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After years of preparation and months of planning, the first group of potential participants was introduced to Pivot Ministry with games, laughter, food, information, presents, and much enthusiasm. Eight potential participants were identified after having two interviews with Site Coordinator Carol Polk, and showing a continued interest in Pivot’s program. On February 27, 2018, each attended an orientation event at the Enterprise Center to meet potential mentors and hear from class instructors at what Polk called “Pivot First Step.”
Human Bingo was a creative ice-breaker game.
After some mingling and small talk among the attendees, volunteer Donna Bissette led a get-to-know-you Human Bingo game compiled by Lisa Turner. All participants, mentors, and instructors excitedly asked each other questions in order to fill out their Bingo cards. Gift cards were awarded to two participants who won the Bingo game.
Upcoming Pivot classes were introduced in game-style fashion by volunteer emcee Kathy Wilson. In this Share & Shift exercise, participants rotated around the room to tables where instructors and mentors had five minutes to give an overview of some of the classes that would be offered. Thank you to Ieisha Carter, Leslie Cox, Debbie Loftis, Marie Robertson, Sheryll Strode, Lisa Terry, Beth Warfford, Lori White, Carol Wilson and Pivot’s mentors who hosted the tables.
Instructors and mentors during the Share & Shift exercise
What’s a party without food?
What’s a party without food? A table covered in heavy h’ors d’oeuvres gave attendees plenty to choose from, enough for an early dinner, and leftovers for some. While they ate, participants watched a short video about the Christian Women’s Job Corps national model on which Pivot is based. The video included testimonials from other sites’ graduates. The group then heard some encouraging words from Carol Polk. Thank you to members of Ardmore Baptist’s World Hope missions group, as well as Donna Bissette, Lisa Turner, and Terri Jeffares for providing and serving all the wonderful food.
By the end of the event, all the participants were excited and ready to commit to attend the classes starting on March 1. As a parting gift, each was given a stylish tote bag filled with lots of goodies. Thank you to volunteers Patty Stockner and Sylvia Pickett for providing the gift bags and contents.
The Enterprise Center, site of “Pivot First Step” event and the weekly classes, deserves special thanks for their generosity in providing a space that is convenient to bus lines and well equipped with all the needed amenities. Also, thank you to volunteers Kathy Stewart for serving as photographer for the event; Jim Mabe for designing a presentation that highlighted Pivot’s benefits; Mary Simmons for exploring volunteer roles with Pivot; Gail McAlister, Merle and Larry Andrews for helping plan, set up, and clean up for the “Pivot First Step.”
All of the planning and effort made for a wonderful evening and, weeks later, Pivot’s participants still recalled “their party” as the first step to a new, life-changing adventure.
“Hi, Carol. Long time no see. How are you?”
“Well, I’m leaving my firm to start a job ministry for women.”
“I’d like to talk with you about that.”
That conversation took place more than two years ago, and this spring I had the privilege of jump-starting a journey of self-discovery for seven beautiful women, the first Pivot Ministry participants. Over a ten hour series, we became acquainted with some heady ideas and made initial tracks on new life. We examined our Life Gifts, innate skills that come to us naturally and get better with practice. We claimed our Spiritual Gifts that tell us we are doing God’s work. We unpacked our gift of Personality, inherent preferences of collecting and sorting information and interacting with the world. Next, we identified our Values, our individual convictions that govern our decision-making. We then considered our Passions, recognizing them by our dreams and motivations to make a difference. As if that weren’t enough, we traveled onward looking for the path to set our direction (our Mission) and imagined where that road could lead (our Vision).
Throughout our journey, we overlaid our discoveries with a holy perspective and, in the end, walked away with assurances.
With each session, I witnessed growth in first one woman then another. Fear gave way to hope. Timidity flowed toward confidence. Self-worth took root. Throughout our classes, the ladies showed interest in my reference material, so Pivot agreed to buy each participant a set of the three primary books: LifeKeys – Discover Who You Are, Do What You Are, and The Path. Two generous Handicrafters, Jo West and Linda Cline, tied each set with a colorful bow and added their signature red felt heart. On our last day of class, as I placed the books in their hands, each woman cried out, laughed, and wept simultaneously. We all hugged – and hugged some more – with palpable excitement. After a calming breath, one lady looked into my face and quietly asked, “Are these really for me?” “Yes,” I answered. “To take home?” “Yes.” She closed her eyes, hugged the package to her chest, and murmured, “I’ll put them beside my bed.”
The moment was holier than I could ask or imagine.
Debbie’s passion is helping others discover and fulfill their giftedness..
How would you feel if your small group was selected from among hundreds of others for a private meeting with an internationally known Christian speaker? Could you contain your excitement? What if the speaker called you by name and showed genuine interest in your personal story?
That’s just a glimpse of the thrilling experience Pivot participants had on May 1 at the Citywide Prayer Breakfast at Winston-Salem’s Benton Convention Center. The guest speaker was author and TV personality Cynthia Garrett (www.cynthiagarrett.org), who shared her story and challenged the audience about what it means to walk out our faith as followers of Jesus.
Thanks to generous table sponsor, Teall Capital, and the gracious invitation by Chuck Spong, Love Out Loud’s Executive Director, six Pivot participants were “blown away, inspired, moved, and blessed.” Not only was there a delicious breakfast, but the words spoken, the videos shown, and the music were inspirational. As Pivot’s attendees waited for Cynthia after the event, dozens of people came to their table to encourage and connect. Two women even joined them at the table, talking and sharing on a spiritual and personal level. Our ladies were moved by the warm and welcoming hearts.
The private group time with Cynthia was powerful, personal and perfect! With a challenging life in her past, she connected with our ladies in such a special way as they chatted informally. Cynthia asked, “What is the biggest lie Satan is telling you?” As each participant shared her personal challenge, Cynthia responded with empowering scripture and encouraging words to address that person’s answer. Each participant then received one of Cynthia’s books in which she wrote a personal note and signed it.
God surely used the prayer breakfast and all of these people to affirm His love and the self-worth of each Pivot participant.
Here is a quick summary of the day in praise to God for His mighty works in bringing this vision to fulfillment…and into life! Now comes the living of it!
God has provided eight phenomenal women who are ready to make a change in their lives!
Our classes for the first day were led by 4 fabulous volunteers/women of God:
Barbara Hudgens – provided a delicious, healthy lunch with an overflow to fill some take-home boxes.
Some of you know that I have a song playing in my head at all times. Often I have to stop, pay attention to it, and figure out what I’m singing…and why. It’s just a quirk …or an outpouring of my joy. Who knows? BUT…yesterday:
Needless to say, I end this with a repeat of the opening statement: To God be the Glory! He is amazing! Pivot is alive and well…moving forward to make a difference for Him in women’s lives (and a few men’s lives along the way, I’m sure)!
–Carol
Used by permission, adapted from Corbett, S., & Fikkert, B. (2012). When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, pages 175-176.
