August 2025 Highlights
Bonfires and new beginnings
Our ladies worked hard this month, and we certainly got to celebrate in August! Our third round of the Re:New Self-Worth series wrapped up, and we had an emotional Side-by-Side graduation! As we look ahead to the work to come for the Gala in October, we also remember how the Lord has moved within 431 Ministries’ this past month. Take a look at the highlights below.
Re:Storing Futures
The Road to Independence: One Step at a Time
One of the biggest needs we hear over and over again is relearning how to manage finances independently. For some, growing up, money was always a point of tension and an unhealthy relationship with it was developed as a result. For others, previous partners had control over money or used money as a manipulation tool–many times to the point of financial abuse. Regardless of past experiences, most of our ladies simply didn’t have the right tools to manage finances well when they first meet us.
As part of our Re:Store Futures curriculum, we have two classes focused on finances each year, in addition to the 1:1 Financial Assessments we offer each month. In August, we taught the 102 version, Re:Store Financial Freedom, which was focused on beliefs about freedom, contentment, and goals. As one of the ladies recognized, “It’s not about the dollar amount that I am aiming for, but figuring out how to find joy where I am currently. I thought I was going to be behind because I didn’t print my budget, but realized it’s not a “dollars-on-a-page” class… it’s a mindset shift.”
SAve the date
Our Annual Fundraising Gala is fast approaching on Thursday, October 16th. Tickets are now available. Get yours today!
Re:Building Confidence
Seeing Fruit
This year, we started hosting a Side-by-Side Lunch following each Re:Store Class. It has been so good to see our women engage each other in this ‘no agenda’ time.
This month during the luncheon, we filmed some testimonies of our ladies, which will be shown in part at our annual Gala (tickets are now available!). It was so sweet to see them encourage each other to step outside of their comfort zone and be vulnerable on camera. We always give the option to be faceless for privacy, but one of the best moments was one of our newest Side-by-Side ladies who requested she be seen, saying, “I want everyone to know that it’s ME that has changed and grown.”
Growth in Community
While we work hard to celebrate the big moments, like a graduation, sometimes it’s the smallest ones that make us smile. This month, we had one between one of our Side-by-Side Participants and her Financial Mentors. After being frustrated with her current work situation, she chose to reach out to them, instead of waiting for them to check in. She said, “it was something so small, but I’d never thought to reach out and ask for help. I thought I had to figure everything out on my own. They asked me some questions, and I realized how simple the solution was. But what really mattered was that I was willing to reach out, which was new.”
Graduation Celebration!
Speaking of celebrations, it’s a whole party when one of our Side-by-Side Participants Graduates! These ladies have engaged with us for a minimum of 12 months, but more often, it’s more than that. They have done the work in 16 areas of life, from Safety to Restoration. But what makes this growth remarkable is the context in which it takes place. These women are not practicing skills in a classroom alone—they are building them in the midst of real-life hardship.
They are learning communication while testifying under pressure in court.
They are practicing follow-through while managing the exhaustion of single motherhood.
They are growing financial confidence while making daily trade-offs between food and gas, saving and spending.
They are becoming resourceful when very little seems to go their way.
Kristin is no exception, except for the fact that she has 6 beautiful children. So multiply the financial obligations, the activities, and the challenges of motherhood by 6!
In Kristin’s own words: “What the Side-by-Side Program gave me was the wisdom and input from a trusted team along with grace and guidance in a way I’ve never before experience, and so desperately needed! Having a team who willingly met me where I was and helped me with finances, emotions, and even my spiritual walk helped bring me to a place where I feel more confident in who I am in Christ. Going into this next chapter in my life, I now have the tools to build a better and more solid future for me and my kids.”
Kristin’s Financial Mentors reminding her that she was their “unicorn” in willingness and effort, and loved pouring into her.
Kristin’s Personal Mentor reading her note of encouragement. She and her husband hosted the celebration to represent the friendship they now have.
Rachel was Kristin’s dedicated staff person on her Care Team and was so proud of how far she’s come and where she’s heading next!
The community that showed up to celebrate all the hard work and effort! Kristin invited the most people to a 431 Graduation… ever!
As part of the Graduation Celebration, each graduate is gifted 5 gifts that represent the 5 values that 431 holds: God’s Sovereignty, Compassion & Dignity, Cultivating Authentic Community, Prayerful Communication and Full Restoration. Kristin’s Care Team had the opportunity to leave her with some words of wisdom and encouragement, and her Personal Mentor said this:
One of the things that has stood out to me most is your strength. Even when a new job didn’t turn out exactly as you hoped, you didn’t give up. You maintained relationships, and ultimately found your way back into a role that’s not only better financially but will soon give you full benefits.
I’ve also seen you navigate relationships that could have left you bitter or closed off. But instead, you have chosen to keep trusting, to keep loving, to keep being vulnerable and to keep giving your heart — even after it’s been trampled more than once in the last year. That takes incredible courage and incredible faith, which has no doubt been strengthened as well.
Kristin, your sweet spirit, your beautiful smile, your resilience, and your love for your children inspire all of us. I am so proud of you, and I can’t wait to see all that God will continue to do in and through your life.
Re:Newing Hope
After seven weeks of discovering their identities in Christ, our ladies concluded August and the Re:New Self-Worth with our signature bonfire night.
Early in the class, each woman writes down lies she believes about herself—especially those that attack her value and worth. On bonfire night, those lies are thrown into the fire as a symbolic act of release, and in their place, each woman receives a personalized document of biblical truths that directly contradict the lies, all supported by Scripture.
The evening also includes a powerful crown exercise: each woman decorates her crown, then passes it around the table so the others can write words of encouragement on it. At the end, the women wear their crowns—now covered in affirmations of who God says they are—as a reminder of their true value.
THE IMPACT IN AUGUST
Want to be part of this impact? Your faithful giving allows 431 Ministries to keep touching the lives of women around you.
She could be who you sit next to in church, your neighbor or maybe a mom dropping off her child at daycare. She could be anyone. You can fuel hope in their lives today!
A note from Rachel
At 431, we believe that every season brings both growth and opportunity. This season is no different, and we are excited to share several important transitions within our team.
We are deeply grateful for Amberly and Robyn, whose dedication and efforts have left a lasting impact. As they transition into their next chapters, we celebrate the ways they have served and the women whose lives have been touched by their work.
We are also thrilled to announce Sara’s promotion to Volunteer Coordinator, a recognition of her leadership, commitment, and passion for our mission. Her new role allows her to continue building on her gifts while helping guide 431 into the future.
And we couldn’t be happier to welcome back Kelly as our Operations Consultant, whose return brings both experience and energy that will strengthen our team in powerful ways.
As 431 grows, we are also excited to share that we are actively hiring new staff members to join our mission. These positions will help us continue to expand our reach and meet the needs of women in our community. If you or someone you know has a heart for this work, we invite you to explore opportunities to be part of the 431 team.
Together, we continue to restore futures, rebuild confidence, and renew hope!
- Rachel Peck,
Executive Director