Shy and Quiet to Ministry Leader
Hi, I am Amanda, President, Founder, and Executive Director of Sufficient Grace Outreach. After 5 years of being a Ministry Leader, I have decided to start a blog about my journey, the road getting here and the road I am on now. I will also be blogging in the future about our outreaches in the Call Outreach category and the Strip Club Outreach category.
This journey actually started back in 2010 when I was asked to volunteer with a local women's group calling online escort ads to offer resources, a way out of possible sex trafficking, a listening ear, and prayer to women advertised in these ads. We were also reporting any suspected minors to law enforcement. Back then, I had never heard of sex trafficking happening in the United States, only over seas. I was shocked to learn this happened in my hometown.
My first time calling, my heart broke. Hearing the girls being advertised, actually speaking with them on the phone, hearing how YOUNG they sounded, pierced my heart and soul. I didn't know it at that time but God had a plan for me in this darkness. He had a plan for this shy, quiet and ordinary girl. He allowed my heart and passion to grow for these women and children being sold for sex.
I soon became the Outreach Director's Assistant, then later I stepped up into the role of Outreach Director for the organization I had started volunteering with. About 6 months into my Outreach Director position, I heard the news of the ministry moving to another city about 2 hours away. The ministry would be closing the outreach program and focusing on their other programs. My heart sank. My passion and heart had grew so much.
Early 2014, some of the regular volunteers and I had a "Save the Call Outreach" meeting. The direction I saw this meeting going was to rotate between a few churches to continue conducting our call outreaches as individual women. God had another direction! Someone suggested we start a Nonprofit, 501C3.
My stomach sank!
As the leader of the meeting and the former Outreach Director of the former ministry, I knew I would have to step up. I had never ran a business, let alone a Nonprofit Ministry. How was I going to handle this? Then I realized, God had prepared me for this. My journey getting to that point, lead me here.
"God will instruct and teach me in the way I should go. He will guide me with His eye." ~ Psalm 32:8
"My steps are ordered by the Lord." ~Psalm 37:23
How could I NOT listen and follow Him and His calling for me?! As scared as I was, I agreed to go through the process of starting a Nonprofit Ministry and Sufficient Grace Outreach was born in the early months of 2014.
This shy, quiet and ordinary girl had decided to let Jesus use her to reach women and children involved in sex work and/or potential sex trafficking victims; to be His Light in the darkness. I was made for such a time as this!
"....And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
~ Esther 4:14
Abba, Thank you for calling upon me to lead Your Ministry, Sufficient Grace Outreach. I am so thankful I heard Your calling and I followed. This will never be my ministry, only Yours! I pray for those we have reached out to over the last 5 years. I pray the seeds we have planted in both outreaches, they are being watered and growth is taking place. Lord, I pray over the volunteers and supporters that have been with us over the years. I pray You will bless them and their families for listening and following Your direction. Lord, I pray for the volunteers and their families who have yet to volunteer in the future in Your Ministry. Lord, continue to guide us and give us favor. I pray these things in Your Mighty Name, Jesus, Amen.
