MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT: Kay Bennett

Kay Bennett

While working on a counseling psychology degree at the University of Southern Mississippi, Kay Bennett interned in a mental health facility as a requirement for graduation. Ministering to people’s physical and emotional needs – but not the spiritual needs – left her feeling empty. Later, while attending New Orleans Baptist Seminary she enrolled in a Christian counseling program. She knew what God was calling her to do. “It was everything I had ever wanted to do. I was able to minister to the whole person.”

In seminary, Kay worked part-time at the Brantley Center, which offers a shelter for the homeless and a substance abuse program. God opened the door for her to serve as a North American missionary to the Brantley Center in 1990. Nine years later, Kay began directing the ministries of the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans.

The Baptist Friendship House, located a block from the historic New Orleans French Quarter, seeks to minister to homeless women and children by meeting needs and sharing Christ. Through literacy classes, GED preparation, life skills training, Bible study, nutrition classes, and computer training offered through Christian Women’s Job Corps, women are equipped for self-sufficiency.

The Baptist Friendship House helps women build life skills, gain employment, and transition to a secure living environment. School-age children are assisted with school enrollment, supplies, and tutoring. The ministry reaches beyond the physical needs to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of hurting people. “We bring care back to the city that care forgot,” Kay stresses.

The number of homeless women with children is increasing, according to Kay. Families make up one third of the nation’s homeless population. The goal of the transitional housing program is to help women enroll their children into daycare or school, build skills, assist in spiritual growth through Bible study and worship, help secure employment for the mothers, assist with financial planning, and transition the family into permanent housing.

The Baptist Friendship House relies on the work of volunteers to assist in sharing the gospel with clients. Recently, the New Orleans Hornets NBA basketball team adopted the Friendship House as a ministry project. Hornets’ owner George Shinn, his wife Denise, along with the entire Hornets staff, provided for the renovation of the building, including new tile floors, bunk beds, paint, carpeting and setting up the dining room complete with wooden tables and chairs to look like a café.

“What a great way to say we care about you. This is a service that will in itself work to build the self-esteem of clients,” says Kay.

God has given Kay the ability to love people no matter where they are, where they have been, or what they have done. This gift allows Kay to build relationships in order to share the gospel with hurting people.

Kay’s greatest challenge leads to her greatest joy in ministry. “I see hurting people everyday,” says Kay, “but the greatest joy is watching God work in people’s lives and transform them.”

MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVE