Good Shepherd Ministries – Making A Difference in Our Community

By Kari David, Christian Citizen - June 2008

In the story of the sheep and the goats (Mt. 25:31-46), Jesus told His disciples about the reward awaiting those who belong to Him and have served Him, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Those whom he was addressing seemed surprised as they never recalled serving their King in that way, until He said “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Dale Nieberding, founder and Executive Director of Good Shepherd Ministries, says that he has always felt called to serve the poor and that it is in this population where he often most readily encounters the face of the suffering Christ.

Located right here in Dayton Ohio, Good Shepherd Ministries is an outreach organization that offers a wide array of services to the needy and those trying to get their lives back on track after incarceration. These services include: housing referrals; a limited number of furnished apartments; job network and referral support; job coaching; life skills materials; emotional and crisis support; lay counseling; recovery maintenance support; mentoring support; and a pantry that provides food, clothing, furniture, and hygiene items.

Dale Nieberding has a particular heart for men who have been in prison and recognizes that without successful intervention many of these men will end up in trouble with the law again, which takes a toll on the moral fiber of our community as well as being a financial burden to taxpayers. He states “As a Christian ministry, we are committed to restoring men recently released from incarceration by demonstrating His unconditional love and mercy in a safe, stable and spiritual home environment so they can successfully re-enter society, after having first paid their just debt to it.” Dale also recognizes the risks to the next generation and adds, “The farther I go in this work, and the more I am realizing this venture with the Holy Spirit is also about helping the children of these men. These children have a six times greater rate of going to prison than the average kid. And eighty percent of juveniles who stay in a detention center 18 months or longer end up in prison. As Good Shepherd Ministries help men restore their own physical, emotional, financial and spiritual lives with God’s help, then he will be able to be fully present to his children’s (and wife’s) needs.”

Good Shepherd Ministries has been recognized for its excellence in services and programs. In 2006 Good Shepherd was one of only two organizations in Montgomery County, and one of forty-five across the state that was recognized by the Ohio Governor’s Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives and awarded a capacity building grant to grow and expand their social service programs and operations of compassion. Later that year Good Shepherd Ministries was awarded $50,000 from the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to provide re-entry capacity building for the homeless in Montgomery County.

Although these grants and other contributions have been very helpful in expanding and improving programs, there is still much work to be done and many who remain in need. You can learn more about this organization that is making a difference in our community by going to their detailed website at GoodShepherdMinistries.net or by attending the upcoming Annual Banquet on June 19th at Fairhaven Church in Centerville. Contact Dale Nieberding to purchase tickets, to find out how you can become involved in this ministry, or to refer someone who needs services at dalenieberding@sbcglobal.net or Good Shepherd Ministries 425 N. Findlay St., Ste. 211 Dayton, Ohio 45404.