The Dove Harbor Dream

When you open your heart to God given dreams, you might be surprised by what comes to mind. That’s what happened fifteen years ago to three young women, sitting in a Sunday service at the “old” North Anderson Church on Scatterfield road.

The three women (two named Susan and one named Karin) came down the aisle together at the close of the service and asked to speak with me. They were employed at Alternatives, Inc. (an emergency shelter in Anderson); all of them had been struggling with the increasing secularization of Alternatives (which had originally been conceived within a faith-based frame); all three of them had been stirred to the same end: Madison County needed a Christian shelter for women and children in crisis—a shelter in which Jesus could be freely proclaimed.

The two Susans and Karin were at once nervous, electrified, and terrified by their dream. “Is it possible that God is calling us to do this?” they wondered out loud. “But how?We don’t have any money, we’re young, and we don’t know even where to start,” they continued. “But, we know a Christian shelter for these women is needed. They are often victims of violence; they are often desperate, lost, and afraid. They don’t know who to trust and can’t imagine trusting God. They need a safe place, a healing place, and place to re-build their lives. And, they need the help that God can give. They need a place where they can hear about Him, too. Right now there is no place like that in Madison County—or Delaware or Hamilton or Henry or Hancock Counties, either.” They wanted to pray. “Are we crazy for even thinking about this?Will people laugh at us?Will they be mad at us?Will they think we’re ‘holier than thou’ or arrogant for talking like this?” The questions, the doubts, the fears—and the dream—all poured out.

We prayed together and I suggested that they come into the office and talk with me later in the week. I wasn’t sure how to respond on the spot, except to say what I always say, “Be encouraged.”

Over the next few weeks, the two Susans and Karin met together and with me. Other key lay leaders were drawn into the loop. The church stepped up with funding. Before a year had passed, their dream (or, better said, God’s dream) had become a reality. It was called Dove Harbor. The doors opened in a house in 1993. Today, “the Harbor” calls our building on Broadway and Plum home.

Two hundred women and children have found hope and a home at the Harbor since then. Unlike an emergency shelter (in which residents typically have just 30-90 days to stay before moving on), the Harbor provides an elongated platform (usually up to six months, but sometimes even longer) for residents to heal, before re-entering the world around them successfully.What had been our church building on Broadway (vacated in the 1980’s when the congregation moved to Highland High School), was remodeled to create ten spacious “studio apartments,” each with private bath. Common kitchen and “family room” areas were developed on two floors; elaborate security systems (to protect residents from angry boyfriends, etc.) were installed and a fenced play area for children opened. Classroom space was adapted for case management, group meetings, life-skills teaching, Bible study, and so much more. Everyone is introduced to Jesus; some receive Him humbly.

Dove Harbor exists as a ministry of the Madison Park Church (although about 10% of its funding comes from other churches and the local community). The residents themselves contribute 7% of the Harbor’s income, another 18% is generated through fund-raising events, and 17% is sustained by a fixed line in our church’s operating budget. The remaining dollars come from individual donations—the overwhelming majority of which are also from Madison Park Church-goers. Dove Harbor is not independently incorporated. It is an extension of the Madison Park Church. The church guarantees Dove Harbor’s budget—which means that if income fails to meet expenses, the church assumes the debt. If the shortfall is great (as it has been in some years), other church ministries are left unfunded, to guarantee the Harbor’s stability. Because we will not compromise the Harbor’s Christian foundation, government funding is unavailable.

Eventually, the two Susans and Karin moved away (one to the West Coast, the others to the south). An outstanding ministry team (led by Director Doug Linville) keeps the Dove Harbor dream alive today. So do you, whenever you support the Madison Park Church financially and otherwise. And, from that one dream, 200 other precious souls have been given a chance to dream again. God alone knows how many more will be so blessed in the years to come, in the same way.

Thanks for being faithful, Madison Park. You’re the best.

Dreams work. Never forget that.