A Letter from the CEO

“I had a really wonky idea this morning. Would you like to do a little ‘ride along’ on the streets? I have stories to share.” A week into my new role, I received this text from my dear friend Becky Moreland, who also happens to be the founder of RAHAB Ministries. I knew instantly that idea wasn’t wonky – it was God’s.  

Our first stop was the parking lot of Auto Zone on Arlington Street, where Becky and 2 other volunteers prayed before hitting the streets of Akron for the first time in 2002. She recalled the name of the first woman they encountered out there and shared the story of their interaction at a phone booth. We drove through neighborhoods, to apartments and houses, and ended in an empty lot previously occupied by a strip club they ministered in regularly. What they offered in those spaces were human faces that reflected the love of the Creator for those He created.   

Her stories were about women. Some parts were funny. Most of them felt heavy. All of them were wild. They were stories about trauma, brokenness, addiction, desperation, dysfunction, and God. They were colorful pictures of Jesus entering the mess, pursuing souls He loves, bringing light to really dark places. That car ride was sacred. It embedded in me the birth of this ministry.   

RAHAB is 21 now! And in this season, God has entrusted me with leading those who are carrying out its mission. While we have certainly evolved in the last two decades, what we have to offer remains unchanged. My prayer is that we never lose sight of the healing power of hurting humans coming face-to-face with Love, that we would tune into the enormity of God’s choice to share this power with us. My hope is that we will be the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 when He prayed that we (believers) would be brought to complete unity so that the world will know that God loves them just as He has loved Jesus.  

My vision for 2023 is is to go deeper, not wider. This season is not about expanding territory or increasing numbers but about tending to our roots. My hope for 2023 is that we will be aware of God’s power in us, fully present to the people in front of us, aware of God’s power in us, and unified with each other. I see this as the beautiful pathway to many miracles!

Thank you for hearing my heart. Know that I am deeply grateful for the stability you give RAHAB through your prayers and support.

With Joy & Anticipation,

Jaime Blair
CEO