Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven
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Ministry / Music
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Contact Name
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Samantha
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Address
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287 Larkfield Road
East Northport, NY 11731
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Phone Number
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(631)262-1212
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Email Address
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SLBOH@aol.com
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Website
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http://www.samanthaslilbitofheaven.org
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How Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven Ministries began....
What is a Jewish girl like me doing running a Christian Ministry? There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get asked that
question, but what is more exciting is sharing the answer. You see, over 20 years ago, I spoke with a counselor at a church
that I had visited expressing my fears and concerns about the future. He told me that I needed more faith. "Faith?" I
responded, "What is faith?" He was awestruck. "How does someone get faith?" I asked.
At that point, he knew that his job was cut out for him, and at that moment, I realized that my journey in search of the truth, and
the Messiah, had begun. In time, I would discover that the path was clear - the answer to all my questions led to Jesus
Christ .
As I grew closer to the Lord, my desire to serve him became stronger. Two years later, my church had held an altar call for
those who wanted to commit their lives to serving Christ on the mission field. At that moment, the drawing of the Holy Spirit
inside of me, to move towards the altar, was stronger than anything I'd ever experienced before. As I stood at the altar, I was
unaware of anything or anyone around me, it was as if there was no one there except God, and me. I asked God, "Could you
please use me here in East Northport? There are people right here on Long Island who are hurting from loneliness, pain
and despair? Can this be my mission field?" I left that request at the cross.
One day, two years later, while watching TV, I heard the most horrifying news. A young girl had been kidnapped, here on
Long Island, and she was kept in an underground bunker, which the perpetrator had built. Grief overwhelmed me, as the
story was too much for me to bear. The very core of my soul lamented in pain. First, I cried for her, then, I cried out to God,
"Oh Lord, why can't there be a place for just for good people? A place where there is respect for life and for all the beautiful
things that you have created? A place where your love radiates through?" In an instance, I felt God say, "Why Samantha,
that's Heaven." I immediately responded, "Oh God, can't there just be a little bit of Heaven- on earth?" It was in that brief
moment that the Lord placed a desire on my heart to put this request into action.
The vision the Lord gave me was clear. I started to write a list. It was to be in a "coffeehouse" type of setting. "Are you sure,
God? A coffeehouse setting?" The vision was clearly stated: It was to be a loving, caring, and inviting "spiritual oasis", that
would glorify God, as well as, a soothing haven that would encourage fellowship among Christians from all denominations.
It was to be a beacon of light, in the community, while bringing a message of hope to those visiting, or to those who were
separated from the knowledge God, while uniting and edifying the Body of Christ. It was to be a relaxing, non-threatening
environment, which would appeal to the heart of the non-believer. It would be place where guests would see the love of
Christ shine through others, thereby encouraging them to seek the pathway that would lead them to accept Jesus, as their
personal Lord and Savior.
My girlfriend loved the idea, and asked, "When are you going to do this?" I started to laugh, and I said, "There is no way I
could do this." "Why?" I explained that I had no money, and certainly no clue how to accomplish this, let alone, that I didn't
know how to make coffee! (There is no school that teaches one how to run "A Li'l Bit of Heaven" on earth.) To put this all
together would require a miracle. Help! She looked at me and said, "Wow, this sounds like God to me, because when you
can't, HE CAN !!!" I was simply waiting for the Lord to introduce me to the person who was qualified to bring this vision to
pass, and then, I would ask them if I could volunteer and help them. She asked me,
How was I going to do this? I prayed and prayed, but it seemed impossible! I finally prayed for a road map, "Lord, if this is
your will, then please show me how to do this." My friend encouraged me to ask people, who were strong in their prayer
walk, to pray with me, as a group, over the list, which I had written. So that night, with a mustard seed of faith, we presented
our requests to the Lord. Within days, amazing things started to happen. "No one will believe this," I said. So, I started to
keep a journal of everything! Then, a chain of events began a journey that reads nothing short of a best selling novel!
Friends, and strangers alike, offered their services, as everyone seemed to want to be a part of it. People had talents, or
gifts, that they brought with them through the door. God was using all of us. We watched, as God supplied tables, chairs,
benches, wall hangings, counters, paint, and even food! People would come and work at the coffeehouse in the evening,
after having worked a full day at their respective jobs. We never saw it as work, but as a labor of love for the Lord. "Li'l Bit of
Heaven" had become a testimony, a faith-builder, and an answer to prayer, and we hadn't even opened yet!!! Together, we
had all learned the meaning of "with God all things are possible."
As the Grand Opening approached, I thought to myself, "Probably only my parents, who are Jewish, will show up." Can you
imagine my shock, when, along with my parents, there was standing room only! Tears filled my eyes, as I watched God's
plan unveil before me. Yes, this storefront ministry was born on April 8, 1994, out of obedience to God's instruction.
Since that evening, well over 100,000 guests and counting, from all over the world, have walked through the doors! We have
had visitors from Israel, Beijing, London, Africa, Prague and more, as well as, visitors from all over America, including our
hometown of East Northport.
"Li'l Bit of Heaven" has become a Christian clearinghouse. The beginning of the week is chock full of Bible teaching,
seminars, workshops and support groups. The various topics discussed are relationships, finances, and self-improvement-
all, of which, are based on Biblical principles. Every Friday & Saturday night, we offer the public live music and clean
comedy. All are welcome, as our guests have ranged in age from "in the womb" to age 108!!
"Li'l Bit of Heaven" has grown into a full-time ministry, which is supported by donation only. There are over fifty amazing men
and women who volunteer their time and services to help this ministry run .
I stand in awe of all God has done here. I have seen souls saved, friendships formed, and hurting lives healed. I've watched
gifted people, finally, get the opportunity to use talents that they have suppressed for years! People have entered with eyes
filled with tears of sadness, and they have left with smiles of newly found hope. I've seen strangers join their hands in prayer
and become brothers and sisters in Christ. The most touching part for me was when I saw my own parents accept Jesus as
their Messiah, before they went to their "Heavenly Home."
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the Lord for the privilege and honor of serving Him, and allowing me to be a
part of this exciting ministry that has touched so many lives.
So, what is faith, to me? It means taking baby steps to overcome fear, while trusting God to direct you. It's knowing that when
Jesus is the Lord of your life, your path leads to Heaven, and sometimes even a "Li'l Bit of Heaven."
To God be the glory!
Samantha
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