December 2025 Newsletter

Every good and perfect gift

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

As the year draws to a close I find myself reflecting on the heart of God, our Father, and specifically His heart to give good and perfect gifts. So much of the Christmas season is focused on gifts, both getting and giving. When we participate in gift giving properly, with a desire to bless those we love, we are simply imitating our Father in Heaven. He truly is the good and perfect gift giver.

Jesus affirms His Father’s skilfulness as a gift giver in Matthew 7: “If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

The Father heart of God toward His children is a profound and life-changing reality. In love He provides, in love He protects, in love He welcomes, and in love He desires to be near to His children.

What is it about Father God that makes Him so good at gift giving? As the Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of the world, He has the power, authority and resources to give in unmatched abundance. But there is more to being a good gift giver than simply having resources. Giving good gifts requires knowledge. For a father to give good gifts to his children, he has to know his children well. And there is something about receiving the perfect gift that leaves us feeling known. That, in itself, is a special gift: the gift of being known that comes through listening. Our Father is a great listener.

Looking back at 2025, I can see how the prayers of His Mansion have been heard. I see a God and Father who listens to His children and knows exactly what to give them.

The gifts of 2025

This year we were able to build The Pavilion. We also received a new roof for our barn, which was built in the late 1700s. More recently we received the gift of a new plow truck. Alongside those is the consistent outpouring that allows us to provide housing, meals, counseling and much more.

Our Father’s gifts come in many forms. This year He has given us the gift of people. For several years we prayed for a full-time, on-site women’s counselor; He heard those prayers and sent us Amy in February. We prayed for a new men’s director and He gave us David. Through the Flex Team we added Gio, Abby, Cierra, Amanda, Gabby and Zach. Our program enrollment numbers are also growing at a rapid rate.

Of course, the greatest gift from the Father is the gift of salvation and redemption that comes through His son, Jesus. At His Mansion I see this gift transforming lives daily. As one Resident recently put it to me, “I’m encountering the love of Jesus and it’s changing everything.” We celebrated three graduations in 2025 and heard fifteen stories of God’s redemptive love.

As Christmas approaches, I invite you to join His Mansion in contemplating the best and most perfect gift the Father sent down from above, the gift of Jesus Christ. Thank you for walking alongside His Mansion in 2025.

Sincerely, Courtney Jones, Executive Director

Gifts From God’s People

Christmas can be a challenging time for Residents at His Mansion. They find themselves far from home, or reminded of broken past Christmases. To extend a sense of belonging and being known, His Mansion invests in gifts for each Resident and Servant Leader, made possible by the generosity of donors.

Gifts can be sent to the Gifts From God’s People fund, or by check designated “Christmas” or “Gifts From God’s People.”

A look ahead: coming in 2026

• Graduation on Friday 13 February
• Project Refresh & Repurpose, including dorm renovations and a health and fitness area
• The Pavilion up and running
• Rolling intake throughout 2026

Prayer requests

• For the Residents and Servant Leaders away from their families during the holidays, that they would find comfort from the Lord.
• For the safety of staff and their families traveling over the holiday season.
• For new ministry and program initiatives coming in 2026, and for continued program growth.
• For the heating systems, which are critical to the campus through the cold weather months.