Nearly 20 years ago, Nancy Anderson Morris, a counselor at a sister church, was motivated to begin a women’s ministry in Spalding County. With the blessing of pastors in the area, she and five other ladies met to determine the shape and scope of a program, which they implemented at First Baptist Griffin. The program ran for two sessions, and at the third session, every participant quit. Confused, concerned, and discouraged, the leaders decided to take the following year to pray for discernment. Out of this period came the program that would become known as LifeSong.
This new program would follow a Jobs for Life curriculum that had been gifted to the leaders by the local Probation Services office. The leaders also formed a partnership with the Christian Women’s Job Corps. LifeSong would soon become a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors and a host of volunteers committed to improving the lives of underserved women throughout the region.
Each year, LifeSong hosts two, 16-week sessions (February and September) in which volunteer coaches help women learn how to get a job and keep it. They explore conflict resolution strategies and identify ways to overcome roadblocks, or obstacles, to their success. The curriculum requires them to develop and practice interview skills. Bible study and computer skills are also taught weekly. Instructors from the community commit their time and expertise to lead classes and to participate in panel discussions to help women in the class— all of whom have been in crisis prior to coming to LifeSong.
Ladies who complete the program are honored in a graduation ceremony. To the outside observer, this ceremony may seem humble, but for the women who get fitted for those graduation robes, the experience is nothing short of life changing. These women have been to the darkest corners of their lives, and as they graduate from LifeSong, they are finding the confidence and resilience they have so desperately needed to return to the light. For most of these women, broken promises, abuse, and worse have defined their lives. But through LifeSong, they have witnessed covenants being honored and have seen the example of true friendship offered to them. LifeSong helps them find a way back to hope again.
LifeSong maintains an open-door policy. If you want to visit their sessions, then you are welcome. Each Monday and Wednesday, sessions meet on the third floor at First Baptist from 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The ladies have fellowship time over a nutritious breaksfast before beginning their Jobs for Life curriculum. They will also pray together, have Bible study, and learn about special topics.
The ministry covets your prayers for the participants, the coaches, and all of the volunteers who serve in the program. FBC supports LifeSong through the regular budget, so when you give, you are responding in a tangible way to God’s call to serve others as Christ himself served. (Mark 10:43-45)
LifeSong’s mission is to educate, encourage, and empower women. Ultimately, by achieving this mission, they are restoring and strengthening our whole community. For more information about LifeSong, please reach out to Jenny Flowers or Bonnie Brown.
If you would like to read more about how your budget contributions support the many vibrant ministries at First Baptist, then we invite you to read other articles in this series, please visit our Your Giving in Action page.