by Sarah Paulk
The walk from her parsonage to the church building was something Emily Childers used to dread. Like most ministry families, it was common for her and her husband Joel to arrive at the church at different times on Sundays. “I had these feelings of anxiety,” Emily says. “I had to walk into church by myself and it was so scary.”
When Joel transitioned from youth ministry in Abilene, Texas to pulpit ministry at the Avenue Church in Glasglow, Kentucky in 2021, Emily says the pressure she put on herself only increased. “It felt like I was who other women of the church were supposed to look up to,” she says. “I’m not just their friend now; I’m the pastor’s wife.”
The Avenue Church has been supportive of Emily, encouraging her to only serve where she feels comfortable, but even still, there is an inherent isolation to her role. With two young children, attending church events means she’s often by herself. “If you’re a church member, you can go to church together as a family,” she says. “When we’re at church, I’m on kid duty and still doing the pastor’s wife thing while he’s pastoring. It’s different and you feel that separation.”
When she attended Lavish Hope for the first time, Emily found a multi-generational community of women who understood that isolating experience. Many members in her cohort had been in ministry for two decades or longer, and to see that they had happy marriages and thriving kids was like a lighthouse for Emily.
“Youth ministry was starting to burn me out, like I was swimming with no destination.” Emily says. “Lavish Hope made me feel like I could keep going.”
Saving Sunday Mornings
The circle of support that Lavish Hope provided has been an enduring blessing in Emily’s life. Her cohort continues to text frequently and the tools and resources she gained from the Lavish Hope sessions has helped her gain a greater appreciation for the Avenue Church elders. Sundays are still hard work, but she now walks in knowing that there are other women who care deeply about her who are doing the same thing.
“I truly believe that Lavish Hope helped me become a better wife and mom,” she says. “The Sunday morning rhythm of anxiety and feelings of disconnect and loneliness has lessened since Lavish Hope. It changed Sunday mornings for me, and it reminded me that we’re all in this together. We’re not alone, and that’s pretty awesome.”