Cancer Hope at SouthBrook

06/22/2025

06/21/2025

Last weekend at Southbrook we hosted our annual Cancer Crush 5k. The Race fundraises for Cancer Hope and cancer support groups. There was an amazing amount of people who came out to join us last Saturday and we’re so thankful for all of our participants.

Thank you to everyone for taking part in our 2025 Cancer Crush 5k and helping others in need.

- “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” -Joshua 1:9

03/07/2025

-Jesus wants you to pursue him and create a relationship with him. It might seem hard to do so at times, but just praying and learning more and more about him a little bit everyday can make a big difference. He loves YOU and wants his children to follow him on the journey he’s built for us.

01/27/2025

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

This Scripture verse from 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 will always remind me of my dear friend and long-time Cancer Hope volunteer, Amy Simpson. Amy passed away on January 22, 2025.

Amy touched hearts with the weekly cards she sent as part of the Cancer Hope team. Oftentimes, Amy would send more than one card per week to the cancer patients we supported. If she was aware that a patient had a difficult week or received unwelcomed news, Amy would mail multiple cards. There was no limit to Amy’s expressions of love.

At one of Cancer Hope’s Meet and Greet, I discovered the nickname that the people we support had bestowed upon Amy; “Love, Amy.” It was the perfect nickname because that is how Amy signed every single card she mailed. Amy was a beautiful example of Christ’s love.

Amy mailed cards like clockwork, even when she was battling cancer herself. Sending love and encouragement were Amy’s passion, calling and most importantly, her joy! Circumstances and difficulties may have temporarily slowed her down, but it wasn’t going to stop her from mailing cards to people who needed them. Amy’s love for God and people were evident in every card.

I found Amy’s first email to Cancer Hope dated May 2019. In Amy’s words, “Hello my name is Amy Simpson and I'm very interested in sending cards where there is a need. I have been sending cards for many years to my daughter when she was in college, my best friend who lives in Alabama and to many relatives in Texas, Colorado, and Kentucky. I would like very much to be a part of this ministry, because I think I can send love and encouragement to those who need it. Thank you and God bless.”

Sending cards had been a habit for Amy over many, many years. Thank you, Amy for loving us and sending us encouragement. You were Christ’s letter for us written on our hearts with the Spirit of the living God. Until we meet again in heaven’s glory, you will be sorely missed.

01/22/2025

Cindy Bolden (a Georgia resident) is with SouthBrook Christian Church and Cancer Hope at SouthBrook.

I have been battling cancer since May 9, 2024 and finished up my cancer treatments (30 rounds of radiation and 6 chemo treatments) on December 20, 2024. I would like to say a huge Thank you to Cancer Hope Ministries thru Southbrook Christian Church located in Miamisburg, Ohio. My son and daughter in law go to that church and recommend I sign up. Cancer Hope ministry sends cards, text messages and or emails with encouraging, uplifting words of care, Bible verses, testimonies, and just words of everything positive and encouraging to get you through these tough times of treatments. Over the last 8 months I have received 174 cards from Cancer Hope’s Care team. That doesn’t include all the text messages and emails. I send cards all the time so receiving all of these cards means so much to me. When I’m feeling down I can go back a read the cards again and again. Also a lot of the cards were homemade which was a special treat, so creative. I just want to say thank you Cancer Hope Ministries @ Southbrook Christian Church. You all made a difficult journey a lot easier by your thoughtfulness and dedication you have shown me! Sending something as simple as a card can turn someone whole day around! Thank you Cancer Hope! I am grateful for our connection.
On top of all the cards from Cancer Hope, my family and friends have sent over 70 cards to me! I keep all of them! I am so grateful for the prayers from all my family and friends, I couldn’t have gotten thru these last 8 months without all your prayers, support and words of encouragement.
What’s next: My PET scan came back “no cancer” in my body, however I’m going thru a different series of test to make sure the cancer is gone. I have two more test to go. If there is still some cancer cells showing I will most likely have surgery but my prayer is that the cancer is gone. So keep praying

12/26/2024

As this night of Jesus comes to a close, celebrate the light that he brought to this earth. God created this light to shine on all and show what they're worth. Take time with your family on this lovely break and spend time to cherish every moment with them. The story of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.

-Photo Credit: Linda Madden

11/20/2024

THE CONSOLATION PRIZE

The Wave is located in northern Arizona, close to the border with Utah. I discovered The Wave by following a Facebook hiking group. Personal photographs posted by strangers showcased the unique geology of The Wave and captured my fancy.

I and another 200,000 people (from the most recent data in 2018) would love to visit The Wave. Unfortunately, only 64 people are allowed per day. A lottery system determines the winners and the losers.

I lost twice. The first time was from the comfort of my own home. The second time was two days before we arrived in Kanab, Utah. The Wave was not going to happen. I leaned into the disappointment.

The back-up plan was set into motion. White Pocket is an easier hike in close proximity to The Wave that doesn’t require a permit. The tour guide company said it was just as good. Their enthusiasm was admirable, but didn’t erase my feeling that White Pocket was the consolation prize.

