Hi everyone! Here to give you alllll our ministry details.
As I mentioned in previous updates, we’re working with Til He Returns/ The Hope Project (Til He Returns is hard to translate, so locally the ministry is known as The Hope Project).
The ministry has a wide variety of programs, and we have the opportunity to serve in all of them. Each program began with someone wanting to use their passions to bring Kingdom.
With that being said, they offer english classes, a pregnancy center (The Refuge), business/finance classes, dance classes (dancehall, popping, krump, healing dance), bracelet making (Waves of Graces), parenting classes, and art classes.
Aside from all of that, we have time set aside to plan for upcoming events, discipleship as a squad, Spanish lessons, evangelism, opportunities to lead devotionals, and this afternoon we had a self defense class. This past weekend, the girls had the opportunity to lead a women’s retreat, called Beauty for Ashes. Back in Gainesville, we did the retreat ourselves, and it brought so much freedom. It was a privilege to walk other women to the freedom we found & are now walking in.
It’s fair to say that I’m leaning just as much as I’m serving. It’s been really cool to see how walking into each day with open hands, and a willingness to work in any way for the Kingdom has brought so much fruit. Our squad has talked a lot about the parts of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The body wasn’t meant to look the same, every part is necessary and as equally important. I’ve seen the body of Christ come to life in our squad through ministry. Whether it’s working with kids, dancing, photography/videography, art, music, planning, etc., the Lord has beautifully brought to life so many passions & desires to build His Kingdom.
While there are so many moving parts to our ministry, not everyday is filled to the brim with exciting, jaw-dropping moments. Sometimes our days are slow. Sometimes they look nothing like we expect them to. I’ve learned that an effective ministry is not determined by the amount of people that show up to events, or the number of things we do in a day. The Father is in the small moments just as much as He’s in the bigger moments.
To close, I wanted to share one way the Lord is working in my heart through our ministry. Depending on our schedule, my team might have evangelism a few days a week. At the beginning of our time here, I dreaded evangelism. It isn’t new to me, but I have a hard time really enjoying it. It’s sometimes more comfortable to build a relationship first, than to walk up to someone I’ve never met, but I know the Lord will work through anything. The Lord is growing my heart for evangelism & giving me a new perspective. I get to approach people boldly, because the Father goes before me. It’s an opportunity to listen to people’s stories. To show them glimpses of just how seen & loved they are by the Father. I’m hoping to post another blog about all the people I’ve met & their stories 🙂
So that’s a little more about our ministry! Let me know if you have any questions, I’d love to talk more!
All the love,
Jen <3
