“We Don’t Need More Programs – We Need More People Willing to Show Up and Care,” Says Center, TX Minister Jerry Lewis

Michigan, US, 5th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In an era when churches invest heavily in strategic planning and outreach programming, Center, TX minister and builder Jerry Lewis offers a candid message: “We don’t need more programs, we need more people who are willing to show up and care.”

With decades of experience in both construction and ministry, Jerry Lewis has quietly built a life of service rooted in action, not performance. As a licensed minister and devoted community member, Lewis believes that meaningful ministry isn’t measured by how many events a church hosts, but by the consistency and compassion of the people within it.

“We’ve programmed ourselves into a corner,” says Lewis. “We’ve got more tools than ever, apps, calendars, budgets, but far fewer people showing up at the door of someone hurting.”

Lewis’s perspective is grounded in a life of hands-on ministry. While working full time in the trades, he has also served in local church leadership and outreach efforts across Texas. Over the years, he’s mentored men in crisis, served families facing tragedy, and walked alongside individuals living with disabilities, often outside the spotlight.

One turning point for Lewis came through his relationship with a young girl named Brooklyn. Born with multiple disabilities, Brooklyn’s joy, resilience, and spirit had a profound impact on him.

“Meeting Brooklyn shifted something in me,” says Lewis. “She didn’t need a program. She needed people. Her life reminded me that the best kind of ministry doesn’t come with a microphone, it comes with presence.”

That emphasis on presence is something Lewis sees as lacking in many modern churches. While he acknowledges the good that can come from structure and planning, he believes many congregations are mistaken in thinking that activity is effectiveness.

“You can have a church calendar full of events and still miss the lonely widow next door,” Lewis says. “You can have a youth room with LED lights and still miss the kid struggling with addiction. The answer isn’t always something new. Sometimes it’s simply someone faithful.”

Lewis’s ministry has often involved showing up in the unplanned moments: helping repair a roof, holding the hand of a dying neighbor, sitting with someone whose marriage is falling apart. He believes those moments carry more weight than most formal programming ever could.

One example Lewis often shares is when he encountered a crash victim while driving his work truck. With no emergency training, he stopped, held the man’s hand, and stayed with him until help arrived. It wasn’t organized, but it was love in action.

“That moment reminded me of what ministry really is,” says Lewis. “It’s being there when people need you. No clipboard. No rehearsal. Just a heart that’s willing.”

As a builder and a minister, Lewis has a rare blend of blue-collar grit and pastoral care. He continues to work full time while supporting churches across the state, offering leadership, mentorship, and spiritual guidance wherever needed.

“You don’t have to be on staff to do ministry,” Lewis emphasizes. “You just have to care enough to stop what you’re doing and show up.”

For Lewis, showing up isn’t just about physical presence but emotional and spiritual availability. He urges churches to equip people not just with training, but with the courage to connect.

“People are desperate for someone to sit with them, pray with them, and walk with them through their mess,” he says. “That kind of care can’t be programmed. It has to be lived.”

Looking ahead, Lewis hopes to encourage a movement of relational ministry, where churches refocus on the simple but powerful call to love one another well.

“We’ve got enough systems. What we need are people, ordinary people, who say, ‘I’ll be there,’” Lewis concludes. “That’s where healing starts. That’s where the church shines.”

About Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is a licensed minister, builder, and community advocate based in Center, TX. With decades of experience in construction and local church leadership, he is known for his hands-on approach to ministry. Jerry believes that authentic care and presence are more impactful than any program, and he dedicates his life to helping others through relationship-driven service and faith in action.

Philadelphia, PA, 5th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In a dynamic business landscape where organizations grapple with the twin challenges of agility and operational excellence, Jeffrey MacBride stands out as a transformative force. With 18 years of hands-on experience, a suite of industry certifications, and a track record of measurable results, MacBride offers more than consulting—he delivers outcomes.

As a freelance project and operations manager based in Philadelphia, MacBride has carved out a reputation for precision, efficiency, and a laser-sharp focus on results. He specializes in digital project management, management consulting, and process optimization, helping businesses large and small navigate the complexities of modern operations and project execution.

