Universe communicated to this young man, "I see you!"
QUESTION FOR YOU…
As we prepare for the day when we can take young men into the Cultivate House, we are thinking and processing which conversations and activities could have the greatest impact. We would like to bring you into this conversation :) What is one thing that helped you to move forward as you approached adulthood? If someone spoke into you during this vulnerable time in your life, what did they say that made a big impact?
CULTIVATE HOUSE PROGRESS...
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) bathroom is well under way! We so appreciate the people who have volunteered to help us get this work done for zoning! After this project is completed, we will focus on creating a fully ADA compliant ramp up to the front door.
With each step, we move closer to our goal of having young men in the house. While Ken concentrates on the construction end of things, Elise is working on getting the necessary trainings in place and creating the necessary policies and procedures.
A couple of weeks ago, Elise had a dream that is a perfect metaphor for all of the logistics needed to create this transitional living program (TLP). In the dream, she was digging a tunnel for every facet and each facet led to veritably more "rabbit trails". With each policy that was created, multiple tunnels were created, which represented things to think through and forms to create. At the end of the dream, Elise found herself far down in the earth with no idea how to get back to the top!
Yes - it was a scary dream. And it does reflect kind of how we feel… But with each step we take going forward, we remind ourselves that this is the walk of faith that God has called us to. God is responsible for the outcome. We must be obedient to stay the course and enjoy the journey.
A BRIGHT LIGHT...
Camilla has been our intern for almost a full year. She is a gifted artist, a deep thinker, and a lover of Jesus. We discovered early on that this girl has the spiritual gift of teaching, coupled with evangelism!
For most of this year, we have given her the role of planning and teaching for chapel time at the children’s home. The kids love her. Her gift of art has opened the door for countless conversations. Kids and adults have felt seen because of her thought-provoking questions. God has used her love for God’s Truth to soften the hardest of hearts.
Not long ago, one of the children’s home staff commented, “That girl is called!” I replied, “Yes! I feel like we are watching a flower bloom right before our eyes!”
ANNUAL HYGIENE PROJECT...
We believe that providing opportunities for young people to serve others in our community is both a valuable way to help them grow personally and to help meet the practical needs of others at the same time.
For the last several years, Cultivate has been able to provide individual bags of hygiene products for West Georgia Tech Special Populations students.
This year, the girls who attend chapel at the children's home were able to take part in preparing the bags. They had a blast and loved getting the opportunity to do something for others.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
It is hard to believe that this summer marks Cultivate's ten-year anniversary! We love the journey that God has us on. Please mark your calendars for our celebration on Monday, October 26 at 6:30pm. We'll be at Crossroads Church's Thomas Crossroads Campus at 2564 GA-154, Newnan, GA 30265. We can't wait to celebrate the last ten years with you which have led up to our "New Horizons" (theme of the event) that you'll have the opportunity to hear about and learn how you can be involved.
COMING UP…
CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans) Summit, September 23-25. Please pray that God will use this event to further solidify the callings that Cammy (intern), Louis (resident advisor), and Ethan (resident advisor sub) have on their lives.
Cultivate's 10th Anniversary Event on October 26.
PRAISES…
Thank you for praying for “Tim.” He is now at KSU and loves it!
God is really drawing some of the kids at the children's home!
God continues to provide people to advocate on our behalf with the zoning issue. We are so grateful.
PRAYER REQUESTS…
Hearts to be opened to the Gospel at the children's home.
The zoning process for the Cultivate House.
Funding for the full Transition Living Program that we will launch at the house.
Endurance through all the processes and procedures that need to be finished.
THANK YOU!
Cultivate is committed to provide most of its services free of charge. This means our ability to continue to do what we do is wholly dependent on God raising up supporters who believe in this ministry and generously support this work financially.
So many of you already support Cultivate through your prayers and financial support. We cherish your continued support and cannot tell you how thankful we are for your partnership. If you aren't yet a Cultivate partner, we ask that you consider joining our support team.
The easiest way to give is to use our online platform, provided by PushPay. Click HERE to give now!
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