Speak Up For Hope
Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice. Stand up for the poor and destitute.
Proverbs 31:8-9 MSG
Vision: To help inmates and their families adjust to their new normal.
Mission: We exist to provide hope to inmates and their families through encouragement and resources.
This ministry was born out of Carol and Gene Kent's experiences with their own son.
Watch Carol's segment on the Billy Graham Prime Time Special.
Sometimes we choose to make sacrifices; we tighten our belts to pay for the education of our children, or we give up a treasured day off to help a friend in need. Then there are sacrifices for which we have no say--like "Isaac experiences" as described in Genesis 22--which are thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. We eventually discover we are living in "a new kind of normal."
Moody Radio - Midday Connection InterviewListen to Carol Kent on Moody Radio's Midday Connection. Carol joins host Anita Lustrea to discuss her new book, Between a Rock and a Grace Place. Comments (1)
Hope For the Heart Womens Outreach
This year We decided to do something different at our Church's annual Hope for the Heart Women's conference. It was suggested by Cassie Fuerst that we incorporate a service project into the event. We did some research into what our speaker, Carol Kent had a service passion for, and soon found the Boxes of Hope ministry. We had around 440 women attend our event, and each woman was encouraged to bring a listed item for the boxes to Hope for the Heart. What a blessing it was!
We recieved enough items to pack 20 boxes of encouragement to women who have loved ones incarcerated. Two weeks later, we invited women in our church and community to meet together to pack these items. I was honored to be serving with my fellow sisters in Christ as we put the boxes together, each one having it's own personal touches. As we read over the life stories of the women, we prayed together for each box.
We also wept as our hearts felt thier pain. In contrast, we were filled with joy, hoping that as these women recieved these boxes, it would place hope in thier hearts and strengthen them. It was our desire to show these women God's love...after all, isn't that what we,as Christians, are called to do? I am convinced that we were created and designed to serve one another. I would encourage anyone who has an opportunity to get involved with Boxes of Hope ministry. What a joy it is to do God's work! |
