05/29/2026
Isaiah's moved into our home on 9th Street on November 19, 2022—because one woman listened to the nudging of the Holy Spirit and obeyed. On September 20, 2022, Isaiah’s was evicted from our location in the Admiral Place Shopping Mall. We were given 60 days to get out.
Even before the eviction, we sensed that our mission as a drop-in center had been completed and God was leading us in a new direction. But rents were running $3,000 to $7,000 a month—no exaggeration.
We were evicted on a Tuesday. I went home, fell to my knees, and cried out to God: “Father, if You’re finished with Isaiah’s, I trust You and I will go wherever You lead. But if not, will You PLEASE show us where we’re going BEFORE day 60.”
I met with a pastor friend. We prayed and pleaded with the Father, and before I left she said, “God will reveal His plan within the month.” That Saturday, during our Board meeting, I asked our Board to believe—if God had a plan, we would know.
The following Monday, a friend sent me a picture of a building and said she didn’t know what was going on with Isaiah 58, In His service but she felt led to send it.
On Wednesday, we were inside that building. A Board member, one of our guys, and three realtors sat at a table and prayed. Then the lead realtor said, “Deni, if you’re serious about this building, you’ll need to sign a letter of intent.”
They wanted $200,000 for a 4,600 square foot building and 1.3 acres. I sighed—reality check: I didn’t have a job, our assets were two beat up vans, and we had about $400 in the bank. I smiled and signed it anyway. Our God is a big God. If He wanted us to have this building, He would make a way.
The next morning, Elle called. She said she had been wrestling with God since leaving our meeting. Over and over, God showed her in Scripture that she was supposed to buy the building for us—and we could pay her back whenever we could. And she did.
On November 19, 2022—exactly 60 days from the day we were evicted—we moved into our new home!
By May 2025, we still owed Elle for the building. I reminded God of this, and He nudged us to claim $250,000 by June 1, 2026. He showed us how He would provide what we needed in one year.
We had just published our book, LOVE GOES: Stories of Stirring the Pot, Sitting in the Mess, and Loving Like Jesus. Four of us donated $1,000, and I wrote a letter inviting our donors to give $1,000 toward our building fund. In return, we would send them a signed copy of the book so they could read God's vision for Isaiah’s Neighborhood: A Place to Belong in the epilogue.
We snail mailed and emailed the letters to about 700 donors—and we began thanking God for His provision.
By April 23, 2026, we had $196,000 in our building account! On April 24, we received a $50,000 check, bringing the total to $246,000! I spent the weekend thanking Jesus. On April 27—my dad’s birthday—I deposited the check. A donor asked me how much we still needed. I told her $4,000. She replied, “It’s on the way.” On May 12—my sister’s birthday—we deposited the final $4,000.
Let me emphasize:
We did not do a capital campaign.
We did not host a fundraising gala.
We did not receive a grant.
We did not receive United Way, state or federal money.
We did not send envelopes or plead with people to give.
As Reverend George Müller did before us—we prayed.
On June 1st at noon, we will present Elle with a check for $215,000 and pay off our building! Our friends from Mobile Missions Network, Will's House, One Hope Tulsa, Emerge Global - Single Mom Hope and Help, and Hope Dealerz will join us to share how they love our neighbors. Alice will be making Indian tacos, we’ll be giving away “Our Debt Is Paid in Full” T shirts, and Jason Gray will be set up by our koi pond for an outdoor acoustic concert. Yes—Jason Gray. Bring a lawn chair!!!
We did NOT raise the money.
God provided $250,000.
To God be the glory.
Come check out Isaiah’s on Monday – it’s holy ground.
We can do more. We can do better. Together.
LOVE GOES