Brother Donny Cooper is the coordinator of this outreach ministry, which reaches into the heart of Downtown Cincinnati to the souls that are in great need and homeless. The call on Donny’s life to reach the ones that are in so many ways without hope. Brother Donny and those who serve with him work under the ministry name of Romans58 Ministry.

“God demonstrates his love for us, That, While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

Romans58 is an out reach ministry that shares the teachings, and salvation of Jesus Christ with the afflicted, impoverished of the Cincinnati area.

Working with City Gospel Mission, Romans58 volunteers on Thursday night to teach various bible topics with the men of the Exodus program. These are men that have been afflicted with drug, and alcohol problems. Seeing that they have no where else to turn to cure their afflictions accept Jesus, these men turn to City Gospel Mission to help them straighten their lives out.

Exodus is a structured program; where through the infallible word of God, worship music, and fellowship these men are turned into disciples of Jesus Christ. They are shown the respect, compassion, and love that Jesus himself would have shown them. They are taught that through a relationship with Jesus Christ all their afflictions can be healed. They also receive counseling on Jobs, finances, and other life lessons that better equip them to deal with life outside the program.

City Gospel Mission has many other programs that reach out to the impoverished in Cincinnati. They have women’s program similar to exodus, called “having the courage to change.” They do breakfast, and dinner meals for many people that might not have the means to feed themselves. They provide a safe place to stay for many otherwise homeless people. (up to 36 men at the Elm St facility)

All meals, and services are preceded by mandatory attendance to a chapel service, or discipleship class. Volunteers from numerous churches, and ministries, such as Romans58 man these services, meals, and classes.

To learn more about the mission, go to citygospelmission.com, or see Donny Cooper.

My testimony from this Ministry:

Having grown up in Milford, back when it was more farm fields than buildings. I would have never dreamed that the ministry God would lead me too would be with inner city men, with drug and alcohol problems. But, God put this on my heart so heavy that I couldn’t turn away from it.

I was so nervous the first time I went down to the mission that I prayed all the way downtown. First I prayed that I wouldn’t get lost because I have a terrible since of direction when I go downtown. I always get lost in Cincinnati. Second I prayed that God would fill me with strength through the Holy Spirit, to be able to handle whatever I would face. And as usual God is Good, and answered both prayers.

In my first eight weeks of this ministry I have found a close bond with these men. My desire was to reach out to those that Jesus himself would reach out too. And he has granted that desire. Also he has taught me about my own selfishness, and about how to give. Giving is not always about money as I used to think. Giving is about the heart, and sharing of something that money can’t buy, the love, and salvation of Jesus Christ our lord.

I have been so blessed by sharing God with these men. I look so forward to Thursday nights now. Even if I were not teaching, or speaking I would go down just to hang out. It is an incredible blessing to share God with these people. I feel that this is a training ground for me, and this ministry. I am not sure where God will take it, or how he will grow it. But whatever it becomes I am sure blessed that God chose me to help in his great commission. And I am also blessed that City Gospel Mission listened to God’s call, and allowed me the opportunity to share God’s infallible word.

I have also been blessed with a good church family at Milford Assembly of God. I appreciate all the teaching, support, and love that are shared here.

I also have been blessed with an incredible wife that loves God as much as I do. And, always supports me in my pursuit to serve him. She is my intercessor, and prayer warrior that keeps me going strong.

May Christ’s love and Blessing’s always be with you,

Donny Cooper

We live in the land of opportunity, but we often miss the most important ones.

Think about your daily routine. You start your day at the gym, surrounded by people. Do you put on headphones and distance yourself from everyone?

It’s time to cook dinner but your cupboards are bare. You head to the supermarket and, again, find yourself surrounded by people. Do you rush through the store, brushing past everyone to get in and out in five minutes?
When we’re out in public, we expect to see people … and we do what it takes to avoid eye contact. But avoiding eye contact is avoiding an opportunity.

We are called and mandated by God to spread the message of the gospel. And to ensure our success, he has filled us with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, God doesn’t expect you to lead every person you meet through the salvation prayer and to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Rather, we each contribute an element, according to God’s direction, to bring that person to Christ. One plants the seed, another waters it and God increases it. This requires no special skill or training. God will use each of us where we are, utilizing the gifts He has already placed in us. And He will make something out of our efforts.

Now imagine the possibilities. Knowing God is in control, we can share the gospel without the fear of failure. Suddenly, we’re drawn to the same people we used to ignore because we know we have something they need. We are free to be purpose-driven and focused on our task to reach every soul in America with the gospel.

Don’t let another day of missed opportunities pass you by.

Zollie L. Smith, Jr.
Executive Director
U.S. Missions

What's Happening in U.S. Missions

RECORD-BREAKING CROWD CELEBRATES TEEN CHALLENGE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Nearly 1,600 people from approximately 30 countries convened in New York City for Teen Challenge's 50th anniversary celebration. The June 25-27 event was a time to praise God for the countless miracles he's already done and the miracles yet to come.

"All of the services, from the worship time to the talks and the testimonies, just celebrated what God has done in the ministry as a whole and in individual lives," says George Thomas, Teen Challenge USA business manager.

Thomas reports that one of the most powerful moments of the celebration was seeing so many people who were significantly involved in the ministry's early years, together again in one place. Among those in attendance were Teen Challenge founder David Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz, Israel Narvaez and Sonny Arguinzoni.

"The 50th Teen Challenge celebration lived up to its slogan, 'Celebrating 50 Years of Miracles,'" says Mike Hodges, president of Teen Challenge USA. "To experience the opening rally was awesome, there will never be another time in the history of Teen Challenge when three of the first converts and David Wilkerson will share the same stage."

The celebration services were held at Times Square Church, which Wilkerson established in 1987. To accommodate a greater number of attendees, the final service was located at Brooklyn Tabernacle. Those who weren't able to come to New York could still participate in the celebration, as the services were streamed live on the Teen Challenge USA Web site.

In the months leading up to the celebration, registration quickly exceeded expectations, making it necessary to provide overflow seating. Thomas reports that prior to this event, the largest attendance at a conference hosted by Teen Challenge USA was just over 400. The celebration's large turnout is indicative of just how many lives have been powerfully transformed through the ministry.

"Every time we met together we heard testimonies of those who had been strung out on drugs, alcoholics — at the end of their rope but when they cried out to God, He heard them, delivered them and turned their lives around," said Kevin Tyler, Global Teen Challenge Eurasia Representative. "We had constant cause to rejoice! We also heard testimonies of what God is doing in 82 countries around the world and were challenged upon hearing that 46 other nations are
requesting help in establishing Teen Challenge programs."

Although Teen Challenge founder David Wilkerson was unable to speak as scheduled at Friday night's service, he delivered the message he had prepared Sunday morning at Times Square Church. Wilkerson's sermon, entitled "The High Cost of Mercy," is available at http://www.tscnyc.org/sermons.php/.

All of the celebration services were recorded and are available for sale in an eight DVD set. In addition, the 50th Anniversary coffee table book and historical DVD are also available on the Teen Challenge Web site, http://www.teenchallengeusa.com/.

-- Kara Chase

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