Strategic Execution Meets Operational Brilliance

What distinguishes Jeffrey MacBride is his ability to blend strategic vision with practical execution. Trained in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and deeply versed in Lean Six Sigma principles, MacBride brings a hybrid, adaptive mindset to every project he leads. This dual capability enables him to pivot seamlessly between frameworks, tailoring each initiative to meet the specific demands of the client, the industry, and the objectives at hand.

His strategic approach is grounded in rigorous planning, strong financial oversight, and continuous process improvement. Whether the goal is reducing operational costs, accelerating time-to-market, or improving customer satisfaction, MacBride’s methodical framework ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to stakeholder expectations.

“I don’t just manage projects—I drive transformation,” says MacBride. “Efficiency isn’t about doing things faster. It’s about doing the right things better. And success, to me, means delivering measurable, lasting impact for every client I serve.”

Leading Complex Projects Under Pressure

MacBride’s extensive background includes managing high-stakes defense contracts and overseeing complex, multi-disciplinary projects under intense deadlines. As a Senior Program Manager, he has demonstrated exceptional capability in leading diverse, cross-functional teams, optimizing workflows, and ensuring high-impact delivery under pressure.

His ability to navigate risk, manage stakeholder communication, and introduce standardized procedures has resulted in consistent operational wins across sectors. These include government agencies, private corporations, and non-profit organizations, all of which have benefited from his commitment to precision and accountability.

“Project management is not just about checking boxes,” MacBride emphasizes. “It’s about understanding the big picture, anticipating obstacles, and adapting with confidence. That’s how you deliver not just projects, but performance.”

Building Systems That Scale

One of the cornerstones of MacBride’s success is his proficiency in establishing and optimizing Project Management Offices (PMOs). His work in designing scalable, repeatable frameworks has helped businesses standardize their project workflows and achieve alignment across departments.

By streamlining operations, improving internal communication, and instilling project governance, MacBride has enabled organizations to grow with clarity and control. His clients not only complete projects more efficiently but also develop the internal capability to sustain progress long after his engagement ends.

His certifications as a Certified Scrum Master and Product Owner underscore his agile capabilities, allowing him to lead sprint-based development efforts as well as long-term strategic initiatives. Whether working with startups in growth mode or large enterprises facing digital transformation, MacBride delivers with clarity, discipline, and drive.

Operational Excellence Rooted in Financial Oversight

Another defining feature of MacBride’s work is his financial acumen. He brings strong budgeting skills and financial oversight to every engagement, ensuring that cost efficiency aligns with performance metrics. From resource allocation to vendor management and contract negotiation, his attention to financial details helps clients avoid overruns and boost profitability.

His ability to manage multi-million-dollar projects has proven especially valuable for companies undergoing mergers, system migrations, or enterprise-wide transformation. In each case, MacBride’s leadership has delivered not only on deliverables but also on financial goals.

“Operations are only as strong as the financial structures behind them,” he explains. “Good project management connects outcomes to bottom-line value. That’s where I focus.”

A Consultant Committed to Long-Term Client Success

As a freelance consulting project and operations manager, MacBride brings flexibility and focus to his client engagements. He offers tailored solutions based on specific organizational needs, whether that means leading a full-scale digital transformation, optimizing existing workflows, or mentoring internal teams in project leadership best practices.

He views each client engagement as a partnership, not a transaction. His goal is not simply to deliver a project, but to leave the organization stronger, more agile, and better equipped to meet future challenges.

“Consulting is not about giving advice and walking away,” MacBride says. “It’s about embedding capability, building trust, and enabling long-term success.”

A Trusted Voice in Project Leadership

MacBride’s peers recognize him as a thought leader in the field of project and operations management. He frequently speaks at industry forums and contributes to knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at advancing best practices in digital project delivery, strategic planning, and organizational development.

He continues to invest in his own learning and professional development, staying current with industry trends and certifications. This commitment ensures that clients always benefit from leading-edge strategies, tools, and insights.

The Future of Work, Managed with Precision

In a time when businesses face unprecedented pressure to adapt, pivot, and innovate, professionals like Jeffrey MacBride are more vital than ever. His balanced approach—combining strategy with execution, agility with structure, and technology with human leadership—is the kind of comprehensive expertise companies need to thrive.

