Saving Grace Partners with Sleep in Heavenly Peace

It’s hard to imagine a child without a bed to sleep in, but for many families in our community, that’s reality. Some children sleep on floors, share crowded couches, or rotate between makeshift spots each night. A good night’s rest is vital for a child’s growth, learning, and emotional well-being—and that’s where Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) comes in.

SHP is a nationwide nonprofit with a simple mission: no kid sleeps on the floor in our town. Volunteers build and deliver beds—complete with mattresses, bedding, and even a stuffed animal—at no cost to families. What might look like “just a bed” to us becomes something much bigger to a child: safety, dignity, rest, and hope.

Volunteers who’ve joined deliveries have seen the impact firsthand. One boy who had just turned ten summed it up in a way no one could forget: “Now I don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore.” Another family fit three beds into their tiny apartment living room, because even in cramped spaces, a bed of your own makes all the difference.

Now, Saving Grace is stepping into this mission in a new way as the 10th SHP delivery hub in the Phoenix area—the very first serving Queen Creek and San Tan Valley. This means beds built in Phoenix can now be delivered directly into our neighborhoods, where the need is great.

“Being a delivery hub is more than moving furniture,” says volunteer leader Deb Morrow. “It’s about showing families in our community that they are seen, cared for, and loved by God. Every delivery is a chance to bring not only a bed, but also hope and encouragement.”
More Than a Mattress

Every delivery is a hands-on reminder of God’s love. Volunteers assemble the frames, lay out the bedding, and hand each child a pillow and comforter that are theirs to keep. For the kids, it’s a safe place of their own. For the volunteers, it’s a chance to pray with families, listen to their stories, and step into spaces where hope is desperately needed.

Even the smallest details matter. Quilters and sewers contribute by creating handmade quilts and blankets that bring beauty and warmth to each bed. These personal touches remind every child that they are loved and cared for in a unique way.

How You Can Be Part of It

• Build: SHP hosts build days where volunteers cut, sand, and assemble bed parts. The process is simple and guided—no experience required.
• Deliver: Teams help transport and set up beds in homes across Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
• Donate: New twin bedding and comforters can be dropped off at the Saving Grace office to keep the hub stocked and ready.
• Quilt or Sew: Handmade quilts and blankets are deeply meaningful additions that make each bed feel special.
• Spread the Word: Families in need of beds can apply directly at shpbeds.org.

We are encouraging our congregation to get involved—whether you love to build, quilt, donate, or deliver, there’s a place for you in this ministry. Please fill out this interest form to let us know how you’d like to help.

Through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Saving Grace has the opportunity to live out its mission in a tangible way—connecting all generations to Jesus by serving children right here in our community.

Walking with International Students at ASU: The Heart of Campus Mission Coalition
When most people picture college ministry, they imagine pizza nights, small groups, and maybe a few high-energy worship events. But for Sharon Owens and the team at the Campus Mission Coalition (CMC) in Tempe, Arizona, campus ministry looks a little different. It's relational. It's international. And it’s quietly transforming lives—one student, one bicycle, one home-cooked meal at a time.

Recently, our Director of Worship Arts at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Colby Key, sat down with Sharon to talk about her journey and the work happening just up the road at Arizona State University.

From Nebraska to China to ASU
Sharon’s story is anything but typical. After graduating from Concordia University, she launched an international student ministry in Lincoln, Nebraska. But God had other plans—and for 14 years, those plans took her to China as a missionary. Now, back in the States, Sharon serves as a leader with the Campus Mission Coalition, a ministry initiative supported by the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS.

What Is the Campus Mission Coalition?
At its core, CMC provides a place of safety, hospitality, and community for international students at ASU. While many students come from cultures with deep religious traditions—or no exposure to Christianity at all—the coalition’s goal isn’t to corner them with evangelism. Instead, Sharon and her team build relationships, meet practical needs, and walk with students through some of the hardest transitions of their lives. And students are responding.

What started with three leaders has grown into a team of 18, with over 20 volunteers and more than 750 students expressing interest in their events. They host Bible studies, volunteer opportunities, friendship family connections, and even camp retreats. Along the way, they offer tangible help—delivering used furniture, fixing up bikes, and helping students navigate life far from home.

Meeting Needs, Building Trust
Sharon tells stories that remind us why this ministry matters. One student, whom she met days after his arrival, is now considering the gospel with fresh eyes. Another, a young woman navigating marriage and motherhood, found spiritual healing through Sharon’s friendship and prayer. These stories aren’t flashy—they’re deeply personal, filled with late-night texts, quiet conversations, and tearful prayers.

“It’s not just about telling people the gospel,” Colby shared. “It’s about showing them the love of Christ first. That’s what makes this mission so powerful.”

How We Can Help
At Saving Grace, we’re supporting this mission in a big way. Throughout the month of July, we’re collecting school supplies to support the students served by the Campus Mission Coalition. Items can be dropped off in the designated bin in the church lobby.

If you’d like to donate gently-used furniture, bicycles, or other household items, those are welcome too—but instead of dropping them off at church, we ask that you contact the Campus Mission Coalition directly to arrange delivery or pickup. These practical gifts make a big difference in helping international students feel at home in a new and unfamiliar place.

Financial gifts are also appreciated to help fund transportation, events, and resources that aren’t covered by the university. And above all, Sharon reminds us of the most powerful way to help: pray.

“Pray for our students. Pray for our team. Pray that we can keep walking with them and pointing them to Jesus—patiently, lovingly, and faithfully.”

Because through all of this—the donated bikes, the meals shared, the late-night questions—God is already at work. He’s opening doors, softening hearts, and making Himself known one relationship at a time. The Campus Mission Coalition isn’t just meeting needs; it’s creating moments where the gospel can be seen, heard, and felt. And we get to be part of it.