Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I did not think that the words “ministry overload” existed. I watched as my parents cooked meals, prayed for people, served by teaching and always did it with a smile. I was immersed in the “culture” of ministry and honestly didn’t know any different. I loved the culture and […]
Event: Single Moms Day Out
God is masterful at taking a mess and turning it into something He uses for His glory and further development of His kingdom. He does this when we offer him the pains and heartaches of our lives and allow him to use them for whatever purpose. I’ve seen this happen personally as, through my own […]
Single Parent Ministry and the Local Church
After being married to a pastor for ten years, I was suddenly labeled a “Single Mom” when my husband abandoned my daughter and me. Broken, hurting and struggling to survive, I experienced first-hand what so many churches are lacking in reaching the single parent demographic that makes up more than 34% of today’s parents. Yet, […]
How to Inspire Long After the Conversation Ends
As you drop a child off at school or end a conversation with a friend, do you find yourself making a last-minute comment? Perhaps you share a simple reminder, suggestion or instruction with the hope that your last words will stick with them. Now imagine in your ministry, spending months in prayerful preparation, enlisting and […]
Ministry to Sexually Exploited Victims
You have likely noticed the increase of conversation both in the church as well as governmental and humanitarian agencies related to the tragedy of commercial sexual exploitation both in the United States and around the world. This horror is ravaging lives of men and women, and boys and girls in unspeakable ways. The effects of […]
How to Gather Around Hurting Families in Prayer
Have you ever found yourself in a desperate circumstance? I vividly remember the humid July morning through tear-drenched eyes the words spoken by the pediatrician on duty: “Your son has a large mass on his brainstem.” As tears streamed down my face and uncertainty relentlessly swirled in my soul, I found myself in a fight: […]
Ministry to Families Dealing with Life-threatening Illness
The day I was informed through a doctor’s tear-drenched eyes my four-year- old son had a large mass on his brainstem instantaneously altered my life. In all of thirty seconds on one hot, humid, July morning my heart collapsed into a sea of uncertainty and confusion. Through the whirlwind of emotion and activity, a God-whisper pierced my heart, […]
Ministry to Military Families: From A Military Wife and Mom
On May 3rd, my husband and I celebrated twenty-five years of marriage. We married the day he graduated from basic training and since that day have lived in eleven states. He frequently says, “Home is where the Army sends us!” In each place we’ve lived, we have attended chapels on post and churches off post. […]
PTSD and How the Church Can Help
I’ve seen the names of those I know, and, yes, I’ve cried. My problem is I don’t know the names of those I tried to help only to have them die in my arms. In my sleep, I hear their cries and see their faces… Attached to this letter are my service medals. I don’t […]
3 Ways Leaders Can Help Women Overcome Insecurity
I was alone, or at least I felt that way. Women huddled in happy clusters chatting about first one thing and then another. Some propped babies on their hips. Others clutched Bibles in their hands. Most wore smiles on their faces. I wore one too. But it wasn’t a reflection of what was in my […]
