Grace Apostolic Church of Clawson

The following is a “post-version” of our Outreach Page which will soon contain information specific to that ministry.

For more from Jeff Breza go to http://morethanenoughministries.wordpress.com/.

Grace has been blessed with a variety of ministries, each branching out like a huge tree, reaching as many as we can for the cause of the Cross. Bro. Sam Wojciechowski, Bro. Jeff and Sis. Karen Breza, in conjunction with a team of dedicated and committed kingdom-minded soul winners, are taking the message to the streets. Featured in the Fall 2007 issue of the Apostolic Flashpoint Magazine, Bro. Jeff answers some questions and shares his burden for the lost. Thanks to the Brezas and all that are a part of their team. Here is a copy of the interview…

Bro. Jeff Breza is a minister of Outreach at Grace Apostolic Church of Clawson, Michigan. Bro. Jeff and his wife, Karen, have had great success reaching the lost utilizing various forms of ministry. One of their ministries involves visitation to a group home. The following is an interview I had the privilege of conducting with Bro. Jeff Breza. May God continue to allow your ministry to flourish and give you souls for your labor.

Flashpoint: What prompted you to begin this ministry at the Assisted Living center?

Breza: I began visiting this facility in 1997 because my Grandma Mary Breza started living there. The ministry actually began in the later part of 1998. It came about like this; my Grandma bought me my saxophone. While I was visiting her one day I told her I wanted to play for her. She said “that would be fine, but that I should ask the Activities Director.” I spoke with the Activities Director and explained that I wanted to play for my Grandma in her room. The Activities Director suggested that I play for all the residents. Shortly thereafter, we set up a concert for the residents. My daughter Emily and I sang and played old standards primarily. After this event which was in the fall of that year, we put together a Christmas program for the staff and residents. In early 1999, I felt led of the Lord to start a Bible study on a regular basis. The staff was very supportive and the residents were very open and receptive to having a church service / Bible study. I started doing this on a bi-monthly basis. I have continued this ministry ever since.

Flashpoint: What’s the name of the Assisted Living center you visit?

Breza: Alterra-Wynwood Assisted Living Center and Clairbridge Memory Care Center 

Flashpoint: What is the average age of the residents of this group home?

Breza: From the late 50′s to the mid 90′s or higher sometimes…

Flashpoint: How long have you been visiting the group home?

Breza: I have been coming to Alterra-Wynwood since 1997 and I started ministering at the building (Clairbridge) next door in late 2006. This added an additional 25 residents that I minister to. I now have two services every other Saturday.

Flashpoint: Was it difficult to get your foot in the door with the home?

Breza: It was not difficult to begin ministering at this facility. When I first started the ministry I went to a couple other Assisted Living / Nursing facilities. I felt called to minister at the facilities that I am currently at. I thought I might expand the ministry to other facilities, but then I quickly realized I wasn’t being led by the Lord. That was a very important lesson to learn early in my Christian walk.

Flashpoint: Were there any restrictions placed on you with regard to what sort of activities you could or could not do with the resident?

Breza: There were no restrictions placed on me. Initially, I gave an update to the Activities Director and let her know what my services would consist of.

Flashpoint: How did you begin establishing yourself with the residents?

Breza: The resident’s really enjoy music and also participating in our services. I have become friends with the residents and staff. I also established myself by inviting the residents to the church that I attended. I also set up events where I brought my church choir to Alterra/Wynwood.

Flashpoint: What sort of activities do you do with them? (Bible studies, testimonies, music, etc.)

Breza: At both Alterra and Clairbridge we are set up to have regular church services the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of the month. The times are set up at 10:00 at Clairbridge and 11:15 at Alterra-Wynwood. The services start out with prayer and asking everyone what they are thankful for. We then move into songs, and then into a message.

Flashpoint: Do you use a standard Bible Study program, like Search for Truth? Or do you prefer to customize your studies based on the needs of the residents?

Breza: I prepare messages or Bible studies based on the need of the residents and what the Lord has led me to prepare. Residents get to hear the full gospel at every service and have the opportunity to confess faith in the Lord and experience salvation.

Flashpoint: What sort of challenges does this ministry present?

Breza: Just a few. If it wasn’t for the fact that I love these people, this would bother me, but it really doesn’t. First, there are a few people that nod off right in the middle of when I’m talking. Can anyone relate? The other thing that happens (rarely) at the memory care center is there will be an occasional resident who kind of acts up because of dementia. I must say that the group at the memory care facility is a lot of fun. They participate, pray and are real sincere.

Flashpoint: Give a couple examples of success stories

Breza: At Alterra, there was a lady that was experiencing pain right in the middle of our services. She appeared to be having a severe anxiety attack. I asked everyone to pray for her. It turns out that she almost died. She later testified that the Lord gave her a dream that it wasn’t her time to go yet. This lady is one of the sweetest ladies. I personally believe that she was healed of the Lord in that service. Lately, I have been talking to them about the freedom in prayer, that they can raise there hands and pray out loud. We are all corporately praying and I teach them that when they are alone that they can continue the momentum that they felt.

Flashpoint: What are some drawbacks, if any to this ministry?

Breza: A lot of these people have other guardians. They have been brought to the Assisted Living and Memory Care Center not because it was their first choice, but because they couldn’t take care of themselves 100%. This is a draw back, because if an individual wants to get baptized we need to get the approval of the guardian. I have settled this issue and realized that the Lord will have to make a way, if an individual wants to make that commitment. I focus on building these people up and encouraging them and never hold back on the plan of salvation. It used to bother me that I didn’t see the results quickly, but the Lord helped me by realizing that we sow where we reap not, and we reap where we sow not.

Flashpoint: Briefly tell me about a recent visit of Grace Apostolic’s children to the group home.

Breza: I invited Sis, Amie Kelp and the Kings Choir to come and sing for both Alterra and Clairbridge. The residents really enjoyed the music and they especially enjoyed the visit from the children. We also took pictures of each of the residents with all of us and the children.

Flashpoint: Do you contribute any personal spiritual growth as a result of your involvement in this ministry?

Breza: Definitely, I have been so blessed to have known and to know many wonderful people at these facilities. I have lost some dear friends that would come faithfully to the services and they would say thank you and that it was a blessing. The truth is, they would encourage me with their graciousness and kindness. I have and am also fulfilling my call to preach and teach the Gospel. I am learning how to prepare messages and more importantly, love these people.

Flashpoint: What are some guidelines you would recommend for someone just starting out in this ministry?

Breza: First, make sure the Lord has called you to it. Because, we all know that sometimes good intentions aren’t necessarily God’s intention, or perfect will for our lives. These are people that will live for eternity somewhere, and it is an awesome  / fearful thing to share the Word of God with people you may not see the next time your there. Also, there are times when you will sense various emotions in people and you have to prepare yourself for those that are depressed and lonely.

Lastly, for those of you that feel called to this ministry, let me encourage you with this scripture. James 1 verse 27: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

A very special thanks to Bro. Jeff and Sis. Karen Breza, for all their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice for the sake of outreach. In addition, the Breza family took the gospel to the streets of downtown Royal Oak, and they are the founders of the “Homeless Ministry” at Grace Apostolic Church. I wish time and space would permit me to share with you some of the dynamic experiences they have had while working in this ministry…perhaps in a future article. We love you very much Bro. Jeff and Sis. Karen.  Pastor R.D. Mangold