Susan Morehouse

Talks about His Branches and its Ministry throughout Rochester.

Not every ministry includes a pulpit and a microphone. There are those individuals whose ministry is about people and community- such is the case with Susan Morehouse. Morehouse is a co-founder of His Branches, a non-profit organization in Rochester, New York that provides a variety of services to community youth and adults. Upstate NY Gospel Magazine had an opportunity to speak with Morehouse about the work of His Branches and her thoughts on ministry.

What was the vision behind establishing His Branches? His Branches was established almost 40 years ago from the key scripture in John 15, “I am the Vine and you are the branches.” The importance of abiding or living in Jesus has always been an important part of what we do, listening to Him and being obedient. We also believe a parachurch organization has the opportunity to demonstrate the unity of the Body to the world as we have people from many different church streams working together.Initially, we provided whole person medical care to mostly inner city folks. We have always had a pro-life component to what we do, with a Crisis pregnancy center usually right on site working collaboratively with us. Youth outreach in music and the arts has been apart of our ministry intermittently. Intercessory prayer for the city has also been integral to our work.

What kind of services does His Branches offer? There are three branches to His Branches. We provide whole person medicine at two different offices, Grace Family Medicine at 340 Arnett Blvd. and Joy Family Medicine at the corner of Goodman and Bay. Prayer is offered at the end of each patient encounter. Time is spent really listening and caring for the whole person not just the physical problem that brought them in. It is our goal to meet the person’s needs, body, soul and spirit. We work with people who have a number of difficult and complicated health issues.

We also have a crisis pregnancy center at each location that we work collaboratively with, Embracing Options and Place of Hope. Women who come to the centers with a crisis pregnancy can come downstairs and have an ultrasound, receive prenatal care and care for their children and themselves. It allows us to provide a continuity of care that is crucial during a crisis pregnancy.

This is where I am primarily involved, the community outreach branch, His BranchesCommunity/ Arnett Block Association. Arnett Block Association is a community group comprised of concerned neighbors who meet together once a month and work to bring a sense of community and safety to our streets. We do this through a number of activities throughout the year.

We host a block party in August that draws about 500 people. It is a wonderful event – good wholesome fun.

We have a bike clinic in May in conjunction with Rcommunity Bikes, helping kids get their bikes repaired for spring. About 15 used bikes are raffled off for free to children without bikes and helmets are provided.

We created a small park (with help and permission from the city) with a large perennial flower garden, benches and pathway. We maintain the park throughout the growing season. We work with School #29 in December to bring kids to the park where we have a Holiday tree set up. They decorate the tree with ornaments they have made in school. The children feel it is their Holiday Tree. Then they go into the Arnett library for stories.

In addition, we work closely with the Rochester Police Department. I am on the Chief’s, Police Citizen Interaction Committee (PCIC) and meet with the Chief Ciminelli and his staff once a month, bringing concerns from our community to the table. A police officer is present at each of our block association monthly meetings hearing concerns and answering questions. We help resolve all kinds of issues in the neighborhood, drug dealing, littering, landlord and tenant problems. For many neighbors this is a place to get help or report a problem and see something done about it.

In what areas have you seen real change and growth?

In 2013 through my PCIC involvement, I spearheaded the SW Gun Buyback Committee which hosted the largest gun buyback Rochester has ever had. We brought in more street guns than RPD expected. Our committee decided to develop a video afterward that would speak to youth involved in gun violence and gang activity. We are just finishing the video, “The Front Row” which will be shown in the city schools, rec centers, YMCAs, youth groups, and some libraries. It is a powerful tool which hopefully the Lord will use to help young people make better decisions about their futures. (Access the video at www.rocfrontrow.com soon!)

I am also excited to see the Body of Christ come together to help with the Block Party in August. We have a number of churches that now help with the party and that is a huge blessing! This is also a racially mixed group that hosts this party. I love to see the different gifts of the Body in action.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the city of Rochester?

Of course, our city could use a revival of faith. I would love to see our churches united and functioning well and full of people hungry for the Lord. Our needs here are primarily for assistance with poverty, help with the healing of family, healthy activities for youth in the city, and good mentoring of youth. We have a serious drug problem here and the violence often stems from that problem.

I am not sure we know how to handle poverty in Rochester in a way that brings people out of the poverty mentality and into a place of personal respect and accountability. Churches need to give a “hand up, not a hand out”. A hand out perpetuates a poverty mind set. It is a tough thing to change. There are hungry children, kids without winter coats and mittens. How to address immediate needs and yet help people gain their independence through learning how to work and keeping good jobs is a tricky balance especially when they can make more selling drugs on the street. When a young person from the street shows up at a church what will they hear, what will their welcome be? How will they be understood and truly mentored? Having spent a fair amount of time listening to the youth on the street, I have come to recognize they have had a lot to deal with at a young age.

What has been your experience as a woman offering this kind of ministry in an urban setting? Any struggles or judgment?

I have learned a lot over the 39 years in the city but have much more to learn. I think of what I do as just being salt and light in the world, just as the Lord told us we were. The salt is a preservative and our world needs preserving. I feel we have been holding and gaining ground for the Kingdom. Yes, there is definitely opposition. The evil one hates it and tries to attack us daily- mostly harassment. I try to keep my eyes on the Lord and not give up when it gets difficult. Prayer is an essential tool-as continuously as I can and always according to what I think He would have me pray.

Initially, there were racial barriers but I don’t know if I have changed or others have changed but I rarely encounter that now and usually with people who don’t know me. I don’t “see” color much anymore. I have found I really appreciate what “people of color” bring to the table- their gifts, their sense of humor, their vivaciousness.

It is important not to give into fear in the city. If I give into fear, the enemy has won. My life belongs to the Lord and it is His to spend or end as He chooses. He has always protected me even in some pretty challenging situations. I am careful how I conduct myself but do not respond in fear.

Define ministry-what is it about? Why is it needed?

I think I have somewhat covered this already. Ministry is offering my life as a living sacrifice to the Lord to be salt and light in this world. How?-by listening to his voice and responding in obedience. Sometimes we are called for a season, perhaps a long season to minister mostly to our family, our children, our husbands, our aging parents, our grandchildren. That is honorable ministry and we would be foolish to ignore that for other ministry. But when He calls us out of the home, we want to be ready. The world needs Godly women as examples. Woman have specific gifts that are unique- tenderness, compassion, creativity, intuition, ability to listen. We also have organizational gifting and ability to multitask. We have a special God-given perspective that completes what our men see.

What advice would you give to people who have a heart for this type of ministry, particularly women?

Offer yourself to the Lord. Listen and be obedient. Don’t give into fear-never move out of fear. Caution yes, but not fear.

Relate to others as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a grandmother. Especially to men, make sure you are relating in a safe way that allows them to treat you as a sister or mother. I am married and my husband and I are far more effective as a team than each as individuals.  He supports and encourages me and I support and encourage him. We share each other’s load. I “submit” to him or ask him for his input and take his advice. I deeply appreciate his covering and support. I think that is why the Lord allows me to be out in the world. I am grateful for that trust.

Step out in faith and obedience! He will never fail you!