What is the Afterglow Christian Mission House? 

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Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network DBA Afterglow Christian Mission House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry that was formed in June 2020. It was created by Dave and Stephenie Maggert as an outreach ministry for the purpose of coming alongside hurting people by building positive relationships and community which provide the needed support and encouragement through difficult times, including, but not limited to addiction recovery. At its very core, it is a Christian ministry that promotes the belief that Jesus Christ is the source of our healing and that the Bible is sufficient to provide the wisdom and guidance we need for living successful and productive lives.

 

Note: You do not have to be a Christian to come and benefit from Afterglow, all are welcome and encouraged to come!

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How is this mission accomplished? 

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Both Dave and Stephenie are certified Christian Chaplains and are able to provide pastoral counseling, however this is only a small part of what Afterglow does. The main focus of this ministry is to build relationships and community. Originally they did this by meeting every Sunday at 1pm to have “Sunday Dinner” together, followed by a facilitated Bible study/teaching led by Dave bringing Scripture into the topics of real life struggles such as depression, anxiety, addictions, loneliness and grief. Now that they have a physical location at 114 E Gambier St Mt Vernon, OH, they have expanded from their once/week Sunday Dinner to the below services. In addition to their regularly scheduled meals, they hold special events and activities. Below is a list of activities they have done, some- once or twice, others- frequently:

 

~ Play Disc Golf ~ Bonfires at Dave and Stephenie’s seasonal campsite ~ Attend a Columbus Clippers Game ~ Tour the Dayton Air Force Museum ~ Game Nights ~ Movie Nights  ~ Go to the movies at the theater ~ Hobby Saturdays during the winter months ~ Breakfasts meetings ~ Attend high school football games together ~ Meet and eat at Hot Meals together ~ Christmas caroling ~

 

In addition to the fun social activities listed above, they ultimately are a support system in times of need. When someone is sick or dealing with a medical situation, they make sure they have meals. When someone loses a loved one or is grieving a loss, they will attend funerals and provide emotional and spiritual support. No one should have to go through life struggles alone, and with Afterglow Christian Mission House, they don’t have to. God created man to be in relationship with Himself, and others, and it’s these essential and very important relationships that Afterglow is dedicated to nurturing.

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Who does Afterglow serve? 

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The Afterglow Christian Mission House is for EVERYONE! We welcome everyone, regardless of their past, present or future. We embrace the lost, hurting, broken, and lonely and seek to love them in the name of Jesus, regardless of their own beliefs or struggles.

 

The classes are geared to those 17 years old and older, however anyone can come and enjoy their hospitality as long as they are willing to follow their simple rules of being respectful of others. ​​

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114 E Gambier St: Afterglow Christian Mission House

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On December 16, 2024, Dave and Stephenie were able to purchase 114 E Gambier St as the new location for Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network DBA Afterglow Christian Mission House. Up until this point they were having their Sunday dinners at their home church, and utilizing public places for their activities throughout the week. Now that the ministry has a full-time location, it changes everything and opens the door for so many new opportunities! 

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We now offer:

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A hobby room/library where you can enjoy a cozy environment to work on hobbies (puzzles, model cars, art work, etc) as well as offering a library of books for reading. Complimentary water, coffee and tea will be served with a coffee house vibe.

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Meals- We serve breakfast seven days/week from 9-10:30am. Dinners are served from 5-6:00pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Our Saturday dinner is a Pizza Party! Please see our Calendar & Events page for any cancellations. 

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Information Board where we will have a list of local resources and how they can help, as well as other important resources such as local doctors, dentists, and other service providers.

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Classes are periodically offered throughout the week. Our Calendar and Events page will list any classes being held. Some examples of classes we will offer are: ​

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• Redeemed Walk: Biblical Decision Making- This is an 8 week course that Dave will teach regularly. Dave spent a month at Honey Lake Clinic in Florida, where Dr. Karl Benzio is the Medical Director. Dr. Benzio created the S.P.E.A.R.S model which breaks down the steps in the decision making process, and he uses this model to help his patients struggling with addictions and mental health problems. With Dr. Benzio’s blessing, Dave created a curriculum around this teaching

• Living Prime in Every Season- This is a class that Stephenie will teach periodically that is geared towards women who are healing from or experiencing a season of brokenness in their lives.

• Financial Budgeting Classes- will be offered periodically by Stephenie.

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Pastoral counseling opportunities- for both groups and individuals

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Special Events- We will have movie nights as well as Coffee House nights where we have live music and our barista friend will come and make you a complimentary coffee drink to go along with your complimentary baked good!

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Field Trip Opportunities to go to sporting events, museums or other attraction destinations. Transportation provided by local church partners.

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​A conference room that will be used for our classes however, when available, is open for other organizations we partner with to use for their purposes. If a church is wanting to have a Bible Study outside their church walls, they can use our room. If another organization is wanting to have a meeting and needs a location, they are welcome to come here!

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Our Goal to Collaborate

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Afterglow strives not to duplicate services that others are doing, but to fill gaps that exist. They strongly believe in working with other local organizations to maximize their total impact. They have already started the conversation of collaboration with the following local ministries: Winter Sanctuary, Lazarus Life Ministries, Place 4 Grace, and Father’s Table (First Church of the Nazarene) with more to come. In addition to working with other local ministries, Dave and Stephenie would like to build networking relationships with local agencies such as the Health Department, Opportunity Knox, Job and Family Services and law enforcement to help provide connections to these resources for those who come to the Afterglow Mission House.

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