Hi, all! Let us take a moment to welcome a familiar face to many, Darcie Kiper, as our guest writer for July's Update! Darcie serves as the Director of Operations, enthusiastically working to oversee Catalyst Ministries in countless crucial ways. This month, she will be taking over this space as she shares her heart over a virtual cup of coffee. So feel free to grab a cup of your favorite drink and read about what God is doing through Catalyst Ministries.
July 4th—a day where there is so much to celebrate as a nation!
A day where many of us treasure the time where we gather with family and friends, enjoy summer favorites off the grill, and ‘ooh and aah’ as we watch spectacular displays of color splashing across the night sky! And, in the center of all of these festivities, we celebrate across the country the independence and freedoms we have as a nation—so much to be thankful for!
As Christians, this is also a time where many of us reflect on a much greater freedom—the freedom received through Christ. Paul speaks to this freedom in Galatians 5—what a rich chapter of God’s loving grace! Galatians 5:1 starts off with, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
As a community of believers, we know we’ve been set free in Christ and the Spirit guides us to share His life-giving love with others. Our mission at Catalyst is to see survivors of human trafficking set free—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Over the past several years as I’ve served with the Catalyst team, I’ve been given the privilege to see God’s hand at work as women experience the freedom found in Christ. A freedom that allows them to start experiencing the joy and fullness of life that Christ intended for them. A freedom from past hurt, betrayal, trauma and addictions—to be released to become the one they were created to be. What a joy to witness this firsthand!
And, not only is it a joy to see life transformation when individuals accept this new found freedom found in Christ, but to also witness so much of what Paul speaks to later in Galatians—a life led by the Holy Spirit.
As we read through Galatians 5, Paul speaks to the acts of the flesh versus the acts of the Spirit. Sadly, we, at Catalyst, do see the consequences in lives when individuals are hurt by others led by 'acts of the flesh.' However, Paul then speaks to lives led by the Spirit and the importance of being 'in step with the Spirit'—what a contrast we get to witness!
As Paul speaks to lives led by the Spirit, I also reflect and am thankful for our many volunteers at Catalyst Ministries that desire to be 'in step with the Spirit.' Again, what a joy to witness first hand when hearts are open and led to the Spirit’s work.
I reflect specifically on a story of one of our volunteers. She shares her story of a life where she knew little of the realities of trafficking prior to serving at Catalyst. She started serving in a capacity where she was skilled, talented, and very comfortable—she was a tremendous blessing serving in this capacity, but God had a greater plan. A plan that required her to be stretched, to say ‘yes’ to something that was unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but little did any of us know how God was going to use her to bridge Him to a beautiful, young woman. This is a longer story perhaps for another time and one best shared over a cup of coffee—but it’s an incredible reminder of what it looks like to be in ‘step with the Spirit.’ A heart open to being stretched, to sacrifice, but in doing so can be a vessel to sharing the freedom found in Christ’s love.
This month, let’s celebrate together not only the freedom we cherish as a country, but the freedom found in Christ—for both the women we serve and as a body of Christ coming together humbly by serving and loving.
Happy 4th,
Darcie
