August 2026 Ministry Update
Answered prayer, faithful service, and lives moving forward.
Welcome
God was moving throughout the mission.
August was filled with reminders of God’s faithfulness across Christ Is The Answer Rescue Mission. Residents took important steps forward, graduates returned to serve, churches and volunteers gave generously of their time, new volunteers joined the work, prayers were answered, and practical needs were met.
These are only some of the people, churches, volunteers, residents, donors, and moments that made August special. So much more happened behind the scenes every day, and we are deeply grateful for everyone who continues to be part of this ministry.
Featured Story
From Hopelessness to Peace
When Tony Banks returned to CITA in March 2025, he was battling a stronghold of alcohol and drug addiction. He described himself as depressed, hopeless, suicidal, and on the verge of homelessness. The staff welcomed him with open arms, and Tony made the decision to surrender to the program and deepen his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
As Tony faithfully walked through the process, God began rebuilding what addiction and despair had damaged. His relationship with the Lord grew stronger, family relationships were restored, and he has maintained steady employment for nearly a year.
“Most of all, I have peace in my life that I’ve never had.”
Tony pointed to Proverbs 3:5-6 as a passage that has guided him to trust the Lord rather than depend on his own understanding. That growing trust has helped lead him from hopelessness into a life marked by stability, gratitude, and peace.
Now Tony is officially graduating and moving into the next chapter of his life. We look forward to celebrating him at CITA’s graduation ceremony near the end of September. Even before leaving, Tony heard about the need for a television in the Men’s Dorm lobby to display our new digital schedule and purchased it for the mission. He also helped meet a need for new bowls in the kitchen.
Tony came to CITA needing hope. He leaves wanting to give back.
August Impact at a Glance
Practical care and spiritual investment every day.
The stories show the personal side of the mission. These numbers offer a glimpse of the scale of the work happening throughout August.
Behind every number is a person. Each meal, safe night, voucher, chapel, Bible study, recovery class, and church service was another opportunity to provide compassionate care and share the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Morning Chapel
Sometimes chapel is simply about worship.
One of the Men’s Campus morning chapel services each week is devoted entirely to worship. It is a powerful thing to hear men from different backgrounds and different seasons of life lifting their voices together to the Lord.
These moments remind us that CITA is much more than a place to receive a bed or a meal. Men are being invited into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, surrounded by opportunities for worship, prayer, Biblical teaching, recovery, and discipleship.
Volunteer Ministry Spotlight
Men Passionate About Christ
MPACT faithfully invests in the men at CITA through a weekly small group focused on Christian fellowship and discipleship. Their consistent presence gives residents a place to ask questions, grow in God’s Word, build relationships with mature Christian men, and receive encouragement as they continue through the program.
Trey Etheridge is part of MPACT, regularly shares in chapel, and also serves on CITA’s Board of Directors. We are deeply grateful for Trey and the other men who continue showing up week after week to walk alongside our residents.
Faithful Leadership
Serving in chapel, discipleship, and leadership
Trey’s service reflects the kind of partnership that strengthens every part of the mission. He invests personally in the men, helps point them to the truth of Scripture, and supports CITA’s work through his service on the Board of Directors.
September 19, 2026
Reason to Ride for Helen’s House
The 3rd Annual Reason to Ride Motorcycle Run is coming soon. Join us at First Baptist Church Melbourne for coffee beginning at 8 a.m. and kickstands up at 10 a.m. The cost is $20 per rider and $5 per passenger, and all proceeds benefit Helen’s House, CITA’s Center for Women and Children.
There is still time to participate, sponsor the event, donate a raffle prize, volunteer, or help spread the word. You do not need to own a motorcycle to make a difference.
Our featured raffle prize
Wings of Grace Ministries has generously donated a 30-minute helicopter ride for up to three people. The flight will depart from Melbourne Orlando International Airport and offer an unforgettable view from above.
Helen’s House
Celebrating lives made new
August brought a joyful celebration as residents from Helen’s House publicly professed their faith through baptism. These moments point to the heart of why CITA exists. We want every woman, child, and man we serve to experience the hope, grace, and new life found in Jesus Christ.
Please continue praying for these women as they grow in their faith and walk forward in the new life God has given them.
God at Work Throughout the Mission
Lives moving from receiving help to helping others
Transformation often becomes visible through the next faithful step. This month, we saw residents, graduates, staff members, and volunteers encourage others through prayer, testimony, service, and Biblical teaching.
A Graduate Returns
Welcome, Charles
We welcomed former resident and program graduate Charles Ingeldsen to the CITA team as our newest Case Manager and Counselor. His experience, testimony, and desire to help others make him a meaningful addition to the work.
Answered Prayer
Sean begins his new job
After we invited friends of CITA to pray for Sean during the employment-search phase of the program, he was offered a job and began work. We are grateful for answered prayer and this important step forward.
Continuing to Serve
Steve returned to lead chapel
Previous resident and graduate Steve Johnson came back to encourage the men and lead a chapel service. Seeing graduates return to invest in current residents is a beautiful reminder that transformation continues to multiply.
Resident-Led Chapel
Gerry shared from God’s Word
Gerry led chapel with a message about how even the smallest sin can multiply, grow beyond control, and strain our relationship with God. He challenged the men to take sin seriously and remain close to the Lord.
