What is Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network? 

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Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network (DBA Afterglow Christian Mission House) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry that was formed in June 2020. It was created by Dave and Stephenie Maggert as an outreach ministry for the purpose of coming alongside hurting people by building positive relationships and community which provide the needed support and encouragement through difficult times, including, but not limited to addiction recovery. At its very core, it is a Christian ministry that promotes the belief that Jesus Christ is the source of our healing and that the Bible is sufficient to provide the wisdom and guidance we need for living successful and productive lives.

 

Note: You do not have to be a Christian to come and benefit from Afterglow, all are welcome and encouraged to come!

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How is this mission accomplished? 

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Both Dave and Stephenie are certified Christian Chaplains and are able to provide pastoral counseling, however this is only a small part of what Afterglow does. The main focus of this ministry is to build relationships and community. Currently they do this by meeting every Sunday at 1pm to have “Sunday Dinner” together, followed by a facilitated Bible study/teaching led by Dave that brings Scripture into the topics of real life struggles such as depression, anxiety, addictions, loneliness and grief. In addition to these meetings they do social things throughout the week together. Below is a list of activities they have done, some- once or twice, others- frequently:

 

~ Play Disc Golf ~ Bonfires at Dave and Stephenie’s seasonal campsite ~ Attend a Columbus Clippers Game ~ Tour the Dayton Air Force Museum ~ Game Nights ~ Movie Nights  ~ Go to the movies at the theater ~ Hobby Saturdays during the winter months ~ Breakfasts meetings ~ Attend high school football games together ~ Meet and eat at Hot Meals together ~ Christmas caroling ~

 

In addition to the fun social activities listed above, they are a support system in times of need. When someone is sick or dealing with a medical situation, they make sure they have meals. When someone loses a loved one or is grieving a loss, they will attend funerals and provide emotional and spiritual support. No one should have to go through life struggles alone, and with Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network, they don’t have to. God created man to be in relationship with Himself, and others, and it’s these essential and very important relationships that Afterglow is dedicated to nurturing.

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Who does Afterglow serve? 

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While they have a special place in their heart for those who are struggling with addictions and mental health issues ANYONE can participate in Afterglow events and services!

 

The classes are geared to those 17 years old and older, however anyone can come and enjoy their hospitality as long as they are willing to follow their simple rules of being respectful of others. ​​

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114 E Gambier St: Afterglow Christian Mission House

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On December 16, 2024, Dave and Stephenie were able to purchase 114 E Gambier St as the new location for Afterglow Life Services and Recovery Network DBA Afterglow Christian Mission House. Up until this point they were having their Sunday dinners at their home church, Covenant Church, and utilizing public places for their activities throughout the week. Now that the ministry has a full-time location, it changes everything and opens the door for so many new opportunities! 

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Currently their Sunday Dinners have relocated to 114 E Gambier St, and they are using it to host different events and counseling sessions, however the goal is to have a volunteer ran Christian Mission that will offer daytime services and hours seven days/week! Two main things need to happen first: 

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• ​Volunteers need to be recruited and trained to be able to support our hours of operation.

• A security system and other security features need to be put in place so that the Afterglow Mission House is a safe place for both its volunteers and guests.

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The Afterglow Christian Mission House Vision

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Once the Mission is open we plan on offering the following services and opportunities to those who want to participate: 

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A hobby room/library where you can enjoy a cozy environment to work on hobbies (puzzles, model cars, art work, etc) as well as offering a library of books for reading. Complimentary water, coffee and tea will be served all day with a coffee house vibe.

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Food- if it’s morning and you are hungry, help yourself to a bagel or bowl of cereal. If it’s lunch time and you are hungry, feel free to get a bowl of soup or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If it’s dinner time, we encourage you to go to one of the local Hot Meals that is served Monday-Friday. We will have dinner on Saturdays and on Sunday we will continue to have our “Sunday Dinner” together at 1pm followed by Dave’s teaching.

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Information Board where we will have a list of local resources and how they can help, as well as other important resources such as local doctors, dentists, and other service providers.

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Classes throughout the week​

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• Redeemed Walk: Biblical Decision Making- This is an 8 week course that Dave will teach regularly. Dave spent a month at Honey Lake Clinic in Florida, where Dr. Karl Benzio is the Medical Director. Dr. Benzio created the S.P.E.A.R.S model which breaks down the steps in the decision making process, and he uses this model to help his patients struggling with addictions and mental health problems. With Dr. Benzio’s blessing, Dave created a curriculum around this teaching

• Living Prime in Every Season- This is a class that Stephenie will teach periodically that is geared towards women who are healing from or experiencing a season of brokenness in their lives.

• Financial Budgeting Classes- will be offered periodically by Stephenie.

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Pastoral counseling opportunities- for both groups and individuals

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Special Events- We will have movie nights as well as Coffee House nights where we have live music and our barista friend will come and make you a complimentary coffee drink to go along with your complimentary baked good!

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Field Trip Opportunities to go to sporting events, museums or other attraction destinations. Transportation provided by local church partners.

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​A conference room that will be used for our classes however, when available, is open for other organizations we partner with to use for their purposes. If a church is wanting to have a Bible Study outside their church walls, they can use our room. If another organization is wanting to have a meeting and needs a location, they are welcome to come here!

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Our Goal to Collaborate

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Afterglow strives not to duplicate services that others are doing, but to fill gaps that exist. They strongly believe in working with other local organizations to maximize their total impact. They have already started the conversation of collaboration with the following local ministries: Winter Sanctuary, Lazarus Life Ministries, Place 4 Grace, and Father’s Table (First Church of the Nazarene) with more to come. In addition to working with other local ministries, Dave and Stephenie would like to build networking relationships with local agencies such as the Health Department, Opportunity Knox, Job and Family Services and law enforcement to help provide connections to these resources for those who come to the Afterglow Mission House.

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