Known Seen Loved Celebration
By Kathy Fox
In today’s world, overlooked and underserved women are all around. You might pass her in the grocery store, she may be a mom with three kids, or she might have just aged out of the foster care system. However, the feelings she has are real – stuck, forgotten, and disregarded.
The crisis she faces in society might be homelessness, an unexpected pregnancy, or an addiction. It could be emotional, financial or physical abuse or it could be something completely different. Whatever she is facing, it leads her to feel like her life is a puzzle and she cannot find all the pieces.
431 Ministries’ mission is to tend to the needs of the overlooked and underserved women in Middle Tennessee by providing safety and stability, giving them hope and a plan for an independent future. By using discipleship, professional counseling services, and the love of Jesus in every area, they help women build a support group they can rely on for the rest of their lives.
On February 13, 2021, 431 Ministries partnered with Destiny Church, Nicole C. Mullen, The Dotted Lime, and Chick Fil-A (Columbia) to present a night of entertainment, fine dining, and gifts for single mothers in the community during the Known Seen Loved Celebration. Rachel Peck, President of 431 Ministries said, “The goal of the Celebration was to prove to single mothers that they were known, seen and loved in a special and powerful way. The entire community came together to showcase we care in a really tangible way.”
The room and tables were decorated with beautiful flowers and gifts as attendees entered. Once seated, dinner and an inspirational speaker followed. It truly was a community event with volunteers and businesses coming together to generously provide the evening at no cost to those in and attendance.
135 women attended the event, benefiting from the gifts and the love. “We were blown away by the support shown by the community over the last few weeks to make this evening happen. Seeing it all come together by the hand of God and with more than 90 volunteers, it was more than we could have asked or imagined,” Peck stated. In addition to the huge number of volunteers, almost 60 businesses came together to support the event. And thanks to Destiny Church and Muletown Chick Fil A, 431 Ministries was also able to provide free childcare and food for 105 children so their mothers could relax and enjoy an evening out with no worries.
Nicole C. Mullen, recognized with two Grammy® Award nominations, nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards including two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, and the first African American female to win Songwriter of the Year for “Redeemer,” was the guest speaker and shared her heartfelt story and domestic violence situation with attendees. Having been in an abusive relationship Mullen shared very real emotions. Mullen explained, “I would rather have slept in my cold car forever than go back to that warm, what I called ‘hell’ house.” Another powerful moment came when Mullen shared the story of her daughter being born 7 weeks early and how she begged God not to take her baby. “I pleaded, ‘God, please don’t take my baby because of the sin I committed.’ And He said, ‘I’ve never required the blood of your child for your sin because I gave the blood of MY child for your sin,’” Mullen recounted.
Overall, there is no doubt the event was a huge success and was an incredible outreach to the single mothers in the community. The attendees were filled with joy, hope, and laughter and were truly shown they were ‘known, seen, and loved’ by you, the community, local sponsors, and God.
431 Ministries has already begun making plans to hold the event again next year. To learn more about the mission of 431 Ministries and future events, visit 431house.org. For additional information on Nicole C. Mullen’s music and message, visit nicolecmullen.com.