Get to Know Chris Rhodes Most of us know Chris Rhodes as a gifted speaker, serious bible scholar and friend. It’s not easy to get him to talk about himself: he’d rather share about the people he serves as the Executive Director of Reno’s Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet. But he has actually lived quite a fascinating life marked by travel, scholarship and service. Chris began his long association with Covenant 27 years ago when he and his family moved to Reno. In 2004 Fred and Lillian Howe, two of GSCC’s original founders, tapped Chris to run the growing ministry full-time. As Executive Director, he oversees the full operation at the ministry which is located at the Community Assistance Center on Record St. in downtown Reno. He also networks with many community businesses and churches for fundraising and education purposes. Recently, he has led efforts to organize community outreach ventures to serve low-income families, Reno’s homeless and the growing immigrant population in our county. Today, the ties between this local, unabashedly evangelical outreach ministry and Covenant remain strong: along with Chris, four of the eight currently serving board members attend our church and many others have donated countless volunteer hours over the years. Chris has served as a deacon and is currently our Elder on the Christian Education Ministry Team. If his front-row seat is ever empty on a Sunday morning, he is likely representing GSCC at another local church or filling a pulpit. He also ministers to the residents and staff at Stone Valley Alzheimer's Special Care Center on Sunday afternoons. We are thankful Chris also serves on the Mission Ministry Team and our Vision Team. He has a passion to see Covenant’s members embrace the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) and become more purposefully outward-looking in support of the mission work of our church both locally and around the world.

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet has grown steadily since its founding in 1996 when a group of church members perceived a need in our expanding community and got busy filling that need. From providing a permanent source for quality clothing that served about a dozen people each day, GSCC has grown into a multi-service, evangelical ministry that typically helps 100+ people each day. In addition to its store-like location on Record Street in downtown Reno, Executive Director Chris Rhodes, one paid staff member and volunteers often visit elementary schools and other convenient locations to help more families, senior citizens on low fixed incomes, the working and job-seeking poor, veterans, and immigrants in our area. GSCC is a tenant in the Community Assistance Center and, because of its proximity to other charitable and government organizations, is able to be a more accessible advocate for their clients. Folks obtain vouchers for clothing and other items from a variety of over 100 local sources. These include the Committee to Aid Abused Women and Children, Children’s Cabinet, Reno Police Dept., Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health, Veteran’s Guest House, Reno and Sparks Job Connect, Ridge House, Washoe County Jail, the school district, Project Restart and many others. Chris says, “Due to the diversity of voucher issuers, our clientele is also diverse and includes low income families, people with disabilities, school children, recently released prisoners, elderly people living on fixed incomes, and others facing any number of life situations.” GSCC is a 501(c)3 corporation that operates 100% on donations and grant funding. All items given to those in need are provided free of cost and Chris and his team are very grateful for the generosity of so many who give clothing, shoes, blankets and toiletries. But their greatest need is for donations that pay the ongoing bills: utilities, personnel, educational expenses, etc. Covenant Presbyterian Church has been a faithful and generous partner in this ministry since its founding. Many members are also individual donors and their help is very much appreciated. Chris told us, “In the first half of this year we have served over 10,000 clients (2057 of them were children). We reach students in 9 elementary schools in Reno-Sparks and Wadsworth. We hold outreach events and serve others through our voucher system. We also have served 911 senior citizens, many living on low fixed incomes. We have served over a thousand more men than women so far this year.”