Whether navigating digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, or turning around failing projects, MacBride brings the skill, discipline, and insight required to lead with impact.

About Jeffrey MacBride

Jeffrey MacBride is a Philadelphia-based freelance project and operations manager with 18 years of experience in digital project management, consulting, and process optimization. He holds multiple industry certifications including Certified Scrum Master and Product Owner, and he is a recognized expert in Agile, Waterfall, Lean Six Sigma, and business transformation strategy. MacBride has led high-risk and high-reward projects across defense, technology, and corporate sectors. His clients value his ability to deliver projects that are on-time, within budget, and aligned with strategic business goals.

In addition to his freelancing work, Jeffrey has served in key leadership roles, including Senior Program Manager leading multi-million-dollar defense projects, implemented Agile methodologies, and captured new market segments. His ability to manage high-value proposals, including $100M+ initiatives, has significantly contributed to business growth in the defense sector.

Jeffrey’s extensive background includes a Master of Science in Engineering Management and Software Engineering from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rowan University. He continues to apply his broad expertise to lead successful projects, optimize operations, and deliver measurable results for clients across a variety of industries.

Media Contact

Jeffrey MacBride
Website: http://jeff-macbride.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffmacbride

New York, US, 5th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In today’s unpredictable economic climate, where startups often measure success by speed and scale, Joseph Ambalo is urging business leaders to rethink that formula. The founder of Joseph Ambalo Ventures, a New York-based consultancy that works with startups and mid-sized firms, Ambalo believes that smart, sustainable growth is what separates long-term success stories from fleeting moments of hype.

For Ambalo, rapid growth isn’t the holy grail. “Scaling for the sake of scaling is dangerous,” he explains. “There’s nothing wrong with ambition, but growth without structure and purpose is a recipe for burnout — for both the business and the people behind it.”

Why Scaling Smart Matters

Ambalo’s journey into entrepreneurship was shaped early. Growing up in a family of small business owners in New York, he learned that success isn’t always loud — often, it’s steady, intentional, and deeply aligned with community and client needs. Those values followed him
through his studies at New York University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration, and later through an Executive MBA at Columbia Business School. Now, as the head of Joseph Ambalo Ventures, he’s helping business leaders build strong, scalable foundations — not just high valuations.

“People think scaling means doubling headcount or launching in five markets at once,” says Ambalo. “Sometimes, it means learning to say no to shiny opportunities and yes to doing the hard work that builds core stability.”

Operational Readiness: The First Step to Sustainable Scaling

Before a business can scale, it has to work. That’s one of the first truths Ambalo communicates to his clients. “You can’t pour gasoline on a machine that isn’t running well and expect it to go further — it’ll just break down faster,” he explains. Operational audits are a core offering at Joseph Ambalo Ventures. The team looks under the hood of the business: assessing workflows, supply chain logistics, software integration, and internal communications. “When the back office runs smoothly, the customer experience improves. That’s where sustainable growth begins.”

Financial Discipline Over Vanity Metrics

Another common mistake Ambalo sees in growth-hungry startups is the misuse of capital. “Just because funding is available doesn’t mean it should be spent,” he says. “The temptation to overhire, overspend, or jump into every new marketing channel is real — but that’s not strategy. That’s survival mode disguised as progress.” Ambalo advises clients to treat budgets as blueprints. Every dollar should have a job. He encourages founders to measure success not just by revenue spikes, but by profit margins, retention rates, and team productivity.

“We ask founders to define what ‘healthy growth’ looks like to them — and then build systems that support that vision,” he says.

Adapting to a Fast-Changing Market

The only constant in today’s business landscape is change. From AI disruptions to geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains, startups face challenges that shift overnight. Ambalo says this requires not just agility, but humility. “Agility is about course correction,” he explains. “But humility is about listening — to your team, your customers, and the data. Leaders who stay grounded, curious, and responsive will outlast those who charge ahead blindly.”

His firm regularly incorporates real-time market research and customer insights into client strategy sessions. The goal? To ensure businesses are scaling in alignment with what their audience actually wants and needs.

