***DRAFTS ONLY*** “Order, Respect, and Serving One Another in Love”
At Gateway to Hope Ministries, we are blessed with an incredible community of volunteers—and then there is Nic, who treats the ministry floor plan like an Olympic sprint, moving so fast she’s basically a joyful, reggae-humming blur. A mother, wife, and a servant-hearted force of nature, Niki is the kind of person who makes you wonder if she’s secretly powered by solar panels.
Wherever she goes, she brings an energy that could light up a stadium and a smile that is legitimately contagious. If you hear a soulful, slightly off-the-cuff rendition of a Bob Marley tune echoing through the hallways, don’t be alarmed—that’s just Niki’s “work soundtrack.” She approaches every task with a vibrant, joyful spirit that makes even the toughest jobs feel like a celebration.
A Master of All Trades
Having grown up in a military family and lived on both coasts (and everywhere in between), Niki has a PhD in “People Skills.” She can connect with anyone from any walk of life, usually before they’ve even finished saying hello. She has an uncanny knack for spotting needs that others might walk right past, and she balances her bright, cheerful personality with a “no-nonsense” determination. In Niki’s world, “somebody should do something about that” usually means she’s already halfway done doing it.
Seeing God Provide
When you ask Niki how she’s seen God at work through Gateway to Hope, she describes the ministry as a “vessel”—though, given the pace, it’s sometimes a vessel with a turbo-charged engine. For Niki, faith isn’t just something discussed in liturgy; it’s something that lived out in real-time.
She has witnessed God provide with a speed that would make a delivery service jealous; time and again, the answer has arrived almost before she could finish the prayer. To Niki, these “five-minute miracles” aren’t coincidences; they are clear evidence of God moving alongside the ministry and Father James.
The Mystery of the Orchid
While she loves the big miracles, Niki also finds God in the details—and the occasional horticultural mystery. Not long ago, a rare ground orchid appeared unexpectedly on the property in a spot that made absolutely no sense. Neither Niki nor Father James had planted it, and it certainly wasn’t there the day before.
While others might have just called it a “stray plant,” Niki and Father James saw it for what it was: a quiet, beautiful reminder that God provides in ways we don’t always plan for. Sometimes His provision is a roof repair, and sometimes it’s a symbolic, “just-because” bloom in the dirt.
A Living Example
Niki doesn’t just talk about provision; she embodies it. Whether she’s fixing a problem, lifting spirits, or humming along to “Buffalo Solders” while hauling supplies, she reflects the very truth she preaches. As Scripture reminds us:
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
Through Niki’s tireless service and her ability to find joy in clearing a clogged vent, we are reminded that God is always at work—sometimes in big, unmistakable ways, and sometimes in the quiet, slightly mysterious appearance of a rogue orchid.
***DRAFTS ONLY*** “Order, Respect, and Serving One Another in Love”
At Gateway to Hope, Saturday mornings are sacred in their own way.
Before the sun is fully up, cars begin to line up. Men and women—many elderly, some struggling with illness, some who have gone without a proper meal—wait patiently for hours. They wait with dignity. They wait with hope.
And they wait their turn.
Recently, we’ve encountered a small but important issue that we need to address as a community. A few individuals have chosen to park nearby and walk ahead of those who have been faithfully waiting in line.
While this may seem minor to some, it is not.
It is not fair.
It is not respectful.
And it is not aligned with the spirit of Christ.
One person recently shared that there was no sign posted saying not to cut the line.
That may be true—but not everything that matters needs a sign.
Scripture has already made this clear:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3
At Gateway to Hope, we operate not just by posted rules, but by shared values—respect, patience, and consideration for others. The line itself is the standard. Those who arrive first are served first.
We understand that needs are real. Hunger is real. Discomfort is real. Some who wait in line are thirsty, exhausted, or facing difficult physical conditions. That reality makes fairness even more important—not less.
For that reason, we want to be clear:
- Cutting the line—whether by car or by parking elsewhere and walking in—is not acceptable.
- If someone is found intentionally bypassing others, they will be asked to leave and may not be permitted to return.
These guidelines are not about punishment—they are about protecting dignity, fairness, and respect for everyone we serve.
God is a God of order. Jesus lived a life of compassion, but also one of truth and accountability. Love does not ignore selfishness—it calls us to something better.
We are all in this together.
Let’s continue to serve one another with patience, kindness, and respect—honoring not just the food we distribute, but the people we serve.
Because at Gateway to Hope, every person matters. Every moment matters. And every act of love matters.
