ABOUT US

A Message from our Director

It was 2006 and the word ATLAS meant nothing to me.

A friend asked if I’d heard of the helping organization called ATLAS and I told him I hadn’t.  He then began offering bits and pieces of information about the Sioux Center ATLAS office and encouraging me to ride there with him and check it out.  Not interested in such an excursion I did my best to put him off. . . but he was persistent.  In order to get him off my back I agreed to attend an evening worship service in Sibley where the founder of ATLAS was to speak.  I decided in advance that I wouldn’t much care for the founder, a Mr. Jerry Kieft, but would be polite and pretend to be attentive as he spoke.  I sat in the very back of the room the night Jerry spoke. 

Jerry told stories of people whose lives were in shambles.  His stories were of individuals and families who found themselves in situations they didn’t want to be in—painful, frightening situations.  He included his own life story and I was blown away by his frankness.  I listened that evening to Jerry’s message of help, hope and healing.  Messages like that grab and keep my attention.  By the time the evening ended, I was more than a little intrigued by Jerry and the ATLAS organization he spoke of—a place where hurting people could find comfort and relationship, a oasis where they could be introduced to Jesus and see His hands and feet in motion.

Five years later I am the director of the ATLAS office in Sibley, IA, doing my best to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Our staff of nine wonderful individuals count it both a blessing and privilege to work in a place that offers second chances and the opportunity for people to unload their burdens.  Being a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on is such a humbling experience for us.  It’s amazing how doing the aforementioned can provide relief and peace-of-mind to someone who has been carrying a burden, a secret, or feels they are suffering all alone.  We readily refer to and work with other local helping organizations and professional services as we provide accountability, relationship and connections to local churches.  Most importantly, we delight in sharing Jesus with people as we listen and offer them our hand.  Jesus believes in second chances and we at ATLAS of Osceola take our cues from Him; Jesus loves them and hasn’t forgotten them.  And neither will we.