Sid Stewart



      The Haven of Rest Ministries was founded in 1960 to provide shelter, food, and clothing to homeless men in the Anderson, South Carolina area. Since that time, it has grown into much more than that. 
      The ministry is a non-profit and tax exempt organization and is non-denominational in scope. The ministries are supported by eight thrift stores and individual donations as well as church and cooperate donations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, which determines values, policy, and direction and then charges the Executive Director and his staff to carry them out.
      The goal of the ministry is that every participant will desire to give his or her life to Christ and turn to Him for freedom from addictions and hope for the future. The mission statement is as follows: “In keeping with the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and also Matthew 25:35-36, the Haven of Rest Ministries exists to see those bound by life-dominating problems rescued and restored while experiencing the love of Jesus Christ.” 
      The way the ministry seeks to do that is through long-term Christ-centered and Bible-based discipleship programs for men and women with any life-dominating problem. 
      The men start at the Rescue Mission and can stay up to 30 days before deciding if they are going into the process or not. While they are there, they receive food, shelter, and clothing. If they choose not to go into the program, then they are free to find another option for their lives. If they choose to take advantage of the program, then they move into another dorm and start their studies. 
      Their studies include classes at night on addiction and anger resolution as well as working through six books that are published by The Navigators. While awaiting a bed at the Transformation Life Center (TLC), they are working at one of our facilities during the day. They must attend church three times a week as well. When a bed opens at Transformation Life Center, then either they must take it if offered or choose another option for their life at that point. 
      Transformation Life Center (TLC) is located on a 50-acre campus in the Belton, South Carolina area and is an intensive program lasting up to one year. Dormitories and meals are provided during their stay. Bible studies, lectures, and regular church attendance are a part of each participant’s life. These Bible studies are very intense and require a lot of homework. They are designed to get to the root problems that got them to where they are at this point. They are taught by full time staff as well as volunteers, Pastors, and missionaries. They cook, clean, work on the farm or in one of our thrift stores. We do auto work as well as grow some of our own food. 
      Under His Wings is an eight-week program of Biblical discipleship for women needing freedom from drugs, alcohol, or other life-dominating problems. Bible studies are held daily, and counseling is provided. While they are there, they are carried through The Steps to Freedom which helps them deal with their root problems Acceptance of oneself is the starting point of recovery for women in this program, so therefore they are taught who they are in Christ, and we try to help them start walking in this truth. 
      We believe that a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is a person’s only hope of being set free from that which entangles them. 
      We teach that the only way a person can live a happy and productive life is not only the relationship with Jesus Christ but beginning to build their lives on the principles of the Word of God. 
      As mentioned before, the thrift stores are a vital part of the organization. They not only provide income for the ministry, but they are a ministry within themselves, as they provide new as well as donated goods at much reduced prices. Often times, these goods are all that some people can afford. 
      I have seen many lives turned around, and we have several who have been through our programs working for us now. 
      Also, we have seen several of our men go on to college and, in fact, one of our graduates is finishing up a two-year degree and going to get his four-year degree and seminary degree and going to India as a foreign missionary. 
      The Haven of Rest is in a strategic position to really help people who, in some cases, society, family, and everyone but God has given up on. We try to partner with the local church to accomplish this. It is an exciting thing to be a part of to see God rescue and restore a broken life.




      Link: www.tlcnews.org