Read through updates and learn how you can support local mission efforts!
Bloom: A Free Store
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEED:
Our most urgent needs right now are baby wipes. We always have volunteer opportunities throughout the week, while the store is open, and at our monthly Bloom Buster sorting event (second Saturday each month).
Our most urgent needs right now are baby wipes. We always have volunteer opportunities throughout the week, while the store is open, and at our monthly Bloom Buster sorting event (second Saturday each month).
PRAISE:
We're excited about new partnerships and being able to serve a record number of families in 2024; 1,356 individual families. We also gave away a record number of diapers last year; 172,320.
We're excited about new partnerships and being able to serve a record number of families in 2024; 1,356 individual families. We also gave away a record number of diapers last year; 172,320.
Compassion
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
PRAISE: Since Heritage has started supporting the Survival Program:
- Church congregation grew from 50 to 300 people
- Malnutrition rate decreased from 55% to 20%
- School Drop-out Rate decreased from 40% to 10%
- Divorce Rate dropped from 30% to 10%
- Care was provided for 63 pregnant women and 62 healthy babies delivered.
- The donation from Heritage is also going to be used to construct a new building for the survival mothers for various activities. It will be called the Heritage Christian Center.
NEEDS:
- Monthly support of the children that have been born through the survival program.
The KITE Learning Center
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEEDS:
- ESL teachers to teach a 2-hour class once a week.
- Child sponsorship for families who do not qualify for childcare benefits
- Volunteers for the open house on August 16th 2-5pm
PRAYER:
- Student enrollment
- Relationships of trust and openness to be built between teachers and families
PRAISE:
- The continuous license was granted
- All staffing needs are met
Lifeline Christian Mission
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEEDS:
- Come and serve at our meal pack events. One of our biggest needs is volunteers for our meal pack events—local and mobile. People can assist here in Westerville at our Columbus Centre events or go 'on the road' to events around Ohio and the U.S.
- Help in our warehouse
- Serve as a receptionist
- Work on seasonal special projects
PRAISE:
- Here is a recent story to share: What began as meal distribution led to gospel preaching and baptisms! A Lifeline team visited a community for the first time to share Lifeline meals. During this meal distribution, they were able to preach the gospel. By the end of their time there, 5 people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized!
- Thank you to our volunteers and donors for making opportunities like this possible.
- Lifeline UK is our newest ministry. We are seeing HUGE success with our coffee house ministry to Middle East refugees, soccer athletes, and students from all over the world. We are embracing people with love and the Gospel, some hearing about Jesus for the very first time.
- Would you like to spend a week meeting kids and families in another country?! We have trips ready for 2025!
WARM
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
PRAISE:
WARM served 32,813 people last year, including 532,086 meals. In addition, 40% of WARM beneficiaries are children under the age of 19, and there is a large senior population that uses our services.
NEEDS:
WARM served 32,813 people last year, including 532,086 meals. In addition, 40% of WARM beneficiaries are children under the age of 19, and there is a large senior population that uses our services.
NEEDS:
- If you would like to support the families WARM serves by donating food or household supplies, below is a list of the most needed items.
- Beans (Can and Bagged)
- Brown Rice
- Pasta Noodles
- Salad Dressing
- Brown Sugar
- Juices - Cranberry, Grape, Apple, etc.
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Shampoo
- Volunteer: If anyone is interested in volunteering at WARM, they can find information and the volunteer application on our website.
Red Cross
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS
NEEDS:
Thirty percent of Americans can give blood, but only 3 percent do. Giving blood does not cost anything but 30 minutes of time every two months, and you get the benefit of knowing you made a difference.
Next Blood Drives at Heritage:
Thirty percent of Americans can give blood, but only 3 percent do. Giving blood does not cost anything but 30 minutes of time every two months, and you get the benefit of knowing you made a difference.
Next Blood Drives at Heritage:
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025 noon - 6pm
- Tuesday, November 18, 2025 noon - 6pm
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026 noon - 6pm (subject to change)
Columbus Relief
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
Updates:
- We have a few needs for final occupancy:
Dumpster Enclosure, fire exit door, and window. - We would love for folks to come and serve on Saturdays 9-3 or Tuesday-Thursday 9-3 (stop by anytime to fellowship) We served over 4700 meals in June throughout Columbus area and more in July.
Outreaches:
- Saturday Outreach: 9-3 Center and Hardin Clinic
- Tuesday Outreach: 9-3 Travel to camps
- Tuesday-Thursday: 9-3 Center help with guests taking showers and laundry - feel free to prep a meal or sit down with a guest.
- AND anyone like to clean or mow lawn - always something to do at the building.
Kapsowar Hospital
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
Although we serve the hospital and the long-term missionaries there - there are many opportunities to serve in the local village in the schools / children’s home.
Short-term teams travel in April each year ( so next trip April 2026 with interest meeting in the fall ). For longer-term service or a solo trip to serve - email Kathy for more info.
