The Open Door Ministry
                             OF DOWNTOWN LANSING

The Open Door Ministry  of Downtown Lansing, a 501 (C)(3) charitable organization, is housed at Central United Methodist Church in the heart of Lansing, Michigan--across from the State Capitol Building. Its mission is to provide sustenance, counseling, assistance and love to those of God's children who find themselves in difficult circumstances and with few places to which they can turn. Its primary focus is on emergency or crisis situations, but the response is tailored to the circumstances.

The Co-Executive Directors of The Open Door Ministry are Mr. Dennis Ranville and Ms. Bobbi Morris. Operation of the Ministry is overseen by a number of directors representing participants and community interests.

The initial expenses and first two years' operation of the Ministry were made possible largely by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, with Central United Methodist Church as the coordinating organization. Other organizations, churches, groups and individuals participating in the work are listed on the Supporters page.


Services Provided by The Open Door Ministry

  • Hospitality Suite -- 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m
             Beverages and snacks
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Food Bank (Wednesdays & last Fridays)
  • Fellowship Lunch -- Thursdays 11:30-12:30
  • Public Telephone & Voice Mail service
  • Mailing address
  • Limited storage of personal items

  • Personal Records (State ID, School, Birth Cert.)
  • Clothing and Personal Needs Items
  • Ministry of Kindness -- Prescription help, bus pass, etc.
  • Volunteer Opportunities (Court ordered community service, Michigan Works mandate, free will)
  • Referrals to other agencies
  • Advocacy
  • Listening ear
  • Prayer Partner



        Your contributions can further the work of the Open Door Ministry

The current annual budget of the Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing is approximately $84,800,
provided through the generous support of various donors--associations, foundations, individuals and
fund raising activities. (See the Supporters page for a list of benefactors.)

To learn how you, or your organization, might participate in this ongoing and vital work, please contact
Rev. David Kidd, Chairman. They may be reached through our offices at Central United Methodist
Church, 215 North Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933--or by telephone at (517) 485-9477. As stated
above, the Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing is registered with  the Internal Revenue Service
as a 501 (C) (3) charitible organization.

A meaningful volunteer opportunity -- Be a Minister of Presence

Visit the Help Desk for sources of assistance in meeting various individual and family needs

Read our Newsletter for an update on the Ministry's work


BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 Rev. David Kidd (Retired UMC Minister), Chairman; Victor Asbury, Shane Goodale,
Elena Mobley (State Farm Insurance).,  Richard Baumgartner; Cindy Guthaus; Robbe Pohl;
  Ed Brown, Ken Harvey, Rev. Anthony Patrick (Associate Pastor First Presbyterian Church),  
Rev. Ron Byrd, Se., Trisha Koslowski;  Deacon Richard Stanford (Diocese of Lansing),
Rev. Richard H. Fineout,
Rev. Russell McReynolds (Retired UMC Minister/Interim Faith UMC Minister),
Joi Tennant (Central UMC Education Director), Jim Wozniac.

Ex Officio
Bobbi Morris (Open Door Ministry Co-Executive Director),
Justin L. Sleight (Chairman Emeritus), Dennis Ranville (Co-Executive Director),
Rev. Ronald Brooks (Senior Minister Central UMC).

The Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing
215 North Capitol Avenue
Lansing, Michigan  48933
(517) 485-9477 Fax (517) 485-9772
E-Mail bobbi.morris@gmail.com

The space for this Web Site has been provided courtesy of
The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.

The content of these home pages is the responsibility of The Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing .
Please send feedback to bobbi.morris@gmail.com




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