Ministries I Recommend
When one of these rises, we all rise.
The mission heart: Care more than some think is wise. Risk more than some think is safe. Dream more than some think is practical. Expect more than some think is possible. -Karen Watson
My husband and I deeply desire to be givers and to hold any material blessings God has given us very loosely, always remembering that HE alone is our source. It all comes from Him, it all belongs to Him. We desire to live with the reminder of Jim Elliot constantly in view, that “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
But the needs are enormous and the asks are constant. We cannot be the answer to every need (this goes for our time as well as our resources). We are limited. Praise God that He is not!
Whether you are looking for a trusted nonprofit for that last-minute year-end gift, or are reading this well into 2025 (yet still stirred to support others who pour their lives into Kingdom work), I know the sea of options and needs can be daunting!
We get it.
Yet in His mercy, He invites us into His work, and therefore into His joy and inheritance. So the answer is not to ignore what feels daunting but to lean in and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to give, and where He is directing your gift.
Here are a few ministries I trust, people saying yes to what God is putting before them, even though it has come at a personal cost:
Isaiah 117 House
This local ministry in York County provides a safe haven for foster kids who are waiting for placement, inspired by Isaiah 1:17 which urges us to “defend the cause of the fatherless.” You can find more about this amazing ministry and how to support it here.
A worship and prayer ministry in the eastern Carolinas, their mission is to connect, equip, and plant presence-centered communities. They seek to help people experience and host God’s presence because His presence changes everything. This ministry and its resources have often been a source of encouragement to me in my work here in York County. And they have a substack!
This ministry near Greenville, SC, has been invaluable to Matt and me. It was founded by a husband and wife duo who had a vision to make their entire property a “prayer room.” We go here at least once a year to retreat with Jesus, making space to hear more deeply from the Father’s heart. This has become essential to our own Kingdom work back home!
I honestly could go on and on. I want to tell you about so many others, including of course my husband’s ministry Speak Up, which truly fulfills its mission of giving voice, creating opportunity, and building community for people facing homelessness. I’ve seen this firsthand and it is stunning; I’ve spoken about it before but will do so again briefly here:
My husband has built and provided a safe space, a loving community, a beacon of hope and dignity and inspiration (and I daresay even therapy and discipleship) in the lives of those who have often felt forgotten. If you want to know what I mean, join us some Tuesday for a writing workshop where you will see those facing houselessness (and those who aren’t) be invited to explore our inner landscapes and share at a table with others who are listening—really listening. I cannot tell you enough how healing this has been for this community. And for us.
Speak Up couldn’t do this (and so much more) without donors supporting this work.
“Use your ministry to build people, not people to build your ministry.”
– Jacquelyn K. Heasley
Of course, 24-7 Prayer York County also has need of support in order to do all that we sense God is asking for 2025. Things that include:
Securing a building and creating a permanent prayer space in Rock Hill where the local business man, the stay-at-home mom, the college student, and the vulnerably-housed (to name just a few) can go throughout the week to connect with God in a safe, set-apart, thin space with a visually engaging atmosphere.
Developing relationships with local schools to provide prayer spaces there—these spaces point kids to God and introduce them to the adventure of prayer, sharing Biblical truths in creative ways using art and tactiles. Public schools all over the world are agreeing to these because of the scientific benefit to mental health, and kids (who might have no other onramp) are connecting with God!
Continuing (and expanding) our pop-up prayer tents at markets and festivals, as well as weekly and monthly prayer rhythms, walks, and gatherings.
Building our content base of helpful prayer resources and sharpening testimonies to encourage and strengthen the Body of Christ through writings and our Prayer Chronicles podcast.
Multiplying our cross-denominational home gatherings we call The Table, as there has proven to be great desire and need for this type of community (in addition to, not instead of, the local church gatherings). Here, the Body of Christ can learn more of her priestly calling through ample opportunity to minister to each other in real time; here, the testimony of all the saints has space to be shared; here, the model tries to be more of a roundtable of ministers than a platform with a few ministers and rows of onlooking consumers.
There is so much more I’d like to unpack that God is stirring in our hearts for York County. We have need of manpower, finances, and resources…just like any other ministry. I share our needs freely, but I also really wanted to share and highlight these other ministries, because I truly believe in them and in the principle that when one genuine ministry rises in the Kingdom, we all rise. We are all in this together. We are all on the same team under one King.
So my ask is that you prayerfully consider sowing a monetary gift somewhere into kingdom work. It doesn’t have to be to any I have recommended! There are so many good ones.
If you feel led to give to York County Prayer, you can do so here. If you feel led to be on the team, contact us here. In a future post I will list all the ways you can get involved. Subscribe to stay connected!
We are in an exciting moment, and joining with the 24-7 Prayer movement is one of the best decisions I have ever made (it has come with global relationship, community, discipleship, covering, commissioning, resourcing, opportunity to name a few). I only wish I had done it sooner.
PS-The next episode of the Prayer Chronicles podcast with Lana Franks from South Africa is coming soon. There have been a few technical hiccups we are working to resolve, and we apologize for the delay!