Newest Within Your Gates Grantee: A Playground of Hope in Longview, Texas

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward to change lives in ways we never expect. That’s exactly the story behind a new playground installed at Graciously Broken Ministries’ fresh site in Longview, Texas — a place dedicated to restoring hope and healing for women and children recovering from the traumas of sex trafficking and also for those battling substance abuse and mental health challenges — urgent needs in East Texas and beyond.

It all began with a simple outreach from BJ Garrett, a speaker and award-winning author, who connected with Blake Silverstein (of Christian Educational Ministries) about Graciously Broken Ministries expanding its reach in East Texas, creating safe spaces where broken lives can find grace and renewal. BJ was seeking help to provide a playground set specially designed for the organization’s new facility — a space for healing, growth, and joyful restoration.

Church of God brethren responded! Through our Within Your Gates program, we provided a grant to Blake to cover the playground’s purchase. Then, faithful volunteers from Church of God International (CGI) stepped in to handle the donation and hands-on installation. Watching brethren come together in service of vulnerable women and children was a powerful reminder of Christ’s love in action.

Picture a misty spring morning when about ten CGI volunteers gathered, tools in hand, ready to build. Shovels, drills, hammers — and maybe a donut or two — helped bring this playground to life. As fog hovered, so did a tangible sense of hope. This project wasn’t just about swings and slides; it was about restoring a piece of childhood, offering a spark of joy and normalcy to women and children on difficult paths to recovery. Sometimes, it’s these simple, quiet acts that carry the heaviest meaning.

At Church of God Network, stories like this renew our faith in the power of community, collaboration, and service.