Mission Messiah - Thirteen Years of Miracles
Mission Messiah opened its doors on Second Street in Odessa, Texas, in August of 1997, but it was a long, arduous, miraculous journey. In 1981, Jamie Berryhill, a young, successful businessman, had no idea what God had in mind when He asked him a question that changed the course of his life: “How long will you profess me with your lips and not give me your heart?”
Jamie, his pregnant wife Renda and their five children moved from opulence to squalor when a rundown motel on Second Street became their home. Thanks to many wonderful volunteers in the body of Christ, that motel is now a tribute to what God can do when His people work together.
Mission Messiah is a growing, viable entity. It quickly evolved from ministering to men, women and families in the early days to ministering only to women and their children. The length of the program has increased from seven months to twelve. The curriculum has changed as God has directed.
With growth and a recognition of ministering to the women at different levels, Esther Place, a home in Midland where the women spend the last three months of their commitment, was established in 2005, and Hannah House in May of 2008. Hannah House is also located in Midland and houses the women for their initial 30–45 days. This is the only time the women aren’t able to have their children with them.
In order to fulfill the training and life-equipping part of Mission Messiah’s commitment to the women, various businesses have been opened:
- 1997-2006: Blessings Galore - a second-hand shop located on the Mission Messiah property in Odessa
- 2006: W.O.W. (Women of Worth) Fashion Warehouse - a large, fully equipped department store at the corner of Grandview and Eight Street in Odessa
- 2006: Zip Supply – A full-service printing shop and retail store on Grandview, close to Eighth Street in Odessa
- 2007: Zip Supply, Midland Branch – A full-service printing and publishing company
The newest project at Mission Messiah is the recently completed Faith Hall - a multipurpose kitchen, dining hall, classrooms, events center located on the Odessa property.
At full capacity, Mission Messiah can currently house approximately 25 women and as many as 35 children.