BILL and SANDI SPENCER: Originally from Maine, Mr. Spencer and his wife Sandi moved to Sanibel in 2002. They started a property maintenance and housekeeping business, Morning Glory, on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Both are active at Sanibel Community Church where Bill has served on the Church Council for 4 years. They both have been Life Group leaders, are active in the Men's & Women's ministries, and have been Adult Sunday School teachers. Bill and Sandi are founding board members of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries and Bill has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine.
ROD M. WILSON: Mr. Wilson has spent a lifetime advising privately owned companies and their shareholders focused in the fields of finance, investments, philanthropy and fiduciary responsibility. He has had three careers – most recently, 18 years serving as the Chief Trust Officer of HRK Trust Company and Managing Partner of its related HRK Investment Company for the Andersen Family; 17 years serving as Chief Financial Officer of Carlson Holdings and CEO of its related Carlson Investment Group for the Carlson Family; and prior to his career at Carlson, 13 years at the accounting firm, Arthur Andersen & Co, including 4 years as a partner. Mr. Wilson is a CPA and an expert on fiduciary responsibility, governance and strategic planning for private tax exempt Foundations and Trusts, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota.
He and his wife Jenifer have been married to each other for 50 years and have four children and seven grandchildren. They are the grantors and co-founders of the RJW Foundation, a private grant making foundation. The “RJW” acronym stands for “Reverence for Jesus and the Word". RJW supports Christian outreach programs designed to improve the lives of Christians and potential Christians through providing affordable housing, mental health research and education, pre-school education and other hands on services to individuals in need. The RJW Foundation owns and operates a pre-school in Macas Ecuador, on the edge of the Amazon Basin.
2010 AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT: On behalf of the BFA Executive Board, I am equally pleased to announce that in 2010, 92.7% of all giving and income to BFA went to Program Services! Because people believe in our mission and vision, we had approximately 10,600 in kind items given and 5000 hours of services donated. This report shows that BFA is committed to the highest standards of stewardship. We want to thank our partners for assisting us to Educate the community, Advocate for, Reach, Rescue and Restore victims of commercialized exploitation and human sex trafficking. To view our 2010 Audited Financial Report, CLICK HERE.
BFA TEAM MEMBER & OVER-COMER MARRIES: We wish to extend our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Short who were married Sunday, May 23rd in North Carolina. Shelly served on the BFA outREACH team and has an amazing testimony. She is a trophy of grace with a beauty from ashes story and is more than an over-comer! We will miss her and bless her and her new life as a wife to Greg.
FORT MYERS STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: On Saturday, May 21st., the BFA outREACH team served a home cooked meal of beef stroganoff, mixed vegetable salad, rolls and cookies to the employees of our local "adopted" strip club. Gift bags were distributed that included Bibles, God's Word for Mothers, hair and beauty supplies, assorted candies, and temporary tattoos. The team was welcomed into the club by management and had the opportunity to pray with numerous employees, including the manager. Tears, hugs, and encouragement were shared as the message of love, hope, and truth was delivered. Visit our facebook fanpage for photos.
BFA CURRENT NEEDS: Want to help and get involved? CLICK HERE for details.
BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP: Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm. For victims and over-comers of CSE and human sex trafficking. Child care and lunch provided. Registration required. Contact Julie Shematz at julie@beautyfromashes.org or call 239-939-9218 to register.
SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT: BFA provides education, in services, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs. To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE
WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER: Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims. Fridays 8-9am EST. For more information and prayer guide, CLICK HERE.
BFA MAY PRAYER REQUESTS: For details on how to pray for BFA clients, staff, and our programs, CLICK HERE
BFA PRAYER TEAM: To sign up, send your name, city and state to prayer@beautyfromashes.org.
PRAYER REQUESTS: We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need. Submit your prayer request via our website CLICK HERE.
BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: CLICK HERE
DONATIONS: Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing education, advocacy, and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation. Please consider becoming a partner by giving a tax deductible gift today. For $25 or more we will send you our Child of God CD. For secure online donations, CLICK HERE or mail your check, cash or money order to Beauty From Ashes, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907.
On behalf of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries, thank you again for your support in time, talent, and resources. BFA is the first and only survivor led anti-human trafficking service provider in the state of Florida. Our victories and milestones belong to our partners as well. Together we are growing, building capacity, and we are making a difference. In Christ's love and service,
Julie Shematz and the BFA FREEdom™ Team
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
