In 2004 Kimberly Robinson took a class through the Women’s Ministry Institute of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She knew she had been called to women’s ministry but just did not understand exactly how or where. She vowed to wait for God’s timing.
While at SBTS a lady introduced Kimberly to Christian Women’s Job Corps, a ministry of Woman’s Missionary Union. This peaked Kimberly’s interest and she and her husband gathered more information. Through CWJC women are equipped, in a Christian context, for life and employment. CWJC offers life skills, job skills, mentoring, and Bible study. The timing did not seem to be right yet, but somehow, the interest never did completely leave Kimberly, and she eventually went for both Level 1 and Level 2 training.
Twelve years later, Kimberly’s dream and calling have come together. Today she is one of our newest Kentucky Mission Support Catalysts, serving as Director of “Hands of Hope 4 Women,” a Christian Women’s Job Corps ministry.
Through Hands of Hope 4 Women, many women in Louisville are finding a new way of life. This ministry helps to bring dignity, the love of Jesus, self-confidence and hope to women who might otherwise remain trapped in addiction, abuse, poverty, and despair. Through classes, mentoring, networking, friendships, and spiritual development, women are recognizing skills, and faith to become what God intends them to be.
Hands of Hope offers clothing to the women through their clothes closet. They provide food for ladies who need food. They conduct Bible studies, where childcare is provided and a meal is served. They work with a local drug rehab center by providing drug education and by bringing in nurses to teach nutrition.
Hands of Hope 4 Women offers “Jobs for Life,” is a sixteen week curriculum which pairs each lady with a mentor/encourager and helps to prepare them for employment. GED classes, budgeting classes, and other life skills are also taught.
Soon to be added is a Moms of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) program. In the Spring of 2016 a woman’s tea and fashion show are planned, with the ladies they minister to doing serving as models.
The Gospel message is always shared and, this past year, 5 ladies found new life in Christ, as they prayed to receive Him into their lives. Two of these ladies were baptized.
And, the stories could go on and on, thanks to the commitment of Kimberly and many volunteers that work with her.
Kimberly serves as a “self-funded” missionary in Kentucky and, has a great need for persons to assist with the ministry. This could possibly be financially, although there are other needs as well. Volunteers are needed to serve as encouragers for the women. Persons are needed to teach classes, to sort clothes, to provide meals, and serve as prayer warriors. Items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, sheets, towels/wash cloths, and cooking utensils are needed for the women and, Kimberly’s big dream is for a building, house, or apartment as transitional housing.
If God seems to be nudging you to serve alongside this ministry, contact us at [email protected]. We would love to introduce you to Kimberly and Hands of Hope 4 Women.
Leave a Reply