Short-term teams travel in April each year ( so next trip April 2026 with interest meeting in the fall ). For longer-term service or a solo trip to serve - email Kathy for more info.
Lifewise
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
UPDATE:
Thank you for your faithful prayers and your many messages of encouragement over these past few months. We wanted to let you know that after the recent passage of House Bill 8, we have just reinitiated contact with the Westerville City Superintendent and Board. Our plan over the next few months is to work towards gradually bringing the LifeWise program back into the Westerville school district. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done. We look forward to serving Westerville families again in the near future.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and your many messages of encouragement over these past few months. We wanted to let you know that after the recent passage of House Bill 8, we have just reinitiated contact with the Westerville City Superintendent and Board. Our plan over the next few months is to work towards gradually bringing the LifeWise program back into the Westerville school district. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done. We look forward to serving Westerville families again in the near future.
PDHC
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEEDS:
- Volunteer Needs: current needs are Hotline Volunteers, campus center greeter, north center weekly cleaning help, West center greeters and individuals to help with material aid and helping individuals shop in the baby boutique.
- Donations Needed: Diaper and wipes are always welcome (currently sizes 1 and 4 are greatest need). Boys’ clothing most of all. Long sleeve winter clothes for newborn - 18 months are especially needed.
PRAYER:
Protection over our centers, staff, volunteers, and the women and families we serve.
Protection over our centers, staff, volunteers, and the women and families we serve.
PRAISE:
Praise God for the provision for and the relocation and opening of our Lancaster center. The new location will allow for us to see many more clients.
Praise God for the provision for and the relocation and opening of our Lancaster center. The new location will allow for us to see many more clients.
The Freedom Collective
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
Our name has changed! We used to be known at Out of Darkness but going forward our name is The Freedom Collective.
Heritage Event Volunteer
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
Do you feel a tug to serve missions and your community? We would love to have you serve with our mission team helping to shape events and spaces that provide opportunities for our folks to take steps and participate.
Contact Zoe for more information.
Contact Zoe for more information.
Kairos Prison Ministry
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEEDS:
- We need 8,000 cookies baked in early September for their Kairos Weekend in the prisons. Heritage does a great job with the cookie baking, as you all are very dedicated!
- Cash donations are appreciated as it costs $15,000 to put on our annual weekend.
PRAYERS:
We can use prayers for our teams that go into Ohio prisons. We need more volunteers... the harvest is plentiful!
Star House
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
PRAISE:
We are excited about our campaign to convert St. Ladislas Church into a second drop-in center for youth on the South Side of Columbus.
We are excited about our campaign to convert St. Ladislas Church into a second drop-in center for youth on the South Side of Columbus.
Furniture Bank
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
NEEDS:
- Sofas and upholstered chairs
- Usable box springs and mattresses (especially fulls and queens)
- Volunteers to assist in assembling furniture
PRAISE:
- Excited about upcoming opening of our new warehouse
PRAY:
- Pray for mild weather so construction of our new warehouse can be completed quickly
Kindway
Since 2011, Kindway has been a discipleship/mentoring ministry that develops men and women prior to, during, and after transition from prison to independence. In that time, over 235 men and women have returned through the Kindway EMBARK ministry. We have increased class sizes and recently expanded into our third and fourth host prisons, which has increased the need for volunteers and other resources.
NEEDS:
- Navigator Volunteer: One visit per month. 1-2 hour drive round trip. 2 hour visit in a large group of inmates and volunteers in guided discussions and sharing refreshments.
- EMBARK Facilitator: Visit prison every other week from September through May to partner with other volunteers and inmate facilitators to guide small groups in either Celebrate Recovery or Getting it Right CBT groups.
- Church Reunion Meal or Dessert Sponsorship and Meal or Dessert Service: Church partners sponsor an EMBARK Reunion dinner or desserts and serve those who attend. Reunions are on the third Tuesday of even months.
- We always seek connections with willing landlords, second chance employers, church partners, and funding.
PRAISE:
- We are now in 4 Central Ohio Prisons.
- Our releases in 2024 increased by 54% from the previous year.
- Donors meeting the need of our increasing budget as we expand
- By the grace of God, we maintain a success rate of 96%. The national average is 50% and Ohio is at 67%.
PRAYER:
- Prayer for those we serve to remain in God’s graces for continued transformation.
International Friendships (IFI)
UPDATES & CURRENT NEEDS:
International Friendship (IFI) seeks to share God’s love with international students at OSU. They provide opportunities to experience American life and build friendships in a non-university setting.
People who would want to host holiday dinners, get involved with airport transport etc., are encouraged to do this training to begin serving in IFI. It will be a 2 hour session and lunch will be provided.
Become an IFI volunteer here.
People who would want to host holiday dinners, get involved with airport transport etc., are encouraged to do this training to begin serving in IFI. It will be a 2 hour session and lunch will be provided.
Become an IFI volunteer here.
