ANSWERING THE CALL
In June 2007, David and Lynn Nordrum answered a call of God to relocate to New Orleans, Louisiana and to help rebuild the lives of those affected by hurricane Katrina. Leaving everything behind in Frederick, MD they trusted and believed God to lead and supply them with all their needs for the journey. In August, 2007 Open Arms Ministry was incorporated and became a 501c (3), non -profit organization. Not despising small beginnings David and Lynn worked to meet the needs of the people God brought to them, from supplying groceries to gutting, repairing and restoring storm-damaged homes. In 2008 Lynn started a women's Bible study where broken and traumatized women began to feel safe and to open up about the emotional pain of their lives. They saw many women set free and saved by the power of the God through studying His Word. During that time, the Lord divinely connected David & Lynn with Patricia Chitty who committed to pray for Open Arms and to help Lynn with the women's meetings. At the end of 2008, Open Arms hosted a women's retreat where the walls of prejudice between the African American and the Caucasian women came down as the love of Christ permeated their hearts. Many who attended were set free and delivered of bondages that weekend.
Later that year, a sacrificial offering was given which enabled Open Arms Ministry to secure a warehouse facility behind a busy street. This building served as the beginnings of a Thrift Store and Job Skills Training Center. "We hit the pavement and, with our last dollars printed and distributed flyers requesting used clothing donations," says Lynn. "Each week was more exciting than the last as we saw the community responding with donated clothing left on the curb for us. "Soon we were able to open a well-stocked Thrift Store distributing clothing to the public at 1.00 per piece and .25cents for children's sizes. Within one year, Open Arms Ministry was meeting needs within the community, building strong local relationships and abundantly overflowing with good used clothing. In 2009 Patricia Chitty joined David and Lynn in Open ArmsMinistry and helped them build and move into their new facility that held triple the space. During these years at the Thrift Store, Open Arms was able to build bridges to reach the community's poor and to establish a stronger community. Every day our staff of nine gave one half hour of their time to the Lord as we taught life-skills and character building. We also openend our homes taking in women & children and helping them to find Christ and discover their destiny in God.
In April, 2012 Open Arms answered another call of God and gifted the Thrift Store and Training Center to another ministry as David, Lynn and Patricia headed for the Pacific Northwest. One month later, Open Arms Transition Center for Homeless Women and Children opened in Everett, Washington, reaching full capacity within several months. Many women and children blessed their home, staying weeks or months coming to know the Lord, getting established in life and growing "In Him". We cherished the times they spent with us as we saw many lives forever changed. In 2014 we moved to a new home on acreage, which we are now opening to at-risk and homeless children. It is a safe place where children will find love and acceptance to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually. In addition, we are providing a mobile mechanic service at low or no cost, we are feeding our local community a hot meal to the homeless and those in need and have set aside a portion of our property to those living in their car that need a safe place to park and a warm shower and clean clothes.
In June 2007, David and Lynn Nordrum answered a call of God to relocate to New Orleans, Louisiana and to help rebuild the lives of those affected by hurricane Katrina. Leaving everything behind in Frederick, MD they trusted and believed God to lead and supply them with all their needs for the journey. In August, 2007 Open Arms Ministry was incorporated and became a 501c (3), non -profit organization. Not despising small beginnings David and Lynn worked to meet the needs of the people God brought to them, from supplying groceries to gutting, repairing and restoring storm-damaged homes. In 2008 Lynn started a women's Bible study where broken and traumatized women began to feel safe and to open up about the emotional pain of their lives. They saw many women set free and saved by the power of the God through studying His Word. During that time, the Lord divinely connected David & Lynn with Patricia Chitty who committed to pray for Open Arms and to help Lynn with the women's meetings. At the end of 2008, Open Arms hosted a women's retreat where the walls of prejudice between the African American and the Caucasian women came down as the love of Christ permeated their hearts. Many who attended were set free and delivered of bondages that weekend.
Later that year, a sacrificial offering was given which enabled Open Arms Ministry to secure a warehouse facility behind a busy street. This building served as the beginnings of a Thrift Store and Job Skills Training Center. "We hit the pavement and, with our last dollars printed and distributed flyers requesting used clothing donations," says Lynn. "Each week was more exciting than the last as we saw the community responding with donated clothing left on the curb for us. "Soon we were able to open a well-stocked Thrift Store distributing clothing to the public at 1.00 per piece and .25cents for children's sizes. Within one year, Open Arms Ministry was meeting needs within the community, building strong local relationships and abundantly overflowing with good used clothing. In 2009 Patricia Chitty joined David and Lynn in Open ArmsMinistry and helped them build and move into their new facility that held triple the space. During these years at the Thrift Store, Open Arms was able to build bridges to reach the community's poor and to establish a stronger community. Every day our staff of nine gave one half hour of their time to the Lord as we taught life-skills and character building. We also openend our homes taking in women & children and helping them to find Christ and discover their destiny in God.
In April, 2012 Open Arms answered another call of God and gifted the Thrift Store and Training Center to another ministry as David, Lynn and Patricia headed for the Pacific Northwest. One month later, Open Arms Transition Center for Homeless Women and Children opened in Everett, Washington, reaching full capacity within several months. Many women and children blessed their home, staying weeks or months coming to know the Lord, getting established in life and growing "In Him". We cherished the times they spent with us as we saw many lives forever changed. In 2014 we moved to a new home on acreage, which we are now opening to at-risk and homeless children. It is a safe place where children will find love and acceptance to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually. In addition, we are providing a mobile mechanic service at low or no cost, we are feeding our local community a hot meal to the homeless and those in need and have set aside a portion of our property to those living in their car that need a safe place to park and a warm shower and clean clothes.