Gabe Short had just finished speaking at a community event in December in downtown Indianapolis when he had one of those unexpected moments when it becomes abundantly clear that God is at work through Shepherd Community Center.
A young man named Jared approached Short, Shepherd’s director of development, to share his story and to show his gratitude for the blessing the ministry has been in his life.
Jared, who grew up on the near Eastside, attended Shepherd Academy for four years. He later graduated from Scecina Memorial High School and now attends Marian University, where he studies business management as a 21st Century scholar.
“He remembered his mom going to Shepherd to pick out toys for them from the Christmas Store as a child,” Short said. “He even remembered one of the gifts — an action figure arena.”
The Christmas Store is a highlight of the holidays each year at Shepherd. Fueled by the generosity of individual donors, corporate partners and churches, the store enables parents and children to select gifts for each other at a minimal cost.
Proceeds from the store are then donated to other ministries that serve people in need, thus ensuring that the cycle of blessing continues with the help of Shepherd’s neighbors.
Jared also did his part that night to bless others just as he was blessed as a child.
“Jared brought toys to the event himself that we used to help stock the Christmas Store this year,” Short said. “He gave back to the community that had once supported his family.”
From a child in need to a college student now blessing others, Jared’s journey with Shepherd is a reminder of God’s goodness from season to season, year to year and life to life.
