Huntington has “A Heritage of Caring”

Heritage Days 2025, June 11 through June 15, will celebrate the people of Huntington and how they care for one another with the theme, “A Heritage of Caring.” Over the years many individuals, businesses and organizations have united the community in caring for one another. Each week the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce will highlight one of these entities in this column.

New Life Fellowship is an outreach of New Life Fellowship Church that cares for those in the Huntington community through the New Life Fellowship Meal Ministry, and the Women’s, Men’s and Children’s Life Houses. It is a faith-based, not-for-profit 501©3 that began in August 2001 by Pastor Jimi Staton, his wife Carla and a group of families.

Located at 313 E. Franklin Street, New Life Fellowship Church is the worship center and the organizational center from which the ministry reaches into the community. The vision of the church is to have external ministries that provide necessary services while sharing the gospel and Christian beliefs.

The first caring service provided by New Life Fellowship is the New Life Community Meal Ministry. Free evening meals for individuals and families, 365 days per year, began on January 15, 2007. Lunches were later added, and are served Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 1 p.m.; dinner is served Monday through Friday, 6 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, meals are served 5 to 6 p.m. Meals are free and both dine in and carryout options are offered.

The meal ministry is located at 323 N. Jefferson Street and its director is Bob Burnsworth who oversees a large group of volunteers. Over 30,700 meals were provided in 2024 by over 625 volunteers and 345 donors. It is estimated that over 224,000 meals have been served since 2007. Anyone interested in donating food, providing funding or wanting to volunteer can contact Burnsworth at (260) 519-3637.

In July of 2013 New Life Fellowship began caring for the needs of women in the Women’s Life Houses at 406 Byron Street. It is a transitional housing program made up of two homes and 14 beds serving women overcoming homelessness, addiction, hunger, trauma and mental illness. A safe environment to live in is provided by a trained staff, and those in residence are mentored and educated in safe people, goal setting, Biblical Twelve Steps, moods, Life Recovery and more. The program is designed to help women lead a successful life, and takes a minimum of eight months to complete. 321 women have been cared for since 2013.

The Men’s Life House at 319 Guilford Street opened in 2022, and is also a transitional housing program with seven beds serving men overcoming similar situations as those in the Women’s Life House program. Since its opening, 88 men have been cared for at Men’s Life House.

A Children’s Life House opened in 2024 and works with the Department of Child Services. Based on placements by the Department of Child Services, the House Parents provide a safe home for children and teens in Huntington County who are in need of foster or respite services. Seven children have been cared for since its opening.

Carla Staton is the Life House director and Lauren Scott is the assistant to the Life House director. Those in need of the Life House services are briefly screened on the phone by the Life House director. If it is determined that one of the Life Houses is a good fit for the individual looking to be cared for, an in-person interview and intake are scheduled.

Pastor Jimi Staton is the executive director of New Life Ministries, Brittney Shoemaker takes care of donor development and Savannah Marlow is the operations director. They work together to keep the ministry functioning and work to raise the funds to support it.

Funds are raised through corporate and individual sponsors and the events held by New Life Ministries. Recently support was received through an event known as the “Coldest Night of the Year” on February 22, 2025. The Spring Banquet, Renew Rebuild Rejoice, will be held at The Clubhouse, 6137 N. Goshen Road, on May 8. It is a fundraiser, and the community is invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased at nlm-in.org/events-2 or nlm2025spring.givesmart.com. New Life Ministries will hold the 13th Annual Golf Outing August 9, 2025, and there is an Annual Benefit Auction scheduled for November 20, 2025.

For more information about New Life Ministries, questions about the services provided or to donate, call (260) 200-1372, visit nlm-in.org, email info@nlm-in.org or see the Facebook page facebook/newlifeministriesindiana. Donations can also be mailed to New Life Fellowship, 313 E. Franklin Street, Huntington, Indiana 46750.