Church Creates Ministry at Barber Shop, Thrift Store

Driving along Route 9 in Howell there is no shortage of places for people to go to buy clothing or furniture or just get a haircut. But in the southern part of town there are a pair of shops owned by a Toms River church that are working to help others through their efforts. 

Pastor Dino Rosato of the Harvester of Souls International Ministry (HOSIM) said when they opened their thrift boutique and the neighboring Zebulun Jesus Is Lord Barber Shop in November they wanted to do more than provide a good haircut or a new pair of shoes. "We do a lot of outreach ministries," he said. "People are broken, people have different life-controlling issues. We're constantly dealing with people especially in the drug and addiction area that need help and need outreach and don't know where to go."

Finding the help for those people is something Rosato said his church is very proud to do, though it is not an inexpensive task. "We're really big into getting people off the streets and recovering their lives," he said. "It takes money to do those things." Rosato estimated it can cost upwards of $500 to help get a person into a rehab facility and help keep them clean. With a relatively small congregation of anywhere between 25 and 70 people, he said every little bit helps.

His church has also started to get into activities to help younger residents, which helps them to assist more people but also puts more pressure on them to raise funds. "We needed a way to raise revenue for the church to do these activities and support the ministry," he said. 

In the more than two months since they opened, Rosato said they have also been helped by their landlord Art Sommers to help get their cause off the ground. Having to pay only rent and utilities, the rest of the proceeds go directly to the work of the church. "Now we're just really hoping to get the word out there knowing that everybody that purchases something, it is going to a good cause," he said.

Having been an addict himself, Rosato said he has seen what it can do to a person's life, but has also seen the rewards of recovering and moving past their problems as best as possible. "Being an ex-addict of many things I think that I'm over qualified to sit there and council people about what they need to do to get their life on the path," he said.

Making money to fund their work is an important part of the businesses, but Rosato said it is much more than that. "We're not just raising revenue, for people this is a place of hope as well," he said. Most of the people who work at the boutique are volunteers from not only his church but also other local ministries helping to bring many parts of the community together. 

Rosato said that while his religion and his church are an important part of his life, the goal of the shops is not to force those beliefs on the customers. "It's not in itself about raising funds but it's also another outreach to the community for people who are hurt, or broken, that need a hub. If they need prayer or they need advice we're here."

Looking around the boutique there is something for everyone. From clothing, to furniture to electronics and even items for children there is plenty for customers to browse when they come into the Route 9 shop. Rosato said many of the items are new and have been donated either by local businesses or customers who have not worn and no longer need the items. "There's a good amount of new and used things here," he said. "We have a very large selection of clothes and upscale items at a really phenomenal price and at a price that any person can afford."

Even in the barbershop where Christian programming can be seen on the television in a quieter environment that some people might be used to, Rosato said they welcome people of all religions as customers and employees. "We love them for who they are," he said. "The people that run the place, this is what we represent. It's a family barber shop."

For those customers who are not Christians, Rosato said they appreciate the fact that they can get a good haircut in a friendly environment that they can also bring their children to. "They may not agree with the message, but they agree with the atmosphere," he said. "It's a warm environment."

Having a shop with such a unique feel to it, Rosato said it makes people glad they have somewhere to go back to on a regular basis. "It's more than just a haircut," he said. "We groom the complete man. Mind, body and spirit."

He also said the idea of venting to a barber during a haircut is not a new one in the business, just the way they do it. "When you're a barber or you're a hair dresser you're almost a part time shrink anyhow," he said with a laugh. "People come in, they share their lives with you. You're a friend, you're a confidant and as a pastor that's what you are anyhow. I think that our giftings are maximized in this environment."

The Howell shop is located at 4302 Route 9 South and is right next to the boutique. There are also two other affiliated shops. One is on Route 37 in Toms River and the third is on Chambersbridge Road in Brick. More information about the barbershops can be found on their website. The church also has a website with more information about their ministries.