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20th Anniversary – CSM Impact
Paul Randall, CSM Houston City Director, and Veta Berry
Veta Berry’s first trip with CSM was in 1999 to Houston, TX. Veta had looked for a mission organization that could help introduce her youth group from St Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church (Austin, TX) to the needs of their local community.
Veta knew CSM was going to be a great fit the very first moments of her pre-visit. She and Greg Pennington (former Houston City Director and current CSM Vice President) had just walked into a Jamaican restaurant to have lunch. One of the owners yelled out “Hey, Greg!” It was in that moment that Veta knew CSM was serious about relationships—and not only with partner ministry sites, but everyone in the city with whom they come in contact.
Throughout her years, Veta has accumulated story after story of lives being changed right before her eyes. One trip, the group was serving a meal at a homeless shelter. Veta turned and saw one of her adult volunteers (a dad) just as a tear ran down his cheek. “I get it,” he said, “You’re changing my kid’s life.”
She’s seen adults just like that dad catch a vision and understanding that students as young as 12 can minister. CSM gives those students an opportunity to serve in a multitude of ways and at a “smorgasbord” of different ministry sites. She’s been able to see her students serve at a variety of organizations—giving them the opportunity to find out the exact niche for them.
Veta remembers two very distinct turning points during her time with CSM. The first was with a ministry called KidCare. One afternoon they made (what felt like) a million sandwiches. They drove with workers from KidCare in vans throughout the neighborhoods of inner-city Houston. As they drove up to houses and honked, kids would come running up to the vehicles. As they reached up for those sack lunches, Veta noticed (over and over) that so many of the children had little clothing and no shoes. She was told that this sack lunch may be the only meal these kids would eat all day. Her heart broke for these children. As they drove on, it became very apparent that the driver didn’t just drive by, but knew where the kids lived. She not only knew that they were hungry, but also about their lives. This was relational ministry meeting practical needs.
Veta’s other moment of impact was when her group served at Harborlight (a Salvation Army ministry dedicated to men struggling with drug addiction). As her group enjoyed a concert by the Harborlight choir and talked with the men, she realized she could be in that very same situation as they were. Years ago, before she had committed her life to Christ, Veta was married to a drug addict and dealer. Being at Harborlight was a glimpse at “what could have been” if it had not been for God’s grace, and family who truly loved her and helped her out of her situation. Veta’s experience at Harborlight opened her eyes to the reality of how close she got to being homeless, and was in awe of the men at Harborlight who were fully relying on the Lord despite not having the support system she was so blessed to have had.
Veta has been truly an exemplar leader—not only choosing to challenge her students with CSM trips, but following up and seeing the changes continue in her group as the years rolled on. This year, Veta has been called to a new chapter—she’s become an overseas missionary based in the south of Spain. We rejoice with her and treasure the time that she’s invested into CSM Houston and the people of that city.
To learn more about serving in the city, check out our Houston page.
