“Who said that you weren’t beautiful; And that you didn’t belong in your own skin? Who said that you were all alone; And that you’re never gonna find love again?”
The lyrics to Rachael Lampman and TobyMac’s “Perfectly Loved” flashed across a TV screen as adults and children joined together in Hephzibah Family Outreach, a ministry housed in the former Union Grove Congregational Methodist Church and founded by former teacher and Christian Women’s Job Corps volunteer Theresa Lemke.
“As a teacher of 33 years, I always had a sense that kids that struggled in school had parents that needed more support but were afraid or too overwhelmed to ask,” said Lemke, who feels that some current parents struggle on how to put proper focus on faith and family in their home. “The cycle seemed to repeat itself through the year. I began to focus more and more on encouraging parents but lacked the time, and the need seemed daunting.”
Lemke became a mentor for students at Transformation Pathway, Dublin’s CWJC ministry when she retired and Lemke found herself inspired by those seeking a second chance through CWJC.
“God opened my eyes to the truth that most of them were indeed walking miracles with everything they had experienced,” she said. “I realized the huge need to stop the cycles generationally.”
Lemke wanted to address the issues she felt as a teacher and things she had noticed at home.
“As a parent raising my
— Rachael Lampman and TobyMac’s “Perfectly Loved” own children, I struggled with passing on Biblical truths without it becoming too much head knowledge and not enough focus on really experiencing His personal voice,” she said.
“In 2018, I became aware of a curriculum such as the one I needed as a parent,” she recalled. “I had hope immediately if families found these truths together, they would be able to not only learn together, but have these lessons given to them to take home to practice through the years.”
These lessons allow students to grow together as a family while allowing family units to grow together at home, building bonds and bringing potential for a better tomorrow.
She had the vision, but Hephzibah needed a home. Providence provided one.
“Regional leaders came together to help renovate [Union Grove] that had been used for a local family to strengthen their children who were handicapped so the work was almost all done,” Lemke said. “We were able to begin one month later.”
Thanks to the renovations, Lemke didn’t need to do much work outside of creating stations for the activities and guided discussion held from week to week. Studies for parents and children include Salvation, Missions, Worship, Holy Spirit, Evangelism, The Bible, Healing and Prayer & Intercession.
Lemke said Highland Avenue Congregational Methodist Church Pastor Gerald Freeman was moved by the project when he visited the site, noting that the spirit of one of the founding Congregational Methodist churches was now low living on in the outreach.
The outreach was started in July 2019 and has almost met every Wednesday. (There was a break during the COVID pandemic out of concern for members with older family members.)
“Many times, three generations have been present and multiple truths were taught as we desire to glorify God and be the change this region and world so greatly need,”Lemke said. “Being family to one another and walking as one.”
The outreach was given the name “Hephzibah” as it means “my delight.”
“From that place of childlike wonder of a God who calls us His delight, much growth can come to make the changes that will affect families forever,” Lemke said.
Multiple parents and children were present Wednesday night with three mothers wanting to share what Hephzibah has meant to them.
Cydney and Kally both expressed amazement and appreciation for the lessons they’re learning alongside their children and being able to see their kids take those teachings home and to the outside world.
“It helps me learn who I am in Christ,” said Lauren, adding that she is “a baby” in her spiritual journey. Lauren is grateful for the family and support she has found through Hephzibah, noting that in growing together, they are there for each other through thick and thin. “You don’t always have that.”
Hephzibah meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at 723 E. Chancellor. For more information, call Theresa at (254) 485-4395.