Culture Is the Real Growth Engine

One of Ambalo’s more unexpected takes is that company culture matters just as much as revenue strategy when it comes to scaling smartly. “Culture is invisible until it breaks,” he says. “But once it breaks, growth slows.” At Joseph Ambalo Ventures, leadership coaching is woven into every engagement. The team helps founders clarify their values, align them with business goals, and build people- first teams.

“In high-growth periods, it’s easy to let culture become reactive,” he notes. “But great teams are built with intention — not left to chance.”

A Custom Approach to Every Business

No two companies are alike, and that’s why Ambalo rejects cookie-cutter consulting models. Instead, his firm is known for deeply immersive engagements. “We don’t give you a generic playbook. We build one with you,” he explains. This involves everything from co-designing go-to-market strategies to refining internal hiring processes. Whether a startup is entering a new vertical or a mid-sized company is rebranding after a merger, Joseph Ambalo Ventures tailors every solution to the situation at hand. “Strategy should feel like a custom suit, not something off the rack,” Ambalo says.

Mentoring the Next Generation

While many consultants focus solely on executive-level coaching, Ambalo is equally passionate about nurturing emerging entrepreneurs. He regularly mentors students, early-stage founders, and local business owners — often pro bono. “Success isn’t about hoarding wisdom,” he says. “It’s about passing it on.” Through partnerships with business schools and community organizations, Joseph Ambalo Ventures hosts workshops, panels, and Q/A sessions designed to demystify sustainable business practices.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Scaling

What does smart scaling look like in the next decade? For Ambalo, the answer lies in balance — between speed and stability, tech and humanity, innovation and tradition. “Technology is a powerful amplifier, but it’s not a silver bullet,” he says. “People build businesses. Tech supports them.” His advice to founders entering 2025 and beyond? Be intentional. Be resilient. Be real. “You don’t have to be the loudest company to be the most effective,” he adds. “Quiet excellence — when it’s consistent — speaks louder than any marketing campaign.”

About Joseph Ambalo Ventures

Founded in New York City, Joseph Ambalo Ventures is a bespoke consultancy dedicated to helping startups and mid-sized companies grow with clarity and resilience. The firm offers a range of services including strategic planning, leadership coaching, operational optimization, and market research. With a people-first approach and a commitment to long- term success, Joseph Ambalo Ventures continues to shape the future of smart, sustainable business.

Nashville, Tennessee, 5th June 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Nashville Chapter is calling on individuals who have experienced abuse in the field of mental health to come forward and seek justice. This renewed outreach follows recent protests at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting in California, where CCHR volunteers from across the country gathered to expose and oppose ongoing coercive practices in psychiatry.

“Too many people are harmed by involuntary treatment, over-drugging, and other abuses,” said Annette Freeman, spokesperson for the Nashville Chapter. “Now is the time for victims to speak up, and for the public to understand that real reform is needed in the mental health system.”

The protest in California gained attention for its scale and message: psychiatric abuse must end. CCHR volunteers held signs, handed out educational materials, and spoke with attendees and the public about documented cases of abuse and the need for informed consent and patient rights. The action echoed growing global condemnation of coercive psychiatric practices.

Even the World Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, and United Nations have now called for an end to coercive practices such as involuntary commitment, forced drugging, and electroshock therapy without consent—practices that continue to be reported in the U.S. mental health system. These institutions call for an end to coercion and the development of mental health systems rooted in dignity and human rights.

CCHR Nashville is actively seeking individuals who have experienced:

• Involuntary hospitalization or forced treatment

• Physical or chemical restraints

• Misdiagnosis leading to harmful or unnecessary interventions

• Coercion, manipulation, or abuse by mental health professionals

• Any other violation of rights in the name of psychiatric care

“Our goal is justice and accountability,” said Freeman. “If you or someone you love has been harmed in the mental health system, we want to help.”

Victims, families, or whistleblowers can confidentially contact CCHR Nashville through the website at www.cchrnashville.org.

About the Citizens Commission on Human Rights:
CCHR is a nonprofit mental health watchdog dedicated to eradicating abuses committed under the guise of mental health. The Nashville Chapter works locally to ensure informed consent, ethical treatment, and the protection of fundamental human rights in all mental health practices.