Lavish HOPE is a ministry for the wives of preachers and ministers to experience rest, spiritual renewal, safe community, and extravagant nurturing.

Over the last several years we have interviewed and counseled many wives of preachers and ministers and their number-one felt need is friendship and community due to an acute sense of loneliness. The tolls of ministry are greater than most people realize and the goal of Lavish HOPE is to pour back and nurture these women, and vicariously their families and husbands in turn.

Every 15 months a cohort of 8-10 ministry wives meet together for three long weekends with seasoned caregivers who understand the rigors and challenges of ministerial life. During the retreats, participants will experience a safe community with other ministry wives and be lavished with the opportunity for physical and emotional rest and nurturing.

Our NAME

The name Lavish HOPE reflects God’s grace, love, and hope which has been lavished upon us as children of God. Lavish HOPE pours God’s grace, love, and hope back into ministry wives in the context a safe community in tangible ways through spiritual and physical nurturing.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1

“… in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” – Ephesians 1:7-8

“In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” – Psalm 33:21-22

Our STORY

Lavish HOPE was born out of HOPE Network recognizing a need for wives of preachers to receive encouragement.  After surveying wives of preachers, a team of female ministry leaders led by Dr. Heather Hodges conceived of a ministry FOR women FROM women who understand the unique calling, joys, and difficulties of being married to a preaching minister. The first cohort met in 2018 and 2019.  We are now on our third cohort and will be starting two new cohorts in Fall 2024.

Here is what some former participants have said about Lavish HOPE:

“Thank you for creating and supporting the work of Lavish HOPE.I can’t overstate how critical the Lavish HOPE group has been for me and for my cohort during the 2020-2021 season of life.”

“I come away from these weekends revived, rested and renewed.”

“Lavish HOPE provided a support group where I could express my feelings in a safe place and find love and encouragement. I am so thankful for the lifelong friendships and ways God has cared for me through these women.”

“Lavish HOPE has been the thing that I have always needed as a wife of a pastor. Not only has it been amazing to be a part of a group of women who share a lot of the same experiences, but to be lavishly loved on and shown my own value outside of my husband is a kindness that I will carry with me forever.”

Current Caregivers

Kaley Ihfe serves as the Director of Lavish HOPE ministries.  She has a B.S. in Communications, an MEd in School Counseling, and an MA in Christian Ministry.  In the past, she worked at the Volunteer Center of Lubbock, Pflugerville ISD, and Abilene Christian University.  She has served  alongside her husband, Karl Ihfe, in ministry for 23 years first in Austin and currently in Lubbock.  She loves traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and gardening; and she is passionate about teaching scripture and being an active part of her community.  She teaches adult Bible classes, writes Bible study curriculum, and speaks at retreats.  She and Karl have a son at the University of North Texas and a daughter who is a senior in high school.

To contact Kaley email: director@lavishHOPE.org

Karen Heflin serves as the donor relations director for an international nonprofit. She and her husband, Dr. Houston Heflin, worked in ministry for 12 years before moving to ACU where they equip future ministers. Houston and Karen are the parents of four teenage daughters and recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. Karen is passionate about cross-cultural welcome, working with refugees and international students. She also enjoys encouraging college students and those who answer the call to serve in ministry.  Her favorite things to do are travel with her husband and family, read great books, and visit with friends over a hot cup of tea.

To contact Karen email: logistics@lavishHOPE.org

Dr. Chelsie Sargent is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor (LPC-S) specializing in self-care, depression, anxiety, grief, life-transitions, trauma, and the Enneagram. In addition to her therapy work, Chelsie meets regularly with corporate executives, nonprofit professionals, and church leaders. She teaches and consults on a variety of topics, including the Enneagram, healthy boundaries, and contemporary issues. She holds a B.A. from Abilene Christian University, an M.Ed. from Hardin-Simmons University, and Doctorate of Professional Counseling from Houston Graduate School of Theology. Chelsie is certified in the Enneagram Spectrum Training with Dr. Jerry Wagner. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve, and their 11 year old daughter. Chelsie has been in ministry alongside her husband for over 15 years. When Chelsie is not in her office or out speaking she enjoys traveling, running, and all things Disney.

Annette Sharp was born and raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  She attended Abilene Christian University and earned her BS in Elementary Education. She has been married to her husband, Eddie, for 50 years and they have partnered together in ministry at churches in Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.  They served the University congregation in Abilene, TX for 28 years and the University Avenue congregation in Austin, TX for 10 years before retiring from full-time congregational ministry and moving to Dallas in 2019. Annette chose to be a stay-at-home mom for their three children until 1990 when she began her career as an elementary school secretary, retiring in 2013.  For 15 years, Eddie and Annette were members of the facilitating team of the Ministry Support Network at ACU that provided care and support for over 300 ministry couples.  Since attending the Transforming Community in Chicago in 2011-13, Annette has had a special interest in teaching spiritual formation and transformation.  She believes she is at her very best in her role as Mee-Maw to their six grandchildren, all of whom live in the Dallas area.

We are so appreciative of all the caregivers who give us so much of their time! To see a list of previous caregivers, click here.

Donate to Lavish HOPE

Lavish HOPE is apart of HOPE Network Ministries and, therefore, all donations are 100% tax deductible. You can donate to Lavish HOPE by selecting the option below that is the most convenient for you.

1. 1. Mail a check
      Payable to: “HOPE Network Ministries” (memo: Lavish HOPE)
      PO Box 274, Keller, TX  76244
   2. Donate online by clicking on the button below

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