Bob and Elaine Hopkins, Haven of Rest

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Bob and Elaine Hopkins. At the Haven of Rest, we are responsible for the Alumni Program. This ministry is an outreach ministry to the men and women leaving the Mission’s residential programs. The alumni programs provide additional encouragement and accountability during the transition from the mission to the world. Our Alumni Program is a three-faceted ministry and consists of residential relationship building, AfterCare, and the Men’s Alumni Association.

- Residential relationship building is an attempt to try to connect with the residents while they are still at the Mission. This includes participating with the residents in their activities, leading a financial Bible study for them and Bob participating in recreation time (usually basketball) with the residents every Friday.

- AfterCare is a personalized follow-up ministry to help men and women during the transition from the Mission to their new home. This short -term ministry provides encouragement and accountability to help them deal with real-life situations. AfterCare emphasizes the importance of strengthening their relationship with God.

- The Alumni Association is a network of former residents who come together to help encourage one another. The Association provides education, and fellowship, as well as opportunities to serve.

Why do we need an Alumni Program?
The resident’s lives are stabilized and their problems brought under control through the structured and sheltered environment at the Mission. When they leave, they have a strong sense of purpose and added meaning to their lives. However, this success can quickly vanish if they revert back to their old ways of coping with problems. Sometimes they begin associating with friends from their past, and this strong, negative influence, exerted on them through repeated temptations, can cause them to stumble.

Since the alumni have gained the knowledge necessary during their stay at the Mission to prevent relapse, they only need to apply this knowledge to their daily lives. So we try to provide departing residents with additional encouragement and support to help them strengthen their resolve and commitment. This way, they are not alone as they relearn through experience how to handle real life issues and the tough times that come to everyone.

What are the benefits of the Alumni Program?
The Alumni Program, together with the follow-up ministry of the Haven of Rest, enables the men and women to have continuing support from the Mission after they leave the program. These ministries provide them with:

AfterCare
Home visits
‚ Personalized service
‚ Flexible appointment schedules
‚ Practical application
‚ User-defined program
‚ Encouragement
‚ Accountability
‚ Crisis help

Alumni Association
Networking
‚ Peer Advice
‚ Education
‚ Fellowship
‚ Service Opportunities
‚ Encouragement
‚ Accountability
‚ Leadership Opportunities

Our scripture for AfterCare is:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.” Colossians 2:6 & 7

Our scripture for the Alumni Association is:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10

Contact information:
Bob & Elaine Hopkins
Haven of Rest Ministries
PO Box 547
Akron, OH 44309-0547
bhopkins@havenofrest.org