MISSION

Cloud and Fire Ministries is a religious non-profit corporation which seeks to share the Living Christ with at-risk urban youth, to positively impact their lives, equip them to become productive citizens of the community by providing them with increased spiritual, ethical, academic, and social awareness, options, skills, and opportunities.
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ALL IN A NAME - CLOUD AND FIRE

The term Cloud and Fire comes from the Old Testament account of the Exodus from Egypt. Once the Hebrews were in the wilderness, God sent a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them on their journey. The Cloud and the Fire represented God's spirit and His presence, and comforted the people. Additionally, He used the Cloud and Fire to lead the people through uncharted territory, by moving the cloud forward one day's journey at a time. If the people were to move forward, the cloud would move. However, on some days, the cloud stood still, indicating that the people should not break camp, but rather remain where they were.

It is our desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, and to stay mindful of the direction that He gives us. Rather than predetermining our own route and following our own guidelines, we constantly strive to follow the direction that God lays out before us. Just like the Hebrews, we are crossing uncharted territory. However, we believe that if we will be ever aware of the signs He gives us, He will show us the best way to progress. Our highest aim is that our own agenda will always be subject to God's agenda, and that our work will lead others to a spiritual encounter with Christ, resulting in a new birth experience.
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OUR HISTORY

Los Angeles is one of many cities across the nation that has seen drastic changes over the past fifteen years. This is perhaps most true in the northwest area of Los Angeles known as the San Fernando Valley, a community long prized for its safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and relaxed, suburban lifestyle. More recently, though, the Valley has become known for several pockets of low-income apartment buildings that tower where sprawling ranch homes once sported fruit trees and circular driveways. It is not simply the architecture that has changed, however. The evening hush that once fell on bedroom communities is now replaced with the sounds of sirens and gunshots, and the gathering places are no longer community centers, but rather the local streets, where kids find identity and belonging in gangs.

One of the most notorious of these new urban areas is North Hills, often referred to as "The Gang Corridor." Here, in less than five square miles, over 650,000 people live crammed together, all of them grappling to attain a better life. These are not families who live idly, or rely on welfare checks. Rather, they are hard working, entrepreneurial, manual laborers, who work long hours to provide for their families. Though they rely on one another to care for little ones, they are often without options for older children, who are at extreme risk of becoming involved in the gangs that can daily be seen lining the streets. Boys from Langdon Street, Columbus Street, and Blythe Street gangs control this area, Not only are adolescents and teens in danger of becoming affiliated with one of these groups, they are also likely, even without membership, to become a target of violence for simply venturing into rival territory.

Cloud and Fire Ministries was established to provide young people with an alternative to the choices on the street, and to adequately equip them to live safe, productive lives. Founded in October, 1999, by Melody Rossi, Cloud and Fire Ministries has been providing Middle School and High School students with fun, engaging, and beneficial after school and weekend activities for nearly six years.

Founder and President, Melody Rossi had been teaching in a local Middle School, and was troubled by the fact that the student population was so academically deficient. In fact, the results of standardized tests at the school indicated academic performance in the bottom 2% of the nation! With scores like this, students would never be able be able to the skills for desirable jobs, so Melody set out to help them find a better way.

Melody, and Carole Walker, who had worked together in a public school, began holding Friday afternoon club meetings for young people 12-15 years old. Meetings were held at Centro Cristiano, a Hispanic church not far from the local Middle School. Though originally centered on academic skills, the club soon became more like a family gathering. Young people bolted in the doors every Friday, eager to share the experiences of their week. Crafts, fieldtrips, camping, and job skills training were added, and the program eventually expanded to two days per week. One day was devoted to academic needs, and the other to social skills, life skills, and spiritual development.

In our first five years, we embraced a stable group of students, and helped them through their Middle School and High School years. In June, 2004, we proudly attended the commencement of our first graduating class! The young people who have come through our program have done extremely well, and we are grateful that we were able to become part of their lives.

The goal of Cloud and Fire Ministries is to equip others for life's journey. Our students have had a high degree of success, which indicates that we have been able to accomplish our goal!
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Visit the Cloud and Fire Ministries web site

Visit Melody Rossi's Shoutlife page
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[This Shoutlife page was designed by Karen Power]