On the day of our White Pocket tour, we had a two-hour drive on paved and sandy roads to get to the trailhead. I constantly kept pushing the disappointment aside so I could enjoy this new place. Once we reached the trailhead, put on our gear and started walking, I stopped looking back. The consolation prize was beautiful and unlike anything I had ever seen before.

I didn’t stop taking pictures from the moment I got out of the truck until we returned to the truck three-and-a-half hours later. On the way back to the paved roads, the tour guide showed us the trailhead for The Wave. I didn’t even wince. The news was received more as information than a longing. The consolation prize was God’s intended blessing for the day.

How often do we choose disappointment over newness? Why do we keep looking back when the beauty is in front of us? Why do we try to define what blessings should look like in our life?

God is not limited by our imagination to bless us abundantly. God wants us to follow Him into new beauty that redefines our view of His blessings. God’s blessings are all around us if we open our minds and heart to see His gifts.

PSALM 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

Photo Credit: I was in awe of White Pocket in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona – 9/15/24

11/11/2024

-Anxiety lives in a lot of humans bodies and that’s not the way God created us to be. Things like going through a new job, losing a loved one, or even just worrying about the little things that you don’t know why you’re worrying about. All of that comes to an end when you lean on God and pray to him for his goodness. He’ll help you get through with whatever you’re in the middle of and wants to turn that anxiety into happiness. He loves you eternally!

-What do you think? Are there places in your life where you need to lean on God more? How has that helped you in the past?

-Photo Credit: Linda Madden

10/30/2024

I’M A CHAIN HUGGER!

Angels Landing in Zion National Park is on many hikers’ bucket list, including mine. When our 2024 summer vacation plans included a visit to Zion, I obtained the necessary permit for Angels Landing. The number of daily hikers is limited through a lottery system because the hike is that popular.

I researched what to expect. The trail ascends 1,000 feet in the first 2.2 miles. The last half mile is comprised of chains along slick rock. The elevation tops out at 5,789 feet with panoramic views and sheer drop-offs. (Zoom in on the first picture to see hikers traversing the chain section. Angels Landing is at the very top of the “spine” in the second picture.)

What I couldn’t plan on, expect or research was how I would psychologically handle this hike. I have more than a healthy fear of heights. In the past, I have avoided all trails that are not recommended for people with a fear of heights.

This trail should have been a no-go for me. Yet here I was, excited, nervous and ready to go. My only explanation is that I’m not getting any younger or more agile. It was now or never to cross Angels Landing off my bucket list.

I had a strategy to successfully complete the hike. My advice to myself was threefold. Don’t look at the big picture of what I was doing. Don’t look too far ahead. Don’t let go of the chains.

The chain section to Angels Landing is like a one-way street with two-way traffic. I went at my own pace. When people wanted to pass me (whether they were younger, more fit or more impatient), I simply smiled and said, “I’m a chain hugger.” In other words, they were welcome to go around me, but I was not letting go of the chain.

My strategy worked. I made it up to Angels Landing and I made it back down safely. I really did this hike! I had the photos of glorious views from the top and the sore muscles to prove it. The hike was a great confidence booster. I’m not too old to do something new in life. That said, would I ever do it again? “No way!”

Our faith life can be filled with challenges and opportunities that can feel like mountains to climb. Precarious drop-offs surround us with only chains to hang onto. Do we push ourselves to venture into newness? Or do we retreat into our own comfortableness? Can we overcome fear and weariness to reach the summit?

My faith pales in comparison with the Lord’s character and authority. The Lord knows the big picture. He is not afraid. The Lord knows the future. He has good plans in store for us. The Lord knows the glory that is coming. He is in and over everything. The Lord is trustworthy and stable. He is more secure than chains connected to poles anchored in solid rock. Jesus is our immovable Rock!

I was a chain hugger on the way to Angels Landing. I want to be known as a Jesus hugger in my faith journey. As I venture into territory that scares and challenges me, I want to live out supernatural confidence in Jesus. I can keep putting one foot in front of the other because I am secure in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Others can go around me or keep me company. I’m not letting go of Jesus!

1 SAMUEL 2:2
“There is no one holy like the LORD: there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

10/03/2024

-It’s officially Fall!! While taking in the new season, there’s a lot going on planning holiday events and family gatherings. Work, school, and just taking care of the house may even seem like a handful. But don’t let those giants get in the way of you! You’re stronger than you think you are, especially with the Lord on your side. All of the light shines through eventually, and God will show you the whole way through.

-Photo Credit: Linda Madden

09/06/2024

-As Fall starts to approach us, take a look back at how your relationship with Jesus has grown over the Summer. Change can be hard sometimes and takes time getting used to the new seasons in life. But keep leaning into God and you’ll fall for Jesus over and over again everyday!
- What has been your greatest moment with God this summer? Are there any goals you have for this incoming season?
- Photo Credit: Linda Madden