BLOG

BLOG

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Standing Firm

Welcome to the Lord’s Gym Ministries’ blog. Here you will find updates on the good things God is doing in Cincinnati and the Greater Tir-state area. You’ll also find words of encouragement and learn about how you can have a part in God’s grand plan for our community.

…

Witness God’s Transformative Power

by | Oct 4, 2022 |

Community Awareness Event…

We hosted our Community Awareness Event last Thursday. The Holy Spirit was among us as staff and our friends shared their stories. It was a blessed gathering. One highlight was hearing from Chaplain Lynn and our friend Jewell. “We serve a lot of people that others have given up on,” Lynn said. “I show up to work everyday because I think to myself if God didn’t give up on me, who am I not to show up for them.” Jewell is one of our friends that Lynn shows up for. His story is quite powerful. As a young man he watched helplessly as his father beat his mother. His father eventually killed her. This weighed heavy on Jewell and he turned to drugs and alcohol for comfort. “I didn’t want to do drugs and drink, but I did it to take the pain away,” Jewell said. One day, several months ago, he decided to end it all. He drinking outside a gas station and saw a bus coming down the road. He prepared himself to step forward, but his legs wouldn’t move. He stepped back from the curb and looked across the street and noticed the Lord’s Gym Family Activity Center. At that time the center was closed for renovations but he found Lord’s Gym staff just a few buildings down serving food. He went in. Sat a bit and then approached Lynn. “I need help,” Jewell told him. “I got you man,” Lynn replied. And today Jewell is 5 months clean. You can hear more about Jewell and other stories by visiting LordsGymMInistires.org. You can view our entire Community Awareness Event at the top of the homepage, it will play after the Fox19 segment on the Family Activity Center.

First Football Game for 2022 Panthers

by | Sep 28, 2022 |

From FAC Director Danny…

We had a full house at our first home games, 8 games and about 725 people in attendance! We are so thankful for our staff and volunteers, special thanks to the moms who worked at the concession stand for almost nine hours straight! Many of them were with us from 7 a.m. until almost 9 p.m. Thanks also to my family for the help and for being patient and understanding. It was truly a team effort!. Thank you all!🏈👏🏾🙌🏾

LGP 1

LGP 2

LGP 3

LGP 4

Going After the One

by | Sep 6, 2022 |

From STORM Chaplain Lynn…

Our mission is to leave the 99 and go after the ONE. In this case, the ONE is a single mother battling mental illness, homelessness and unemployment. She desires to do better and provide for her child but faces so many obstacles along the way. Our STORM team has been building relationships with this particular single mom for several months now. After praying with her, connecting her to the right agencies and encouraging (imparting courage) “self responsibility”, she was so happy to share with us that she finally found a job with Nehemiah.
 
Since the Aug. 9 Grand Opening of our newly renovated Family Activity Center in Price Hill, we’ve seen God at work through our partners. We intentionally created a partner room to allow several agencies like Addiction Service Council, UMADAOP, Crossroads Center, HopeLine and many others utilize that space to serve our friends. Every week these different agencies have assisted our friends with referrals and helped them find shelter even rehab for some. God has divinely brought us together for the advancement of His kingdom and to seek and save the lost! 🙌🏾
 
Pastors Tom & Tamera Sherwood of Peoples Church House to House have served with the Lord’s Gym for many years. We had a phenomenal Sunday gathering that included an intimate time of worship to top it off with 5 baptisms inspired by one young lady from the Jordan House. Pastor Tamera and Sister Ro have been ministering to these ladies at the Jordan House on Saturday mornings. Please pray that this will be the beginning of many more Sunday baptism celebrations at Peoples Church House to House! 😇

We welcome Chef LeQuan Mack from Atlanta

by | Aug 29, 2022 |

From FAC Director Danny…

It has been a busy week, but Sunday it was refreshing to have chef LeQuan Mack from Atlanta serving our community with his culinary talents. My neighbor, Stephanie Brown Hughes, brought her powerful testimony, as well as our friend Joe. Thanks to Men in Balance for being our partners in feeding the community on a monthly basis and also for showing God’s love. In my ministerial life, I have heard many testimonies of the power of God in the transformation of human beings, my neighbor’s is one of the most impactful. Click here for her full testimony.
Thanks to all the volunteers! Sunday was a day where everyone was fed physically and spiritually. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.🙏🏾

A Tribute to Virgil

by | Aug 23, 2022 |

From Covington Chaplain James…

 Last Thursday night one of our friends and long-time gym members was murdered as he was walking home from work.  Virgil Stewart was in recovery and credited the Lord’s Gym for helping him get sober more than a decade ago.  He did a lot for us, including always keeping the front of the building/sidewalks clean, donating gym supplies, and giving money to help others who couldn’t afford their gym memberships.  He will be sorely missed.  

