House of Praise Church
HIS will is that NONE PERISH, BUT THAT ALL COME TO REPENTANCE
2 Peter 3:9
"Hurting Women's Ministry"
No one should ever see pain, poverty or powerlessness and not feel a need to do something about it. Due to the many calls on House of Praise's 24-Hour Prayer line (205 786 7620), (ESPECIALLY BY hurting WOMEN), young and old, we were compelled by the Holy Spirit to do more than, "just pray".
On July 20, 2005, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our precious Co-Pastor Joyce Williams (who has since gone on to be with the Lord) and Minister Corliss Ford, began the very first " House of Praise Hurting Women’s Ministry". The first meetings were held at the "Holiday Inn" in Homewood, Alabama.
The meetings consisted of women from all ages. From the very first day, we witnessed deliverance and freedom for many of the women present. Since that time, women have gathered, grown and continued to encounter the "Divine" presence of Almighty God. The freedom of being able to shed tears, make confessions, hug or just simply be able to vent, has brought great release to many.
Pastor Joyce and Minister Corliss Ford offered:
- Agape' Love
- Prayer (corporate, individual, and intercessory)
- A listening ear
- Informal Counseling and guidance through the Word of God
- Parenting skills
- Basic morals, values, self-esteem and hygiene skills
- Group sessions and role play
- Referrals for formal counseling for those dealing with abuse, domestic violence, rebellious children, marriage, rape, low self-esteem, rejections, homelessness, joblessness, loneliness, childcare and etc.
- Referrals for GED training, food, clothing and transportation
- Job Search
- Job interviewing skills
- Resumè writing
- Family Assistance
Today, Minister Corliss Ford, Minister Christie Harris Ford, and Minister LaShunna McWilliams continue to minister to troubled, distressed and distraught women. Their love reaches out to women of all race, nationalities, colors and creeds.
House of Praise’s Hurting Women’s Ministry does not only believe in feeding the hurting for a day (spiritually and naturally) but we also believe in teaching women, "How to fish for a lifetime."
"MEET OUR VERY OWN 'ON-SITE' COUNSELOR"
Ms. Shea Ludgood,MSW
Sister Shea, as she is so fondly called, is a saved, sanctified and Holy Spirit-filled woman of God, with a heart of Gods' love and compassion.
Being utterly qualified, she is extremely competent in her work. As a 2001 graduate of "Tuskegee University" (with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work) and a 2002 graduate of "University of Alabama" (with a Masters Degree in Social Work), she has ten years of experience in "Professional Social Work". Her area of expertise includes Child Welfare, Psychiatric Social Work and Correctional Health Care.
She realizes that peoples' decisions determine their happiness, success, level of joy, health, and that their decisions also determine ........ their STRESS! Because of this fact, Sister Shea understands that individuals need "HELP", in more areas than just their "SPIRITUAL" arena.
Her ability to assist individuals in EXPLORING their "life choices", is astounding. Through Christ Jesus, she identifies that a person is a spirit, that lives in a body, but has a soul (mind, will and emotions). House of Praise is a wholistic Ministry. Therefore, Sister Shea, through our "hurting women's ministry" reaches out to the needs of the "WHOLE PERSON".