Starting With Prayer
Before the trucks hit the road
We caught a simple but meaningful moment as the men working on the trucks gathered to pray before beginning the day. Spiritual growth is often seen in these everyday decisions to put God first.
Supporting the Mission
Our thrift stores make an impact
Every purchase, donation, and volunteer hour at our thrift stores helps support the residential programs and provides affordable goods for the community.
Volunteers Serving With Purpose
New faces, faithful service, and a little fun
From the kitchen and chapel to the grounds and thrift stores, volunteers help carry the mission forward. We are thankful for every person who showed up, including many whose service was not captured in a photograph.
New Volunteer
Odessa joined the kitchen team
Odessa began volunteering in the Men’s Campus kitchen and has already brought a joyful, helpful presence to this important part of daily ministry.
Kitchen and Discipleship
Peter is ready to serve
Peter Chell also began helping in the kitchen, but his heart for service extends into discipleship. He is preparing to share in chapel for the first time next month.
Saturday Mission Workday
Working hard together
Each Saturday, residents work together to help maintain the Men’s Campus grounds. The Florida heat makes it hard work, but teamwork and a good attitude can make even a demanding morning enjoyable.
Faithful Church Partners
First Baptist Melbourne returned to serve
We were grateful to welcome another team from First Baptist Church Melbourne as they helped at Helen’s House Thrift Store. Their continued willingness to serve is a blessing to the mission and to the women and children supported through Helen’s House.
Church at Viera CAV 321
One service day reaching across CITA
Church at Viera came out for its CAV 321 service day with teams serving in several parts of the mission. Volunteers completed yard work, painted the main administration office, and pressure washed at the Men’s Campus. Other teams served at Helen’s House Thrift Store and at Helen’s House itself.
Their service met practical needs, encouraged our staff and residents, and helped us steward the facilities God has provided. We are grateful for every person who gave part of the day to serve alongside CITA.
God’s Provision at the Right Time
Hygiene supplies arrived when shelves were running low.
As supplies at the Men’s Campus were becoming very limited, several people stepped forward to help. LOVE INC Brevard had just completed a hygiene-item collection and was able to provide supplies at exactly the right time.
We are grateful for their partnership and for everyone who helped meet the immediate need. Hygiene products remain an ongoing need for the men in our program. Donations can be dropped off at the Men’s Dorm on US 1.
When Both Trucks Went Down
God provided, and both trucks are back on the road.
Both trucks used to pick up donated goods for our thrift stores broke down during the month, and one required a major repair. These trucks are essential because donated items sold in our stores help support CITA’s residential programs.
What could have created a lasting disruption became another reminder of God’s provision. The needed repairs were completed, and both trucks returned to service. We are thankful for everyone who helped us keep this important part of the mission moving.
Connecting With Our Community
Working together and carrying hope beyond our campuses
Community Partnership
Agency Resource Fair
CITA participated in the Brevard Homeless Coalition’s 2nd Annual Agency Resource Fair. Organizations shared information about their services so we can work together and better connect people in need with the right resources.
Sharing God’s Grace
Encouraging BCS teachers
CITA’s Director of Operations was invited to Bethany Christian School to share an encouraging message about God’s grace as teachers prepared to begin the new school year.
Invite CITA to Share
We would love to visit your church, school, business, or community group.
CITA welcomes opportunities to share the hope found in Jesus Christ and tell others what God is doing through the mission.
This Is Only a Glimpse
Thank you for being part of the story.
Every photo represents a moment, but there were countless conversations, prayers, meals, rides, Bible studies, acts of service, donations, and quiet victories that never made it into a picture.
Thank you to every person who prayed, served, gave, encouraged, taught, cooked, cleaned, repaired, donated, discipled, or simply showed up this month. God continues to use His people to make this ministry possible.
Pray With Us
Prayer Requests
We are grateful for everyone who faithfully prays for CITA. Please join us in these specific requests.
- Pray for Tony and other graduates as they transition into independent living and continue growing in Christ.
- Pray for the men, women, and children currently in our programs as they pursue healing, stability, and spiritual growth.
- Pray for Sean and other residents beginning new jobs and taking important steps toward long-term stability.
- Pray for a strong Reason to Ride event and generous support for the women and children at Helen’s House.
- Pray for wisdom, strength, unity, and spiritual protection for CITA’s staff, volunteers, and leadership.
- Pray for continued provision for daily meals, shelter, transportation, thrift-store operations, and discipleship.
Thank You
A word from Dr. Bryan “Buddy” Morrow
As you reach the end of this month’s update, I want to thank you for standing with Christ Is The Answer Rescue Mission. The stories and numbers shared here represent lives being cared for, encouraged, discipled, and pointed toward the hope found in Jesus Christ.
We are grateful for every resident who takes the next faithful step and for every staff member, volunteer, donor, church, and ministry partner God uses to help carry this work forward. Your prayers, service, giving, and encouragement make a lasting difference.
For His glory,
Dr. Bryan “Buddy” Morrow
President & CEO
Get Involved
Partner with CITA
Whether you give, volunteer, pray, shop, donate items, invite us to share, or tell someone else about the mission, you can help point men, women, and children toward true life transformation and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