We didn’t find out about it until the news crews started showing up at the gym late Friday morning.  Click here for the Fox 19 story. At the end of that news clip was one of our Lord’s Gym ladies who we helped get into the women’s shelter a couple weeks ago.  Once she had a stable place to live, she got a job working at the Family Dollar in our complex where Virgil worked.  Since she knew him, the reporter asked if she would go on camera.  She seized the opportunity and was able to preach a message of repentance that hit prime-time news in Greater Cincinnati that evening!

 

Additionally, I was scheduled to preach Saturday night at our church.  Per the leading of Holy Spirit, I scrapped my planned message.  I shared about Virgil and preached the simple gospel. The video of the sermon is above.

About 17 individuals came on stage to give their hearts to Jesus. 

Romans 8:28:  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God is good!

RSVP for the Community Awareness Breakfast

by | Aug 16, 2022 |

Come to our Community Awareness Breakfast & Fundraising Event

Restoration: 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

At Lord’s Gym Ministries we see the Lord’s ongoing restoration in the lives of our friends on a daily basis. He is actively working to make them “a new creation.” We believe that the recent renovation of our Price Hill Family Activity Center is symbolic of these transformations and we are so excited to share what’s been going here and other areas of the ministry.

Our staff will speak to all of this at our Community Awareness & Fundraising Event.

The event is FREE and will be held 7-7:30 a.m. (breakfast); 7:30-8:30 a.m. (program) Thursday, Sept. 29  at the Kenwood Country Club.

 RSVP as soon as possible, as seating is limited.

 Table Hosts NEEDED, contact Scott at 513-300-0285.

Come see God’s transformative power

by | Aug 9, 2022 |

Visit the Family Activity Center for our Grand Re-Opening and Open Houses

Price Hill Family Activity Center Grand Opening Celebration – FREE – 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 9, 3428 Warsaw Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205

Price Hill Family Activity Center Open Houses – FREE – 12-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 (lunch served) and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 3428 Warsaw Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205

Join us this evening for our grand re-opening. If you can’t come tonight, please come it one of our open houses. We want to show you God’s transformative power symbolized through the renovation of our Family Activity Center. This 110-year-old building, once a popular night club, has been “reborn” and given new purpose. 

The artwork pictured above features the old night club’s sign and the cross imposed on the front is made from an old stripper pole once used in the building before our 2016 purchase. This artwork represents God’s “new creation,” which is what we’re all about at Lord’s Gym Ministries. We are here to help our friends and build relationship with them. We pray for the Lord’s awesome transformative power to work in their lives daily.

Restoration takes time. It is a daily process to put of the “old” and put on the “new.” Like the transformation of our building, it’s a beautiful thing to watch and be apart of. Please come visit us today or at our open houses. Once you see what’s going on, you’ll be changed forever too. You’ll want to be apart of the Lord’s work. Come join us. 

For more information, visit www.LordsGymMinistries.org.

 

We Invite YOU to Grow Strong in the Lord

by | Aug 3, 2022 |

Come to our Men's Retreat this September...

Do you feel in your heart that you need some personal one-on-one time with Jesus?

Well, have we’ve got the invitation for you. Lord’s Gym Ministries is offering men a unique opportunity to get in that much-needed one-on-one time with the Lord, as well as fellowship and connection with brothers in the faith. In addition, you’ll get an glimpse inside the  workings of Lord’s Gym Ministries. 

We are hosting a the “Grow Strong in the Lord Men’s Retreat,” Friday through Saturday, Sept. 23-24, at the St. Anne’s Retreat Center in Melbourne, Kentucky. Visit our homepage, at www.LordsGymMinistries.com, for more details and registration information. Cost is $80 for an overnight stay in a private room and three meals. Event attendance only is $30 and includes meals. The retreat is free for clergy. 

At Lord’s Gym, we want to see your relationship with the Lord grow stronger and stronger so that the Lord’s transformative power can influence your life in wonderful new ways each day.

In addition to worship, fellowship, and private time with the Lord at the beautiful setting at St. Anne Retreat Center, the event will feature spiritual talks from our leadership staff and chaplains.

Talking points include Chasing Your Dreams (Scott Bowers, Executive Director), Having a Heart for the Poor (Tom Lipsey, Director of Ministry Partner Development), Accountability (James Duncan, Chaplain Covington Lord’s Gym), and leaving a legacy for the next generation (Danny Gomez, Director of Family Activity Center).

To prepare your heart for the retreat, below are five ways that you can be strong in the Lord. Be sure to consider these points in the next several weeks and as you gear up for the retreat.

 

  1. Talk to God and listen to Him through His Word.
  2. Invite your Christian friends to join you on your journey to grow strong in the Lord. Encourage one another; hold each other accountable.
  3. Identify your blessings. Tell God thank you.
  4. Put your faith into practice. Share the Gospel with others. Share what God is doing in your own life.
  5. Be a blessing. Ask God how you can share your time, talent and blessing with others.

Categories