Good News: Women in Ministry (Jennifer Long)

Currently I work in a different kind of ministry that what you would find in the local church. I am actually working for a non-profit children’s home affiliated with Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home.

I serve as a case manager (over the boys, and a couple of girls) at the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children. Here I take care of the needs of 23 children on my caseload who have been misplaced due to many issues.

My role is to minister to children and their families in crisis. It may be talking to a Momma who has lost her child to state services and has not been shown the grace of the Lord through her county worker. It could mean sitting for hours in a doctor’s office with a child who will test positive for the flu.

It also gives me great joy that I get the art work sometimes that the child does in school because I am the closest thing to a stable parent the child has ever known.

My job is not in the church, but I do get to minister. I got to sit down this summer and lead three boys to Christ and then watch as thirteen got baptized in our local church at one time. God is good! James wrote that taking care of the children and the orphans is true religion. I’m so glad I get to model it daily for the ministry and lives I serve throughout the state of Arkansas. 

I am thankful to be part of a ministry where I can get my hands dirty and see the glory of the Lord displayed in the lives of the children and families we impact daily. I’m studying through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for my Masters of Arts in Christian Education with an emphasis on Social Work. My calling is to make a difference in orphan care ministry in the world. I’m Southern Baptist and love the fact that the denomination is seeing more women stepping up in ministry related roles. I hope to influence the next generation and be a mentor for women looking to pursue ministry full-time.