Lavish HOPE is a ministry for the wives of ministers to experience rest, spiritual renewal, safe community, and extravagant nurturing.
Participant Testimonials
“Lavish Hope feels like a sweet charge back into ministry life. You leave feeling rejuvenated, with a community of support, and understand yourself and others better.”
“Ministry wives wear so many hats in the church. Lavish Hope allows them to take off all hats and be loved by God and others for who they are and not what they do.”
“This ministry has meant the world to me. I was searching and eager for a community who understood the life that I live. I wanted to have a safe place to share my ministry journey and not feel so alone. LH has been that and more.”
“I really enjoyed everything about the weekend. Everything was very well thought out and so much intentionality was put into every aspect of the retreat. It was just what my body and my soul needed.”
“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.”
Minister’s wives have a unique role in churches – they are rarely paid as ministers at the church, yet a lot is often expected of them. According to a 2024 Barna report, 86% of ministers say their spouse is significantly involved in their ministry and 91% agreed with the statement, “I wouldn’t be able to serve my role as well without my spouse.” Ministry wives are integral to the life of the church, and yet they struggle to find others who really understand the challenges they face.
Due to several factors, women married to ministers often feel isolated and lonely. One woman expressed this feeling this way:
“When you’re in ministry, people NEED you. They call on you when they’re in crisis and they share some of their greatest joys with you. But even though I feel as if people truly appreciate what we DO for them, it hurts to think that so few people seem to want to know us at a deep level. It’s easy to feel like you’re only valued for what you do rather than who you are. We have served in really great churches with godly leadership and loving people. But that feeling of isolation has been a part of our ministry story from the very beginning.”
The goal of Lavish HOPE is to pour back into and nurture these women to encourage them and help equip them for all that they do through rest, spiritual and emotional care, and community.
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 began in 2018; since then, we have served 31 women and are now on our fourth cohort.
Every 12 months a cohort of 8 ministry wives meet together for three long weekends with seasoned caregivers who understand the rigors and challenges of ministerial life. During the retreats, participants experience safe community with other ministry wives and are lavished with physical rest as well as emotional and spiritual care.
One woman said about her first retreat, “The intentionality and hospitality were touching. Being a minister’s wife is a thankless job and it was nice to be appreciated and seen.”
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 25 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 at Lipscomb University.
To contact Kaley email: director@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 a part 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.
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Payable to: “HOPE Network Ministries” (memo: Lavish HOPE)
PO Box 274, Keller, TX 76244 - Donate online by clicking on the button below
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