Jeremiah 33:3 “Call upon me and I will answer thee…”

Ann Ostrom, a very dear friend and I had lunch in Chicago on October 10th of 1989. We talked about me starting a ministry of counseling and saw a pendent on the waitress that I believed was God’s call on naming us Clear Dome Ministry.  We went to my attorney Don, and he confirmed the idea and off we went. Her husband Rich was a printer and designed the first set of business cards. Since they are both in heaven with our Lord I have dedicated this news letter to them.

On November 7th, the Board of Memory Lane Christian Center urged me to pursue in 1989. Joe Dawson and Tyger Johnson made the recommendation and I was housed in their office for almost two years as well as my own. They decided I gave an excellent presentation and felt I would be a great asset to their addictions program of which they housed their clients for rehab. We were incorporated in 1996.

Since I have been reminiscing through the minutes and annual reports, I see God’s hands in everything from Volunteer Advocates to electronic equipment. I have written many of the handouts so clients will have something tangible to take with them and memorize the Word through homework given them after each session to confirm the discussions God had brought about. I still create new material as needed.

Let me share a little about the people who have faithfully served CDM. One of them is Joe Dawson, who went home to be with the Lord at 91 years old several years ago. Even the Mayor of Freeport, IL was present at his funeral. He was a friend to everyone. This is a man who could not walk and trusted God for every resource, including eating and going to the bathroom. He literally had to wait for people to show up at his home to help him along the way. I learned about how not to allow handicaps to define you.

Yet Joe was the Vice president of CDM and the Public relations Coordinator. He advertized CDM every way possible through sharing with others, mailings etc. He was our prayer warrior, mentor and had the patience of Job. It was Joe’s vision; when we were having the downstairs office built he had designed
it to be wheel chair assessable since he was in a wheel chair himself. He did 90% of the book bindings as well. He was truly a dynamic person who is greatly missed.

Our President is Don, our Attorney, who keeps me legal. He is heaven sent and has been here for us no matter what the need, he too, is our prayer warrior. I praise God for him. He has been with us since the beginning as you can see at the top of this newsletter.

Barb is our secretary, who keeps my administrative accomplishments organized.

Then there is my accountant Dean who takes time out off his busy schedule to keep us professional as well. We couldn’t function without him because the cost would be astronomical.  He has, as the rest of our staff, chosen to minister toCDM’s needs, including our taxes. Dean has been with us since 1997. Praise God!

We started with an electric typewriter and then Diana F. donated our first computer to us and then came Jim, our computer tech in 1997 and he too is another dedicated man to the cause of Christ. He keeps me updated, upgraded, modernized and we are even on the web. See ClearDomeMinistry.com for more
details. He continues to train me into newer concepts having the patience of Job also, because I do not grasp things as quickly as some and don’t retain half of what I learn. It takes him several sessions to get me on the right track. I’d like to thank his wife for the privilege of having him work with us and praise God for him daily.

We’ve had time sheets for Advocates, Job Descriptions, Policy & Procedures, and the legalities from the State of IL. “Rights to Minister”; “Statement of Faith” was designed in 1992.  Same goes with the “Missions Statement” to share with new clients to prove that we are here for the whole person not just certain issues. Everything is written down and put into binders. We even keep upgrading my resume as things change. We have Client Evaluations for on- going and closings.  I was married in November of 1991 and also left Memory Lane at the same time. Our Pastor Jamerson, from out First Free Methodist Church in Freeport, donated the copier and a big desk to CDM.

We have prayer warriors around the U.S. and supporters that believe in what is accomplished in counsel through God’s word. There will be more memories to come and I praise God for everyone who is involved.

In His Service,

Dr. Rose Binns