The reach keeps growing and lives continue to change.
In the past year, 148 Ministries has seen its programs expand and reach more people in need. The Greenwood-based fitness and addiction ministry has continued to work with organizations such as Volunteers of America to reach men, women and teens, opened an outpost in Evansville and started a new partnership with the Salvation Army of Central Indiana.
The impact has been a blessing to see, said David Storvick, co-founder of 148 Ministries.
“From a programming standpoint, things are going really great,” he said.
In support of its ever-growing slate of programs, 148 Ministries will host its annual Evening of Hope on Sept. 8. The gala event, hosted by Vino Villa, features food, drinks, live music and testimonies from individuals who the ministry has helped.
As the main fundraiser for 148 Ministries, the Evening of Hope is vital in continuing the progress the ministry has made while also spotlighting the lives it has already helped change.
“It’s our one fundraiser of the year where we try to fund what we do day in and day out,” Storvick said.
Since opening in 2019, 148 Ministries has been helping people struggling with addictions to change their lives. Storvick and his wife, Amber, founded the ministry to use physical fitness and faith to improve people’s lives.
Clients, as well as community members looking for a new type of exercise experience, can take advantage of a fully equipped gym and exercise center 24 hours a day. They can sign up for services, such as semi-private training, group fitness classes and rehabilitation exercises.
Those who need it can receive faith-based counseling for behavioral health issues such as addiction, as well as join small Bible study groups.
The organization also outreaches to residential centers for people struggling with addiction, abuse and other issues such as Volunteers of America, a service ministry with a chapter in Indianapolis.
148 Ministries does outreach with both groups multiple times a week.
The partnership with the Salvation Army follows in those footsteps. Storvick connected with the organization after doing an interview on the K-Love radio program “A Closer Look.” Leadership with the Salvation Army reached out to 148 Ministries and asked about starting fitness programs with them.
Since that time, the ministry has founded programs at three different locations across Indianapolis: the Adult Rehabilitation Center, the Indianapolis Harbor Light Center and the Ruth Lilly Women and Children’s Center.
“It’s all different programs, but it’s cool that we can do that,” Storvick said.
Those programs also make funding vital to 148 Ministries’ work. Programs are supported by donations from throughout the community, and people can sponsor men and women who are on their recovery journey. They pay for food during outreach events, fitness equipment and Bibles to distribute.
The Evening of Hope is a major source of funding for the ministry, Storvick said.
“That’s our one fundraiser of the year. We try to subsidize all of the programs and raise funds to cover all of that,” he said.
The Evening of Hope will feature live music by Michael Detrick, an Edinburgh musician who plays a blend of Christian and country music. A live auction, featuring items such as four suite and race tickets to the IMSA Battle on the Bricks race weekend, and a silent auction will help raise additional funds for 148 Ministries.
Volunteer teams from 148 Ministries programs at locations across the region will provide updates and insights into the work they’re doing, and a Salvation Army representative is set to talk about their partnership.
A 148 Ministries client will tell her story about escaping addiction and going to work for Volunteers of America as a recovery coach.
“It’s a cool success story that she wants to share,” Storvick said.
IF YOU GO
An Evening of Hope
What: A fundraising event benefiting 148 Ministries, a nonprofit organization that strives to support and empower men and women in their ongoing fight with addiction.
When: Sept. 8
Where: Vino Villa, 200 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood
What will be featured: Dinner, music by Michael Detrick and presentations by 148 Ministries officials and those who have been impacted by the ministry.
Tickets: $100
How to get tickets: 148ministries.com/2024-evening-of-hope/