H15 Ministries ‘raises the roof’ as phase 2 funding comes together

Nearly one decade ago, Andy and Tammy Schafer made a commitment to serving area youth with the development of H15 Teen Ministries, opting to turn a dilapidated building in downtown Millersburg into a lively teen center.

Andy Schafer, who serves as the director at H15, has said every time he begins to doubt God’s hand being on the ministry, God relieves him of those doubts by meeting needs, even in the direst of circumstances.

Recently, God chose to do that very thing again.

“So often I have come to the place of discouragement that tells me I'm not fit for this calling God has placed on me,” Schafer said. “Each time God patiently helps me see that he is with me and that he is going to take care of things.”

Schafer said this is something that has been a recurring theme over the past years as H15 Teen Ministries has continued to blossom into a place for teens to gather safely. Schafer said so many times God has shown his power, grace and mercy in amazing ways, and he said God recently showed him he continues to have his hand on the ministry.

“This time God showed that he is with us by blessing us financially,” Schafer said.

The H15 director said back when he and the board were hoping to get phase two started, there were plenty of questions about the financial standings of the organization and where the funding would come from to pursue phase two.

“We wondered how we would be able to raise the money for the new roof,” Schafer said. “However, God had a plan. When the time was right, he poured out so much blessing on us that in a matter of just a couple months, we had enough to do the roof.”

And what a blessing that new roof has been.

However, Schafer said God’s goodness created opportunities even though the board hadn’t made any large move to secure any funding.

“Here's the thing,” Schafer said. "None of the money that came in was due to us seeking it out. God brought it to us in surprising ways from unrelated sources, and suddenly, there was a way where there had been no way.”

Since then H15 Teen Ministries has been slowly working on the demolition and preparations to start the new construction inside. And Schafer said the amazing thing is God brought in just enough money to do the roof and no more.

“After we finished the roof, we were back to having enough to cover expenses each month but not much more than that,” he said. “In fact, after covering everything this past July, there was only $8.43 left in the checking account. That is just how God has been working.”

Schafer said over the years H15 has been blessing teens in the community, God seems to wait until the time is right for meeting needs, whether that is financial donations or community members contacting him to provide exactly what is needed to make an event possible or part of the building process a reality.

“In the past several weeks, we have had multiple, unsolicited, larger donations from unrelated individuals come in, so that after paying all of November’s expenses, there is still over $44,000 in our account,” Schafer said. “My guess is that God is ready for us to get moving in earnest on phase two, so I’m going to work in that direction.

"I have had a meeting with the architect to get a game plan together, and I'll be hitting more demolition soon. However, I have learned not to attempt to fit God into my box, so I’ll be praying and watching to see if there is some other reason he has for giving us these funds.”

Schafer said phase two is going to cost a lot more than $44,000, but if this is God’s will for the organization, then they all recognize God will continue to provide.

Schafer also requested continuing prayers for not only the phase two project, but also the teens whose lives are being touched as they connect with one another and with the adult volunteers who are giving of themselves to make a difference.

“As we have walked alongside with them and have faced the struggles with the teens, God has been so very loving and faithful in showing that he is right here in this ministry, in control and never wavering,” Schafer said. “All we need to do is trust him. I know that just as he can provide the funds we need, he can also work miracles in the hearts of these teens. We serve a big God, and I am so thankful for his love and for the support of the community.”

If anyone is interested in donating, serving as a volunteer or providing food and snacks for the teens, they may call Schafer at 330-231-7147 or H15 at 234-301-9206. Some of the basic needs for each evening gathering include Styrofoam plates and bowls, plasticware, napkins, slow cooker liners, and drinks and snacks.